acjohnson53
Registered User
I am very cautious about what I say. but my conversation is "Please meet you, Please to greet you my Brother." My Lodge name and number, it don't have to go no further.....
I talk to anyone who asks, sometimes I mention that I am a Mason in conversation to see if anyone wants to talk about it. Other than the few things that my jurisdiction lists as secret, I am open about the fraternity.If you understand or know that someone is a mason, is it offending or rude to ask him questions related to Masonry?
Have you met Brent Morris, Art DeHoyos, Jos. Wages, Rex Huchens, Neville Barker Cryer (deceased), Steve Doan, Dr David Harrison, Shawn Eyer...?I talk to anyone who asks, sometimes I mention that I am a Mason in conversation to see if anyone wants to talk about it. Other than the few things that my jurisdiction lists as secret, I am open about the fraternity.
It is my opinion that the true secrets of Freemasonry (if there are any) remain secret because Masons can’t share them because they don’t know them. Some of the words in Freemasonry are just a string of syllables. In my 19 years as a MM I have never met a Brother who knew what those words mean, or why they were chosen, or how they originated. It is just a string of syllables that Masons repeat. Those secrets seem pretty safe to me.
the “no true Scotsman fallacy”
Not in person.Have you met Brent Morris, Art DeHoyos, Jos. Wages, Rex Huchens, Neville Barker Cryer (deceased), Steve Doan, Dr David Harrison, Shawn Eyer...?
But are you A True Scotsman?As a true Scotsman, what are you trying to say?
I talk to anyone who asks, sometimes I mention that I am a Mason in conversation to see if anyone wants to talk about it. Other than the few things that my jurisdiction lists as secret, I am open about the fraternity.
It is my opinion that the true secrets of Freemasonry (if there are any) remain secret because Masons can’t share them because they don’t know them. Some of the words in Freemasonry are just a string of syllables. In my 19 years as a MM I have never met a Brother who knew what those words mean, or why they were chosen, or how they originated. It is just a string of syllables that Masons repeat. Those secrets seem pretty safe to me.
First, I never intended to suggest that the words were gibberish, only that I have never met a Mason who knew their origin or meaning.There are several excellent works that will, hopefully, change this opinion you have about certain words only being gibberish. Look into the works by the Brothers that were suggested above by Brother Cook.
Not off the top.of my head. At least not one that will give you the black and white answer of X means Y you seem to be looking for. There are excellent scholarly works published by many of the Masonic research societies and knowledgeable Brothers that examine the evidence from many different angles using reason and evidence. The Masonic Secrets were never a "here's the answer!" situation. Else why would any of us continue to delve into the Mysteries if we could be handed the answer with no effort.First, I never intended to suggest that the words were gibberish, only that I have never met a Mason who knew their origin or meaning.
Second, is there a specific source you can recommend, or is it just “read everything by these eight guys”?
I would recommend the Philalethes Society, The Masonic Society, Quator Coronati Correspondence Circle, The College of Rites, and the Scottish Rite Research Society, the latter of which publishes Heredom.First, I never intended to suggest that the words were gibberish, only that I have never met a Mason who knew their origin or meaning.
Second, is there a specific source you can recommend, or is it just “read everything by these eight guys”?
Excellent recommendation.May I also recommend “The Masons Words” by Brother Robert G Davis.
But are you A True Scotsman?