are any TDR members Masons?

[Tee]

My father is a Master Mason, And so was my grandfather. We have had several conversations over the years and I get information from him from time to time. (only when I request it though) I have been really thinking about taking the next steps in getting involved this winter.

 

[BigEasy]

Just an update... I'm now a Master Mason. Oo.

 

[Bill Lins]

Welcome aboard, Brother! Congratulations!

 

[Sled Puller]

Now, I suspect all these posts are in code. The way I understoood it, the masons were like Mormons-hard to get in, but once you were in, you were only allowed to deal with other Masons. And bad things happened to non Masons. True??



That said, the only thing the local Masons do, is rent their musty old hall out for dinners, and donate money to charities-at least, thats what they let us THINK they do... ... .

 

[BigEasy]

Bill, thank you!



Sleddy, it's not hard at all to get in. To be one, ask one... it's pretty much that simple. The Masons don't 'recruit', you must seek them. My only regret is that I didn't do it 11 years ago.



Once you contact a member, they'll have you fill out a petition for membership. It will then be acted on by an 'investigative committee'. This usually consists of a short interview with a few Brothers, to obtain your motivations and intentions, and to answer any questions that you may have. Given a favorable recommendation by the Brothers, your petition would then be voted on at a monthly meeting. After the vote, you would be contacted with further instructions. If you consider becoming a Mason, do yourself a favor and enter in the traditional manner, not through the one-day class.



I happen to have joined a very active Lodge, but not all are that way. There doesn't seem to be to be any of the behavior which you suggest. We all help each other out, but that's what friends do.

 

[Sled Puller]

Well that doesn't sound near as mysterious as I've been led to believe!

Yes, the local one is getting very old, softball games were a longgg time ago.

 

[Warpig]

Congrats!

BigEasy, Congratulations on your completion of the 3rd degree!! I just posted a thread asking if anyone else is a mason. I should of read down a bit first. I am a member of Harmony Lodge #42 Waterbury, CT. You will enjoy your time spent within the lodge. So mote it be.



Tim W.

 

[Beach]

I don't mean to be nosey, but I had never heard of this "fraternity". My question is: I work with a guy that has MM on his license plate's. These are like specialty plate's, kind of like fireman have, with the MM on the side. Someone told me it meant he was a Master Mason. Does this mean he belong's to this or is it the actuall brick laying trade. I don't understand why he would have these because we work for a municipality. It must be the fraternity you guy's are talking about. Thank's for any answer's, and I appoligize for being unaware of this!

 

[BigEasy]

Beach, I'm sure you've heard of the Shriners... they are a part of the Masons.

 

[Mike Ellis]

Just an update... I'm now a Master Mason.

CONGRATULATIONS! Welcome to the fraternity, brother!

I don't mean to be nosey, but I had never heard of this "fraternity". My question is: I work with a guy that has MM on his license plate's. These are like specialty plate's, kind of like fireman have, with the MM on the side. Someone told me it meant he was a Master Mason. Does this mean he belong's to this or is it the actuall brick laying trade. I don't understand why he would have these because we work for a municipality. It must be the fraternity you guy's are talking about. Thank's for any answer's, and I appoligize for being unaware of this!

I have never seen a set of license plates with the "MM" designation, but the Master Mason designation does often refer to a member of our fraternity. The term also of course refers to actual masons who work in brick and stone. Members of the actual working trade are known as craft Masons, and the fraternity version as speculative Masons to help distinguish them.



If the man in question is a member of the fraternity, you will perhaps see the square & compasses symbol on or about his person - on a ring, a lunchbox sticker, car emblem, etc.



Go up and ask him if he is a Master Mason sometime, if he is a Freemason he will undoubtedly be happy to tell you about it, the average Mason is always glad to talk to people about the fraternity.



In the meantime, if you would like to learn more, just fire away with any questions you have and we will try to answer!

 

[Beach]

Hey Big Easy,

Yes, I have heard and seen the shriner's, usually in parades. Also to Mike Ellis, I have never noticed any sticker's, ring's or anything. Unfortunately the guy was'nt well respected around my job since he was a compulsive liar and told us unbelievable stories like Forrest Gump type. I say "was'nt", because he quit today. It's to bad that thing's ended that way. He was alway's trying to impress us, and all he had to do was not make up such bizzare storie's and he probably would have been accepted more. Someone at work mentioned that his plate's might have stood for Masonic Mason? I don't know. I never knew of any of this until this week. The guy's at work know about it. I felt kind of dumb. Oh well! I guess I learned something!