Roll call. How many Freemasons on OCDO?

[since9]

How much is it worth to you?

 

[SFCRetired]

Masonry, in and of itself, is a fine organization with some noble aims. Unfortunately, there are those within the organization who, while having sworn to live up to those aims, ignore them in everyday life, even as concerns a brother Mason.

Now you know why I am no longer a Mason. I encountered far too many who ignored the oaths they took; one of whom was a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army who told me, "I don't let that interfere with my life," when asked how he squared some of his actions with his being a Mason.

It's rather sad to me, as my maternal grandfather was a Mason and was highly respected in his community.

 

[Kopis]

Got invited to join by a seasoned citizen relative. Went to a lodge and asked why there were no windows...no windows, no joining for me. Even a VFW has a window or two and they really don't need them.

No one would ever invite you to join.. they may have invited you to the Lodge to meet some guys/see what it's like. The Ritual is supposed to be secret, hence the no windows. All fraternal organizations want to keep their Rituals secret, that's the whole point.....Why is that a big deal to you?

If you didn't care for the guys there, that's fine but please don't dismiss an organization that you know nothing about because you feel the need to see the trees outside.


SFCRretired.. you say a few bad apples caused you to leave? Doesn't that go against the Ritual itself? If a bad apple in any organization causes you to leave, you surely can't be military, have a job or anything for that matter.

 

[OC for ME]

No one would ever invite you to join.. they may have invited you to the Lodge to meet some guys/see what it's like. The Ritual is supposed to be secret, hence the no windows. All fraternal organizations want to keep their Rituals secret, that's the whole point.....Why is that a big deal to you?

If you didn't care for the guys there, that's fine but please don't dismiss an organization that you know nothing about because you feel the need to see the trees outside.

Well...[FONT=arial,helvetica][FONT=arial,helvetica]

Prince Hall Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Missouri and Jurisdiction, [/FONT]4525 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108[/FONT]...this one has windows.

Grand Lodge of South Carolina, AFM, 1445 Pisgah Church Rd, Lexington, SC 29072...nor does this one.

M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of F&AM of the State of South Carolina, 2324 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29204 (Not recognized by Mainstream counterpart)...this one neither.

1st Masonic District - 8 Lodges, Charleston County, 438 Whilden St Mount Pleasant, SC 29464...no windows here.

Carolina 375 AFM, 5929 Murray Dr, Hanahan, SC 29410...or here.

Spent 20 years riding fast boats...windows are kind of a big thing with me after I retired.

I'll not call for a cite to the "all fraternal organizations" claim, would be impossible for you to provide. But the claim is out there.

 

[Kopis]

excuse me... "most" look guys, if it isnt for you, that's fine but please don't bash it because it doesn't have windows or they're blocked off. Some Lodges do have windows in the front reception/meeting/dining area but the actual lodge room doesnt have them "usually". If it does, they're painted or something on the inside.

Internet trolling at its finest here.

 

[solus]

you are doing your finest job propagating it kopis, and i got the large buttered popcorn watching the spiral begin....

ipse

 

[OC for ME]

The Lodge on Orange Grove Road, West Ashley, Charleston has architectural exterior faux-windows and none in the hall.

That's the one! I knew there was one in my ole stomping grounds. Nice place on the inside...needed windows though. Windows brighten a place up...or so they tell me.

Lived in a modest two story right across the street from Orange Grove Elementary. Looks much the same as when I sold it. Though, the yard is going to seed. Never let my yard look like that. The chainlink fence on the right seems to have been removed. Sad really.

The CPD Chief held a town hall at that lodge about once a year for us West Ashley folks. Always complained, the seasoned citizens did, of barking dogs...likely mine. Two choco labs they were.

Anyway. me thinks some folks are a wee bit too attached to a semi-private club.

 

[SpringerXDacp]

Is there a secret e-shake?

 

[WalkingWolf]

Is there a secret e-shake?

I heard not more than three times...:monkey

 

[Kopis]

Ill say the problems on this site/thread showcase human nature. Everyone is bickering about this because BLANK personal reason whether it be the men, windows, religion or whatever else. One guy here is calling me a heretic (didnt we stop using that word after the salem witch trials?) because im Orthodox and a Mason. Im sure those rules were written LONG LONG before my time. I spoke with my priest before joining and he said it wasn't an issue these days.

Look, If it isn't for you, that's fine... No problem but what is the need to bash it when you don't know or it just wasn't a good fit? I would never buy certain brands of vehicles... there's nothing wrong with them... just not for me. I don't bash them though. I prefer glock (except the 42) to S&W. It's just my preference however, i like all the S&Ws ive shot. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with either. I don't tell someone who has an S&W that it's a terrible gun and i tried one once and it sucked so i would never have one.

Ive enjoyed FM... It's not for everyone. The rituals are pretty old and a cool walk through history. I think for any new Mason today, that has to be something you're interested in. FM is definitely in dire need of new members as pointed out by some of the conditions at the Lodges. Personally, i see it in a very slow decline that will continue for the foreseeable future unless action is taken by the grand lodges (which certainly wont happen).

