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disgruntled friends.

widows son

Premium Member
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about freemasonry. He continually told me that anyone can learn what we do in the lodge, so the world doesn't need freemasonry. I told him then why aren't people doing it? I told him that i don't see him volunteering his time as I have, giving blood, or helping out at a soup kitchen for a few hrs. I told him that when one becomes a member of a lodge one is not obligated to do any of this. But when a man becomes a mason he wants to to gain the respect of his fellow brethren, and he truly wants to so some good, by knowing his work and how much he can help the lodge and the community. The first time I did some volunteering I was asked by a brother to help at the local red cross blood drive, he asked me, I didn't take the initiative. Part of me didn't want to because I had worked all day and just wanted to relax after being in the kitchen/bake shop all day. But I said well I should, I was asked to do it and it's only a couple hours, and
Many people are giving up their time all day to do this. So i went over helped out and I truly enjoyed it. I told him that by doing good deeds and being happy about it, your true self emerges, and once seeing that in yourself, you want to keep doing it. I told him that not everyone agrees with masonry or not everyone has the desire to be one, but it's a different approach to life, and one that can bring the best out of someone. I thought I'd share this, because I think this is half of what masonry is. But I have a hard time explaining to him why we don't let women in the lodge, I have many things on the subject and still can't find a definitive answer. I just tell him that it is something that I'm still looking into and can't give an answer. What should I tell him if this comes up again?
 

daddyrich

Registered User
I believe Masonry is Patriarchal because it's an exposition of the male side/aspect of the Deity. Women have their own Mysteries to celebrate and I shake my head in wonder when I hear or read female arguments against our policy. They even have Co-Masonry now, but that puzzles me all the more. If they do good work and seek a better understanding of the Deity and hurt no one, more power to them. But I don't know if I'll be lining up to be involved in any Matriarchal worship any time soon. Just not my thing, but learning always continues, right? We, individually, just follow the paths that (forgiveness begged from Varnell) FEEL right to us.
 

widows son

Premium Member
That's an interesting take, and I agree with points, I will search for more answers, but i will use that next time, thx brother.
 

BroBill

Site Benefactor
Site Benefactor
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about freemasonry. He continually told me that anyone can learn what we do in the lodge, so the world doesn't need freemasonry. I told him then why aren't people doing it? I told him that i don't see him volunteering his time as I have, giving blood, or helping out at a soup kitchen for a few hrs. I told him that when one becomes a member of a lodge one is not obligated to do any of this. But when a man becomes a mason he wants to to gain the respect of his fellow brethren, and he truly wants to so some good, by knowing his work and how much he can help the lodge and the community. The first time I did some volunteering I was asked by a brother to help at the local red cross blood drive, he asked me, I didn't take the initiative. Part of me didn't want to because I had worked all day and just wanted to relax after being in the kitchen/bake shop all day. But I said well I should, I was asked to do it and it's only a couple hours, and
Many people are giving up their time all day to do this. So i went over helped out and I truly enjoyed it. I told him that by doing good deeds and being happy about it, your true self emerges, and once seeing that in yourself, you want to keep doing it. I told him that not everyone agrees with masonry or not everyone has the desire to be one, but it's a different approach to life, and one that can bring the best out of someone. I thought I'd share this, because I think this is half of what masonry is. But I have a hard time explaining to him why we don't let women in the lodge, I have many things on the subject and still can't find a definitive answer. I just tell him that it is something that I'm still looking into and can't give an answer. What should I tell him if this comes up again?

If someone is trying to evaluate or judge Freemasonry by the "output" or product, then they will miss the intent of Freemasonry. It is - in my opinion - about the beginning of those processes; is about the man. Freemasonry uses allegory and fraternity to help a man understand his relationships and his place in the world. To me, it helps a man learn how to discover his spiritual side and then apply it in his daily life.

I believe it is then and only then a Freemason can see his path where it may involve charitable or philanthropic labors that ultimately benefit society. It is that point where his personal spirituality and fraternal philosophy move him to the actions and labors he sees as necessary or closely aligned to his new understanding of "self" and "place".

