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So I was Asked to Join the Freemasons...

TheDoLittle

Disco King Discombobulator
TheDoLittle
Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
1,842
On New Years Eve this past Monday, my family doctor had an "Open House" in his newly re-designed offices to show off the work that had been done before fully opening today. His nephew had done most of the interior design, his brother-in-law did most of the destruction/construction, and I had helped with doing the design work for the custom signage used around the office. Since I had been "cordially invited" and I really had nothing better to do that morning, I decided to go. It was stated in the invitation to dress "very informal" and it being such a warm day that day, I dressed in a plain black polo and jeans, but without realizing it I grabbed my baseball cap with my collection of Steve Jackson Games' Illuminati pins festooned all over the front.

A short 10 minute walk later, I showed up for the barbecue and my pins were an apparent hit. Not really knowing at the time, but quite a few people there were Freemasons and thought my pins were some sort of statement (as I am some sort of "art person" and apparently aways doing these sort of things to "freak out the man!"). After having to explain that the pins were a part of a game for the thousandth time (and I don't enjoy having to explain the gaming culture to people who have no concept or can't possibly understand the genre) I begrudgingly folded my cap and stuck it into my back pocket.

After sitting down to one of the best rack of ribs I've ever had the pleasure of chewing on (and trying my best not to actually eat the styrofoam just because I didn't want to leave any drop of the sauce... IT WAS THAT GOOD!!), Doc and his nephew sat down beside me and continued with the Illuminati jabs. "So you're the one keeping the water fueled carburetor under wraps?", "So you're out to rule the world?", "So you're the one who faked the moon landings?", "So you're the one made Elvis famous after his spaceship crashed at Roswell?", etc. Now I usually give as good as I get, but I was off that day. My comebacks were so lame that if Tiny Tim had heard them there was no way he would have blessed me and more than likely would've whack me over the head with his crutch.

I don't know exactly how or where the conversation got to Freemasonry, but Doc asked me if I had ever thought of joining. I've known he was a mason back when he first opened his practice here and he's known of my atheism since I was a teen. I explained to him I've never been big on fraternity, I hardly even talk to my own brother anymore, and the whole idea of going through some ritualistic ceremony to gain admission to a club was too esoteric for me. He then explained they don't really do that at their chapter unless someone is gaining their 3rd degree, and even then it's nothing more than an understated knighting ceremony. I asked if my atheism would be a hindrance, because I was of the understanding you had to believe in a supreme being in order to join. He said they usually ignore that rule for apprentices but that I'd might have to rethink that philosophy if I was going to attain any other degree in the order.

So my question to the peanut gallery is...

Would you join an organization that would have you change what you felt is one of your core beliefs, or lack thereof, in order to attain a level of networking contacts that could open doors for you professionally and quite possibly personally?
 
Since Freemasonry is just role-playing for grown men, I say go for it. I mean, if you can't imagine JR Bob Dobbs or Chthulu when you respond in the affirmative about a Supreme Being, you are living way too seriously.
 
No way. There's nothing wrong with Freemasonry per se (one of my friends is one) but if it means pretending to believe in a deity, nuts to it. There are other ways to get places.

Sexual favours, for example.
 
Well, normally, if you want to get anywhere in the corporate world, there is a fair bit of role playing. Networking is all about making impressions on people.

It all depends on how far you want to take this. If you want to gain the higher ranks, you're going to have to wonder how much you want them.

I say, join up, see what its like. You don't have to climb the ranks if you are that uncomfortable with faking belief. Who knows, maybe you'll meet some people that convince you in a higher power.
 
TheDoLittle said:
Would you join an organization that would have you change what you felt is one of your core beliefs, or lack thereof, in order to attain a level of networking contacts that could open doors for you professionally and quite possibly personally?
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I don't get the impression they are looking for your to change your beliefs, so long as you're not interested in becoming the Grand Exhaulted Poobah. :) So hell yeah, why not?
 
No I don't think I would. ( Not that it is open to me, but I understand the Eastern Star is similar. )

I don't like the idea of networking, though I have spoken to at least one American who sees nothing wrong with it at all, and this may be a political or a national difference. I don't really know. From my point of view it is not a fair way to conduct anything that matters; and not worthwhile for anything that doesn't.

I am wondering why they are so keen to get you. You raised an honest obstacle in terms of ritual and they waived it (not necessarily for you but they have waived it for some reason). You raised a belief objection and they waived that too ( again maybe not just for you). Yet they say it is still important if you want to rise in the organisation, and I am wondering why that should be? It doesn't speak highly to me of their integrity. And while I am not fond of slippery slope arguments I wonder if they might be?

If there is pressure of any kind at some later time might you not feel you had a lot (or at least something) to lose? And would it not be harder to say no then than it is now?
 
