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Post by ingo on May 12, 2005 8:40:45 GMT
Whatt I always wanted to ask you but never succeded before.... ;D
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Post by ingo on May 12, 2005 8:44:13 GMT
I voted "My wife told me about". In fact I knew about freemasonry since I was 18. But when I met my later wife at the age of 24, she told me about Co-Masonry, which I liked better. So I joined at the age of 26. In my wife's family were round about 6 or 7 freemason-ancestors. Which she did not know before she joined. ;D
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Post by munkholt on May 12, 2005 8:57:11 GMT
Got the original spark from my father's dodging the subject - nothing entices as forbidden fruit! But my own interest developed from there and that lead to my own research.
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on May 12, 2005 9:06:53 GMT
I voted "Own interest / research". I was in the need to take a spiritual journey free from dogmas and prejudices.
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Post by taylorsman on May 12, 2005 9:37:44 GMT
Own Interest/Research.
I took an interest in my teens and followed this up assidiously, reading up all I could find on Freemasonry over the following 20 years, no Internet to make it easy in those days, speaking to those Brethren who would talk about such matters, when I found Scots Masons reasonably open compared to the very tight lipped English Brethren who in those days, the 1970s to mid 80s, wouldn't even acknowledge that they were Freemasons in many cases. Eventually being approached by two Brethren I knew through other connections in 1988 and in December of that year Initiated, and the rest you know.
I have always been far more interested in the Ritualistic, Symbolical, Esoteric and Historical aspects of Freemasonry, rather than the Social/Charity side.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on May 12, 2005 9:50:40 GMT
I was already studying spirituality. philosophy & independant thought when I joined. I had a twin brother already in CoM (5 years before me), but my time needed to wait. Strangely he is now no longer a member and I have progressed furrther. I was actually 33 when I joined, so each of us has his own time of "KNOWING".
Life is however a continuance of learning episodes.
Today, it seems we (Freemasonry) need to advertise more to let people know we exist. WHY IS THAT!!
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Post by waynecowley on May 12, 2005 11:31:29 GMT
I voted Own Interest/Research though more accurately it was through conversations with a friend and neighbour who became my proposer
Wayne
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Post by a on May 12, 2005 12:08:27 GMT
I followed my heart.
And while the practical side of Freemasonry that I kept being told about saddened me immensely, the theoretical side that I read about offered me comfort.
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Post by taylorsman on May 12, 2005 22:08:59 GMT
I follow my head! For all its flaws in Administration and Emphasis I will stick with the Practical side and seek out those aspects of it which appeal to my persona.
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Post by Bondi on May 18, 2005 16:02:17 GMT
I found Freemasonry while researching my surname, actually found KT first and then linked from there to TLR.
Once petitioned I found out that my Gt Uncle, Grandfather are masons and my Father was, but has since demitted.
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Post by vadro on Oct 14, 2005 18:13:53 GMT
I voted "Own interest/research".
My father is a Freemason himself but he never ever asked me to join, I petioned only when I was sure to pursuit a path which I believe will lead me to an inner development, still a long way to go. I had the upmost respect of the Freemasons I knew, I liked the principles of the Masonery, and also the idea to start a jorney free of dogmas.
S&F
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Post by ingo on Oct 15, 2005 14:02:36 GMT
Hubert wrote: "Today, it seems we (Freemasonry) need to advertise more to let people know we exist. WHY IS THAT!!"
Hubert I can just tell you about Germany: After WWI there was a similar situation as in Britain after WWII - alle the military people joined the lodges because they did not want to miss their fellows. Or you were asked by FMs to join.
After WWII Freemasonry stayed a secret society - even Co-Masonry more than male-only masonry.
If you keep away from society to stay a secret club you will never attract people. Because you create the aura of being something special - where nobody else is wanted or needed.
Since we opened our lodge for speeches and informal evenings people see that we are not just e few guys, but they see that we are more than 20 people! People always want to join where lots of others meet. Of course you cannot accept and initiate everybody - but you can pick up the ones you think they fit the best!!
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