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Investigation Committee

Chad Paige

Registered User
Hoping someone can wisely advise me on this... and sorry guys, I do tend to get a little breathy.

I am petitioning my local lodge (State: CA) and I have some concerns regarding the criminal history portion of the application... I need to know if these two incidents are worthy of disclosure, because truthfully, I hate having any blemishes on my application if they aren't entirely necessary.

A: 1994 (21 years ago) - I was 17 years old and it's the summer before my SR year of HS. I and some friends were swimming at a rock quarry where "No Trespassing" signs were clearly posted. Although this spot was a local's favorite swimming hole for decades, this time the Sheriff rolled through and issued all of us tickets for trespassing. Being the knucklehead teen that I was, I ended up missing the court date which resulted in a warrant and a few months later I was actually arrested at school and taken downtown until they released me to my parents... new court date, paid a fine, end of story.

B: 1995 (20 years ago) - I and a group of friends were at a SR Prom party that was sadly interrupted by the cops when some tipsy little angels decided to get into a hair-pulling fight out in the hotel parking lot. Everyone there was issued a ticket for "MIP" Minor Possession of Alcohol - I was 18 years old at the time, so I was a legal adult even though I was still an HS student living with mommy and daddy. Went to court, paid a fine, end of story.

That is the entirety of my "criminal" history... I've been squeaky clean ever since. Both of these incidents happened in my home state of VA while I was a high school student two decades ago. So future brothers, please tell me - is it necessary to list these incidents on the application? I will admit that I really wish I could just leave that section blank considering the man I am today is no longer the child I was back then.

Looking forward to your advice!
 

LAMason

Premium Member
Looking forward to your advice!

I am not from California and do not know the specifics of their requirements or the language on the petition. It is my understanding that California is one of the States that does a criminal background investigation, so I would advise you to disclose the information to avoid any potential question that may arise from not disclosing it.

That said, due to length of time since the incidents, your age at the time, and their minor nature, I can not imagine that they would result in anyone having a negative opinion of you.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I don't believe that these two incidents would disqualify you from membership here in Kentucky but I would disclose them on the application. If they run a background check and find these items and you haven't disclosed them then they may question your honesty and integrity.
 
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Akiles

Registered User
Hoping someone can wisely advise me on this... and sorry guys, I do tend to get a little breathy.

Freemasonry is, among others things, a big family. You are asking for being part of that family. Do you really think it is a good idea to omit that information???

Think about it....I don't know if you are a father, but imagine that you are, and that your daughter come, one day to your home, in order to present you her fiance, them you ask him if he is clear and have good intentions....and he says "of course"....and a time after that you discover he lied you. Could you trust him anymore????

Sincerely....I wouldn't have into consideration your "criminal" history but your honestity.

We, all of us, are imperfect, and we have to work hard to be better....you, like me, like all, have made some mistakes on your live, but the important thing is: you want to change, you want to be a better man, for yourself, for your family, and for your community. So, IMHO, I think you mustn't to be afraid about telling to your future family that you made some mistakes in the past...

Good luck!.

Sorry for my English, I expect you understand what I mean...Saludos.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Telling people not to respond if they don't agree with you is not respectful, it's rude. As is high-jacking someone else's thread.
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
do any members believe are Forefathers vision that all American citizens would someday be free and accepted masons, and that we all must be to actually be free?
I need to check and see if I understand your question. I think you are asking if anyone here believes that our forefathers had a vision that all Americans would someday become Masons. I have never heard of this idea before. Where did you find this information?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
No I'm asking a question is there any supporting evidence that this could be true or a common belief to some.
I also don't understand and have the question do any members believe are Forefathers vision that all American citizens would someday be free and accepted masons, and that we all must be to actually be free?
No
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Do any of today's Freemasons believe a individual can receive the three degrees from God,who follow in the footsteps of Jesus's receive these gifts from the Three Wisemen known as the The three Master Masons?

No. Our degrees are performed by brothers who are currently alive humans. Any candidate may take any lesson he wishes from the degrees. Meanings we find are our own, but they do need to make sense when compared to the meanings found by others.

If your answer is No cool but please don't respond because I do.

Have fun with that take.

If you are searching for something specific in our family, at this point it does not appear that we have what you seek.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I just assumed that this was part of the separation from England and the positions (seats) in Freemasonry that (I assume) were only handed down Father to Son.

There are no hereditary positions within Freemasonry.

Maybe you are confused by the fact that one of the original roles in 1717 was a patron of the royal blood so ever since the Grand Master chair (only) in the Grand Lodge of England (only) has been a member of the royal family whenever a member of the family has been willing to take the chair. It's just family membership and just for that one post in that one jurisdiction.

Masons do like it if their sons follow and also become brothers but no chairs are ever reserved for them. The term for a Mason whose father was also a Mason is "Lewis".
 
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