Ask a Freemason a question - Dispelling Rumors and Myths

We're speculative Masons rather than Operative...but I know at least one brother of my Lodge is also an Operative Mason.

Bottom line, to make good men better.

Anyone trying to gain an advantage in the Army (or any service) based on Masonic status is engaging in unMasonic conduct. That's not what we're about.

Looking back at both my question, and your response, I realize I might have can off the wrong way. In no way was I trying to gain an edge, or buy my way into a promotion. It was honest curiosity into Mason function, and if the majority of Masons use their title for monetary gain, or otherwise.

No, it was a valid question. There is an incorrect perception in the military that we help each other get over when there's wrongdoing.

Any Mason helping another get out of consequences for bad actions is failing that Brother by not holding him accountable. Any Mason helping another get promoted solely because they're both Masons is failing that Brother by letting him have something he didn't earn.

SSG (Join to see) - The thing that most people fail to understand about Masonry is that, at the end of the day, Freemasonry is one of, if not the, largest Philanthropic organizations in the world.

No, why would they?

I don't know just really nervous and hope everything goes good

Its all about character building ,we take good men and make them even better men

The best place to start would be right here: http://hawaiifreemason.org/

Thanks! Usually they are pretty easy to spot. Not so much here.

Back in the beginnings of our nation, race relations being what they were, a black man could not get admitted to a Masonic Lodge. A freedman by the name of Prince Hall gained admission to an Irish military lodge attached to British forces in Boston. When the British left at the end of the Revolutionary war, the free black men were granted the charter to operate as a Lodge. Also, the Mother Grand Lodge of England made Prince Hall a Provincial Grand Master.

This Lodge, African Lodge #459, became popular enough that it got large, and there were black lodges established in Providence and Philadelphia. They got together to establish the first Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

As this was (at the time) the only outlet for black men who wanted to be Masons, this got large enough to be able to spawn more lodges, and create more Prince Hall Grand Lodges, until now there's a Prince Hall Grand Lodge in almost every state, and a handful that cover more than one state (like the PHGL of CO, UT, and WY).

Racial relations being what they were, the Grand Lodges didn't receive recognition from the mainstream Grand Lodges until modern times. Today, all but 9 of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges enjoy full mutual recognition with the mainstream Grand Lodges in their jurisdictions.

Today, in most jurisdictions, it would be anathema to reject a candidate because of the color of his skin. I'm Secretary of two Lodges in a mainstream jurisdiction, and I'm a black man who has been treated as a Brother by almost all Masons I've met.

CW3 (Join to see) - Interesting, as I was about to ask about the difference between the two factions of Freemasons. I recall two Freemasons (presumably Prince Hall types due to being African American and their conversation) loosely talking about the difference between the two factions (not sure how else to describe the two different type of Freemasons) and one thing that I remembered was one mentioned a fire and the original lodge being burned down (I'm assuming this was a Grand Lodge) and how their Freemasonry was older and truer due to that.

That's a very vague and loose commentary of what I recall - but it seemed to stand out as why the two factions still exist today and haven't become one? I've been fascinated with the Freemason culture, as I have a few friends who belong to lodges - but I have yet to ask one.

Well met, Brother! I serve as Secretary of LaFayette-DuPont #19, F.A.A.M. of the District of Columbia, and Secretary of Arminius #25, same jurisdiction. Come see us if you're ever in DC...

You have to want it. If you're too busy and aren't interested, nothing I say is going to convince you. We don't recruit anyway, you have to knock on the door. We'll open it for you, but you have to want it.

CW3 (Join to see), that wasn't my question. My question is, respectfully, what is there about Freemasonry that would make a person want to join? I ask this from a position of total ignorance about the organization.

I understand the draw of service organizations that perform charitable uses, and veteran organizations that seek to recapture the closeness we felt while serving, especially in combat. But when it comes to Freemasonry I am drawing a blank because I know nothing about the organization.

You asked for questions; that is mine. No disrespect intended.

No disrespect was assumed. No worries.

There's a cliche about Freemasonry that says "We make good men better". It's a character building organization, and it's only partially about the public service. It's also partially about the internal character building, and partially about the camaraderie with those you'll come to call your Brothers. Plus, there's a certain comfort in knowing that wherever you go in the world, there'll always be someone there to help in times of need, if only to lend an ear.

But again, you have to have it in your heart to want to join.

CW3 (Join to see), sounds like my church.