To me, these are things we "do" in Lodge that you cannot read about on the internet so, again in my opinion, anyone looking for the "Freemason product" or "Freemason service" is looking in the wrong place for the wrong answer. Good men following their own light in Freemasonry is the actual product and the service to our society.

This is completely my own opinion. Each Mason has his own understanding, his own path, and his own journey and his own understanding of the role of Freemasonry therein.
 

widows son

Premium Member
Very true, and I tell him that to truly know freemasonry you must experience it to understand it. How can you help make a difference if you don't know thyself?
 

CajunTinMan

Registered User
I ride with a LE motorcycle club. Anyone can ride a motorcycle. But they can't share the bond that the members of the club share.
 

CajunTinMan

Registered User
To me the greatest thing in Masonry in Brotherhood. A shared bond. I know that when I see that someone is a Mason I get a warm feeling because I know I have just met a Brother. And as far a the women issue. Men share a bond that only men can share and women share a bond that only women can share. There is nothing wrong with that. Masonry isn't for everyone. It could simply be that what we have is not for him. It doesn't make him any less a good man or a good friend.
 
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widows son

Premium Member
Most of my friends don't really know what it is, and they usually ask simple questions if they do, but this particular friend is a little more informed than the rest of my friends, and sometimes gets under my skin.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about freemasonry. He continually told me that anyone can learn what we do in the lodge, so the world doesn't need freemasonry.

My eldest son once asked me roughly the same question (at the behest of a former girlfriend, whom I detested and has since been discarded, thank goodness!).

My answer was that no one claims that Freemasonry is the only way to accomplish the aims of self-improvement & bettering the world around us, but that it is one of the ways of doing so and is available to just about any worthy man, and that I have found great enjoyment in the work & in the fellowship of the Brotherhood.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
To me the greatest thing in Masonry in Brotherhood. A shared bond. I know that when I see that someone is a Mason I get a warm feeling because I know I have just met a Brother. And as far a the women issue. Men share a bond that only men can share and women share a bond that only women can share. There is nothing wrong with that. Masonry isn't for everyone. It could simply be that what we have is not for him. It doesn't make him any less a good man or a good friend.[/QUOTE

Hmmm! Me thinks Brother Edward reads this missive of yours from that country from who's bourne no traveller returns knowing full well his efforts where not in vain those many years ago. :001_smile:
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
My Brother----I would submit this thought for you to offer your friend. He is correct about being able to "read the things we study".......ANYONE CAN READ BOOKS, but not EVERYONE chooses to take the ROAD LESS TRAVELLED toward self assessment and examination, and ultimately, SELF IMPROVEMENT. That is a lifetime journey. And Masonry is only ONE choice of many ways to accomplish that goal.

This road isn't about the destination; it's about the JOURNEY getting there. That "undiscovered country from whose Bourne NO Man returns......." Ponder the thought-----we call ourselves MASTER Masons, but are we REALLY Masters at "knowing thyself", and "pursuing TRUTH"?? Are we MASTERS in the same sense as the SUPREME GAOTU?! Course not. And HE doesn't expect that from us.

I think not, dear Brother. And, as creatures created imperfectly, we are simply asked by the GAOTU to submit to HIS will, and strive daily to work toward getting to that "House Not Made With Hands", through our faith, hope, and charity. We become MASTERS when we arrive at the gates of HIS House.

As a Mason, you are a student of what I call a Progressive Science, in which the investigation of the knowledge of self and pursuit of truth are begun by knocking at the door. I wouldn't expect your buddy to understand what we feel about our BOND; and, we shouldn't waste time arguing with those less informed about our pursuits within our Bond of Brotherhood.

Plenty of Men can surf the Net and read about what THEY think is Masonry; it takes the courage of a chosen few to accept the challenge of actually knocking at that door, subduing their passions, and IMPROVING THEMSELVES in Masonry. Thank GOD Masonry found ME, and I found Masonry........

