Question:
Can I be a member of the Masonic Temple?
anonymous
2011-04-19 16:33:07 UTC
I just inherited my grandfather bible from his initiation into the order of the builders. From this I am deducting that my great grandfather was of the Masonic Order. My question is does this make me eligible to become a Mason? As far as I know my grandfather was not a Mason. My grandmother was also in the eastern stars.
Eight answers:
s0mewhereny
2011-04-20 07:06:49 UTC
Well first I am sorry about your loss.

bar_enosh is correct in the Order of the Builders was a youth organization begin in 1921 and sponsored by the Masonic Fraternity. It is very similar to the DeMolay organization. Being a member of these organizations does not automatically make you a Freemason when you reach the age of majority.



Whether your grandfather was or was not a member of the Masons really doesn't matter. The Freemason will consider any man who meets the criteria. The catch is you must ask to join, they are barred from asking anyone to join.

The reason is one must come of their own free will to Masonry.



So in most US jurisdiction the criteria for membership is:

Be a man, freeborn, of lawful age (18-21 depending on the state you live in) and well recommended. generally this means good character (no criminal record and have a good reputation as a citizen).

Also have a belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.



Interesting that you say your grandmother was in the OES as this organization only accepts women who are directly related to Master Masons, i.e. wives, sisters, mothers, daughters of Master Masons. So for your grandmother to have joined, either her father, brother, husband would have to been Master Masons. I would look into that as it may prove quite interesting to you.



Anyway if you meet the criteria of the Lodge in your jurisdiction, you can just ask for a petition and off you go.



One way to get started is to look up your Grand Lodge, The grand Lodge of (your state or country here), keep in mind in the US there is no central Masonic authority for all states, so each state has a Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge websites usually have Lodge locators and you can find a Lodge that way. Many local Lodges now have websites, FB pages, etc and announce their events, like BBQs and other fundraisers. You could find out when the local Lodge is meeting or having one of these events and attend. This would allow you to meet some of the members ina relaxed social setting and for them to meet you and get to know you.



Notes:



Design by G_d does not know what he is talking about and is typical of religious ignorance. Freemasonry is not a religion, not a substitute for one, although religious in nature. It teaches not religious dogma and will not interfere with a members chosen faith. So naturally the Lodge does not evangelize like the fanatics would like. In fact the discussion of religion and politics is barred in a Masonic Lodge as these are subjects that would divide men and keep them at a perpetual distance.



Also you will never me invited as you must ask.



Vulcan must still be on Vulcan because the Lodge membership in some areas is actually expanding a bit and in most holding steady. There wa a great influx of members after WW2 and the membership roles swelled to abnormal highs. Well now as you imagine many of these members of the greatest generation are passing on and membership numbers are returning to normal. So it may seem like a contraction, but reality is it's just normal ebb and flow.



Good luck.
בַר אֱנָשׁ (bar_enosh)
2011-04-19 16:43:45 UTC
The Order of the Builders is for young men who are relatives of Masons. It does not mean that they are Masons themselves. You say your grandfather was not a Mason, so being a Builder did not lead to his becoming a Mason.

http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/builders_en.html



To become a Mason yourself, you have to be accepted and initiated into a Masonic Lodge.
?
2016-10-01 11:04:09 UTC
Freemasonry is barely a fraternity. It welcomes men of all races as long as they have faith in a superb Being and are of stable ethical character, there is no racial requirement. it somewhat is for men basically while you evaluate it fairly is the definition of a fraternity, it somewhat is a brotherhood. Masonic homes have consistently been out interior the open, Masons don't have something to cover by using fact it fairly is basically a fraternity. no person gets invited to connect, the only thank you to grow to be a Freemason is to take the 1st step and ask. conferences are for contributors basically yet from time to time there are open properties the place the doors are open to the standard public. If it somewhat is a historic development with awesome artifacts, excursions could be obtainable via appointment at different situations...yet many Masonic homes are quite undeniable with no longer something somewhat awesome to be sure. call and ask, the development must be indexed interior the yellow pages.
Eric S
2011-04-19 17:49:26 UTC
Who your grandfather was or was not has little to do with your becoming a Mason. Your own qualities and qualifications are what matter. You have to go to a lodge and Ask.
anonymous
2011-04-19 16:38:01 UTC
Sure - that Masons love new members because there's getting to be fewer of these guys.
anonymous
2011-04-19 16:36:07 UTC
Masons or Freemasonry does not believe that Jesus Christ is fully the nature and substance of God, in a fully human body. They do not teach that trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to have eternal life (John Chapter 14 verse 6 and 1 John Chapter 4 verse 3). Freemasonry is another religion without a Savior. Masons teach salvation by works (good deeds) and character development - not salvation by faith in Christ alone. they believe all paths lead to God An excellent article, more in depth, is at: http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/masons.htm



Confess your sins to God and ask His forgiveness; turn from them proving your repentance is real, then trust Jesus took the punishment your sins deserved on His cross so you can have abundant life now and eternal life to come! You were created in love to respond to the Father's love for you!
Checkpoint
2011-04-19 16:42:34 UTC
Research this thoroughly. There is tons of information on the internet.
NORMAN Z
2011-04-19 16:36:33 UTC
You have to apply or be invited.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...