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Looking to join but have a question...

Jmorgan

Registered User
So to start my stepfather and his father are both master masons and shriners. I have been interested for quite some time to join the fraternity, One to better myself and two to support my family. My question first and foremost is what are the chances of someone like myself with tattoos and body piercings being able to join. I can cover all of my tattoos and take out all my jewelry but this is also something I do by trade. I have a degree and hold myself really well; Its just the walk of life I chose and it has been extremely lucrative and enjoyable for me..But I'm afraid that this would reflect on my character and integrity and ultimately prevent me from joining.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
So to start my stepfather and his father are both master masons and shriners. I have been interested for quite some time to join the fraternity, One to better myself and two to support my family. My question first and foremost is what are the chances of someone like myself with tattoos and body piercings being able to join. I can cover all of my tattoos and take out all my jewelry but this is also something I do by trade. I have a degree and hold myself really well; Its just the walk of life I chose and it has been extremely lucrative and enjoyable for me..But I'm afraid that this would reflect on my character and integrity and ultimately prevent me from joining.
I would be interested in your character not your job or appearance.. mind you, if you joined my lodge, you might pic up a few customers - some of us like Masonic Ink :)
 

MarkR

Premium Member
I don't think it will be a problem in most lodges, but depending on the extent and type of your tats and piercings, it might ruffle feathers at some lodges.
 

JanneProeliator

Registered User
I am pretty heavilly tattooed my self (both full sleeves, full chest pease, neck and both calfs) and it has not been an issue at the lodge. I ws just raised as a master mason last friday and no comments where made.
After my EA one older brother came to me and said "I have never liked tattoos but here we are meet on the level and I don't care about your tattoos. They are your choises and I understudnt that it is comon these days. Wellcome to the craft brother."

Ofcourse if you have tattoos that makes brothers question your character then it might be a problem but otherwise they are propably just a good way to start a conversation.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
After my EA one older brother came to me and said "I have never liked tattoos but here we are meet on the level and I don't care about your tattoos. They are your choises and I understudnt that it is comon these days. Wellcome to the craft brother."
Great! I have a few myself.
 

Jmorgan

Registered User
Thank you for all your replies. I assure you i dont have amything offensive but I am also in a more coservative rural part of tx. Thats my concern. So heres my other question. The lodge I'm interested in I have called and emailed and yet to receive any replies. Any other suggestions fellas? I feel like just showing up when they have a gathering would be too intrusive.
 

BobLoblaw

Registered User
no big deal man. If the lodge you petition to declines you(which I doubt) because of your appearance than that is a lodge you dont want to be a member of. You will be surprised when you meet your soon to be brothers on how welcoming and on the level this fraternity really is...
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
So to start my stepfather and his father are both master masons and shriners. I have been interested for quite some time to join the fraternity, One to better myself and two to support my family. My question first and foremost is what are the chances of someone like myself with tattoos and body piercings being able to join. I can cover all of my tattoos and take out all my jewelry but this is also something I do by trade. I have a degree and hold myself really well; Its just the walk of life I chose and it has been extremely lucrative and enjoyable for me..But I'm afraid that this would reflect on my character and integrity and ultimately prevent me from joining.

While Masonry values the internal, not external, qualities of a man all Masons are still people. And that means some may be judgmental. Your petition and investigation may go well but, in most jurisdictions, a single black ball dropped in the voting box can keep you out. That is reality. But, I encourage you to petition. Good luck.
 

Symthrell

Registered User
Start attending dinners and get to know some of the brothers. Next petitions and if they can't see past your outward appearance then that is their loss!! All men should only be judged, by this organization and in life, by the content of their character!!
 
Thank you for the advice fellas
Traditionally you need to ask 3 times for a petition as was in my case. 2 older members, grand dad and friend were keeping count- individually! "Knock 3 times...etc"
That was almost 35 years ago.
Grandpa was heavily tattooed as a sailor with nice tats done with needle stick, and chewed ink spit and rubbed into the skin in the old Asian manner. Lots of guys have tats as a visual way of recording life experiences, much as the lodge uses ritual lectures to record history and pass on important tenets.
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
Jmorgan check out Mr Roni Zulu website www zulutattoo com
Roni was a Masonic Past Master (think Past President) of his lodge in California but has recently moved to Austin Texas where he has a tattoo studio and does tattoo work for the rich and famous. He is, for descriptive purposes only, an African-American and is himself heavily tattooed


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
If you go on youtube and search for “Masonic roundtable” episode masonic ink Bro Zulu is known worldwide as a tattoo artist and as a mason has had to explain that TATTOOS are acceptable to interested potential masons


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