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Observe Freemasonry

°Joel

Registered User
Hi.

I am not a member of the Brotherhood nor do I sincerely want to be.
I have a question that I'm afraid to ask in person which is why I'm seeking the answer here.

Is it possible for me to become an "observer" of freemason workings as an outsider?
As it may seem odd to just want to watch, it is what I do on a daily basis, I watch people.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Hi.

I am not a member of the Brotherhood nor do I sincerely want to be.
I have a question that I'm afraid to ask in person which is why I'm seeking the answer here.

Is it possible for me to become an "observer" of freemason workings as an outsider?
As it may seem odd to just want to watch, it is what I do on a daily basis, I watch people.

No. To gain entry to freemasonry you have to join. In some juristictions you might be able to meet up with brothers before lodge and maybe watch a few public things. There are still things that are considerd secret and that are not for non-masons.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Hi.

I am not a member of the Brotherhood nor do I sincerely want to be.
I have a question that I'm afraid to ask in person which is why I'm seeking the answer here.

Is it possible for me to become an "observer" of freemason workings as an outsider?
As it may seem odd to just want to watch, it is what I do on a daily basis, I watch people.
So what is it you are hoping to see? If you have any questions we would be happy to answer them if we can. But, as has already been mentioned, what goes on in open Lodge is restricted to initiates of our order. But many Lodges also have social events open to the public that you would be welcome to attend and observe. You could start by contacting them and ask of they have anything coming up you could attend.

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°Joel

Registered User
I just want to learn about their ways, anything, even if it's just a little bit. I'm surrounded by Masons everyday and it just makes me very curious. From what has already been said, it seems that one has to accept with blind faith and that's not my thing.
 

Winter

Premium Member
I just want to learn about their ways, anything, even if it's just a little bit. I'm surrounded by Masons everyday and it just makes me very curious. From what has already been said, it seems that one has to accept with blind faith and that's not my thing.
Not so. Our foundational tenets are widely available for anyone to find. They're no secret. The only thing you will be restricted from seeing is the actual form of our ritual. I suggest Freemasons for Dummies. It was written by an esteemed Brother and provides an excellent look at our Fraternal Order.

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Keith C

Registered User
I just want to learn about their ways, anything, even if it's just a little bit. I'm surrounded by Masons everyday and it just makes me very curious. From what has already been said, it seems that one has to accept with blind faith and that's not my thing.

Faith and trust, yes. "Blind" to a degree.

No one should attempt to go into Freemasonry without a large amount of trust. That trust should be developed over time, by interacting with the Brethren of the Lodge you wish to associate with. Potential petitioners should, in my opinion, either already be close friends with at least one, preferably several Freemasons, or spend sufficient time getting to know Brethren in the Lodge in order to develop a sense of friendship and trust. The knowledge that people you know, admire and trust have been through the rituals and would not see anything negative, harmful or disturbing put to you is what inculcates the faith the candidate possesses to go forward into a situation where the details are unknown to them.

Also my opinion here, but foreknowledge of the details of the Degree Work ruins the experience for the Candidate.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Faith and trust, yes. "Blind" to a degree.

No one should attempt to go into Freemasonry without a large amount of trust. That trust should be developed over time, by interacting with the Brethren of the Lodge you wish to associate with. Potential petitioners should, in my opinion, either already be close friends with at least one, preferably several Freemasons, or spend sufficient time getting to know Brethren in the Lodge in order to develop a sense of friendship and trust. The knowledge that people you know, admire and trust have been through the rituals and would not see anything negative, harmful or disturbing put to you is what inculcates the faith the candidate possesses to go forward into a situation where the details are unknown to them.

Here we see another diffrence between juristictions. In My juristiction, non-masons are not allowed to enter the premises when there are meetings so its kind of hard to get to know the brothers.
We have certain events where non-masons can come.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Here we see another diffrence between juristictions. In My juristiction, non-masons are not allowed to enter the premises when there are meetings so its kind of hard to get to know the brothers.
We have certain events where non-masons can come.
It is the same here is the States for rituals or business meetings. But most jurisdictions have several functions that are not Tyled where guests can attend and get to know the Brothers.

