Warrior1256
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Same here in Kentucky.Or at least not without Grand Lodge intervention.
Same here in Kentucky.Or at least not without Grand Lodge intervention.
I believe the same is true here, in South Carolina, too.I can’t speak for Australia but in California you wouldn’t be allowed to join. Or at least not without Grand Lodge intervention.
Please provide your cite.Bro. Lins,
The Law was changed again at last year’s Grand Lodge to add all felony convictions, regardless of the nature of the crime or the amount of time that has passed. I was the JW of my Lodge and put the update into our Lodge copy myself.
Bro. Gilmore, you are referring to Bro. McCrae's Resolution #19, which did NOT pass. The following is the current version of Art. 393:Bro. Lins,
The Law was changed again at last year’s Grand Lodge to add all felony convictions, regardless of the nature of the crime or the amount of time that has passed. I was the JW of my Lodge and put the update into our Lodge copy myself.
I stand corrected. For some reason that resolution stuck in my head. Bro. Lin, I apologize.Bro. Gilmore, you are referring to Bro. McCrae's Resolution #19, which did NOT pass. The following is the current version of Art. 393:
Art. 393. Qualifications.
A candidate for the degrees of Masonry must be free-born, sound in mind, of good moral character, a full eighteen years of age on or before the day his petition is received by the Lodge, and without maim or defect which will render him incapable of earning his own living or receiving and imparting, Masonically, all that is required by the ritual of the several degrees: provided that as to physical maims and defects Articles 27 and 401 of these Laws shall be applicable. However, an individual who has been found guilty of, or has pleaded no contest to charges of pedophilia (such as Indecency with a Child by sexual contact or any other means, Aggravated Sexual Assault with a child by any means, Sexual Assault with a Child by any means) shall be disqualified to submit a petition for the degrees of Masonry. After the foregoing requirements have been strictly met, the question of the candidate’s mental, moral, and such physical qualifications as do not come within the restrictions of Art. 401 is one to be decided within the sound discretion of the members of the Lodge petitioned. (Revised 2015)
Mr. Kevhumph, i really hope you consider that there the men who have to decide upon your Petition for membership into their Fraternity might have very real reasons for their decisions.Good day everyone.
I am in Australia and wanting to join. I have a lengthy criminal record from my late teens and have 3 convictions spending 5 years in prison. This was a very tough, rough, very different time for me.
It has now been around 8 years since committing an offence, and I am a different man.
Will this stop me from joining however?
Most certainly another thing to consider.In Lodges, you will more than likely have men whom aren't allowed to associate with convicted felons. It could cost them loss of jobs in some cases if discovered. Even though we like to think that Freemasonry is something apart from the larger society. But in reality it's not.
I'm an accomplished proud man like most of you, needless to say if all men share a father making us brothers would you let your brother stay outside in the cold weather when he's asking to be let in all because he made mistakes in his past, let the man without any mistakes throw the first black ball I say
I have read. In my home state of Washington any felon is barred from petitioning, period. So moot point. Also what is a prosper and seconded? I'm assuming it's the investigative committee? And how much away does an individual lodge have in accepting a petition apart from the GL?I refer you to my response to the original question which I suspect you may not have read!
I have read. In my home state of Washington any felon is barred from petitioning, period. So moot point. Also what is a prosper and seconded? I'm assuming it's the investigative committee? And how much away does an individual lodge have in accepting a petition apart from the GL?
You're 31 years of age and convicted at 15 hears ago, so you were convicted at 16 ? Here, that would be significant....
Yes I was 16, convicted and sent to prison at 17. One caveat though. A juvenile can only be tried as an adult for robber, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, drive by shooting, murder or rape. Drug crimes get defered to juvenile court. Not making excuses for myself I deserved to go to prison. It was the only way I could wisen up and walk a different pathIf such a man approached me, and the charge was not for unjustifiable violence, rape or significant drug trafficking,
Agreed. The West Gate should be securely guarded indeed!An application to join is not like a court where its better to set a guilty man free than convict and innocent one - its better to miss a good candidate than let a bad one in. That's my view, but I would think most Freemasons would agree.
Also what is a prosper and seconded? I'm assuming it's the investigative committee?
And how much away does an individual lodge have in accepting a petition apart from the GL?
I wasn't aware. I thought all freemasons were the same. And that all were under the same grand lodge. Can you give me more guidance in this fact because I will definitely look into itJust checking - Are you aware that there are 2 regular and recognized jurisdictions in the state of Washington? I don't know the rules of both of them but there will be differences in details
There are responses from members of more than 10 Grand Lodges in this thread - all will have slightly different rules...I wasn't aware. I thought all freemasons were the same. And that all were under the same grand lodge. Can you give me more guidance in this fact because I will definitely look into it
....It might be worth checking the rules of both jurisdictions to see if this particular rule is one of the points of difference.
Yep.Good suggestion - but a felony will be a tricky thing in most places in the States.
Proposer - Top line signer, must be a member of that specific lodge....