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License plates... yea or nay?

Illuminatio

Premium Member
I've always enjoyed license plates in general, having specialty plates as opposed to the standard issue ones, collecting them and so on. So after becoming involved in Freemasonry, I was pretty excited to see that my state offered a Master Mason license plate like many others do, that I thought actually looked really nice. Not only did it appeal to me because of it being non-standard and Masonic, but it is also a plate that not just anyone could walk up and get, which makes it a bit more special.

But as I'm getting closer to the time when I'll be able to get one, I'm feeling a bit conflicted about them so I wanted to get some insight here since I'm sure many of you here have them for your respective states.

My hesitation is this - as we all know, anyone can do a simple online search for Freemasonry and come up with volumes upon volumes of misinformation, a lot of which paints the fraternity in a negative light. Obviously, we know better, but "average Joe" driving down the highway doesn't necessarily know any better. Maybe he immediately thinks I'm part of a Satanic cult because he heard that once? Who knows what people conjure up in their minds when they see a Masonic emblem and only know what they've read online. That's what's making me think twice.

So, has anyone here had any negative interactions with people because of your license plate? Had eggs thrown at you? Had your car keyed or set on fire? (I'm thinking of the worst possible scenarios here... and mostly kidding. :D) Am I instead being too worrisome and the plate will actually open up more opportunities to meet other Masons and correct peoples' thinking on the subject? Should I instead just keep my current plates and get an emblem to put on my car? Again, just hoping for some insight from some of you with experience. Thanks in advance for any input!

For reference...
My current plates:
ilpoliceassocmed.gif


And the Master Mason plates for the state:
mastermasonmed.gif
 

japool

Registered User
Me personally, I don't see a lot of difference between having the plates, or an emblem on your car, as far as public perception goes.

I think the plates may even be less conspicuous. I personally don't know of, or have heard of, any brother catching grief over plates or an emblem.

Has any brother out there had any problems? I'm curious too now.


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dfreybur

Premium Member
A few years ago an Illinois GM at one of the Town Hall meetings stated that having Masonic plates *will* make us better drivers. Always in the back of your mind while driving is you publicly represent the fraternity.

My experiences in multiple states have been uniformly positive.
 

goomba

Neo-Antient
Site Benefactor
Wow! Someone actually drives around with Anti pamphlets, ready to pounce. That's quite the hobby.


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About 6 months ago we had dozens of the Chick publications pushed into our lodge building doors. I handed them out to brothers that night and keep one in by bathroom for light reading. Seriously, right by my toilet.
 

japool

Registered User
About 6 months ago we had dozens of the Chick publications pushed into our lodge building doors. I handed them out to brothers that night and keep one in by bathroom for light reading. Seriously, right by my toilet.

And for any brother who hasn't had the pleasure of reading an Anti-Masonic Jack T. Chick publication, here is the link!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1074/1074_01.asp

I'm just glad Tommy is OK! I was worried there for awhile.
 

jjjjjggggg

Premium Member
I've had two co-workers see my ring and state snidely, "you're in a cult?!?"

One of them knows I'm not Christian so this makes it worse.


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cemab4y

Premium Member
I have also had an excellent experience with Masonic plates. I am the man responsible for the existence of Masonic plates in Kentucky.

I was reading the "Northern Light", the journal of the Scottish Rite (northern jurisdiction). I read an article about how New Jersey and Pennsylvania masons could get masonic plates. I thought that Kentucky would also benefit from having Masonic plates. I approached my state senator, in Bowling Green KY. I asked him to introduce legislation to get Masonic plates in KY. He agreed, and asked me to get copies of the Pennsylvania legislation.

I got a copy of the law from PA. He erased the word "Pennsylvania", and wrote in "Kentucky". The legislation passed.

Now, a Kentucky Mason can get a Masonic license plate for $25, which is good for five years. You still must pay the regular license plate fee each year. The Grand Lodge of Kentucky gets a $7 rebate on each license plate sold.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
An interesting story about Masonic plates in Arkansas:

The MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Masons in Arkansas, designed a Masonic plate, and had it approved by the Arkansas Dept of Motor Vehicles. See:


http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/motorVehicle/Pages/specialityPlateDetails.aspx?show=96

When a Mason purchases this tag, a portion of the sales is rebated to the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas, which goes to their charities and scholarship programs.

The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has forbidden all Arkansas Masons from purchasing this tag! Any "regular" Arkansas Mason who purchases or displays this tag, will be expelled from Masonry.

How Sad!
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Brother, I was a cop in Illinois for 25 years, and I can tell you that you're more likely to get your car vandalized for the Illinois Police Association plates than the Masonic ones. I have ham radio plates on my car, so I don't get MM plates, but I have a very noticeable S&C vinyl decal in my back window. It does make me watch my driving so as not to reflect negatively on the craft, but I've never had a negative comment about it. I have, however, met brothers on the road because of it.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
Tennessee has Masonic plates, but I do not have one. I think it is an additional $25 a year (a portion of which goes to the GL). I'd rather just give that money to my own lodge each year.

I seriously doubt that you'd catch too much grief over having the plates. There might be the occasional nut job who puts pamphlets on your windshield as noted above, but I'm sure the odds of that are pretty small.
 

Illuminatio

Premium Member
Thanks for the replies everyone! This helps me feel more at ease about them now.

Brother, I was a cop in Illinois for 25 years, and I can tell you that you're more likely to get your car vandalized for the Illinois Police Association plates than the Masonic ones.

Mark, I have to ask - is there more negative to the IPA than I'm aware of, or are you referring to just the general dislike for law enforcement that some people have? We just moved to the state last September and I thought it was a good looking plate and a good cause, so I went with it, not necessarily knowing more about the IPA than what they have on their website.
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
It seems that at least one Arkansas Mason was expelled from the fraternity over this issue. The story is here:
http://freemasoninformation.com/201...ermath-of-the-arkansas-license-plate-scandal/

An interesting story about Masonic plates in Arkansas:

The MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Masons in Arkansas, designed a Masonic plate, and had it approved by the Arkansas Dept of Motor Vehicles. See:


http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/offices/motorVehicle/Pages/specialityPlateDetails.aspx?show=96

When a Mason purchases this tag, a portion of the sales is rebated to the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas, which goes to their charities and scholarship programs.

The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has forbidden all Arkansas Masons from purchasing this tag! Any "regular" Arkansas Mason who purchases or displays this tag, will be expelled from Masonry.

How Sad!
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Thanks for the replies everyone! This helps me feel more at ease about them now.



Mark, I have to ask - is there more negative to the IPA than I'm aware of, or are you referring to just the general dislike for law enforcement that some people have? We just moved to the state last September and I thought it was a good looking plate and a good cause, so I went with it, not necessarily knowing more about the IPA than what they have on their website.
No, just the general dislike for cops.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Arkansas has a lot of recent history of being a laughing stock among Masons.

In comparison the Arkansas PHA GM issued an edict last year blanket recognizing all states that recognize PHA even if that recognition is returned.

Should I find myself sent there for work I'd apply for and use the plates.
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
I have masonic plates on my motorcycle and square & compass on the back glass of my truck and my wifes car. Only one person has said anything negative about it and his opinion doesn't matter
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
I have masonic plates on my motorcycle and square & compass on the back glass of my truck and my wifes car. Only one person has said anything negative about it and his opinion doesn't matter
I just changed states and need to put new plates on my motorcycle. I am definitely going to ask about this.
 
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