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Post by kromedragon on Apr 19, 2009 11:43:40 GMT
I am planning to visit the freemasons and introduce myself and my interest in Freemasonry. Do I have to wear a suit to visit them. My work does not require my wearing a suit. And I am more efficient in accomplishing my work without a suit. I wear casual shirt and casual trousers. So is the suit so important, when I go to to introduce myself
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Post by Siontific on Apr 19, 2009 13:31:57 GMT
I guess it might depend on where you are: UK, USA, elsewhere? Personally, it wouldn't bother me what you turned up in at an interview although being "smart" would probably give the right impression. I think you should feel comfortable at the interview but be prepared to be told that there is a standard of dress for meetings if that is the custom in the Lodge or the Constitution. Why not turn up being comfortable (and smart), relaxed and bring the question up yourself.
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Post by Siontific on Apr 19, 2009 13:36:40 GMT
To add to the above, I'm in UGLE and when we interview we do so in casual clothes, even jeans, but we do point out if we're not sure that the interviewee is aware that the dress code in Lodge is a dark suit or morning dress. We've had interviewee's turn up dressed casually and in a suit. It's the discussion that matters and the attitude, the person, not how they are dressed. We've not turned anyone down because they weren't dressed to the nines.
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 19, 2009 14:24:09 GMT
To add to the above, I'm in UGLE and when we interview we do so in casual clothes, even jeans, but we do point out if we're not sure that the interviewee is aware that the dress code in Lodge is a dark suit or morning dress. We've had interviewee's turn up dressed casually and in a suit. It's the discussion that matters and the attitude, the person, not how they are dressed. We've not turned anyone down because they weren't dressed to the nines. Thank you, will bring up the question myself. May I ask what kind of questions will be asked of me? do I need to bring some kinds of documents with me? Do i need to brings some kind of interview fee? Check or cash? Is the object of the interview to get to know me? Or do they want to know if I am the right person to be joining them?
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 19, 2009 14:33:11 GMT
I gather that the Masonic Forum of Lights is not an actual Masonic Lodge! I understand this is a forum for the interest of freemasonry. So I feel that my going to UGLE would be best.
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Apr 19, 2009 15:26:20 GMT
Greetings to you!! No online Masonic Forum is a Lodge. You'll understand that a bit better once you've sat in Lodge. Yes, the object of the interview is to get to know you *and* to determine that you are the right person to be joining them. I've never asked for ID or documents of any Candidate I've interviewed. The interviewee isn't usually hit up for fees until all are sure the applicant is a fit and proper person to be made a Freemason. I think most Lodge Treasurers accept check and cash Now relax a bit. You'll be asked a number of get-to-know you type questions. I turned up for my interviews in jeans and a sweatshirt and I can tell you that's pretty normal for applicants to my Lodge (USA). I will say, though, that if a Candidate did turn up in a suit or otherwise very well dressed, that would impress me as it would indicate their eagerness. All that said, as important as the questions asked of you will be, you need to ask questions yourself. This is a chance for you to get to know the Lodge as much as it is from them to get to know you. Understanding this as a two-way-interaction is important because Harmony is extremely important in a Lodge. And, since you are applying to a UGLE Lodge, you have a number of options. They need to be sure you are right for them and you should make sure they are right for you. And if either figures out the fit isn't best, there are other Lodges for you to apply to. So I'd say ask your questions, let them ask their questions and let it be a friendly get-to-know-each-other thing. Good luck to you
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Post by joyrock on Apr 19, 2009 18:01:03 GMT
To present yourself in a professional manner is always a good bet.
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 20, 2009 3:16:13 GMT
Does it have to be a jet black suit?
Or does it only have to be a "dark" suit? Dark Blue, Dark blue-green, dark grey, etc.?
Does the shirt need to be white or is a shaded shirt ok too?
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Post by leonardo on Apr 20, 2009 6:40:21 GMT
If you are just going to meet representatives from the Lodge you're hoping to become a member of then don't be overly concerned with what to wear. My advice would be to wear what you feel comfortable in and keep it simple.
For Lodge meetings I wear a dark suit, white shirt & dickybow, dark shoes and dark socks.
My wife wears white.
