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Post by squared on Apr 28, 2005 19:44:22 GMT
Just wondering if there are any others that prefer to keep their masonry private, and how long people generaly feel comfortable enough to proclaim to the world that they are a Mason.
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Post by taylorsman on Apr 28, 2005 22:10:44 GMT
I'm sure you are not surprised! People have two choices on this matter. They accept I am a Freemason and there is no problem, or they dont and that is their problem, not mine.
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Post by waynecowley on May 1, 2005 16:14:45 GMT
I agree with Taylorsman
I am very open about my membership
If anyone has a problem with that then as TM says - it is their problem and not mine
If I had any concerns about being a freemason, or believed that it was something to be ashamed of, I would not remain a member
Wayne
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Post by Siontific on May 1, 2005 18:53:19 GMT
I'm only a Mason of 2 months standing and although my family and inlaws know (my father-in-law's father was a Mason), the subject has never come up with anyone else.
So I suppose I'm "in the closet".
At the right discussion, I would be happy to state clearly I was a Mason, why and where my beliefs in Masonry stand.
The opportunity just hasn't arisen.
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Post by munkholt on May 1, 2005 20:18:21 GMT
Well, I'm not even initiated yet, but I think I am pretty open about where I'm headed.
Although I do turn it over once in my mind before revealing too much about it to my friends. Not because I want to hide the fact, but I know I can get pretty excited when talking about Freemasonry, and I don't want to come across as if I've just joined a sect and been brainwashed. ;D Also, I know there are at least a handful of my friends that I think somewhere down the line might be interested themselves, and I want them to bring it up out of interest, not because they're forced to listen to me rave.
Going back a little, I wasn't sure how to tell my father about my plans for going into FMry. He was a member but left the order, and I always had the impression that he was dissatisfied. So I guess I was worried that he would dislike my choice. Just the opposite: we had a great talk about the choices he had made and how he felt I would enjoy FMry .
And that's been the reception so far: positive. Most of my friends think the order is old-fashioned and reactionary (same as I did), but they are still curious about the rituals and history and very accepting of the existance of such a destinguished yet qurky society. And anyway, most of them knew I had the interest already and probably weren't all that surprised.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on May 2, 2005 6:50:36 GMT
I'm very open about my involvement, with those who could benefit by such awareness. If it crops up in discussions I'm open to shed light on what we're about.
The only caution I hold is not to mention any other Bro. as that is their perogative, unless of course thay have already given me freedom to reveal their membership.
I find a general IGNORANCE in most of my aquaintances, on anything to do with Freemasonry, - with most reactions thinking we are tied up with Fred Flintstone and his "lodge"?
There is a lot of apathy towards any Altuistic organisation these days so I DO think we should make society MORE aware that we exist, and that we are there to further Mans' evolution.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on May 2, 2005 11:12:51 GMT
The only caution I hold is not to mention any other Bro. as that is their perogative, unless of course thay have already given me freedom to reveal their membership. I find a general IGNORANCE in most of my aquaintances, on anything to do with Freemasonry, - with most reactions thinking we are tied up with Fred Flintstone and his "lodge"?. I agree with the above statements 100 percent . I often hear in conversation "Oh did you know hes on the square " i think it is not up to any one to disclose anothers involvement and should respect his privacy. The lads who work for me know of my involvement and always refer to Fred Flintstone and the rolled up trouser brigade amongst other too rude to mention things. I am very open about my membership and in conversation might tell someone that i may be finishing early to go to a lodge meeting. I quite often recognise another brother through the forms of recognition and then we know we have something in common to chat about.
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Post by Temple on May 23, 2005 22:09:01 GMT
I talked about my interest in Masonry with close friends beforehand. I had sworn no oaths and could freely share all I had learned by reading and talking to Masons. Since being a member I feel less inclined to discuss it. I don't take oaths lightly and I worry that I'll inadvertantly say something I shouldn't. I wouldn't like to let myself or my brn down.
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Post by rbartlett on Jun 2, 2005 7:03:43 GMT
I'm a partner in a business no one of the others know of my masonic connection.
My family only know because my uncle told everyone (he is a long standing mason of some 50 years+ and having lived in America for 40 of those tends to be quite open)
But by far the biggest blab is my wife who insists on telling everyone!!
S&F
Richard
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 2, 2005 8:05:23 GMT
Like any other personal matter, Politics, Religion, Sexuality, ideally it should be for the Individual to disclose or not as their wishes and circumstances may warrant. They should not be "outed" by others. Now I am a very open type but others may have good reasons to keep such matters private.
Now being a Freemason is in the Public Domain as most Provinces publish a Year Book and all Brethren are listed at the back with (usually) their Craft and Mark Lodges if any and their RA Chapter if they are Companions in that Degree and there will be pages listing the Officers in each Conclave, Preceptory, etc of the Higher Degrees. As anyone can buy one of these Year Books then it is not a difficult task to discover if someone is a Freemason or not. Some of the larger Public Libraries may even have copies in their Reference section.
Again human nature being as it is other Masons may well mention that they saw a particular man at a Meeting and of course a wife may tell friends , neighbours, etc that her husband is at his Lodge Meeting or that she was at a Ladies Night.
I feel we are better to be open about our Masonic Membership but fully accept that for some this may cause personal difficulties. One can have some close family member who is anti- Masonic , or both Elected Members and moreso Officers of some Public Bodies can encounter problems if their being "On the Square" is known.
It is indicative of the decline in British Society that Membership of an Honourable and Charitable Body is now looked upon as something suspicious by those who ought to know better.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Jun 2, 2005 8:40:55 GMT
Being"out the closet" in Brighton means something so much different but i am very open about being a mason and am proud to be one .
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Post by sanjosekt on Jun 8, 2005 9:46:16 GMT
I proudly state my affiliation to any and all. I wear a masonic ring, if someone asks me what I am doing that evening and it is a lodge night, I tell them where I am going.
I think that it might be different in the USA, but I have never encountered anyone that had anything negitive to say. Usually I either get a "whats that" or "my grandfather was one"
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