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If you were, what would you do?

Howard Giang

Registered User
Hello everyone,
I am not a Mason yet or ever will be, but I was just wondering is there a way for Non-Mason to volunteer for the Freemasonry's Cause/Fundraising Event, etc? Another words, can I participate in an event along with Freemasons so that I can observe what Freemasons do because I want to evaluate or perform a self assessment whether this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life? I don't want to observe from a distance because it is not the same as when I am interacting. Thanks.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Hello everyone,
I am not a Mason yet or ever will be, but I was just wondering is there a way for Non-Mason to volunteer for the Freemasonry's Cause/Fundraising Event, etc? Another words, can I participate in an event along with Freemasons so that I can observe what Freemasons do because I want to evaluate or perform a self assessment whether this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life? I don't want to observe from a distance because it is not the same as when I am interacting. Thanks.

Sir, in all honesty, you wouldnt get a clear picture or idea as to what the Masons do by volunteering along side of them. Your best bet is to find out when "stated" meetings are for the lodge you are interested in and perhaps have dinner a couple of times beforehand. Then, if you are pleased, petition. If its not your cup of tea, try a different lodge and do the same. Thats one thing I would stress is to shop around before committing. Reason being, if its not what you had in mind when visiting or the wrong demograpbic you had in mind then you may not stay active once you are in.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Your statement contradicts itself. On the one hand you say that you are not a Mason "or ever will be". On the other hand you state that you would like to observe Masonry so that you can "perform a self assessment whether this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life". Are you considering joining the fraternity or are you simply curious?
 

Elexir

Registered User
Hello everyone,
I am not a Mason yet or ever will be, but I was just wondering is there a way for Non-Mason to volunteer for the Freemasonry's Cause/Fundraising Event, etc? Another words, can I participate in an event along with Freemasons so that I can observe what Freemasons do because I want to evaluate or perform a self assessment whether this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life? I don't want to observe from a distance because it is not the same as when I am interacting. Thanks.

If freemasonry were only a charity it could be done the way you think.
However since freemasonry (or masonry) more is about the understanding and development of a person through ritual it dont work that way.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
Sir, in all honesty, you wouldnt get a clear picture or idea as to what the Masons do by volunteering along side of them. Your best bet is to find out when "stated" meetings are for the lodge you are interested in and perhaps have dinner a couple of times beforehand. Then, if you are pleased, petition. If its not your cup of tea, try a different lodge and do the same. Thats one thing I would stress is to shop around before committing. Reason being, if its not what you had in mind when visiting or the wrong demograpbic you had in mind then you may not stay active once you are in.
Thanks Clewey44,
Yes, I totally agree with you that I don't want to be a Freemason and then AWOL from the Lodge. I am just trying to find more about Freemasons core interests and comparing them to my interests to see how much we have in common or in compatible.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Thanks Clewey44,
Yes, I totally agree with you that I don't want to be a Freemason and then AWOL from the Lodge. I am just trying to find more about Freemasons core interests and comparing them to my interests to see how much we have in common or in compatible.

If and when you get a petition it will ask you some questions that may help answer some of your questions. That's a good starting point and then just meet some of the individuals. One thing about Masonry is that it means a million different things to a million different members. As a whole, you do have a lot of gents that are more into the volunteering side, the social/fraternal/'hanging out with guys' types, historical junkies, by-laws/constitution junkies, ritualists (meaning they have it down pat), esoterics, and even some "far-out" types and everything in between. Some guys are combination and some are very specific. I've met everyone from Christian doctors to "spiritual" carpenters. That's one good thing is that you do meet all types but at the end of the day, we're all Masons.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
Your statement contradicts itself. On the one hand you say that you are not a Mason "or ever will be". On the other hand you state that you would like to observe Masonry so that you can "perform a self assessment whether this is what I want to be part of for the rest of my life". Are you considering joining the fraternity or are you simply curious?
Thanks Warrior1256,
I am not a Mason yet. The reason I also said "or ever will be" is that even if I file a petition to join the Lodge/Fraternity there is a possibility (for whatever the reason) that I may not be admitted or being voted with one black cube then I will not or never allow to be a Freemason (or ever will be).
Yes, I am curious and have an interest, but I am also scare to death when I am considering to join the fraternity on my own free will (don't know why may be I watched too many wrong information about Freemason on YouTube). In addition, I would feel like a stranger trying to blend in which is totally different from if I were recruited by a friend/family member to join. I know it must be on your own free will.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
If freemasonry were only a charity it could be done the way you think.
However since freemasonry (or masonry) more is about the understanding and development of a person through ritual it dont work that way.
Thanks Elexir,
In a Lodge, yes I agree with you because there will be a lot of thing to learn regarding the ritual and ceremony, etc.
How about in a private life? Do Freemasons allow to live loosely like drink a beer and gambling, quick peek at a strip bar, etc. I am just making up examples. Are they being stricter like they are required to uphold high moral values and avoid scandals?
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Thanks Elexir,
In a Lodge, yes I agree with you because there will be a lot of thing to learn regarding the ritual and ceremony, etc.
How about in a private life? Do Freemasons allow to live loosely like drink a beer and gambling, quick peek at a strip bar, etc. I am just making up examples. Are they being stricter like they are required to uphold high moral values and avoid scandals?

