Ask a Freemason a question - Dispelling Rumors and Myths

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:46:11 -0400

I started this thread because I've seen comments from others in other threads where they have very skewed views of Freemasonry, and I've wanted to dispel myths and rumors.

I am a Freemason of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia, and the Secretary of LaFayette-DuPont #19 and Arminius #25 of that jurisdiction.

Non-Masons, feel free to ask anything you've been wondering about. I will answer any questions I'm not prohibited from answering.

My Brethren, please feel free to chime in if you feel you have something to contribute.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 10:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 10:38:35 -0400

I don't have any questions Chief, but I just wanted to say hello from 2nd Corinthians Lodge #96. Washington Jurisdiction. Newly raised as of 20 March 2015

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 5:45 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:45:25 -0400

My question is this, CW3 Private RallyPoint Member: Why are you "prohibited" from answering any question? That's one of the knocks I've heard on the Freemasons all my life. That it's some sort of secret society and only the indoctrinated are allowed to know the inside "secrets." In my book that's how cults work. Tell me I'm wrong, please.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 1 at 2015 6:36 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:36:44 -0400

Why the secrecy?

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 7:58 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:58:15 -0400

Thanks, Chief, glad to see this. I usually laugh when I hear some of the garbage I've heard about us.
-White Rose Lodge No 706, F & AM, York PA

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 1:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 01:44:54 -0400

I guess my question is why join? Personally I've never felt the need to join a fraternity, motorcycle club, Lodge, or any other group. I have my family and circle of friends and I guess that's all I need to to be complete. What does the masons provide that is missing in your lives?

I found this site interesting. http://www.formermasons.org/issues/the_secrets_of_freemasonry.php
Even the modes of recognition can be found on the web. http://www.sacred-texts.com/mas/dun/index.htm

Order of Former Freemasons

The Order of Former Freemasons (O.F.F.) is an evangelical, discipleship crusade of Christian men who were once members of a Masonic Lodge (whether of Prince Hall or non-Prince Hall affiliation), or one of the affiliated Masonic organizations such as, the Order of the Eastern Star, the York Rite, the Scottish Rite, or the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.We have left Freemasonry because of our commitment to Jesus Christ and a realization that the...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2015 10:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 10:43:00 -0400

I've heard of three and four letter Lodges. What is the difference? Also, since there is a Mother Lodge, what is a Father Lodge? Lastly, I've heard of "paying dues" and a few hundred dollars was what I heard. Is this a few hundred dollars a year? and how is it that this fraternity can sustain it's membership if it is that much per year?

Response by SrA Kelly Richard made Apr 20 at 2015 11:39 AM

SrA Kelly Richard — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 11:39:24 -0400

If someone wants to join the freemasons, do they have to wait to be approached or know one? Or is it more like the American Legion or VFW where you show you qualify, sign up and then (unlike the VFW) are accepted after you complete initiation and are sworn to secrecy?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 22 at 2015 4:11 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:11:53 -0400

Is there really a war brewing between the Free Masons and the Illuminati?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 22 at 2015 6:11 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 18:11:41 -0400

My Dad was a Blue Lodge Mason. My Grandfather was a 33rd Degree. I have a Masonic Bible that has a lot of "unusual" information in it.

Can you explain Blue Lodge, the 33rd Degree (are there 32 lower degrees) and what's with having your own version of the Bible?

BTW I'm a member of the Grange so I have some familiarity with public service organizations that started in the 19th Century.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2015 11:03 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 23:03:06 -0500

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member Hello Chief, I am just another of those 'cowan' guys. I lapsed years ago.

Response by LT Michael Cavaggioni made Dec 27 at 2015 11:07 PM

LT Michael Cavaggioni — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 23:07:10 -0500

I have enjoyed my journey in freemasonry so far. When I realized how much they did for our local communities, and just the overall care our brothers have for each other, I knew it was an organization that I wanted to be a part of. I get to interact with other people who I believe truly care about the betterment of mankind and society. I don't participate as much as I would like due to my work and school schedule, but it's still an enjoyable organization to be a part of. if you really want to learn the secrets of why freemasonry is what it is today and where it came from, then check it out for yourself. No one will make you come back if it's not something you are interested in. I have seen many people come into the lodge thinking it would be something other than what it is. If you are looking for what you see on the discovery channel and YouTube, you are sorely mistaken. :)

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2015 11:07 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 23:07:26 -0500

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member My question to you, Chief is: have you ever been to a military Lodge where the corners were squared?

