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Not offending others with Masonic emblems ??

MarkR

Premium Member
Even after watching the Harry Truman documentary, I noticed the camera man wanted to re do a picture so Harry's ring didnt show I because some of the democrats were against the freemasons.
I'm not doubting you, but I found this odd, given that some of the most revered Democrats of the era, FDR, Henry Wallace, Strom Thurmond, were Masons.

Personally, I wouldn't belong to a church where Freemasonry was looked at as a negative. Work is a little different story; if someone is paying me for my time, they have considerable latitude to require me to represent the image they want. As the old cowboy saying went "if you take a man's money, you should ride for his brand."
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I'm not doubting you, but I found this odd, given that some of the most revered Democrats of the era, FDR, Henry Wallace, Strom Thurmond, were Masons.

Personally, I wouldn't belong to a church where Freemasonry was looked at as a negative. Work is a little different story; if someone is paying me for my time, they have considerable latitude to require me to represent the image they want. As the old cowboy saying went "if you take a man's money, you should ride for his brand."
Hey brother, look it up. It's on the tread famous freemasons. Scroll all the way down and watch the first video I believe.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
Work is a little different story; if someone is paying me for my time, they have considerable latitude to require me to represent the image they want.
Furthermore, while I may be proud of being a Freemason, I understand the reality that due to other people's misconceptions, it could hold me back in various aspects of life; work especially. I once knew a kid who worked with me at an entry level position at a financial firm. His forearms were covered with tattoos. The department above us (a promotion) was doing a significant amount of hiring and almost everyone on our team applied. When the day came for interviews, he had his shirt sleeves rolled up exposing his tattoos. I advised him to roll them down as you never know when someone might not be so open minded about it. He defiantly stated that he was proud of them and would show them off. Almost all of us got the promotion. He didn't. Guess he showed them.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I've never ran into a problem like this. I have a MM license plate. I don't hide it but I don't overdo it either. Honestly, if the church I was going to was offended by my ring or my Shriner emblems(not a Shriner but just saying), then I'd reconsider what church I'm going to. If people are that in the dark about things related to Masonry and get offended about the Shriner emblems, they are loons themselves and overly political/religious it sounds like. Masonry doesn't subscribe to one religion and views all religions as the same. This is where Christianity and Islam have the biggest problem. In other words Masonry says, your God is the same as my God which goes against all religious dogma. In all honesty, you should see available a Tanakh, Quran and Bible for degree work or in general. I know some T.O. lodges that will share prayers in all different religions and messages or lessons. As Masons, this shouldn't offend anyone IMO and we are taught to be open minded in this regard.
 

Browncoat

Registered User
I think it's important to acknowledge the reason why some churches or sects have a disdain for Freemasonry. In particular, Catholics frown upon the Craft, with a papal ban that has stood for over 250 years. Catholics have their own boys-only club, the Knights of Columbus, and want its members there instead of associated with Freemasonry, despite the many similarities between the two groups. It's more about money and control than anything else, two ideals that are at the core of every faith.

That is what it really boils down to, in my opinion: money and control. The church wants its members to remain loyal followers...sheep, that are part of a flock. Freemasonry not only takes up a man's time, but his donation dollars and participation in philanthropic causes as well. Officers in the line could better serve their church by becoming Deacons, Elders, or the like. In addition, Freemasonry can appear to be some kind of cult, and the Craft as a whole hasn't exactly done a good job over the years on the PR front to dispel that appearance.

The money and control issue rears its ugly head within the bowels of Freemasonry as well. How many men are lost to Blue Lodge when they begin to get involved in SR or YR or Shrine? While dues continue to be paid, the man himself is often lost, never to attend lodge again. I've seen this problem raised on these boards and elsewhere time and time again. I see no difference between that and the concerns of the church.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I tick the Catholic box on the census. ... the Craft here is full of Catholics.... mine you, I would not mention that to a local Bishop, but there is priest here who has GL on speed dial for assistance with charity work.... When Pope JP2 came here, most of the Heralds were GL officers. .. In some parts of South America, the Craft was founded by a Vatholic Priest and in countries like Philippines the Craft is full of Catholics...... it ain't clear cut :)
 

JMartinez

Registered User
I went to a catholic retreat last week and everyone thought it was so cool that I was a mason. A priest that was there was also impressed. But there are narrow minded people in every faith, not just Catholicism.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
That would be their problem, not mine.
Socially, you are correct. Professionally, I do what I have to in order to provide for my family. If I found out my boss was not fond of masons, I would not be wearing my ring to work. His perception of me is what is important and that is where I was heading with my prior replies. There are certain situations where it is better off to bend over backwards versus leaning into the wind.
 
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cemab4y

Premium Member
Interesting replies. Here in the USA, I have never encountered any problems, with wearing Masonic bling. I had a Masonic plate on the car, again, no problems. BUT- In foreign countries, you should be cautious. When I lived in Paris, France, The local masons advised me to be discreet. I never wore any bling openly, and I did not have any masonic identification on my vehicle. Also, in Saudi Arabia, Freemasonry is illegal, so I left the bling back in the USA.

My wife is a bit paranoid. She does not want any masonic identification on her car. She is in real estate, and her clients often ride in her car. She is afraid that if a potential client saw a Masonic decal on the window, that it would cause problems, and she could lose the sale.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Interesting replies. Here in the USA, I have never encountered any problems, with wearing Masonic bling. I had a Masonic plate on the car, again, no problems. BUT- In foreign countries, you should be cautious. When I lived in Paris, France, The local masons advised me to be discreet. I never wore any bling openly, and I did not have any masonic identification on my vehicle. Also, in Saudi Arabia, Freemasonry is illegal, so I left the bling back in the USA.

My wife is a bit paranoid. She does not want any masonic identification on her car. She is in real estate, and her clients often ride in her car. She is afraid that if a potential client saw a Masonic decal on the window, that it would cause problems, and she could lose the sale.

I think professionally speaking, she's doing the right thing. I've heard in Turkey (my wife is Turkish) you should be discreet. Masonry has a negative connotation and is actually thought to be an atheist group. There are continental/orient lodges there too, as well as UGLE, that portray different perspectives of Masonry.

I think being discreet brings more mystique to the craft. Whether that's good or bad, idk...
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I went to a catholic retreat last week and everyone thought it was so cool that I was a mason. A priest that was there was also impressed.
At one time I was considering converting to Catholicism. A priest lives here in the condo complex and I asked him if being a Freemason would be a problem if I became a Catholic. He said that it would not.
 

drw72

Premium Member
In particular, Catholics frown upon the Craft, with a papal ban that has stood for over 250 years.

I went to a catholic retreat last week and everyone thought it was so cool that I was a mason. A priest that was there was also impressed.

At one time I was considering converting to Catholicism. A priest lives here in the condo complex and I asked him if being a Freemason would be a problem if I became a Catholic. He said that it would not.



"it is a custom More honor'd in the breach than the observance"....Hamlet (William Shakespeare)
 

flipster

Registered User
A brother at lodge shared this last week. He was swimming and wearing his great grandfather's masonic ring, and it came off his finger. He never found it.
 
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