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Bro? King lost me when he mentioned PHA, which is acknowledged as regular by my Grand Lodge and also by the Northern Jurisdiction Ancient and Accepted.

I'd also say that Jews and African Americans are welcome in our lodge and by law by our Grand Lodge.

Better than that, one should have a conversation with the CI beforehand.

It is my understanding that a second vote may be taken but if a MM casts a black cube and reneggs his vote could become the subject of inquiry ONLY if he admits to it. It's pretty strict. If you cast a black cube, you'd better have a good reason for it.

One casting a black cube in a lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maine can be punished by suspension or expulsion if it's done with animus.

"Is it clear in the South?" "Is it clear in the West?". If it's not clear it is up to the WM for a revote.

I did a one day class for Scottish Rite. I did my Royal Arch degrees like I did my Blue Lodge degrees: in steps of months, and learning my proficiencies, which I did in open lodge, and then I got right in line. It is my personal--and I repeat personal--opinion that a one day class is fine for...

Regularity in freemasonry is important, in my opinion. Five generations after the first Mason in my grandfather's line took his obligation in England, I have taken a very similar one. In my family, however, we have always taken a broad view of "The Deity" and the "Law". That being said, I took a...

I'm in line and will be moving to the Jr. Deacon's chair next month. New lecture to learn. Gentlemen: learn your lectures!

Get back safely, and quickly.

I would say it is as well. It's something my father might say in a prayer. Deism, sometimes expressed as Unitarianism or in other ways, is very much alive in New England. Maine, it should be noted, is the least "religious" (as expressed in membership in organized religious bodies of all kinds)...

Absolutely hilarious. Not to be too controversial here but only speak about my own (state and church sanctioned) experience, gay folk like me who are monogamous, churchgoing, married folk and, yes, even Masons, encounter the same situations in domestic life. Except in my case (was it because we...

Congratulations, Mr. Lockley. I wish you the best and look forward to being able to welcome you--albeit virtually--into the Fraternity.

I wasn't interviewed in my home, though the person who sponsored me had been there before. I think it depends upon the circumstance. He, and a couple of other lodge brothers, were members of the church where I was a senior staff member and we already knew one another quite well. As a Committee...

This story, from an unknown source but a long-told yarn in Maine (source: "A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast, Duncan and Ware, Dodd, Mead & Company, NY, NY, 1972/pg 340) typifies the attitudes of the old school Masons I have gotten to know here, and many folks who are not Masons...

Of course it is more of an issue online. If I were to pass you in traffic, I would be unlikely to remember or even notice your registration plate. Online, it could not only be studied, but used for nefarious purposes (by, I would assume, someone who is not a Mason though people who are not can...

I've seen some advertising for Masonry on television from time to time here in New England. Usually with a competent actor playing Benjamin Franklin with an "Ask one to Be One" message and emphasizing Masonic history in the United States. That's nice and all--I personally respond to that...

Word to the wise: NEVER post your license plate number with all identifying features online!

Attend, as the telephone book used to say in the Yellow Pages with the church listings, the church of your choice. Personally, I would be disinclined to belong to a church or a congregation which took any official view on Freemasonry at all. That's just me, personally. I know that can be...

Well, in my state an 18 year old man can petition a lodge for membership and be initiated, passed, and raised in his 18th year. So technically, it could be that 18 year old's plates! We have special plates for everything from universities to conservation to breast cancer awareness, veterans...