They do try to live up to higher morals. I would say that any sort of vice that you mentioned may need to be reduced or done away with before joining. As for scandals, yes, Masons try to not do things scandalous. Nobody is perfect by any means but hitting up strip joints and casinos are usually not done en masonic masse. Practicing temperance is one thing Masons try to perfect.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
If and when you get a petition it will ask you some questions that may help answer some of your questions. That's a good starting point and then just meet some of the individuals. One thing about Masonry is that it means a million different things to a million different members. As a whole, you do have a lot of gents that are more into the volunteering side, the social/fraternal/'hanging out with guys' types, historical junkies, by-laws/constitution junkies, ritualists (meaning they have it down pat), esoterics, and even some "far-out" types and everything in between. Some guys are combination and some are very specific. I've met everyone from Christian doctors to "spiritual" carpenters. That's one good thing is that you do meet all types but at the end of the day, we're all Masons.
I was having a different vision because one of the requirement is that a Freemason must believe in God. Another words, a man must be religious (has a religion) in order to join, so I visualized that in general Freemasons are men living under the words of God.
I don't quite understand what you meant "historical junkies, by-laws/constitution junkies" how?
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
They do try to live up to higher morals. I would say that any sort of vice that you mentioned may need to be reduced or done away with before joining. As for scandals, yes, Masons try to not do things scandalous. Nobody is perfect by any means but hitting up strip joints and casinos are usually not done en masonic masse. Practicing temperance is one thing Masons try to perfect.
Good to know. I said I was just making up those examples just to see if they are different from a college fraternity. I don't do all of those stuffs.
 

LK600

Premium Member
I don't quite understand what you meant "historical junkies, by-laws/constitution junkies" how?

I think he means there are Brothers who are interested in different areas of Freemasonry. Some are very interested in the history of Freemasonry, others the rules and roles, and so on.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Thanks Elexir,
In a Lodge, yes I agree with you because there will be a lot of thing to learn regarding the ritual and ceremony, etc.
How about in a private life? Do Freemasons allow to live loosely like drink a beer and gambling, quick peek at a strip bar, etc. I am just making up examples. Are they being stricter like they are required to uphold high moral values and avoid scandals?

The lessons taught in ritual are to be practiced outside of lodge.

Freemasons are diffrent, Im involved in the temprance movment in Sweden wich mean that I drink non-alcholic drinks while other freemasons drink alchol.
What unites us is that we try to become better men.
Does it sometimes fail?
Of course, we are only human.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
The lessons taught in ritual are to be practiced outside of lodge.

Freemasons are diffrent, Im involved in the temprance movment in Sweden wich mean that I drink non-alcholic drinks while other freemasons drink alchol.
What unites us is that we try to become better men.
Does it sometimes fail?
Of course, we are only human.
Me too. I drank alcohol when I was in a college fraternity, and I still drink occasionally especially for socializing reason (wedding, holiday, etc.). I do drink and have non-alcohol German beer that I offer to my guests. Unusually, when I offer non-alcohol beer, it is very hard for anyone to refuse. Good to know that Freemason is not prohibited from drinking alcohol beverage. I still don't know if it is a good thing.
 

Andy Fracica

Site Benefactor
Premium Member
Me too. I drank alcohol when I was in a college fraternity, and I still drink occasionally especially for socializing reason (wedding, holiday, etc.). I do drink and have non-alcohol German beer that I offer to my guests. Unusually, when I offer non-alcohol beer, it is very hard for anyone to refuse. Good to know that Freemason is not prohibited from drinking alcohol beverage. I still don't know if it is a good thing.
At our lodge we have a meeting after the meeting. We get together some of the brothers have beers or cocktails, some of us order food and it is a good time of fellowship and a way to get to know one another even better. As long as you don't drink in excess you are fine. The idea is to improve ourselves with Freemasonry. If you have a temper, then look to teachings of Freemasonry to help you learn to control your temper. We can't instantly become better men but it is a process, it takes time, and we each have our own things to work on.
 

Howard Giang

Registered User
At our lodge we have a meeting after the meeting. We get together some of the brothers have beers or cocktails, some of us order food and it is a good time of fellowship and a way to get to know one another even better. As long as you don't drink in excess you are fine. The idea is to improve ourselves with Freemasonry. If you have a temper, then look to teachings of Freemasonry to help you learn to control your temper. We can't instantly become better men but it is a process, it takes time, and we each have our own things to work on.
Thanks Andy, sounds great! As we are getting older, family and friendships are very important especially friends that you can trust and will be there for you.

Is the socializing among brothers is only encourage in your Lodge, or it is the norm everywhere? Thanks.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Thanks Andy, sounds great! As we are getting older, family and friendships are very important especially friends that you can trust and will be there for you.

Is the socializing among brothers is only encourage in your Lodge, or it is the norm everywhere? Thanks.

In Sweden all meetings consists three parts
1) Pre-lodge: Members meet and socialize, put om regalia etc.
2) The lodge meeting wich is bound by ritual.
3) A meal after the lodge.
 
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