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Elexir

Registered User
It is the same here is the States for rituals or business meetings. But most jurisdictions have several functions that are not Tyled where guests can attend and get to know the Brothers.

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All functions here are basicly tyled at a certain degree becuse of the rituals. The information eavnings that we have have maybe a few members (mostly officers at diffrent lodges) present.
 

Winter

Premium Member
All functions here are basicly tyled at a certain degree becuse of the rituals. The information eavnings that we have have maybe a few members (mostly officers at diffrent lodges) present.
So you have no dinners, or pig roasts, or fish frys, (we have a lot of food-centric events lol) or any other Lodge events that are purely social in nature with no degree work? Interesting.

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Elexir

Registered User
So you have no dinners, or pig roasts, or fish frys, (we have a lot of food-centric events lol) or any other Lodge events that are purely social in nature with no degree work? Interesting.

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Some lodges holds mass wich due to church law you cant keep private.
There are more social event but these are more aimed at brothers and their familys.
Heres the thing, to cook food you have to abide by certain laws wich makes it more complex and expensive then it might be in the US.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Some lodges holds mass wich due to church law you cant keep private.
There are more social event but these are more aimed at brothers and their familys.
Heres the thing, to cook food you have to abide by certain laws wich makes it more complex and expensive then it might be in the US.
We have strict food prep laws if you are running a for profit food business. But most Lodges here have a kitchen used for their own events that is less governed, but there are usually still some legal requirements that my need to be maintained, even for a private club. But that is not universal. It all depends on the local laws. But it does sound like we have it easier here to put on a social dinner for the members and guests.

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CLewey44

Registered User
You can sit around and watch whoever you want except Freemasons while in a stated meeting. Period.
 

Luigi Visentin

Registered User
Dear Joel, please reflect on this point: millions of Brothers in three centuries has followed the same path, that is first join and then "observe" (but it is better to say "participate") to the works. Why it should be different for you or for any other? The works are not a show.
 

Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
I just want to learn about their ways, anything, even if it's just a little bit.
Well you ask us some questions and we'll tell you, however, you should probably understand from the start that "our ways" are probably the same as "your ways".
I'm surrounded by Masons everyday and it just makes me very curious.
That is highly unlikely!
From what has already been said, it seems that one has to accept with blind faith and that's not my thing.
I don't understand what you have to accept.
 

Keith C

Registered User
Here we see another diffrence between juristictions. In My juristiction, non-masons are not allowed to enter the premises when there are meetings so its kind of hard to get to know the brothers.
We have certain events where non-masons can come.

That is very interesting indeed. The great majority of Lodges in PA have a meal before every Stated Meeting. We use the meal as an opportunity to invite prospective petitioners and candidates to engage socially with the Brethren and get to know them. It varies Lodge to Lodge and Master to Master, but currently we expect a potential petitioner to attend at least a couple meals prior to entering their petition and to continue to be there for meals until they are Raised. If we have EAs or FCs as members we will hold our Stated Meeting in the EA Degree to permit them to attend, unless prevented by the Work to be done.

Not having this venue of social interaction would, in my opinion, be an impediment to allowing enough Brethren to get to know the Petitioner to have an informed ballot.
 

Elexir

Registered User
That is very interesting indeed. The great majority of Lodges in PA have a meal before every Stated Meeting. We use the meal as an opportunity to invite prospective petitioners and candidates to engage socially with the Brethren and get to know them. It varies Lodge to Lodge and Master to Master, but currently we expect a potential petitioner to attend at least a couple meals prior to entering their petition and to continue to be there for meals until they are Raised. If we have EAs or FCs as members we will hold our Stated Meeting in the EA Degree to permit them to attend, unless prevented by the Work to be done.

Not having this venue of social interaction would, in my opinion, be an impediment to allowing enough Brethren to get to know the Petitioner to have an informed ballot.

There are more factors then just potential brothers to take into consideration though. Historical reasons as well as the current climate will affect how open you can be.
 

David612

Registered User
We do a similar thing with holding meals after meetings.
With the passing of my father I attended none of them and was still approved to receive the degrees-
 
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