Posted on Mar 18, 2015
Ask a Freemason a question - Dispelling Rumors and Myths
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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.
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.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 29
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CW3 (Join to see) My question to you, Chief is: have you ever been to a military Lodge where the corners were squared?
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CW3 (Join to see)
No, no I have not. Being military, if I'm doing floor work, I square my corners anyway.
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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. :)
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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.
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.
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CW3 (Join to see)
The Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge, is where Masons are made. That's where you first get initiated and become an Entered Apprentice Masons...that's where you get passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason, and that's where you get raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
After you become a Master Mason, that's the highest degree. Any other degrees are exemplification and explanation of lessons learned in previous degrees.
Those further degrees are conferred by what are known as appendant bodies of Freemasonry... in the US, there are two types: York Rite, and Scottish Rite.
In the York Rite, one becomes a Royal Arch Mason first, then progresses to the Cryptic Council, and then progresses to the Knights Templar. I'm not familiar with the degree structure there.....
In the Scottish Rite, one joins, and goes through a degree process where you get your 4th through 32nd degrees......
The 33rd degree is largely honorary, given for service to the Craft....if you ask for it, you'll never get it.
I can't speak to the issue on the Bible...perhaps another Brother who is familiar with that issue could do so.....I've only seen regular Bibles on any Masonic altars I've seen.
After you become a Master Mason, that's the highest degree. Any other degrees are exemplification and explanation of lessons learned in previous degrees.
Those further degrees are conferred by what are known as appendant bodies of Freemasonry... in the US, there are two types: York Rite, and Scottish Rite.
In the York Rite, one becomes a Royal Arch Mason first, then progresses to the Cryptic Council, and then progresses to the Knights Templar. I'm not familiar with the degree structure there.....
In the Scottish Rite, one joins, and goes through a degree process where you get your 4th through 32nd degrees......
The 33rd degree is largely honorary, given for service to the Craft....if you ask for it, you'll never get it.
I can't speak to the issue on the Bible...perhaps another Brother who is familiar with that issue could do so.....I've only seen regular Bibles on any Masonic altars I've seen.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
I looked over the Masonic Bible. It's an old KJV with some very nice illustrations. In the front are 32 pages on Free Masonry and the Bible. It follows the history of masonry (stonework) from 2000 BC. It includes a linking of Masonic ritual to Jewish Temple worship.
The Bible was presented to my Grandfather by Boone Lodge No 314. It was published by the Masonic History Company copyright in 1947 and printed in Great Britain.
The Bible was presented to my Grandfather by Boone Lodge No 314. It was published by the Masonic History Company copyright in 1947 and printed in Great Britain.
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SSG Matthew Nechy
All new MMs in my lodge receive a Masonic bible as a gift from the lodge after they're raised. Like Lt COL Coe stated, it's a KJV. Ours have pages for the Mason to add special dates for degrees, signatures of the Brethren present for them, and links to the biblical verses used.
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Greetings from Solomon’s Key #580, and the Michigan Lodge of Research and Information, Grand Lodge of Michigan.
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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...
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...
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SFC Justin Scott
Honestly, finding the answer to your question is simple. Just google any Freemasonry Lodge and their webpages will always have mission statements that are roughly similar.
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