Bloke
Premium Member
I did it so often that one night the clerk looked at my tuxedo and commented "My, you certainly go to a lot of weddings!"
LOL.... I've done something similar but the clerk asked how lodge was - he was a PM
I did it so often that one night the clerk looked at my tuxedo and commented "My, you certainly go to a lot of weddings!"
The truth without the details... I have a meeting tonight.hello brothers I am just curious what you all tell your friends or neighbours when u have lodge
I have no intention of getting into a battleground argument about Freemasonry before I have seen more and know enough to confidently defend the activity. So for now, I have no plans of "letting it out" before I am at the very least a MM. At that time we'll reevaluate where we are in that combat zone.
Yep, that's what I'm telling you. At least in some jurisdictions, including my own.Are you kidding? You mean to tell em that if someone finds out I am a Mason, and accuses me or my lodge of worshipping goats I am "forbidden" from defending myself from their ignorance?
I meant no offense. Like I said, I admire your enthusiasm. But discussing how and in what way you discuss your non-involvement in a group seems a bit premature, does it not?You recommend I "pump the brakes"? On what? I already said I had no intention of even telling anyone I am prospecting. If I am not even making it known, how can I pump the brakes?
Well, first and foremost, thank you for your service. Regarding 'holding the tail', it's the latter part of a fairly vulgar expression (hence my only including a part of it) used in many circles within the military. I thought you might be familiar with it. I suppose it could be another way of suggesting to pump the brakes; the meaning of which I previously went over.I am prior military. ETS 1999. The pic is desert colored gear that I use for hiking, camping outdoor stuff because it helps me stay cooler in the hot summer active months. I'm "holding the tail" of what and what does it have to do with military?
I meant no offense. Like I said, I admire your enthusiasm. But discussing how and in what way you discuss your non-involvement in a group seems a bit premature, does it not?
Yep, that's what I'm telling you. At least in some jurisdictions, including my own.
Which GL are you considering to join ?Discussing how I discuss my non-involvement? I'm still confused. It's my turn to apologize. I am trying to understand what you mean. I am confident I have better than average comprehension of the English language, but I'm not getting it.
This makes no sense as I have seen website after website, forum replies, youtube videos and comment after comment of Masons setting the record straight over acusassions that don't add up. At any rate, I said I intend to avoid those battle at the very least until I know for sure what I am defending.
I am not a Mason. I don't know any. I am honestly coming in alone and of my own free will with no one to encourage me or speak well of Masonry in any way. I have very little idea what is going inside the lodge. I am trying to understand as much as possible without uncovering anything to spoil it. So I have no informed experience to defend what is or is not being done. I believe there is nothing of shame or evil happening. But until I've seen it first hand it's even harder for me to defend. I expect at some point someone will have questions. Though I will not reveal secrets, I don't even have insight comprehension to even answer how I know we don't worship goats. Know what I mean?
I am bored, looking for Masonic stuff to chat about. I clicked on a discussion about "how you tell your friends". My answer is I haven't told them. And for now I don't intend to. I'm trying to think hard on how this could be viewed the wrong way. I'm rereading what I type. And I don't get it.
Thank you for your careful apologies. If I've been presumptuous or rude I apologize too. In my ignorance I am not putting all this together.
When we are initiated we are told not to defend Freemasonry to those who have negative feelings towards it.In some jurisdictions, it is forbidden to defend Freemasonry. While I appreciate and understand your enthusiasm, I would recommend pumping the brakes a tad. Based on your profile picture, I'm assuming you are military, in which case, "...you're just holding the tail".
I think you missed the point. I would think that those closer to you may ask you but not attack the fraternity. You can certainly answer questions and explain. What we were saying was those who are putting us down. I'm new to masonry but think the best way to show anyone what we're about is invite them to an open lodge as they can see the brethren. My wife was 100% ok with me joining but gained much more respect after coming to an open lodge and seeing an alter with the Holy Bible on it.Not an angle I will be able to take with friends (which is the title of the topic) family and church members who know. Surely eventually they will know. Surely someone at some point will have questions. My son and I have already had a couple conversations about Illuminati. (unrelated to my masonic interest) Just an example, it would be foolish to think I can't or shouldnt say anything ever. As Ive said a few times, I am hoping to avoid it at least until I am better experienced inside the lodge. This topic was never even about putting random people in their place.
I've been asked about my GL a couple times. I find this odd considering I've never been to the GL, and haven't even petitioned the local lodge yet. Even stranger, I answer the question (more than once) where the GL is, and the asker always disappears after that. Never commenting again on why they asked or an conclusion of why it matters. Maybe nothing but less than polite for sure, to ask me a question, I answer and then am left hanging. It feels like someone asking your name but not offering their own name in return.
Based on the last several topics I tried to participate in, I am beginning to think I should stop trying to make social with the broader FM community. This is less than encouraging to try.
With all due respect brother, be careful what you say and post on blogs, forums, internet, etc because you never know who's watching. I noticed a lot of brothers talk about how they were accepted and going to be initiated. I was warned against it. There is a reason why as I later learned throughout my degrees. I would hate for you to say something and a brother misinterpreted you the wrong way and makes a phone call and there you go...... Wondering why you couldn't get in. People talk, especially freemasons. Prime example : In my unit, there was a guy that done his contract and got out. The topic of freemasonry came up due to multiple masons being in the unit and people inquiring about what we do. Someone brought up how the guy that had left said he was petitioning a lodge to become a freemason because he was running for Sheriff and wanted the support of the Masons. One of my battle buddies said who is a mason asked his name and advised that no man ought to join the freemasons for personal gain especially if that is your only sole purpose for joining. I later found out that he made some phone calls. I'm just going to say it this way, the guy is not a freemason yet. Not to say he can't ever become one, but I'm sure it delayed his progress. I don't think you've done anything wrong, just trying to help you achieve your goal my brother.Not an angle I will be able to take with friends (which is the title of the topic) family and church members who know. Surely eventually they will know. Surely someone at some point will have questions. My son and I have already had a couple conversations about Illuminati. (unrelated to my masonic interest) Just an example, it would be foolish to think I can't or shouldnt say anything ever. As Ive said a few times, I am hoping to avoid it at least until I am better experienced inside the lodge. This topic was never even about putting random people in their place.
I've been asked about my GL a couple times. I find this odd considering I've never been to the GL, and haven't even petitioned the local lodge yet. Even stranger, I answer the question (more than once) where the GL is, and the asker always disappears after that. Never commenting again on why they asked or an conclusion of why it matters. Maybe nothing but less than polite for sure, to ask me a question, I answer and then am left hanging. It feels like someone asking your name but not offering their own name in return.
Based on the last several topics I tried to participate in, I am beginning to think I should stop trying to make social with the broader FM community. This is less than encouraging to try.