I AM a Freemason, and I can say this is nonsense-why not join and see for yourself?

[mcorrison]

My name is Micheal Corrison, I'm a 19 year old member of the Scottish Rite Freemasons of New Jersey.
Look, guys, we have a public website with a list of contacts, telephone numbers, and pictures!! My lodge has a gym and pool OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! We have open informational days where people can come in, look around ,and ask questions as they please. We regularly get all sorts of conspiracy theorist who come in and look around suspiciously, and as always, act surprised when they aren't followed and are free to go wherever they like. Potential members are even allowed to sit in on meetings- hardly anything secret about that, is ther?>

If there's some "secret plot",well, I'm definitely not "in on it."
And let's pretend there IS some secret plot at world domination....why not join and be in on it? Hell why not, you'd get to be apart of the global elite and control the world? Why not join and see for yourself? You can always quit if you want to, and there's no charge at my lodge.

I never understand why you choose to get your information on these sites from people with NO idea what their talking about. Anyone here can apply TODAY to become a Freemason, or if you're female, a dame of the order of the Eastern Star.

[noiram]

may i ask to join this elite group of men.

[mcorrison]

no problem.
im not sure if you're male or female- if you're female, you'd join the order of the eastern star, which is the womens version.
but anyway, its not really something you "join", its something you "become."

there are several ways to become a mason. most typically, a mason will invite a personal friend of his to attend a meeting or visit a lodge. direct referals make up 75% of new membership.
if you dont know anybody whose a mason, id suggest googling the lodge closet to you- try a state level search first, although a decently large city will probably have a lodge. send them an email explaining you've heard of the masons, and would like to inquire about what they do and how someone gets involved.
DONT use phrases like "join the masons"- it wont make your intentions look good. im not sure id call us an "elite group" either. powerful people become masons- not the other way around. being a mason wont get you very far, or give you any special "rank" in society.
it DOES help you network, however, and it gives you contacts in every city i nthe world.

[noiram]

i have always been interested in seeking knowledge and i really apreciate the responce to my reply. thank you and i will look into seeking a lodge in my area of los angeles.

[mcorrison]

hi draves.
you dont have to be "invited"....in fact, its against mason policy to invite.
email your local lodge

[Lord Tsukasa]

Draves:

You'll notice that when a first-hand witness to something in Freemasonry that contradicts the official Masonic policy comes forward, the Masons will simply deny it on the basis that it contradicts their policy. They will not consider the possibility that their fraternity's official policy is a cover for unsavory things occurring within it.

I know someone who is a Freemason (19th Degree) who was "recruited" as a child by his uncle. He is very resistant to discussing the secrets of the fraternity, but would admit (after much pressing) that live pigs are brought in and slaughtered at a sacrificial ritual called "Acceptance of the Young Blood", in which initiates (only some, I assume) write their names in the blood.

I am sure the Masons here will simply say: "I never saw that happen in my lodge, so it can't be true! They would never keep things from me!"

[Charlie Prime]

Originally Posted by mcorrison

My name is Micheal Corrison, I'm a 19 year old member of the Scottish Rite Freemasons of New Jersey.

How frequently do Masonic lodges hold meetings, weekly? bi-weekly?

At the meetings, is it more of a social event like a dinner and conversation, or a study group like a group discussion, or do people give lectures?

[KSigMason]

Originally Posted by Charlie Prime

How frequently do Masonic lodges hold meetings, weekly? bi-weekly?

In Idaho Lodges are only required to meet once a month, but most meet on a weekly basis. Some special Lodges like the Lodge of Research or Historical Lodges only meet a few times a year or only once a year depending on attendance and necessity.

Originally Posted by Charlie Prime

At the meetings, is it more of a social event like a dinner and conversation, or a study group like a group discussion, or do people give lectures?

If it is the business meeting it is like any other group's business meeting where you go over minutes of last meetings, pay bills, new business/old business, and if any new members are petitioning our Lodge. Some meetings can be for ceremony or special purposes such as tactics (drill & ceremony), informative/educational, or for public meetings such as Table Lodges. It really depends on the Lodge and jurisdiction in which they are in.

[Charlie Prime]

Thanks KSig!

For many years I taught martial arts and ran my own academy. Every day potential students came in my door with some pretty crazy, misinformed ideas about what martial arts is, and what it can do.

I'm in a similar situation with Masonry. Sensible information is difficult to find. Most information I see on the web is either 100% anti-mason hysterics, or soft-sell promotional materials similar to what I used to design for martial arts schools.

Can you recommend any online materials which provide a balanced account of Masonry, both the good and not-so-good aspects?

Any help appreciated!

[KSigMason]

Originally Posted by Charlie Prime

I'm in a similar situation with Masonry. Sensible information is difficult to find. Most information I see on the web is either 100% anti-mason hysterics, or soft-sell promotional materials similar to what I used to design for martial arts schools.

Can you recommend any online materials which provide a balanced account of Masonry, both the good and not-so-good aspects?

Any help appreciated!

There are some good websites out there. The Grand Lodge of Canada-British Columbia has a good "Search" function. They have a ton on anti-Masonry as well as other papers.

There is also several pages:

Freemason Information - This is a great site for those interested in Freemasonry.

Index of Papers by Freemasons - An interesting site with mostly research, not necessarily fact, but interesting theories.

Paul Bessel's website - Another site of good information.

Freemasons For Dummies - A great blog by a fairly known Masonic author, Christopher Hodapp.