T
Thestoat
Guest
Hey guys
I'm finding this a great forum to grow as a Mason.
Over here, there is a pretty strong anti Masonic element, and they like to speak out against us, I was in a meeting when someone complained about me being a Mason, and I did what was suggested and took the guys name, he kinda shut up then.
Now, I'm all for keeping the secrets, as an example my grandmother has the onset of dementia, and I'm moving her to a Masonic retirement home, as she keeps talking about it, and going on about our blood line and the secrets she knows, so that's a sensible move.
A lot of guys at my lodge, when asked why they are wearing a forget me not pin badge, say it's a gardening club, I don't, I explain that it's in memorial to my brethren who lost their lives in the war.
A lot of guys say we should remain secret, in case the anti Masonic come for us, I haven't, I make it obvious I'm a freemason, I have put the square and compass on my drive, on my new website, I intend to have a Square and compass, and my twitter account, (under landkhygiene) has loads of Masonic links.
My attitude to this is let them come, my jack Russell terrier will eat ya!
I won't live afraid, and it's got so ridiculous, that when someone found out I have got Masonic swords, they asked if I should have a licence (I don't need one yet, although the way the uk is now, probably won't be long)
I'm proud of being a Mason, and I see most of you are, I'm pretty well known in the area, I've been on local council, uk tv and radio, so I feel that by telling people I'm a mason, is good and shows us in a good way.
What about others, would you hide your membership away, do you think people who do are just perpetuating the secrecy myth?
My opinion is keep the ceremonies secret, and a few things clearly, but to tell people proudly that I'm a Mason, and what we are about, to help our future, as people would see we aren't sinister and maybe join, especially with family links, instead of regarding us as sinister.
One of the saddest things I heard was a friend tell me he didn't believe I was a Mason, as he knew it was only for doctors, solicitors and people who earned a certain ammount of money, I proved I was.
Now this guy, seeing me as a regular guy who enjoys a beer, enjoys smoking tobacco, and works a dog, and is basically a country boy at heart, well he said to me, my dad was a Mason, I'm gunna join his old lodge, and he has, so by being upfront with the guy, I won a man for us, a good family man at that.
So, tell everyone, or keep it quiet?
I'm finding this a great forum to grow as a Mason.
Over here, there is a pretty strong anti Masonic element, and they like to speak out against us, I was in a meeting when someone complained about me being a Mason, and I did what was suggested and took the guys name, he kinda shut up then.
Now, I'm all for keeping the secrets, as an example my grandmother has the onset of dementia, and I'm moving her to a Masonic retirement home, as she keeps talking about it, and going on about our blood line and the secrets she knows, so that's a sensible move.
A lot of guys at my lodge, when asked why they are wearing a forget me not pin badge, say it's a gardening club, I don't, I explain that it's in memorial to my brethren who lost their lives in the war.
A lot of guys say we should remain secret, in case the anti Masonic come for us, I haven't, I make it obvious I'm a freemason, I have put the square and compass on my drive, on my new website, I intend to have a Square and compass, and my twitter account, (under landkhygiene) has loads of Masonic links.
My attitude to this is let them come, my jack Russell terrier will eat ya!
I won't live afraid, and it's got so ridiculous, that when someone found out I have got Masonic swords, they asked if I should have a licence (I don't need one yet, although the way the uk is now, probably won't be long)
I'm proud of being a Mason, and I see most of you are, I'm pretty well known in the area, I've been on local council, uk tv and radio, so I feel that by telling people I'm a mason, is good and shows us in a good way.
What about others, would you hide your membership away, do you think people who do are just perpetuating the secrecy myth?
My opinion is keep the ceremonies secret, and a few things clearly, but to tell people proudly that I'm a Mason, and what we are about, to help our future, as people would see we aren't sinister and maybe join, especially with family links, instead of regarding us as sinister.
One of the saddest things I heard was a friend tell me he didn't believe I was a Mason, as he knew it was only for doctors, solicitors and people who earned a certain ammount of money, I proved I was.
Now this guy, seeing me as a regular guy who enjoys a beer, enjoys smoking tobacco, and works a dog, and is basically a country boy at heart, well he said to me, my dad was a Mason, I'm gunna join his old lodge, and he has, so by being upfront with the guy, I won a man for us, a good family man at that.
So, tell everyone, or keep it quiet?