How does religion, if at all, play into Freemasonry?


Do you indeed construct stone structures without charge?


We're going to end up in PRC aren't we?

 

Does Freemasonry have any lineage, heritage or modern day contact with the Rosicrucians and/or the Teutonic Knights?

 

Who do you think you are? And a followup - what's the big idea?

 

It's funny you ask because I just answered a similar question in another thread.

Freemasonry is not a religion, it is a fraternity. It is religious however, in that we pray before and after meetings. Who you pray to is up to the individual. Since I'm Christian, I pray to Jesus. One must believe in God to join, who you call God is up to the individual. We call him the great architect of the universe, to be all encompassing and non-discriminating.

No, most of us don't actually work with stone although I know some guys who are stone masons by trade.

I hope to keep this out of PRC. I think we can hold a civil discussion but if it gets out of hand, I understand it being moved.

 

It's funny you ask because I just answered a similar question in another thread.

Freemasonry is not a religion, it is a fraternity. It is religious however, in that we pray before and after meetings. Who you pray to is up to the individual. Since I'm Christian, I pray to Jesus. One must believe in God to join, who you call God is up to the individual. We call him the great architect of the universe, to be all encompassing and non-discriminating.

No, most of us don't actually work with stone although I know some guys who are stone masons by trade.

I hope to keep this out of PRC. I think we can hold a civil discussion but if it gets out of hand, I understand it being moved.

And to add to that, you must be monotheistic.

 

Why is your lodge leader termed "worshipful" master and why is a top hat used to denote this position?

 

Does Freemasonry have any lineage, heritage or modern day contact with the Rosicrucians and/or the Teutonic Knights?

Not that I'm aware of. I've heard of the Rosicrucians online, usually conspiracy websites, but have no knowledge of their organization. Never heard of the other group.

 

Who do you think you are? And a followup - what's the big idea?

I'm Tracy. I don't have any big ideas yet but I'm trying to come up with a good concept for a screenplay. Have any ideas?

 

What is the purpose/goal of Free Masonry? Example: I'm in a tractor club because I like tractors.

What benefits are there to membership?

 

Why was Jacques DeMolay chosen as the "theme" for the Order of DeMolay (or DeMolay International or whatever you call it)?

 

Why is your lodge leader termed "worshipful" master and why is a top hat used to denote this position?

worshipful [ˈwːʃɪpfʊl] adj 1. feeling or showing reverence or adoration 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (often capital) ChieflyBrit a title used to address or refer to various people or bodies of distinguished rank, such as mayors and certain ancient companies of the City of London

Freemasonry as we know it today began in London in 1717 so I figure it must just be a hold over or tradition from then. Also from what I understand, worshipful was a common term used to show respect in those days.

As for the top hat, I'll look into its origin but I know that my lodges master is allowed to choose the head cover of his choice. My current master wears a cowboy hat.

 

What is the purpose/goal of Free Masonry? Example: I'm in a tractor club because I like tractors.

What benefits are there to membership?

There are many purposes but in my opinion, when you get right down to the core, it's purpose is to bring like minded men together for friendship, influence to become a better person, to give each other help when needed and to help the community as a whole.

The benefits are as I said above. I have fantastic friends and know that if I get hurt, someone will come help with the yard or snow blow. If I die, my family will get the help they need. Also, a little deeper, it's how I changed myself. I'm now a better father and person than I was before.

 

I have read that there is a ranking system based on your profession and different levels you can obtain a mason. Is this true and if so, what is your ranking?

 

There is a "ranking" system, but it is not based on your profession. (Meaning, if you're a doctor and I'm a janitor, you do not outrank me).

The "ranking" system follows the various levels of "operative masons" (operative masons were the original stone masons that built the great cathedrals) modern masons are known as "speculative masons".

The operative masons were ranked by their level of expertise in the craft. One started as an entered apprentice and went to master mason. Similar to an electrician starting out as a journeyman and after years of experience he becomes a master electrician.

There are three degrees in modern speculatve Masonry. They are:

1st degree: Entered Apprentice
2nd degree: Fellowcraft
3rd degree: Master Mason

Master Mason is the highest degree you can ever achieve in a Lodge. There are other branches such as the Scottish Rite that build on this and you can reach the 32nd degree (or honorary 33rd degree).

