F. & A. M. and A. F. & A. M. - Step Inside

[freemaSSon]

I had the warm embrace from a FRIEND that visited my page here on the board.

I got to thinking it would be great to EMBRACE the rest of the BROTHERS within these parts.

I extend a TOKEN!


Pat
Master Mason
A. F. & A. M.
Grand Lodge of Texas
Lee Lodge #435 (Chartered 1875)
Prosper, Texas

PS - I am "A friend in the dark as well as in the light". I am not afraid or embarrassed by my membership. I wear it as a badge of honor as it identifies me as one that serves his fellow man. Just as my chosen profession identifies me as a man that serves his fellow man (Law Enforcement).

[texan]

Pat, nice to meet a brother on the forum. Ordered my 2SS back in July and hoping I get a vin in the next week or two.

Rusty in Waco
Lodge #92

[mlee]

Great Thread Brother!!!

Definitely like to hear from others who have traveled the same road...

MM since 1989 and PM 2001

Hap Arnold Lodge #457
Shreveport LA
www.haparnoldlodge.com

[TJTKSDMJ8]

Excuse my ignorance, but what in a nutshell, what are the Freemasons all about? I have always wondered what you do, how you get in etc. I really have no idea and have always wanted to ask.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by TJTKSDMJ8

Excuse my ignorance, but what in a nutshell, what are the Freemasons all about? I have always wondered what you do, how you get in etc. I really have no idea and have always wanted to ask.

It's basically a Fraternaty of Brothers whose foundation is charity... They strive to make good men even better.

You probably hear about Shriners and the Childrens Hospitals and burn centers more than anything else... These are Masons...

You will never have a Mason ask you to be a member... (we don't solicit membership). You would have to ask them first and they would be more than happy to answer your questions which I'm sure will be many...
and I'm sure we can field your questions here too...

Check out this video and do a search in your area for a lodge...

[Augie1978]

Lincoln Lodge #210 here, Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite, Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Illinois.

[freemaSSon]

Originally Posted by texan

Pat, nice to meet a brother on the forum. Ordered my 2SS back in July and hoping I get a vin in the next week or two.

Rusty in Waco
Lodge #92

WOW!!! #92

That has to be old enough to be Chartered under the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. Am I right?

[freemaSSon]

Originally Posted by mlee

It's basically a Fraternaty of Brothers whose foundation is charity... They strive to make good men even better.

You probably hear about Shriners and the Childrens Hospitals and burn centers more than anything else... These are Masons...

You will never have a Mason ask you to be a member... (we don't solicit membership). You would have to ask them first and they would be more than happy to answer your questions which I'm sure will be many...
and I'm sure we can field your questions here too...

Check out this video and do a search in your area for a lodge...

I could not have said it better brother.


OUTSTANDING LINK! The link is now part of my Favorites on my youtube page. Perfect way to bring somone into partial light !

[texan]

We missed it by only a few years.

http://www.waco92.org/history.htm

[freemaSSon]

There has to be more than just 3 Brothers here.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by freemaSSon

There has to be more than just 3 Brothers here.

I'm sure there are...

[Ject]

I bet there are some great people and bonds with others that are a free masson, but religiously i'm to avoid free masons :(

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Ject

I bet there are some great people and bonds with others that are a free masson, but religiously i'm to avoid free masons :(

Totally respect your conviction and hope you mean avoid joining and not avoid us...
Interesting since absolutely no Religion or Politics are discussed in a Masonic Lodge. We all meet on the same level no mater what our stature in life is. Most members are also very devoted to their place of worship and Freemasonry encourages members to attend the church of their choice.

[freemaSSon]

Originally Posted by mlee

Totally respect your conviction and hope you mean avoid joining and not avoid us...
Interesting since absolutely no Religion or Politics are discussed in a Masonic Lodge. We all meet on the same level no mater what our stature in life is. Most members are also very devoted to their place of worship and Freemasonry encourages members to attend the church of their choice.

I would add additionally that it IMPRESSES upon the membership to go out in the community and be an EXAMPLE of exemplary CITIZENSHIP, FELLOWSHIP and BROTHERLY LOVE. I can't think of any reason that religion would interfere/infringe/contradict the TENANTS of FREEMASONRY.

As mlee stated I too respect your commitment to your faith. But I would hope it is the practice of Freemasonry you have chosen not to participate in and not chosen to avoid people who happen to be Masons.

The conflicts between the Papacy and Freemasonry have been long standing and grounded in 100's of years of disagreement over charity funding. If you are a Catholic then I would encourage you to look into the "Knights of Colombus". This is a charitable organization that forwards it charities to the Catholic Church and does A LOT of good in the communities it is involved in. It has and shares alot of the FRATERNAL BROTHERHOOD TENANTS that are at the root of Freemasonry and it offers to its membership alot of the same BROTHERHOOD feelings and networking. All in All another great CHARITABLE organization that being a Catholic will not bring disfavor within your church.