What’s the deal with Freemasons? I have a student who’s father is very active within the local masonic temple and I have to admit, I know very little about the freemasons. Not wanting to ask him directly - can anyone here tell me a little about the freemasons? At what age can one join?
I know there are some famous freemasons from Ty Cobb to Davey Crocket to Andrew Jackon…I’m just wondering what they are all about. Any Doper Masons?
The Freemasons are a fraternal organization now largely devoted to charitable works (the Shriners, who run the Shrine Hospitals, are Freemasons) and general palling around. They’re about as secretive as the Rotarians: Even their rituals are now widely known.
And occasionally things get out of hand.
What sort of ‘induction ritual’ requires busting a cap at someone’s head? The crips?
Yeah, I caught that in The Times this morning.
Darn, darn strange. Never heard anything like it.
The homicide did occur in New York, which was the home state of those bizarre and extremist Freemasons who kidnapped and murdered Morgan, so these particular Masons diddling around with guns like they were toys doesn’t surprise me.
Here’s another link on Freemasonry.
This one’s from Rotten.com, so if you wander from the URL above, don’t be surprised if you see some nasty pics. (The link I provided is not nasty, and is safe for work.)
I’m a mason, and I’ll be happy to answer nearly any questions you can think of.
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A man can join at 18. When I joined, it was 21, but they changed it.
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In the lodge, a man is instructed in the basics of being a good man and a good citizen. You know, charity, brotherly love, service to the community, caring for widows & orphans…that sort of thing.
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About the story Jonathan Chance linked to, I’m guessing it refers to the dramatic part of the Master Mason (3rd) degree. Rituals vary from state to state, and I hadn’t heard of using a blank pistol. Anyway, here’s the deal. In the drama, the Master Mason-to-be is blindfolded and told he’s playing the part of a boss of the masons building the temple of Solomon. A handful of workers decide to speed up the process. They ambush the boss, demanding the secrets of a Master Mason. They don’t get 'em, and they kill the boss. In Indiana ritual, they klop him in the kloop with a hammer (actually, a padded replica.) I’m guessing that NY lodge uses a blank-firing pistol.
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Over the years, a lot of urban legends have sprung up. You’ll see some of them on the Rotten.com site spiff linked to.
4a. We don’t rule the world. It would be nice, but no.
4b. We’re not a Jewish plot. There are some Jewish brothers, though.
4c. We don’t exclude Catholics; it’s the other way around. The Vatican says they can’t join. Nonetheless, there are some Catholic masons, just as there are some Catholics on the pill. The ruling body of the Church of God also forbids members to be masons. However, the pastor of the nearest COG assured me I would be welcome there. That was a surprise, for the national COG convention is held annually right here in Anderson.
Is there anything else you want to know about masons?
Are there non-active Masons? As in Masons who are actual members but don’t go to any rites, rituals, or meetings?
What are the social benefits of being a mason?
What are the personal benefits?
Are there any drawbacks to becoming a mason?
Lots of Brothers do not attend meetings. It is a shame, but modern life gives many men ‘more important’ things to do. I mayself cannot attend meetings because of where I live.
More to your (first) question, yes a man can be ‘made a Mason on sight.’ Such a man does not go through any of the ritual work.
BUT this is an historical oddity that rarely occurs, the last time I know of it happening in the US was in 1976.
I have enjoyed many friendly relationships based on the Lodge, but personally I have never made a business deal based on being a Mason. I have never even gotten out of a speeding ticket.
When I travel to faraway lands (Thailand, The Philippines, Panama) I never fail to link up with the local Brothers and am always glad I did. Great guys.
Membership offers no practical reward. Some fraternal organizations offer cut-rate life insurance. The American Legion or the Elks is a great place to have lunch or a beer after work. None of these is true of the Masons.