Any Freemasons here?

[LoveMyXds]

I'm new to Downrange TV Forums and I was wondering if there were any Masons out there? If so, a warm fraternal greetings from Mount Lebanon Lodge #32 in Laconia, NH!
Also, with the popularity of Dan Brown's new thriller The Lost Symbol raising interest and questions about our fraternity, I would love to answer any questions about Freemasonry and what is fact and what is fiction in the book!

Fraternally and Sincerely,
J. Scott Baird
Mt. Lebanon Lodge #32

[Pathfinder]

Welcome aboard, LoveMyXds. Stop on by the new member thread and provide some info on yourself - like you did here.

My cousin is a 32 or 33rd degree Mason, I was never asked to join.

Dan Brown is a self-serving twit, and I don't believe much of anything he writes. So no problem there.

[LoveMyXds]

Hi Pathfinder,

There is a good reason why you weren't ever asked to join the Masons.... It has nothing to do with you or your cousin... A lot of people wonder why, and it has lead to some heartbreaking storied of sons of Masons that felt that their father not ever inviting them to join meant they were unworthy or that their father (or friend, relative, neighbor etc.) didn't want them to join. The reason is that we only want people that join of their OWN FREE WILL! All you needed to do is ask to join. We don't recruit members.

There is a true story about a father and prominent Freemason  who carried a petition in his wallet for his son for 30 years waiting for his son to ask.... The son had no clue until his dads funeral that he wanted more than anything for his son to join him in the Fraternity,

Cheers,
Scott

[GUNS-R-US]

Hi their LoveMyXds, welcome aboard. Can't say I've read Dan Browns new book yet I probably will eventually, though my to be read book list is getting kinda long at the moment. I do like his books but I realize they are mostly works of fiction. I knew a mason years ago in Florida, though I don't know any masons where I live now. But I would be interested in learning more about joining the Mason's.

[LoveMyXds]

Greetings Mike,

The Lost Symbol is a fast and fun read. Many have criticized it because it isn't a huge bash fest on Masonry and doesn't expose some huge conspiracy about the Fraternity. I was pleasantly suprised in many ways on the accuracy of some of the "secrets" it reveals. It's not as controversial as the Davinci Code...

Some of the best info out there on what Masonry is all about is in Freemasons for Dummies by Chris Hodap. He also has an excellent website with a free e-book you can download at http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2009/09/what-is-freemasonry-free-ebook/

I think you will find that The Gun Culture and Freemasonry go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly...

Cheers,
Scott

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Hi Pathfinder,

There is a good reason why you weren't ever asked to join the Masons.... It has nothing to do with you or your cousin... A lot of people wonder why, and it has lead to some heartbreaking storied of sons of Masons that felt that their father not ever inviting them to join meant they were unworthy or that their father (or friend, relative, neighbor etc.) didn't want them to join. The reason is that we only want people that join of their OWN FREE WILL! All you needed to do is ask to join. We don't recruit members.

There is a true story about a father and prominent Freemason  who carried a petition in his wallet for his son for 30 years waiting for his son to ask.... The son had no clue until his dads funeral that he wanted more than anything for his son to join him in the Fraternity,

Cheers,
Scott

Probably has to do more with the fact I didn't know any Masons, even though I had a lodge building 2 blocks from my home. I never found out my cousin was one until a few years ago. I had always heard you had to be invited, not ask to join. Interesting.

I wonder if any of the people I know here in ND are Masons . . . .

[JSC3ATLCSO]

Hey..  WELCOME Aboard!   You're giving away trade secrets though!  I didn't think that was legal.  HAHA.. anyway.  It has taken me a long time to figure that out.  My dad is a mason and we were talking about it.  I am very observant and listen well.  I actually picked up on the hint.  I haven't asked yet myself but now that I know I'm planning on asking.  My mom has always joked that you have to ride a goat naked Gosh I hope that isn't apart of it.  It is going to have to be a very big goat.

[tombogan03884]

  LoveMyXDs didn't mention this but I saw in the local paper that many Masonic Lodges around the country (Including the one here in Laconia) have been holding open houses to introduce people to the Fraternity since pretty much the only time your hear about them is when some "Conspiracy nut" uses them for a scape goat. Many people don't even connect them with the "Shriners" and their hospitals for burned and crippled Kids.

[philw]

I am not  

however  My Grandfather was,  I only found out when we were organising his Funeral  the Directer if he was a member  as we could put the Square and Compasses on top.  

when Nana said he was  I had to ask what was it.   we did have it on there.

[LoveMyXds]

Pathfinder... Just search for North Dakota Grand Lodge and you can find local lodges and addresses and meeting times! Just show up for supper and introduce yourself!

JSC3ATLCSO... Did you know that we have a special name for sons of Masons that join? See if your Dad knows! No trade secrets have been revealed!The goat riding is a 200 year old story that has become something of a joke in the fraternity! But I can assure you that the process of becoming a Master Mason is PETA approved and truly a life changing experience!

Tom: Freemasonry in general has seen a huge decline since it's peak in the 1950s, but not at our Lodge next to Walgreens! We have more new members joining than any other lodge in New Hampshire! When we had our open house we had 4 new petitions! The Grand Lodges have finally realized that Freemasonry is being killed by our "secrecy". The open houses and television ads have raised awareness incredibly! I am an officer in our lodge and I will tell you that the actual "secrets" of Freemasonry are considerably less than anyone could imagine. We meet the first Wednesday every month and would be honored if you wanted to come join us for dinner at 6:00 PM!

Phil... The Masonic Funeral Service is one of the most touching and symbolic rituals we perform. And one of the only ones that are held in public. Did your Grandfather have a full Masonic Funeral? Kudos that you correctly called it the Square and Compasses... Most people call it the Compass!