Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
One of the main reasons that I decided to join was because some of the men that I admired most were Freemasons so I wanted to be a part of it. I'm just curious...what made you decide to join?
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Why Did You Decide To Join Freemasonry?
- Thread starter Warrior1256
- Start date
I ask myself that every day...
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Good one as usual coachn.I ask myself that every day...
R
Ressam
Guest
NY.Light.II
Registered User
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Wow! Well, interesting comment. Thanks for sharing.
Tyler Atkinson
Registered User
I found Freemasonry by watching National Treasure. It was interesting to see the history and adventure In the movie. A friend that I have known all my life is a Freemason and I started asking him questions about it so from that day forward I knew that I wanted to be a Freemason. My initiation is this coming Monday and I'm overfilled with excitement.
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Matt L
Site Benefactor
I was born and baptized a Roman Catholic, in High School actually considered the priesthood. Every Italian family has at least one in the family, right.
When I was a child, my mom would always point out the local Masonic Lodge (chartered in 1792) and tell me " if I was ever in trouble or need help those men would help" Not really understanding what she meant, we were Catholics and Masons were bad.
While I was in the service some of my mentors were Masons, when I became a cop a bunch of my co-workers were in the lodge. These were all upright outstanding people. After a little research I though the church's conflict with Masonry among other things were to say, outdated.
I called a classmate of mine Frank who is a priest and now a monsignor and told him I was thinking about joining the Masonic Lodge, he told me the usual church answer and followed up with, "remember Matt when that day comes all you have to do is ask for forgiveness.
I made my mind up and asked for a petition. I called my mom and told her I planned on joining the Masonic Lodge. It was then she told me that my Grandfather was a Mason. I never met him, he died when my mom was 9 in 1936. He was the chief electrician for Hal Roach studios in NY. Mom said my Grandmother had a fit, because of the church. He joined anyway. After he passed away, my grandmother was a single mom, telephone operator during the depression. Mom told me she remembers the men and wives of lodge members helping out stopping by from time to time over the years.
Mom passed away a few years ago, my dad last year. When my sister was going through some of moms jewelry she asked me "hey, what do you think this is" I look down and it's an OES pendant. I guess my Grandmother had a change of heart.
When I was a child, my mom would always point out the local Masonic Lodge (chartered in 1792) and tell me " if I was ever in trouble or need help those men would help" Not really understanding what she meant, we were Catholics and Masons were bad.
While I was in the service some of my mentors were Masons, when I became a cop a bunch of my co-workers were in the lodge. These were all upright outstanding people. After a little research I though the church's conflict with Masonry among other things were to say, outdated.
I called a classmate of mine Frank who is a priest and now a monsignor and told him I was thinking about joining the Masonic Lodge, he told me the usual church answer and followed up with, "remember Matt when that day comes all you have to do is ask for forgiveness.
I made my mind up and asked for a petition. I called my mom and told her I planned on joining the Masonic Lodge. It was then she told me that my Grandfather was a Mason. I never met him, he died when my mom was 9 in 1936. He was the chief electrician for Hal Roach studios in NY. Mom said my Grandmother had a fit, because of the church. He joined anyway. After he passed away, my grandmother was a single mom, telephone operator during the depression. Mom told me she remembers the men and wives of lodge members helping out stopping by from time to time over the years.
Mom passed away a few years ago, my dad last year. When my sister was going through some of moms jewelry she asked me "hey, what do you think this is" I look down and it's an OES pendant. I guess my Grandmother had a change of heart.
jermy Bell
Registered User
I joined to find out where the gold was. Lol , no seriously, I joined to meet others that I would never have the chance to meet otherwise, and belong to something Nobel.
deministri
Registered User
For me it is sad but honorable history: my father, past master of the mexican Lodge "Telesforo Chapa Benavides no.69" passed away 3 years ago already. Mom passed away 19 years ago. Really hard days for me, and one day a friend from my family came and invited me to join. Had no idea at all of was freemasonry or thst my father was even a mason. After long talks with him and other family members, well, here I am, 2 years already, Fellowcraftman and almost 1 years away to become a MM. It appears freemasonry comes from my Grand Grand Father, chinese by the way.
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Bloke
Premium Member
The last sentence I found really interesting - the Chinese connection. But firstly, sorry for your loss of both parents before your 30th and especially your mum before you were a teenager. Tough times.
