My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

askamason.us

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
That's what I'm talking about!!

Ask a Mason :: Who are you going to be?

ask.jpeg


Illinois and Mass have it going on!
 
Last edited:

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
My problem is some masons look at this as advertising when in all actuallity this is just showing men the door. One that is able to be knocked on 24 hours a day.
 

scottmh59

Registered User
My problem is some masons look at this as advertising when in all actuallity this is just showing men the door. One that is able to be knocked on 24 hours a day.

Isnt that the point? trying to get masonry out there more. Once the candidate does knock it will then the duty of the lodge to show them the light they are seaking. Avertising is how i found masonry.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Brother Joey sent this to me earlier:

Grand Lodge of Texas
Art. 393a. Solicitation. This Grand Lodge supports and
practices the ancient custom and usage among Masons that a
man is required to present himself for the Degrees of Masonry of
his own free will and accord. At the same time, it acknowledges
to all Masons of its obedience, that it is permissible and proper to
extend a neutrally-worded invitation to petition for the Degrees
of Masonry to a man whom you have strong reason to believe is
of good moral character and reputation, who is otherwise qualified
to petition under the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. After
answering the non-Mason’s questions about the Fraternity (those
proper to be discussed) and explaining the procedure for petitioning,
the potential candidate should be left to make his own decision
and to proceed of his own free will. (Adopted 1992)
 

Nate Riley

Premium Member
I agree with the way the Grand Lodge regulates solicitation. I think we should advertise in the public with signs and commercials enough to get people's attention. But to me the best advertisement is a Mason being a good Mason in public. I like Chris Hodapp's story about what brought him to Masonry, the Masons who came to his father in laws funeral. We have to be the kind of men and Masons that attract other to our lodges. I have seen several posts in the last couple of days alluding to the declining number of Mason's. And while I would love to see more members active in our lodge, I think we have to put the emphasis on quality, not just quanity.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
I am with you but I have on several occasions been shot down with this same idea, Billboard. The problem I see isn't that WE know it is legal. It is the ones in charge, they think it is not legal. They don't want to take a chance of ruffling feathers by doing something they think is borderline or not legal.

I mean I have heard stories of a DDGM telling a Lodge they couldn't ballot because they were in a EA Lodge. It is lack of information to the top - down that is stopping things like this from happening.

So my question, how do we change the culture and get people to realize that this is nothing more than "neutrally worded invatation"? How do we change the culture of not knowing and have fully informed officers, from TOP to BOTTOM?
 

TCShelton

Founding Member
Premium Member
There is a difference between soliciting and an awareness campaign. We wouldn't be grabbing individual men by the arm and telling them they should be Masons, just letting folks know that we exist, and contrary to popular belief, we can't ask you, you have to ask us.
 

Sirius

Registered User
It never hurts to let Masonry have some publicity and raise public awareness of Freemasonry . Done by a Lodge or the History Channel publicity will have the effect of an increase in petitions.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
There is a difference between soliciting and an awareness campaign.

Spot on answer! Where people get hung up, I think, is that 'awareness campaign' is by definition advertising. Some get advertising and soliciting confused.

The BEST advertising anyone can do is lead a life that makes people notice that there is 'something different about that guy'. You should see my desk though at work. I have to 'coach/mentor' all of my agents every week so there is almost always someone at my desk. Next to the chair they sit in is the What is Masonry and What Masonry ISNT cards on the wall. Right behind me is brouchers from the Scottish Rite and Shrine.

Ive got several people asking me questions about Masonry now and a few I would actually give a petition to.
 
Top