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Have you ever been "burned out" with Freemasonry?

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I do not feel that I have become burned out with Freemasonry. I have done so within other organizations in the past, but Masonry is different. I make a point to take my time (within reason) and soak in as much as possible. Now, that being said my answer may change in a couple of years when my time in the East comes around but at this point I am okay with the direction and steps being taken. Besides, who would not want to get all of the hard work out of the way at one time?? By the time that my year as Junior Past Master is up I will have already served as Past Master, Worthy Patron, High Priest, & Thrice Illustrious Master. At that point I can re-direct my energy into Commandry and Shrine, more so the latter.

Masonry truely is what you put into it, and thus far has paid me back ten-fold.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
Have you ever been "burned out" with Freemasonry? If so, why?

Um, yes! Where to begin?

After going to lodge twice a week, through the chairs and then serving as master while losing my employment and not a soul asked why I didn’t show up? While fighting bigotry at every turn.

Hum…

Then comes the pièce de résistance; while paying this years dues and noticing that the hand made masonic stained glass window (that I had commissioned) and was dedicated to a deceased masonic mentor hanging in its’ place of prominence: “the privy”. What do you think? (Priceless, huh?) Tipping at windmills I suppose.

Do you think I’m looking for a new lodge? Maybe after a couple more years of circumspection I suppose.

Maybe a T.O. lodge or an affiliation in another state...
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Maybe a T.O. lodge or an affiliation in another state...

I too am in the process of joining a new T. O. Lodge in another state as well Traveling Man! Only time will tell if I actually got my paperwork accross state lines in time to be listed as a charter member.


I am sorry that you have come to this rough spell at your home lodge. I hope that everything works itself out so that you don't have to actually demit from there. I do know that there are a lot of lodges out there to choose from!
 
E

eagle1966

Guest
yes, like the other brother has said after going thru the chairs and going to Lodge every time someone was there, but what send me away for a period was on practice nights there was none only coffee drinking and lots BS so I stopped going.
Then decided if I was paying dues I should get involved again so back I went then went back in line again as SW and the WM.
Well seems that my lodge is headed back to coffee and BS again, althouhgt we will be observing our 100th year in Dec 2011 and I am part of centennial committee hoping to stir some interest with that, who knows
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Brethren,

I see what you are experiencing and fight it as much as possible by grabbing a candidate and going over his esoteric work with him. This helps in two ways. He goes home feeling like someone really cares about him and his struggle. That is the biggie! It also keeps me from becoming a full-fledged member of the Knife and Fork Degree. This organization is where most lodges find the BS and bigotry in full bloom.

I am a firm believer that you can do much more damage with taboo topics in the mess hall than you could ever do in a lodge room. Too many of the young folks express their total disappointment with this stuff.

The benefit I personally receive from helping candidates is that I don't feel like I've wasted my time away from my wife. That's I've contributed to a brother's growth..

We all know that every lodge has its own culture. Of course the most successful lodges are a healthy mix of the various walks of life. One must admit that a smug professional elitist group is no better than a goat-roping, lid-wearing pickup truck crowd if folks of a different viewpoint are ostracized; whether that be religious, monetary, or political in nature.

People are people even if they are masons. We all have our fears and prejudices and are looking for others who agree. And, sometimes our little light doesn't shine to bright as we slip through this material world.

Maybe this is masonry's way of teaching us all just how difficult it is to live the "brotherhood of man." Could be we're also learning about duality. Brotherhood without strife is unappreciated?

Whatever the case this ole Cajun is constantly pounding on this rough aster: just chipping away as long as I can.

God bless and keep up the labors here on earth and amongst the craft ... jwhoff
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
never been burned out on the craft just a little on the attitudes some people bring to lodge.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
I have burned out.

I am a member of an awesome T.O. lodge that resulted as some of that burnout...then building the lodge burned me out a bit, then sitting as Worshipful Master burned me out a bit. Its okay though. I view it as a Chamber of Reflection in life. We hit frustration or low points, then we grow, then we mature, then a low point here and there, and boom we grow again. Masonry is alchemical. So we should expect it as such.
 

peace out

Premium Member
Good analogy Frater. I've often described my interests shifting around worse than that big fiery eyeball in Lord of the Rings. I was worried my interest in Freemasonry would find the same death as many of my other past interests.

I don't expect it to be so, however. It's more than than just a hobby or fraternity to me. It's spiritual, grounding, and a cornerstone. I don't expect ever to burn out completely.
 

curt

Premium Member
Yes very badly. I bacame a mason for many reasons which are between me and GOD, but one reason was to help my community and try to improve the world around me. So far, I have attended lodge in many different places and found very little enthusiasm towards anything more than having snacks after the meeting or going to a convention and well, do I really need to go on? Im proud to be a freemason and I always will be. But , I do not believe the lodge was built just to go and have fun. I do not believe it was built so as to allow men to escape their wives for a few hours. I believe it was built for men to go and improve themselves and to serve their fellow man in a pure and respectable fashion. Just my opinion. GOD Bless !
 
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