Do you know where your GGFather came from and how he became a Freemason?. I find the topic interesting. Here (like in California) we had a gold rush which drew Chinese here. They brought "Freemasonry" with them - but they were secret societies that people used the English word "Freemasonry" to describe, but Confucius arguably spoke of square and Mo Tzu of the quare and compasses. These are very old philosophers...there are masonic-like ideas in Chinese writings of 1,500 years ago. Not sure they are "masonic" but at the very least it's fascinating they adopted some of the allegory we did.
Please don’t confuse “Chinese Masonic Society” with “Freemasonry” – these are often two different things and in the Chinese context “Masonic” is applied to varied organizations such as Tongs, Huis Triads, Kongsi, some being criminal, some fraternal, others co-operatives or political. Where your GGFather fits in who knows- but if I was you I'd be keen to find out because I gave an interest in family history and an passionate about Freemasonry.
You might be interested in this
http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/china_texts.html
There is another great article which I will find for you if you like ?
Why my interest ? Well, Chinese suffered great prejudice here (and in the States) and their inclusion in main stream Freemasonry (first confirmed in 1885 here) reflects Masonic Values. Like Prince Hall Freemasonry, Oriental inclusion in the Craft is a way to get a handle on its conformity and non-conforming to wider society and Masonic and profane values..
Do you know where your GGFather came from and how he became a Freemason?. I find the topic interesting. Here (like in California) we had a gold rush which drew Chinese here. They brought "Freemasonry" with them - but they were secret societies that people used the English word "Freemasonry" to describe, but Confucius arguably spoke of square and Mo Tzu of the quare and compasses. These are very old philosophers...there are masonic-like ideas in Chinese writings of 1,500 years ago. Not sure they are "masonic" but at the very least it's fascinating they adopted some of the allegory we did.
Please don’t confuse “Chinese Masonic Society” with “Freemasonry” – these are often two different things and in the Chinese context “Masonic” is applied to varied organizations such as Tongs, Huis Triads, Kongsi, some being criminal, some fraternal, others co-operatives or political. Where your GGFather fits in who knows- but if I was you I'd be keen to find out because I gave an interest in family history and an passionate about Freemasonry.
You might be interested in this
http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/symbolism/china_texts.html
There is another great article which I will find for you if you like ?
Why my interest ? Well, Chinese suffered great prejudice here (and in the States) and their inclusion in main stream Freemasonry (first confirmed in 1885 here) reflects Masonic Values. Like Prince Hall Freemasonry, Oriental inclusion in the Craft is a way to get a handle on its conformity and non-conforming to wider society and Masonic and profane values..
Bloke
Premium Member
When was that created ? Got any provenance ? (we're probably seeing what we want to be worth a closer look)Here are the founders of the Chinese civilization: with Square and Compasses, Sun, Moon and Stars, and implied FPoF
Thanks James.
And perhaps we see a Vienna waltz! Honestly, I feel you are trying to fit a star in a triangular hole. Nothing fits.
Bloke
Premium Member
Thanks James.
Interesting stuff, but I'm not sure we're looking at a square and compass in that image... but the S&C is claimed as mentioned in very early Chinese writing..
I have no idea, James. It could be as esoteric as Chinese creation myths or as exoteric as two gents in a friendly embrace that was then embellished by some poetically inclined author.
We could just as easily theorize that the Chinese stole the idea for their serpent gods from the Mesopotamian versions of the caduceus. Using transparencies, one can overlay anything one wishes and make it fit in the given space (overhead projectors were the pinnacle of technology when I was in school, and I saw this done often). We tend to do the same looking for the roots of the Craft. In many ways, masonic researchers are almost as bad as conspiracy theorists when it comes to grasping at similarities.
Bloke
Premium Member
It's difficult to speculate on; or discus, topics in public when many regard the object of the dialogue to be within the compass of that which should be concealed in accordance with their particular obligation.
I'd love to chat but am sadly not going to be very responsive.
On a broader plane - I've often joked Freemasonry is a big sham to legitimize platonic love between men, and by virtue of our obligations, also women. I might joke about it - but there is something in it when I watch freemasons and their partners meet - even staunch reserved cold fish projwct warmth and get hugging and kissy..
Bloke
Premium Member