November 9, 201016 yr Hello everybody! Are there any other Freemasons on the forum? I have been traveling for 4 years and hail from Hiram Abiff Lodge #16 PHA in EHT, NJ. I am also a Holy Royal Arch Mason and a 32˚ Scottish Rite Mason. I've gone as high as Junior Warden but had to step out of line to handle personal issues. I am planning on starting a shooting club within my lodge. So far, about 9 of us are interested. Several of us are in the process of trying to get FOID cards and pistol permits. When all of us have them, we will join a range together.
November 9, 201016 yr I'm out of Mt. Moriah #28, in Bordentown. I still need to take my traveling exam.
November 9, 201016 yr what's an FOID? It's FPID - Firearm Purchasers Identification. Often mistakenly called FOID, for Firearm Owners Identification. Since it is not required for ownership, it is strictly a purchaser ID. In Illinois, it is a FOID.
November 9, 201016 yr Author I'm out of Mt. Moriah #28, in Bordentown. I still need to take my traveling exam. Its easy brother! Just practice when you aren't doing anything!
November 10, 201016 yr I am a master mason from Hugenot Lodge 381 Staten Island, NY. Most of my brothers that shoot live in NJ.
November 11, 201016 yr Its easy brother! Just practice when you aren't doing anything! Thanks, Brother. I'm not worried about taking the test, it's more of a trying to have the day available to attend the meeting and getting it completed kinda thing. The joys of a full plate .
November 26, 201015 yr Hello everybody! Are there any other Freemasons on the forum? I have been traveling for 4 years and hail from Hiram Abiff Lodge #16 PHA in EHT, NJ. I am also a Holy Royal Arch Mason and a 32˚ Scottish Rite Mason. I've gone as high as Junior Warden but had to step out of line to handle personal issues. I am planning on starting a shooting club within my lodge. So far, about 9 of us are interested. Several of us are in the process of trying to get FOID cards and pistol permits. When all of us have them, we will join a range together. Does this define Freemasons accurately? If not, care to educate on the facts vs. fiction?
November 26, 201015 yr I'm surprised you guys are talking about this so freely on a forum. I was under the impression that it was all "hush, hush, top secret stuff". 10 years ago while working in the Bahamas, I met a couple of young women from Alabama who mentioned Freemasons and that their family members were Freemasons. I had not heard of Freemasons at the time and asked about it and they wouldn't tell me anything about it. Said if I was involved, I'd know. I guess these days it's not such a secretive thing to announce you are one?
November 26, 201015 yr I'm surprised you guys are talking about this so freely on a forum. I was under the impression that it was all "hush, hush, top secret stuff". 10 years ago while working in the Bahamas, I met a couple of young women from Alabama who mentioned Freemasons and that their family members were Freemasons. I had not heard of Freemasons at the time and asked about it and they wouldn't tell me anything about it. Said if I was involved, I'd know. I guess these days it's not such a secretive thing to announce you are one? I think it’s more subtle than it is a secret. A ring, a tie tack, light conversation and common beliefs, but nothing like a recruitment poster.
November 26, 201015 yr My dad was a Freemason for most of his adult life. It's not really a secret society, but they have their secrets. Only a very few of them know where the Holy Grail is really hidden. He didn't.
November 26, 201015 yr Hey Guys, The Masonic Fraternity is not a secret society. Think about examples you see everyday. You can drive through communities and see clearly identified Masonic Halls. You see sponsorship signs on highways and the like from various Lodges. If we were really trying to be a secret society, we'd be doing a pretty poor job of managing the secret part ...A more correct definition would be a fraternal society with some secrets. Every organization has things specific to it, and not of common knowledge outside it's membership. Masonry is really about good men trying to become better men, and helping their communities and fellow man, in the process... I hope this helps... Respectfully, Harry
November 26, 201015 yr All great posts. Freemansonry is a Fraternity. Specopsscout descrived Masonry well. Keith, Years ago, men were asked to become a mason. These days, it's more of "ask one to be one" kinda thing. In the beginning of the calender (follows school season in my lodge) we have a bring a friend night. Now I belong to a lodge in Staten Island, but many lodges have a bring a friend or family night and any Master Mason can bring you to the lodge for the event. Things vary from state to state and lodge to lodge, but overall they are all the same.
November 27, 201015 yr A while ago I watched a documentary on history channel that talked about the Freemasons and implied links to some of the founders of US ... specific symbols that appear on our currency, etc. Fascinating ...
