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Being Challenged

mrpierce17

KOP Council director / Lodge instructor
Premium Member
I have often seen brothers on this forum speaking of being challenged whenever a brother seeing them wearing the masonic S&C ask a question on the subject of masonry . I have news for you brothers ,that is not being challenged , that is simply one man trying to discreetly see if another is the same as he . I wouldn't consider it a challenge if I was walking around a mall wearing a Miami Heat jersey and a stranger stop me and ask if I knew the score of the game last night , he probably assumed I was a fan and was not trying to test my allegiance , now this same man trying to tell me I shouldn't wear my jersey is his opinion , the same man trying to remove the Jersey of my person is now challenging my manhood I guess the point I'm trying to make is being asked a question is not being challenged it's someone trying to be informed on who you are , one thinking another's masonry is less or inferior to another when both taking the same obligation to the same God is a being challenged , I guess the SW of every legally constituted Lodge feels challenged after every stated meeting I hope this has helped someone today Often, Never ,& ,Willing to be tried again Not Challenged ....Sincerely & Fraternally
Bro.Pierce
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
Interesting post Brother. When this discussion has come up in the past I have always found it curious. If I know a Brother then he has no reason to challenge me. If a stranger challenges me why should I think that he has the right to do so? How would this stranger establish his Masonic credentials to my satisfaction? I see the whole challenge thing as a fantasy problem.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Due Trial, Strict Examination or Lawful Masonic information obtained...

questions asked and answers demanded

How one is to be tried.

Being Vouched for by a Brother known to both parties. 3rd man in if you will.

All this happens in Lodge and set in motion by the proper authorities.

No mason has the right to lawfully try another mason on the street. You nor the other person can prove without a doubt that you are a Mason without sitting in Lodge together.

We took an obligation. That obligation may be blurred with the exchange of dues cards. However, in ancient times, the only way you were confirmed to be a mason was by the above sequence.

The questions to be asked, the manner in which they were asked and if someone known to both parties could vouch for you.

I never engage in masonic communication unless I know you to be a mason (sat in lodge with you) or if someone I sat in lodge with tells me you are a brother mason. The only time I will forgo anything is if I see someone in distress but at that point a human being need not be a Mason to receive help.
 

AndreAshlar

Registered User
When have we obligated to answer a question regarding masonry to ANYONE, let alone a stranger, who we don't know to be a mason? Outside of a duly, tiled lodge?
 

mrpierce17

KOP Council director / Lodge instructor
Premium Member
Due Trial, Strict Examination or Lawful Masonic information obtained...

questions asked and answers demanded

How one is to be tried.

Being Vouched for by a Brother known to both parties. 3rd man in if you will.

All this happens in Lodge and set in motion by the proper authorities.

No mason has the right to lawfully try another mason on the street. You nor the other person can prove without a doubt that you are a Mason without sitting in Lodge together.

We took an obligation. That obligation may be blurred with the exchange of dues cards. However, in ancient times, the only way you were confirmed to be a mason was by the above sequence.

The questions to be asked, the manner in which they were asked and if someone known to both parties could vouch for you.

I never engage in masonic communication unless I know you to be a mason (sat in lodge with you) or if someone I sat in lodge with tells me you are a brother mason. The only time I will forgo anything is if I see someone in distress but at that point a human being need not be a Mason to receive help.
I couldn't agree with you more
 

bld4dx

Registered User
I almost never wear Masonic clothing or emblems. When I engage talk with some one who says they are a Mason I always whip out the dues card. If he is able to do the same then I will allow the Masonic communication. Nowadays to many people are reading about what they think are secrets and just plain trying to play games trying to get Mason to talk to them. They think it is some kind of joke. I try to keep my Masonic communication to a minimal outside the Lodge, not much need for it on the street unless in distress.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
In these forums and others I have heard of these on the street "challenges" getting to the point that the challenging person states that they will confiscate (i.e. steal) your Masonic ring, pin, etc., if they are not satisfied that you are a Mason.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
There is actually a section in our ritual ( MWUGL ) that teach us how to " protect " our emblem, now don't get me wrong I would not try nor would I allow anyone to take anything.
I've heard of brothers speaking about such, but have yet to see it. What happens if you meet a brother from another jurisdiction and he is not familiar with such. What do you do ?
 

BroBook

Premium Member
Is really easy if you are proficient, I will go out on a limb ( taking saw with me ) and say that all PHA should know it ! It deals with an instrument of torture and is worn by a lot of brothers, the conversation starter is What is that?
 

BroBook

Premium Member
If you don't want anyone to ask questions I suggest that you not wear items that particularly/purposely attract attention, my opinion, if I was not reasonably sure a person was a mason I would not invite him or them to lodge.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
If you don't want anyone to ask questions I suggest that you not wear items that particularly/purposely attract attention, my opinion, if I was not reasonably sure a person was a mason I would not invite him or them to lodge.

It's easy to spot a real Brother. We will just talk your ear off about the latest lodge event or how their fishing went last weekend. :p Trying to peg you down with a token or a word is the last thing on our minds when we spot a Brother in the wild.

I have one rule. I do not discuss anything masonic unless we sit in Lodge. I however can get a jist of who is who by the conversation. I'm not trying to get him to reveal the secrets and I'm not revealing any secrets. If it gets to that point I just ask him to come sit in lodge to continue the conversation, tell him to have a nice day and go about my business.
 
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