[Raloma]

Very interesting read.
Thank you

[FreemasonJeeper]

You rock Dizasta!

You have to be a mason first before you can join the others. Both are an appendant bodies of masonry but do very different things. Shriners I'm more familiar with because I am one. We raise money to support the Shriners hospitals for children. They provide totally free,state of the art care for kids with particular ailments. We even provide free transportation, food and lodging for their families. The Scottish Rite I'm not that familiar with but they are more like a continuation of the lessons and lore from regular masonry. I plan on joining them when I have more time on my hands. There are a few more that weren't mentioned like the York Rite but I know absolutely nothing about them.

Perhaps some of these other guys can elaborate on these.

[sol]

I hear all this talk about the New World Order. Do you have any idea what the Old World Order is or was? Just thought you might be privy to more information than the common man.

Also I used to work with a mason over in Tampa area, [Plant City], nicest guy I've known in a long time. We worked at Dixie Fire Protection, name was Jim I think. Been years since I've seen him though. Always remember him because he talked about how the Masons changed his life. He always seemed content with life no matter how hard our job was. Wish I had that sense of self worth, or feeling of camaraderie. Haven't had that feeling since the Boy Scouts.

Well anyway. Hail and well met.

[FreemasonJeeper]

It's a conspiracy theory. There are a ton of websites full of this nonsense, google it. I don't personally think there is any truth to it.

It's interesting that you mentioned camaraderie. Ever since I got out of the military, I had missed that feeling of knowing people had your back no matter what. I found it again with freemasonry.

Along those same lines, kind of, freemasonry is unique in that I never thought I'd have much in common, much less be great friends with, such a diverse group of people. I'm friends with, not just friends, but dear friends with men who are old, young, rich, poor, bikers, bankers, cops, bartenders, garbage men, tattooed, politicians, every religion, and everything in between. It's amazing and I've never seen anything like it.

[Ih8Hondas]

Why is everything so secretive? What do you all have to hide?

[YJames90]

Originally Posted by FreemasonJeeper

First you have to be voted on then you go through three initiations that are called degrees.

There are no salary requirements, everyone is equal in lodge no matter what your social status.

Our obligation (secret pledge) is one of our secrets so, no, my significant other doesn't know it.

Someone might bring either of those fine games to one of our summer picnics. My new favorite is Polish Horseshoes.

A mason can leave at any time. Simply quit paying your dues and you're out automatically.

I don't think I'll ever leave. I love masonry and being a mason.

No repledging.

You must be of legal age, usually 18 but some states might be 21.

Nice.
Tried tossing obscure questions and you came back strong!

Great thread !

[Whybu1]

Originally Posted by Ih8Hondas

Why is everything so secretive? What do you all have to hide?

Masonry is really not very "secret". I have often heard us described as a society with secrets not a secret society. We put all kinds of stuff on our cars, hats, shirts to let everyone know who we are. As for the "secrets" those are pretty much traditional. If you take the time you can find 99.99% of all our "secrets" on the web. Mostly they are there for ceremony and to build brotherhood between the members.

[streetglideok]

I really need to get off my butt and work on joining next year. One of my grandfathers had been a member of the york rite for over 50 years when he passed away. The rest of my family were all scottish rite, and my dad, and my other grandfather are/were shriners as well.

[LostJeeper]

problay get shot now but not a fan of mansons they lazy asses in the army that get rank to easy

[FreemasonJeeper]

Originally Posted by LostJeeper

problay get shot now but not a fan of mansons they lazy asses in the army that get rank to easy

I'm going to reserve comment on this one. I think the post speaks for itself.

[SunDevilJeeper]

Originally Posted by LostJeeper

problay get shot now but not a fan of mansons they lazy asses in the army that get rank to easy

My buddies are who are free masons in the Navy are picking up rank at the same rate everybody else is, then again they're smart so... when test time comes... they do well.

I know because a couple of them had to help me study back in "A" school.

[happymudder10]

Originally Posted by Ih8Hondas

Why is everything so secretive? What do you all have to hide?

Every single organization has its secrets. Ask Coca Cola for their recipe and see what they tell you!

[FreemasonJeeper]

Originally Posted by Ih8Hondas

Why is everything so secretive? What do you all have to hide?

Our secrets are mostly our modes of recognition. How we can tell if another guy is a mason. There is a lot of tradition in masonry and this is just that. It originates, like I said earlier, from medieval times when masons actually built huge stone cathedrals. When a fella came to a jobsite seeking work, the only way for the craftsmen to verify that this guy was a qualified mason and part of the guild was by using certain handshakes and passwords. That's all we have to hide.

[JKrubicon10]

Isn't it largely an old boys network for people seeking favoritism?
Sort of a fraternity where you are supposed to treat anyone fair n equal but brother masons get treated ummmm more equal?

[FreemasonJeeper]

I can't say that some networking doesn't happen but that shouldn't be your motivation for joining. I also wouldn't call it favoritism. If I am a business owner and personally know a guy who I know I can trust, of course I would hire him over the unknown guy behind door number two. That goes for everybody, not just masons.