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Dec 28 at 2015 12:07 AM

PV2 Scott Goodpasture — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 00:07:17 -0500

Nope, could care less

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 28 at 2015 1:07 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 01:07:41 -0500

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, I've got a busy life and am not looking for things to do to fill my time. Is there a reason for me to join to help others or to improve myself as a Mason that I cannot do independently?

Response by TSgt Terry Hudson made Dec 28 at 2015 10:52 AM

TSgt Terry Hudson — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:52:43 -0500

Great responses Cheif! By the way I'm Terry Hudson of Mt Ogden Lodge #20 PHA F&AM, where I serve as the JW.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 12:18 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:18:07 -0500

Unless you are a 33rd Degree Mason, you aren't part of the cabal...

< joking >

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 12:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:31:54 -0500

Can you talk about the Prince Hall vs Grand Lodge differences? Are there any Ancient Grand Lodge constituents in the US?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 28 at 2015 12:40 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 12:40:28 -0500

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member Hey Chief, just wondering - How many of you know how to lay bricks - being masons and all?!!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 28 at 2015 1:42 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 13:42:07 -0500

This is an interesting topic to me, because there is such a big 'mystique' about them. I have heard many people say in this thread that they do not recruit. Yours may not, but a lot do. There was a lot of recruiting going on when I was in Afghanistan. I never went, because no one would give me enough information as to why I would want to join. I didn't mean I needed a run down of everything that goes on, but give me some generalization as to what the purpose of joining would be. All organizations have mission statements that is available to give people a general idea so someone can decide if it something that they want to join.

Don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the organization. I don't know anything about it, so it would be wrong of me to do so. I know a lot of Masons, but none of them are willing to share anything about the workings. I guess that is my two cents...

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Dec 28 at 2015 2:24 PM

CW3 Jim Norris — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:24:39 -0500

As a Latter Day Saint, we share many aspects of ritual that is sacred, not secret. Most everything we hold sacred is published on the internet, that doesn't mean that I am going to share them with anyone not within the covenant that I made......my father-in-law was a Mason and at his death during the normal process of cleaning and sorting of 'stiff' I came across a booklet that at first startled me a bit and then made me smile......I often wondered why he smiled so warmly when he and I would converse about our views of life and the eternities......

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 18 at 2016 4:53 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:53:10 -0500

Where are you keeping the Holy Grail......? ;o)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 10:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:44:06 -0500

I am interested in the group. It seems like there aren't as many obvious members here in HI. Where do I look to find them here. I had an opportunity before, but timing wasn't right.

Response by SGT B. Kevin Blair made Mar 17 at 2016 6:17 AM

SGT B. Kevin Blair — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 06:17:56 -0400

No questions either just wanted to say hi to all of my military/veteran brothers from St.Johns Lodge #20 here in Columbus,IN and the Scottish Rite(Valley of Indianapolis) and on April 9th I will join the Murat Shrine and become a Shriner ,thank all of you for being in the fraternity and serving our great nation

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 10:24 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Sep 2016 22:24:52 -0400

Im so glad this is a thread SSG Matthew. No questions but just greetings to all brothers and sisters lut there. I hail from Saint John's Lodge No. 5, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of MD.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2016 3:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 03:18:44 -0400

Pleasant Valley 531 F&AM

Response by Wes Watson made Sep 2 at 2017 6:52 PM

Wes Watson — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 18:52:05 -0400

Hi just a quick question I want to join but will tattoos get me black balled?

Response by MSgt Gregory McNeill made Feb 28 at 2020 10:14 PM

MSgt Gregory McNeill — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 22:14:58 -0500

Greeting Brethren, Mt Moriah Lodge #18, F&AM, Murfreesboro TN.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2022 11:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 11:44:02 -0500

Greetings from Solomon’s Key #580, and the Michigan Lodge of Research and Information, Grand Lodge of Michigan.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2023 4:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:45:26 -0400