Bro Vincent C Jones, Sr., Lodge Chaplain, Bayou City Lodge 228
Prince Hall Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry, Houston, Texas
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, Est 1878
 

widows son

Premium Member
Bro. Vincent you are a wise man, and if I may use your words the next time I am conversation with him, it would be appreciated. I also have a question. You are PHA, correct? In Canada we don't have that here. If i were to visit you and vice versa, would there be any road blocks for that to happen? Even though we do not have PHA there are many colored brothers on our lodges.
 

widows son

Premium Member
You are right and I found out last night that in Toronto there is PHA, but it's not as common up here. There are many coloured brethren in our lodges. I personally don't see a news for it, when all are equal. JMO
 

sands67

Premium Member
Being a Mason in my opinion is living up to ideals of making yourself a better person, helping your brothers, and practicing the ideals that masonry represents. For example I help in my community as a mason and a Shriner, when the Grand Lodge of New Jersey sent a letter looking for assistance for the Brethren in NJ from damages by Sandy I donated because we should all try to help a Brother in need. I can walk into any lodge and after being proved can participate and feel welcome because we are all brothers. I practice Charity, Relief and Truth because those are ideals we aspire to as masons. if your friend thinks that can be found by reading a web page then he is mistaken. Reading about those ideals is one, putting them into practice is quite another.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
Yes Brother, you may most certainly use the advice I gave to you. That should provide him with some insight into what it is YOU respect and revere about this Brotherhood of ours. And, to answer your question about visitation, you will need to check with your Grand Lodge to see of they permit Intervisitation with Prince Hall Affiliated Lodges. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas is recognized by the UGLE, so one would think Intervisitation wouldn't be an issue ANYWHERE. Unfortunately, there are those who think otherwise.
At present, Intervisitation is NOT allowed in Texas at this time. It will take some work down in the Quarries on BOTH sides to infuse some progression into the relations among our two Grand Lodges here in Texas.

I would love to visit a few Lodges of the Brethren I've met and befriended through this Forum, simply to enjoy a good meal, fellowship, observe, and learn how things are done in a GLoTx Lodge. All I would like to do is practice MASONRY when we meet. I have no desire to discuss politics, race relations, or even religion. I think it would do quite a bit to erase some of the negative history marred by race relations here in the South. Masons should always live on the HIGH ROAD; and we can't simply TALK about the high road, we have to WALK IT DAILY. There are those who may fellowship on this Forum while stroking a keyboard, who may have the desire to fellowship with those of another race, and some may NOT. To those of you who DO, your power is in your VOTE, and Positive change eminates from progression. And, a note to those who DO NOT---progression may have to wait until your funeral. Until that time, Brother, feel free to PM or email me anytime. My email is towerbuilder7@gmail.com.

Bro Vincent C Jones, Sr., Lodge Chaplain, Bayou City Lodge 228
Prince Hall Affiliation, Free and Accepted Masonry, Houston, Texas
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, Est 1878
 

widows son

Premium Member
I agree, if we're all recognized and practice pure ancient freemasonry, then there should be no issue in inter visitation, you would be warmly welcomed in my lodge brother.
 

suomilander

Registered User
Freemasonry is continuious education. In 40 years your perception of the degrees change because you find something new.
 
S

Streeter

Guest
If someone is trying to evaluate or judge Freemasonry by the "output" or product, then they will miss the intent of Freemasonry. It is - in my opinion - about the beginning of those processes; is about the man. Freemasonry uses allegory and fraternity to help a man understand his relationships and his place in the world. To me, it helps a man learn how to discover his spiritual side and then apply it in his daily life.

I believe it is then and only then a Freemason can see his path where it may involve charitable or philanthropic labors that ultimately benefit society. It is that point where his personal spirituality and fraternal philosophy move him to the actions and labors he sees as necessary or closely aligned to his new understanding of "self" and "place".

To me, these are things we "do" in Lodge that you cannot read about on the internet so, again in my opinion, anyone looking for the "Freemason product" or "Freemason service" is looking in the wrong place for the wrong answer. Good men following their own light in Freemasonry is the actual product and the service to our society.

This is completely my own opinion. Each Mason has his own understanding, his own path, and his own journey and his own understanding of the role of Freemasonry therein.

that is one of the best answers i've seen in a long time.....robert.
 
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