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Rejection of a petition?

David612

Registered User
Not what you have asked I have a friend I grew up with, been friends for over 20 years.
I was organising to bring him to lodge recently untill he and his girlfriend (my sister in law) had a bad breakup and the way the whole thing has gone down with the behaviour from both of them has me so disgusted I have retracted my invitation.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Okay guys, I have a question. I know many of you have been involved in the petition process, so what have you ever seen that made you want to, or actually reject a prospective Mason's petition?

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Hi Mark

I've been involved in interviewing hundreds of prospective Freemasons

The answer is tricky, because detailing a response could give someone the tools to circumnavigate a process.

I will mention a few things though where I have halted a petition;
  • Lying
  • Emotional immaturity - generally displayed by not treating others well.. or just being emotionally immature.
  • Serious convictions with no demonstration of change (here, with the GMs permission, we can initiate guys with what Americans would call "felonies")
  • Freemasonry should be a body of Gentlemen - sexism, racism and prejudice against things like Religions will hold you back here..

They key is being honest - and, even if that sees you not accepted, maybe that is the right thing for both parties. For instance, you are racist against black people, do you really want to be in an organsiation which will see them as your Brothers and likely see you socialize with them and or might see them as your leader ? Same goes for Muslims, Jews etc etc

Do you have any concerns yourself ? Feel free to PM me.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
We require the agreement of a man's wife.

One time we were at a guy's house to meet his wife and she mentioned that their pastor did not approve of Masonry. He said he would switch to the next church down the street. She glared at him. We asked to take a look at the garden in his front yard. After they talked for a while he asked if he could have his petition back. We went back to lodge to check the rules. Technically we were supposed to give a negative recommendation and have it go to ballot but the outcome was a done deal anyways. Our secretary sent him back his petition and check.
 

hfmm97

Premium Member
Let me speak in general terms:

I have seen situations in which potential members have passed the investigation committee but for some reason did not get voted in to be admitted into the lodge. So understand that until a candidate is elected to receive the degrees in Freemasonry, no guarantee of admission


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Rifleman1776

Registered User
Okay guys, I have a question. I know many of you have been involved in the petition process, so what have you ever seen that made you want to, or actually reject a prospective Mason's petition?

Sent from my LGL83BL using My Freemasonry mobile app
Only once had I dropped the black ball/square. It was for an expelled MM who had been convicted of serious felonies. The investigation committee was very sympathetic towards him and gave a favorable report. He was rejected, in fact, we ran out of black balls.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I have seen situations in which potential members have passed the investigation committee but for some reason did not get voted in to be admitted into the lodge.
Ran into something like this recently. One Brother in the crowd may be aware of something in a candidates background that makes him uneasy about that persons membership.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Recently we had a candidate rejected due to the content on his Facebook page. He claimed to have a belief in a Supreme Being, however his Facebook profile was filled with Satanic content and promoted a band he was a member of who music was all hailing Satan and Satanic beliefs. He had a different interpretation of Supreme Being than we did.

It will be interesting to see going forward if any issues show up now the the Grand Lodge is running criminal background checks on all petitioners.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Recently we had a candidate rejected due to the content on his Facebook page.
People putting this type of inflammatory stuff on social media perplexes me. It reminds me of an adage......"Say it forget it, write it regret it".
It will be interesting to see going forward if any issues show up now the the Grand Lodge is running criminal background checks on all petitioners.
In Kentucky any felony conviction disqualifies you from membership.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Recently we had a candidate rejected due to the content on his Facebook page. He claimed to have a belief in a Supreme Being, however his Facebook profile was filled with Satanic content and promoted a band he was a member of who music was all hailing Satan and Satanic beliefs. He had a different interpretation of Supreme Being than we did.

It will be interesting to see going forward if any issues show up now the the Grand Lodge is running criminal background checks on all petitioners.

The stuff in bold makes me uneasy.
Just becuse someone sings about satan dont make him a satanist.

Tom Araya in Slayer sings "God hates us all" yet he is a chatolic.
Would you find him not worthy?
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
The stuff in bold makes me uneasy.
Just becuse someone sings about satan dont make him a satanist.
I understand your concern and get your point but sometimes you just have to go with your gut when it comes to interpreting evidence.
 

Elexir

Registered User
I understand your concern and get your point but sometimes you just have to go with your gut when it comes to interpreting evidence.

The problem with that approach is that you risk losing a potential member that might benefit the lodge.
But then again I never vote in a ballot if I dont have enough information to make an informed descision.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
The problem with that approach is that you risk losing a potential member that might benefit the lodge.
But then again I never vote in a ballot if I dont have enough information to make an informed descision.
We must vote if we are present. Oh, I suppose no one would know if I fumbled around with the marbles but didn't actually put one into the slot, but our code requires all present Masons to vote on petitions.

I'd rather err on the side of caution than vote for someone I'm uncomfortable with and have him become a problem. Lodges are destroyed that way.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
We must vote if we are present. Oh, I suppose no one would know if I fumbled around with the marbles but didn't actually put one into the slot, but our code requires all present Masons to vote on petitions.

I'd rather err on the side of caution than vote for someone I'm uncomfortable with and have him become a problem. Lodges are destroyed that way.
Utah also requires all MM present (members of the lodge) vote.

In Utah, a petition must be voted upon. Consequently, even when the committee reports unfavourably, we must ballot.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
The problem with that approach is that you risk losing a potential member that might benefit the lodge.
I understand but when it comes to guarding the West Gate I take a cautious approach.
I'd rather err on the side of caution than vote for someone I'm uncomfortable with and have him become a problem.
Same here.
We must vote if we are present.
Utah also requires all MM present (members of the lodge) vote.
Same here in Kentucky.
Consequently, even when the committee reports unfavourably, we must ballot.
Same here.
 

Bro. Landry

Registered User
Lying, immaturity, unsavory background check. Also if a potential candidate seems like he has a lot on his plate, Masonry might not be right for him at the moment.


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Howard Giang

Registered User
People putting this type of inflammatory stuff on social media perplexes me. It reminds me of an adage......"Say it forget it, write it regret it".
Hi Warrior, I agree with you regarding social media commentary contribution or controversy. I was told that social media life is not real as it is an online expression. Yes, it can be a scandal and criminal conviction like making threats, etc. How would you be fair to every potential brother if you cannot certain with retain all comments from various social media from all petitioners?
 
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