BroCaution
Registered User
Not sure if this is the correct channel to even ask this but I am in need of assistance. Long story short, I am not very knowledgeable of Masonry, and the only mason I know personally is my brother. I have been interested for about 8 years now, I am 26 years old. This past month I have petitioned to join my brother's lodge and was entered.
After the initiation, I was very excited to dive into the knowledge that was presented to me, and started researching even heavier than before my initiation. I purposely left parts of it to surprise, because I wanted to leave the "mystique" to it. With doing my diligent research I was devastated to learn the existence of clandestine organizations purporting to be true masons. I am African-American and was unaware of the various groups midleading people, since I had no prior connection to this network. It was not explained to me that I was not becoming a Free and Accepted Mason, but an International Mason. After grasping a slight understanding of recognition and history I asked the brothers of my lodge about their affliation with this body and why it wasn't explained to me and nobody gave me a real answer. I also inquired about the history and who allowed International to be created, and why I couldn't seem to find any history past 1950 about the order, also with no explanation from my lodge.
In conclusion, what am I to do? I have just been initiated and paid fees so I don't even have a dues card yet. How do I respectfully bow out of this lodge ? Also how can I get in touch with official brother who will be able to lead me in there right path? Even though I have only taken the first degree, I am very serious about the craft and being a part of a clandestine organization is not something I can be a part of. Please help if you can.
-Bro "Caution" Chicago, IL
After the initiation, I was very excited to dive into the knowledge that was presented to me, and started researching even heavier than before my initiation. I purposely left parts of it to surprise, because I wanted to leave the "mystique" to it. With doing my diligent research I was devastated to learn the existence of clandestine organizations purporting to be true masons. I am African-American and was unaware of the various groups midleading people, since I had no prior connection to this network. It was not explained to me that I was not becoming a Free and Accepted Mason, but an International Mason. After grasping a slight understanding of recognition and history I asked the brothers of my lodge about their affliation with this body and why it wasn't explained to me and nobody gave me a real answer. I also inquired about the history and who allowed International to be created, and why I couldn't seem to find any history past 1950 about the order, also with no explanation from my lodge.
In conclusion, what am I to do? I have just been initiated and paid fees so I don't even have a dues card yet. How do I respectfully bow out of this lodge ? Also how can I get in touch with official brother who will be able to lead me in there right path? Even though I have only taken the first degree, I am very serious about the craft and being a part of a clandestine organization is not something I can be a part of. Please help if you can.
-Bro "Caution" Chicago, IL