 

[WalkingWolf]

Sorry, I was just trying to find a opportunity for humor.

 

[shaun]

Aomori Lodge #9, Misawa, Japan (Raised '93)

Ute Pass #188, Woodland Park, Colorado

 

[()pen(arry]

All fraternal organizations want to keep their Rituals secret, that's the whole point.....Why is that a big deal to you?

Because the Fraternal Order of Police is the ultimate example of your policy.

The righteous walk in the light.

 

[DrakeZ07]

So I take it you can't join the masons if you're an atheist, and/or believe in no 'supreme being'? Darn it, I kinda always wanted to join the masons ever since I saw a Christian youtube video that said the masons have gay orgies every weekend and are into some of the kinky things that I am into.

(Not kidding, solely wanted to join because of that)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KBCraig]

I agree this is why FM gets a bad name, especially in the South. Heck, i cant even buy beer on Sundays in Arkansas, where's the separation of church and state there?

Being an Arkansas native (from a dry county in a 200 mile stretch of dry counties), I have to point out that church, state, and masonic lodge are seriously intertwined. In my hometown, they didn't even have a town hall or offices until I was over 30... all city business, including council meetings and elections, were conducted at the local lodge hall.

The Southern Baptist Convention has condemned Freemasonry, but through much of the South (including my home region), the path to power includes the Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. My father served on the city council for over 30 years, but he was the only non-Mason that entire time.

 

[SFCRetired]

No one would ever invite you to join.. they may have invited you to the Lodge to meet some guys/see what it's like. The Ritual is supposed to be secret, hence the no windows. All fraternal organizations want to keep their Rituals secret, that's the whole point.....Why is that a big deal to you?

If you didn't care for the guys there, that's fine but please don't dismiss an organization that you know nothing about because you feel the need to see the trees outside.


SFCRretired.. you say a few bad apples caused you to leave? Doesn't that go against the Ritual itself? If a bad apple in any organization causes you to leave, you surely can't be military, have a job or anything for that matter.

There were more than a few bad apples, unfortunately. Enough so that I got a very bad taste in my mouth. I've run up against bad apples during my long career in the military, but still managed to maintain my perspective and accomplish the missions I had been given. It's a lot different when a man who has to sworn to be as a brother to you betrays that oath.

For what it is worth, I have enjoyed two long, successful careers.

 

[JamesCanby]

There were more than a few bad apples, unfortunately. Enough so that I got a very bad taste in my mouth. I've run up against bad apples during my long career in the military, but still managed to maintain my perspective and accomplish the missions I had been given. It's a lot different when a man who has to sworn to be as a brother to you betrays that oath.

For what it is worth, I have enjoyed two long, successful careers.

As you may have experienced, Freemasonry is a personal growth organization wherein you apply the symbols and allegories contained in the lectures to your own life as you seek to build your Temple of Self, finding your own individual place in the universe.

To be sure, the Fraternity is supposed to be a "Band of Brothers," but it is made up of imperfect men who sometimes stray from their Obligations. So long as you continue on your own path toward greater understanding, what the other men in the Fraternity may or may not do, while bothersome, should not alter your travels.

Too many Lodges believe that they are a "social club" dedicated to community service or to fun and fellowship. IMO, those Lodges have lost sight of the true meaning and intent of speculative Freemasonry.

 

[SFCRetired]

As you may have experienced, Freemasonry is a personal growth organization wherein you apply the symbols and allegories contained in the lectures to your own life as you seek to build your Temple of Self, finding your own individual place in the universe.

To be sure, the Fraternity is supposed to be a "Band of Brothers," but it is made up of imperfect men who sometimes stray from their Obligations. So long as you continue on your own path toward greater understanding, what the other men in the Fraternity may or may not do, while bothersome, should not alter your travels.

Too many Lodges believe that they are a "social club" dedicated to community service or to fun and fellowship. IMO, those Lodges have lost sight of the true meaning and intent of speculative Freemasonry.

You have just hit the nail squarely on the head. When an individual, or a group of individuals, tries to limit my search for personal growth instead of aiding that search, then it is time for me to move on.

I hold no ill will toward Freemasonry. As for the individuals who put the bad taste in my mouth, that is between them and their Creator. I just found that there were too many like that for me to continue to associate with them.

 

[Bernymac]

Uh-oh, The Illuminati are on to us.

It's okay, with Beyoncé as a member, there is no cause for alarm, fear, uncertainty nor doubt. They are on something, but it is with great certainty that it is not on anyone.

 

[color of law]

After over 35 years of paying dues to Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite, and promoting the cause I demitted. When a fraternity takes on an aura that only those that give endless time and money deserve reconnection and without that devoted servitude you are not worth their time gives one pause.

Of course, I know of some gun rights organizations that operate on the same principle.