But the highest you will ever be is a 3rd degree Master Mason.

 

Another question. As with most secret societies, fraternities, clubs, religions, etc. there is always scandal and controversy. Are there any major scandals within the Freemason community that are not public knowledge or rumors you care to debunk?

 

At least in Florida, I am not aware of any scandals regarding our fraternity. Unlike other fraternities / clubs, we do not accept anybody that comes knocking at our door.

There are various layers of investigation, both internally and through the use of public records that a candidate must pass through. The final step is that there need to be a unanimous vote by the lodge to accept the candidate.

 

Is Freemasonry membership growing or shrinking?

What's the mean age of the membership?

Do you do anything at the meetings, or is it just an excuse to hang out?

 

Is Freemasonry membership growing or shrinking?

What's the mean age of the membership?

Do you do anything at the meetings, or is it just an excuse to hang out?

Freemasonry has seen an increase in membership probably due to recent books / movies dealing with the subject. Masonry was big with my grandfather's generation. My parent's generation (1960's hippie movement) did not want anything to do with their parents / older generation, and Freemasonry fell by the wayside.

There is a renewed interest in Freemasonry now. I live in a college town, and we get a lot of inquiries and lots of new members from the Univ. of Florida.

Still I would say that the median age in my lodge is 65 - 70.

At least in Fl. we have two meetings a month. We have a stated communication, and a called communication. During the stated communication, we discuss regular lodge business, and the called communication is reserved for presentations, ritual work, or whatever the Worshipful Master deems necessary.

We do not drink at our meetings. Alcohol is prohibited at the Lodge. There is a branch of Masonry that does allow alcohol, those are the Shriners.

 

"Worshipful" is the British equivalent of saying "Your Honor". And "Master" is one who rules and governs. Such as the Worshipful Master is the one who rules and governs the lodge.

I always get the same question asked, "do you guys really worship him?" LOL!

As for why he wears a hat, this is to signify that his is the highest position to which the greatest respect should be paid.

The Worshipful Master holds the most honored, prestigious, and sacredly held chair of office during his term.

 

Why was Jacques DeMolay chosen as the "theme" for the Order of DeMolay (or DeMolay International or whatever you call it)?

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about DeMolay. I'll look into it further if my son is interested when he's older.

 

What is the secret handshake?

What secret signs do you have to recognize other Masons and identify yourself as a Mason?

 

You would need to become a Mason to find out.

 

Thanks for the help happymudder. I'm at work and can't answer them as fast as they are coming in. Haha.

 

No problem brother. I've got some downtime at work now. (Damn economy!)

 

Another question. As with most secret societies, fraternities, clubs, religions, etc. there is always scandal and controversy. Are there any major scandals within the Freemason community that are not public knowledge or rumors you care to debunk?

Some people think the Morgan Affair is a mason scandal but I haven't seen enough proof to say it was.

 

Yea, give examples of regular lodge business. I'm not buying "who will bring cookies to our next meeting".

 

Do you have cookies at your meetings?

 

What is the secret handshake?

What secret signs do you have to recognize other Masons and identify yourself as a Mason?

 

Hoping to learn more tonight as I embark upon my Fellowcraft Degree...

 

Congrats brother! Enjoy, and pay attention to the lecture. That is my favorite degree.

 

Subscribed :thumbsup: I'm finding this quite interesting!

 

What is regular lodge buisiness?

What kind of presentations?

What is ritual work (work on rituals, I know)?

I mean, what do you do?

Is it true that Steve Guttenburg's rise to fame in the 80's was perpetuated by the Stone Cutter branch of the Free Masons?

Yea, give examples of regular lodge business. I'm not buying "who will bring cookies to our next meeting".

You'd be surprised what happens at our business meetings, especially those who think we do all kinds of weird crazy things behind those doors. Haha. It's pretty boring. We discuss and vote on paying the bills, on new candidates, and on events we are putting on or attending. That's it. Crazy stuff huh?

After the meetings we have dinner. Sometimes cookies are involved.

 

Hoping to learn more tonight as I embark upon my Fellowcraft Degree...

Awesome! Congratulations!