November 28, 201015 yr A while ago I watched a documentary on history channel that talked about the Freemasons and implied links to some of the founders of US ... specific symbols that appear on our currency, etc. Fascinating ... Most of the founding Fathers were Masons. plus the bible that most Presidents use during their inauguration is the property of the Masonic Lodge just outside of DC.
November 30, 201015 yr I always appreciated how much work they do for local communities. Seems like a real stand up organization, no matter what crazy stuff is spouted off in forums and TV shows. But WOW is that crazy stuff interesting, even if it's not true...
February 9, 201115 yr Author Just went to my first Table Lodge at Mapleshade Moorestown Lodge #281 last week. OH MY GOODNESS!!! 7 course meal with surf and turf (lobster tail and filet mignon) as the main course! Was an AWESOME night! Any other brother her been to a table lodge? PS oh yeah, i'm joining the Royal & Select Masters the 23rd of this month!
February 10, 201115 yr My father was a Free Mason when he was younger. We never really talked about it and he didn't apparently get very far. I just remember that he had a ring with the Free Mason symbol on it. I know nothing about it and wish we had talked about it some more during his life.
February 11, 201115 yr My father was a Free Mason when he was younger. We never really talked about it and he didn't apparently get very far. I just remember that he had a ring with the Free Mason symbol on it. I know nothing about it and wish we had talked about it some more during his life. In masonry, you get out of it what you put in. I know many mason's that are happy with just being a Master Mason. I know a lot that eventually study and learn more. To each his own. I know a lot of mason's that become Shriners. If you want to hear more about it, there is usually friends and family nights. These nights are set up as a membership drive and get's people to learn more about masonry.
February 11, 201115 yr In masonry, you get out of it what you put in. I know many mason's that are happy with just being a Master Mason. I know a lot that eventually study and learn more. To each his own. I know a lot of mason's that become Shriners. If you want to hear more about it, there is usually friends and family nights. These nights are set up as a membership drive and get's people to learn more about masonry. Thanks for the info Bryan. My father passed away in 96 and that's honestly when I learned the most about the organization because many of my family members discussed his being a part of the Masons. It might be something to look into down the road. Right now I'm concentrating on developing more clients and or finding employment. I do appreciate your following up with me on this.
February 11, 201115 yr Author Thanks for the info Bryan. My father passed away in 96 and that's honestly when I learned the most about the organization because many of my family members discussed his being a part of the Masons. It might be something to look into down the road. Right now I'm concentrating on developing more clients and or finding employment. I do appreciate your following up with me on this. Yeah, Bryan pretty much said it all. Masonry is a beautiful thing. If you are not ready to join, just wait until you are. The fraternity can take up quite a bit of your time if you are really active.
February 11, 201115 yr My grandfather was a Mason. I have his rings and mugs and plates and whatnot. Never discussed it with him and other than the branded stuff, he never showed any signs of affiliation. But, when he died, there was a Mason aspect to the funeral. It was all a bit vague to me. I did a lot of conspiracy theory research on the Internet and the Masons are front and center with the Illuminati and other ancient fraternities. It is very New World interesting. Did you all see the Simpson's Stonecutter episode? That is a good send up of the Masons and conspiracy wackos.
February 13, 201115 yr Author My grandfather was a Mason. I have his rings and mugs and plates and whatnot. Never discussed it with him and other than the branded stuff, he never showed any signs of affiliation. But, when he died, there was a Mason aspect to the funeral. It was all a bit vague to me. I did a lot of conspiracy theory research on the Internet and the Masons are front and center with the Illuminati and other ancient fraternities. It is very New World interesting. Did you all see the Simpson's Stonecutter episode? That is a good send up of the Masons and conspiracy wackos. One thing you realize (on your own 99% of the time) when you join is that all the conspiracy theories on the net are complete hogwash. These conspiracy nuts think we're in meetings plotting on who will run and win the presidency when we are really arguing about who is going to buy the cooking oil for next weeks fish fry or the noodles for the spaghetti dinner.
February 13, 201115 yr One thing you realize (on your own 99% of the time) when you join is that all the conspiracy theories on the net are complete hogwash. These conspiracy nuts think we're in meetings plotting on who will run and win the presidency when we are really arguing about who is going to buy the cooking oil for next weeks fish fry or the noodles for the spaghetti dinner. The conspiracy people said you would say that. LOL. Sorry. I didn't mean to imply there was a sinister side.
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