Big Les said:
No way. There's nothing wrong with Freemasonry per se (one of my friends is one) but if it means pretending to believe in a deity, nuts to it. There are other ways to get places.

Sexual favours, for example.
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I'm in :D

It was suggested many years ago to me by a friend in a Lodge in Edinburgh that I might consider joining. I didn't because of some principle or other at the time but in retrospect I think I was being a bit priggish. I think the theistic element of the Freemasons is largely symbolic. As someone said, FSM is a worthy contender. They do a surprising amount of charitable work so the downside is that if you join you will as likely as not be roped in for the betterment of your fellow man :D
 
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Fiona said:
I don't like the idea of networking,
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I think most would agree. But you don't do it for "fun." You do it to make professional and/or personal contacts. ie it's a classic ends justifiying the means.

From my point of view it is not a fair way to conduct anything that matters;
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Since when is life fair? And actually it is fair, because networking is something anyone has available to them.


I am wondering why they are so keen to get you.
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I don't get the impression they're "so keen" on it; it was just a simple offer. I doubt if he declines they'll be up nights.
 
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It would be a bit hypocritical to lie about believing in a supreme being if you are truly an atheist, and some of the lessons taught in the various degrees might be rather meaningless. Apart from the actual ceremonial aspects of Free Masonry, the activities and fellowship that the various Masonic bodies engage in are pretty secular in nature. Being active in a lodge can lead to some great friendships, and being part of an organization that sponsors some of the oldest charities (i.e. The Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, and others) gives one a feeling of putting something back into the community.

I was active years ago, being involved with nearly all of the bodies (both Scottish and York Rites) though I am no longer very active due to changes in my life and work schedules, but I found it a worthwhile organization, and met a great many good people in my travels.
 
The following was found on an application form from the Grand Lodge of California and appears here thanks to Bro. William Maddox who transcribed it.
Having expressed a desire to become a Freemason, we presume you are willing to consider thoroughly the step you propose to take. The exact nature of our Institution being unknown to you, we deem it advisable that you should be informed on certain points, the knowledge of which may affect your decision to apply for membership.

Freemasonry interferes neither with religion nor politics, but has for its foundation the great basic principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. No Atheist can be a Freemason.

Freemasonry strives to teach a man the duty he owes to God, his neighbor, and himself. It inculcates the practice of virtue, and makes an extensive use of symbolism in its teachings.
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My bold
 
I dropped out of the Masons because it seemed that all those old duffers ever wanted to discuss was the menu for next week's meeting and who had died since the last meeting.
 
The Masonic Oath, taken by 3rd Order Masters, opens with "I, _________, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Worshipful Lodge, erected to Him and dedicated to the holy Saints John, do hereby..." and ends with "So help me, God, and make me steadfast to keep and perform the same." All throughout the oath, the Mason's hand rests on a Bible.

Theoretically, this oath precludes an honest Atheist from joining the Masons. Of course, some say that any recognition of a god, including Satan, is acceptable, as long as the Mason claims to acknowledge a god.

I resigned my Masonic oath because it is in direct conflict with Biblical instructions: "Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." (Matt.5: 34-37) KJV
 
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From here

http://www.masonicinfo.com/member.htm

This one is for a particular lodge though

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/lodgestthomas/page5.html

Firstly and most importantly you must believe in a Supreme Being, most commonly refered to as God, however as freemasonry is open to all faiths you may equally recognise him as Allah, or the name by which your creed gives to the Supreme Being

Secondly, You must be male and aged 21 and over, unless your father is a member, where under the Scottish Constitution you are permitted to join aged 18

Thirdly, As the reputation of The Lodge and Freemasonry in General depends on the conduct of its members you must be a respectable law abiding citizen of good character
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Not too long ago, I was invited to join the Masons by this guy who's a friend of a friend. She had told him about me, she told him I'm a musician and so he offered me to join this "secret world" which would grant me the access to other professionals, etc. After he gave me the brochures and magazines, he left and my friend told me that he believed Masonry was a little bit looney, but that she respected it. Then she said that you can join but you can't leave afterwards. When I asked, in a sarcastic tone "What are they going to do? Kill me?" she said "Yes" in a no-kidding tone.

Even though I'm a little bit skeptic about that one, I'm still not interested in such thing.
 
paiute said:
Since Freemasonry is just role-playing for grown men, I say go for it. I mean, if you can't imagine JR Bob Dobbs or Chthulu when you respond in the affirmative about a Supreme Being, you are living way too seriously.
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Yeah, but... then I'd have to explain to them who/what those deities are
, and if I hate having to describe gaming sub-culture to them... well, it's a can o' Gagh I'm not sure I wanna open with my Bat'leth!

Oooh!! I know! I'll worship Kahless!!
 
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