Are You Really a MM?

[Warrior1256]

With that said, once you have been raised, yes, you are as much a Master Mason as anyone, and the third degree is the "highest" there is.

Agreed.

With that said, you need to go through the Royal Arch to receive the true word of a Master Mason.

Also agree.

Well, it is the completion of the three degrees, especially the third, this degree is to find which was lost, the genuine secrets of a MM.

Also agree.

 

[Derinique Kendrick]

One would say that you're technically not a MM until you've gone through RAM!

What are your thoughts?

You are indeed a Master Mason after being I,P&R. I think what they are really trying to say is that you just don't have the word that was lost and the only way to find that word, is to go through the HRAM degrees.

 

[mrpierce17]

One would say that you're technically not a MM until you've gone through RAM!

What are your thoughts?

It depends on how well you can make fish dinners and wash dishes

 

[CLewey44]

One would say that you're technically not a MM until you've gone through RAM!

What are your thoughts?

A bit of a provocative statement I would have to disagree with.

 

[Brother JC]

This idea stems from the union of English grand lodges in 1813 when it was stated that "Ancient Craft Masonry consisted of the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, including the Holy Royal Arch."

 

[Warrior1256]

It depends on how well you can make fish dinners and wash dishes

Lol....good one!

 

[Warrior1256]

This idea stems from the union of English grand lodges in 1813 when it was stated that "Ancient Craft Masonry consisted of the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, including the Holy Royal Arch."

From what I have read this is my belief also.

 

[acjohnson53]

There y'all go, out here recruiting for that left side, when you know the true word comes from that Scottish Rite side...Even thou the York Rite is the keeper of the Temple...

 

[acjohnson53]

I like coloe slaw with my fish dinner...

 

[mrpierce17]

Was the building of the temple completed in the first 3 degrees EA,FC,MM ...there lies your answer

 

[mrpierce17]

I like hot sauce and vinegar on my fish um um good

 

[CLewey44]

One would say that you're technically not a MM until you've gone through RAM!

What are your thoughts?

Honestly, a lot of Master Masons walking around that aren't really MMs by character. Just to go thru the motions, know a couple of tokens and passwords, whether you've done the first 3 degrees or Royal Arch etc, doesn't automatically mean you're walking the walk and are truly a MM. To have sat thru a reunion doesn't mean you necessarily understand what you've heard and seen. I think personal research and even spiritual introversion is important. Participation is important too. How many MMs do you know that were raised and then you never saw them again? That's not uncommon...

 

[mrpierce17]

Honestly, a lot of Master Masons walking around that aren't really MMs by character. Just to go thru the motions, know a couple of tokens and passwords, whether you've done the first 3 degrees or Royal Arch etc, doesn't automatically mean you're walking the walk and are truly a MM. To have sat thru a reunion doesn't mean you necessarily understand what you've heard and seen. I think personal research and even spiritual introversion is important. Participation is important too. How many MMs do you know that were raised and then you never saw them again? That's not uncommon...

That's a very good point had a brother that went through the line with me only saw him twice since then I was told when I first joined that not all Mason's are Mason's some just come to get a ring and put a emblem on their car

 

[CLewey44]

That's a very good point had a brother that went through the line with me only saw him twice since then I was told when I first joined that not all Mason's are Mason's some just come to get a ring and put a emblem on their car

Exactly...

 

[Warrior1256]

I like coloe slaw with my fish dinner...

Lol!

 

[Warrior1256]

That's a very good point had a brother that went through the line with me only saw him twice since then I was told when I first joined that not all Mason's are Mason's some just come to get a ring and put a emblem on their car

Experienced the same thing. Went through the York Rite with a guy and we completed the Order of the Nights Templar almost three months ago and have not seen or heard of him since. Another "Title Hunter".

 

[Glen Cook]

Honestly, a lot of Master Masons walking around that aren't really MMs by character. Just to go thru the motions, know a couple of tokens and passwords, whether you've done the first 3 degrees or Royal Arch etc, doesn't automatically mean you're walking the walk and are truly a MM. To have sat thru a reunion doesn't mean you necessarily understand what you've heard and seen. I think personal research and even spiritual introversion is important. Participation is important too. How many MMs do you know that were raised and then you never saw them again? That's not uncommon...

Weel, yes, but.., let me tell you a story:
When I petitioned for the degrees in 1993, I called my father and asked if he was still in Mason. In a voice some want tinged with surprise, he indicated "yes, I pay my dues each year."
Forward on to about four years later, and he came out to visit us and in a short week attended a degree in which I obligated, a Job's Daughters meeting, and a National Sojourners meeting. Before the lodge meeting, he had me review the signs with him repeatedly, as he had not been in some 25 years.
He went back home, became active in the lodge, and in his 60s, went through the chairs, beginning as a steward. I then had the pleasure of installing him in the East. He subsequently served as chaplain of Akdar Shrine and President of the Greeters. He drove children to the Shreveport Hospitak. Forward on a number of years and I sat in the Grand East as he was given his 50 year pin.
I think the lesson would be that sometimes the worker is scared to go back to the quarry or awaiting an invitation. With a nudge, he can become productive.

 

[Mel Knight]

I thought this question would spark history and Masonic Education in regards to its relation to RAM & BL.

 

[Bloke]

I thought this question would spark history and Masonic Education in regards to its relation to RAM & BL.

Life is full of surprises

I would think a history debate would be moot (although no doubt interesting). Freemasonry's ceremonies take inspiration from all sort of "history" but presented as "traditional history" or myth. What someone thought when composing the ceremonies of appendant orders or indeed the Craft itself, might not survive historic examination, the Orders of Freemasonry are narratives and delivery tools for values and stories, they are not "history". That's why I've not got a problem that early Craft Freemasonry switched from the story of Noah to the building of King Solomon's Temple.

 

[CLewey44]

Weel, yes, but.., let me tell you a story:
When I petitioned for the degrees in 1993, I called my father and asked if he was still in Mason. In a voice some want tinged with surprise, he indicated "yes, I pay my dues each year."
Forward on to about four years later, and he came out to visit us and in a short week attended a degree in which I obligated, a Job's Daughters meeting, and a National Sojourners meeting. Before the lodge meeting, he had me review the signs with him repeatedly, as he had not been in some 25 years.
He went back home, became active in the lodge, and in his 60s, went through the chairs, beginning as a steward. I then had the pleasure of installing him in the East. He subsequently served as chaplain of Akdar Shrine and President of the Greeters. He drove children to the Shreveport Hospitak. Forward on a number of years and I sat in the Grand East as he was given his 50 year pin.
I think the lesson would be that sometimes the worker is scared to go back to the quarry or awaiting an invitation. With a nudge, he can become productive.

Absolutely, a man can come back into Masonry in that manner. It's funny because my story is somewhat similar in that my father didn't go to meetings for years but since I've been raised, (he's out of state from me so we don't attend together) he's been active again. Like you said, he just paid his dues before. I think life happens sometimes and that's ok. I can't be involved as much as I'd like to since I have 2 small children, a civilian job and a military obligation as well. Not to mention, I cut the lodge's grass and I got to school part time. It's hard to make every meeting, initiation, passing, raising, and school etc, etc.

I really meant on my earlier text that many men receive the titles and that's all they are after as Bro. Warrior1256 said previously. Or they figure out they aren't that into Masonry as they thought they'd be or that it conflicts with their religious beliefs or any number of other reasons. That's none of my business, however and to each his own. Everyone has a story.