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Would u return the sign

Would you return the sign? Answer honestly.


  • Total voters
    72

Bboc

Registered User
While driving down the road the other day. I saw a car with a mm symbol on the back. The driver was black. He gave me the sign of an ea. Would u return it? Also if u are prince hall if roles where reveresed would u return the sign to a member of a blue lodge.
 
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tom268

Registered User
In my jurisdiction (and all others in Germany too) the sign is no mode of recognition outside the lodge. The grip is, not the sign. You can never know who is watching and whom you just gave the last bits and pieces to become an imposter.
 

Bboc

Registered User
So the way I see it. Every thing that we do now in the lodge is the way they did it when it first started. Or real close to it. Given that i see it like the bible. When it was written that's how it was. But they did not have the Internet. And a bunch of people blabbing their mouth. Nor did they have the history channel (which shows a mm ceremony on it like every other day). In the bible it says a bunch of stuff that I know every one one here as broken. But I'm not touching that subject on here lol. Anyways so If someone flashes a quick sign to a vehicle to show each other respect I don't see a problem with that at all. ( this auta be interesting wonder how many responses I get to this one. )
 

tom268

Registered User
If the sign is not more that a funny tradition-greeting to you, you are absolutely right. But at least think about the fact, that it is much much more to other brothers, who consider it something intimate, that is only shared among brothers in the place of the temple. It is a symbol of the obligations we gave, of our innermost spiritual connection to the craft. It is not a "hey-dude-hailing-sign".
 

Bboc

Registered User
tom268 said:
If the sign is not more that a funny tradition-greeting to you, you are absolutely right. But at least think about the fact, that it is much much more to other brothers, who consider it something intimate, that is only shared among brothers in the place of the temple. It is a symbol of the obligations we gave, of our innermost spiritual connection to the craft. It is not a "hey-dude-hailing-sign".

I totally see where you are coming from. I guess it's something I need to ponder. But the three times so far that someone I did not know that very quickly gave me the penal sign of an ea I returned the same thing. It was more a sign of respect than a sign of hey what up homey.
 

Ben Rodriguez

Registered User
Signs are a form of Masonic communication inside our lodge. Any mason ought to dismiss such sign given outside of our lodge. Some brothers need to review their obligations!
 

tom268

Registered User
It was more a sign of respect than a sign of hey what up homey.
Men have so many ways of showing their respect, do we really need one more that may reveal so much? A brother, who uses the sign as a hailing (the one who uses it first) does not only need respect, he needs guidance. Because maybe he is the one, who does not take his obligation seriously, or he just haven't understood for what the sign is used for.

What recognitions are allowed outside the lodge are explained in our GL rules. Do you have such?
 

Bro.BruceBenjamin

Premium Member
A simple head nod would suffice. I am not in the habit of returning signs thrown from a passing car. Were I grew up the wrong hand sign will get you murdered on the spot in broad day light with no witnesses. Times are hard and I give respect were respect is due, but not in a passing car.

My two cents.
 
M

mark!

Guest
How can you verify that person giving the sign isn't the son of an actual mason? Perhaps he stumbled upon one of many websites that would share this information, and he's just screwing around. I don't think it should be given as such, in a vehicle or outside the lodge room.
 

jhodgdon

Registered User
I was under the impression the sign/grips and words were for lodge use only. And I don't think returning the sign while in a moving vehicle is a good idea for a number of reasons besides the Masonic ones 
 

Beathard

Premium Member
I did not hereafter receive it that way therefore I can not give it. If he pulls over I would be happy to share a token before proceeding.
 

Jacob Johnson

Registered User
With no disrespect to others' opinions, I believe its SILLY to think that the signs and tokens should not be given outside of the lodge. It is a necessary aspect of the examination process. That said, NO you should absolutely NOT give the signs or tokens to the purpose of "hey dude, what up". I think that the signs and tokens are acceptable when used in their intended use... i.e., a man informs you that he is a Mason, and you examine each other.

We should remember that these MOR's were developed because we are... FREEmasons. That means free to travel and seek work/wages that are due us. So they were obviously developed to be used MOSTLY outside of the lodge.

But in the interest of discretion, I would say that the signs are too big in their motions to conceal from the eyes of the profane. Most of the tokens would be unrecognizable as such to anyone not giving or receiving it, so they're mostly safe.

I've had several men notice my ring or a tie tac, or something and give me one of the tokens, smile, and say nothing.

All that being said, there are PLENTY of other ways to make yourself known as a Mason without doing the sign/token/word. Like I said, I usually elect to simply wear a ring. That's good enough for me most times.

But you should definitely not attempt to give the signs while driving, lol.
 

Benton

Premium Member
I've had a brother give me the MM sign subtly without anyone around us nothing. I went to a restaurant, and he was a server. (Stranger, I'd never met him before.) He noticed my ring, introduced himself, and asked if I was finding everything 'on the level tonight' while he quickly gave the sign of a MM. No one noticed it or took it as anything unusual, partially because they were wondering what he meant by on the level, lol.

But anyway, it was a good experience, as the both of us, complete strangers, had connected in a fraternal way in just a brief passing moment. No one realized that he gave the sign, because they didn't know what to look for.

Of course, that did lead to the, "I'm a Freemason" discussion with my friends, who were oblivious. One of them had never even heard of Freemasonry. So, him popping the phrase 'on the level' introduced a group of people my age to Freemasonry, as well, since it sparked a discussion.

Just an anecdote.
 

Beathard

Premium Member
BTW, I'm not sure I would call any of what this thread is talking about signs. The only sign I know of in masonry has to do with distress. I believe the group is discussing due guards. Of course we all know that and I feel stupid for bringing it up now. Sorry, I will crawl back in my shell. 8)
 
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