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Post by Siontific on Apr 20, 2009 7:10:46 GMT
If you are stating that you now realise that this forum is not a masonic lodge and that you should go and join UGLE, presumably you have not made any arrangements to meet a Lodge and it's members. What exactly is your situation? If you have not made contact with anyone yet and do not know any Masons who can introduce you then there are ways of being introduced to a Lodge if you are serious about joining.
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 20, 2009 8:59:18 GMT
If you are stating that you now realise that this forum is not a masonic lodge and that you should go and join UGLE, presumably you have not made any arrangements to meet a Lodge and it's members. What exactly is your situation? If you have not made contact with anyone yet and do not know any Masons who can introduce you then there are ways of being introduced to a Lodge if you are serious about joining. I alway knew that a lodge cannot be joined over the internet. I always thought that this forum was an off-shoot of some lodge. Anyways, doesnt matter, I like this forum. I will be coming to uk in the next few months. I live in a country where Free Masonry is banned. So while in UK I just want to meet with the representatives at UGLE and introduce myself. I will only be there for a week. Then I come back to my country. Its the best I can do for now. No, I dont know any masons personally.
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 20, 2009 11:15:36 GMT
If you are just going to meet representatives from the Lodge you're hoping to become a member of then don't be overly concerned with what to wear. My advice would be to wear what you feel comfortable in and keep it simple. For Lodge meetings I wear a dark suit, white shirt & dickybow, dark shoes and dark socks. My wife wears white. By dark do you mean black?
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 20, 2009 12:50:24 GMT
Another point of concern. I am not muslim. But do belong to muslim background. When I am initiated, i will be asked what my holy book is. What do I say? I could always say that I do gravitate toward to the Judaic texts? Will that be accepted? Or should I just keep my beliefs to myself and say what my passport says, that I am a muslim. Will the people at the lodge honor my privacy as to my "apostasy" Apostates, Zionists, and FreeMasons are on the endangered species list, both in my country as well as most of the muslim world!!! Virtually every jihaadi and jihaadi wannabe in town is eager to get their hands on people like me. So am I safe in the Brotherhood? Will a muslim member of the freemasons leak out my info? What will bar him from doing so? These are all realistic, legitimate concerns.
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Post by mike on Apr 20, 2009 17:14:51 GMT
I will be coming to uk in the next few months. I live in a country where Free Masonry is banned. So while in UK I just want to meet with the representatives at UGLE and introduce myself. I will only be there for a week. Then I come back to my country. Its the best I can do for now. No, I dont know any masons personally. I am afraid that you seem to have really got hold of the wrong end of the stick. As I answered you at TFM if you live in a country where Freemasonry is banned you will not be able to become a Freemason. Also you can't just come to England and get made a Mason then scoot off back home, sorry but it just doesn't work that way. Mike
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Post by kromedragon on Apr 21, 2009 7:21:18 GMT
So while I am stuck in my country, unable to relocate abroad, can I atleast have friends or acquaintances from the freemasons?
One day when I relocate to the West, I will join but till then how can i make the freemason community my ingroup?
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Post by paulh on Apr 21, 2009 7:43:27 GMT
It may be that the real Freemasonry is worked out of the body where questions of recognition are resolved by virtue and light.
Thus, a brother unable to attend a physical lodge may through uprightness of life and actions qualify for the inner realities of Masonry
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Post by penfold on Apr 21, 2009 11:48:47 GMT
Not really sure what you are looking for kromedragon, there is nothing to stop you being a member of the various internet forums and groups that discuss freemasonry, but be aware it is not the same as 'being a freemason'. From what you say that is not an option that is open to you where you presently live, as for what you can do in the meantime, you've started well by registering and posting here
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Post by leonardo on Apr 21, 2009 23:59:08 GMT
If you are just going to meet representatives from the Lodge you're hoping to become a member of then don't be overly concerned with what to wear. My advice would be to wear what you feel comfortable in and keep it simple. For Lodge meetings I wear a dark suit, white shirt & dickybow, dark shoes and dark socks. My wife wears white. By dark do you mean black? More or less
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Post by freefalcon on Apr 28, 2009 1:55:01 GMT
Greetings to you!! No online Masonic Forum is a Lodge. You'll understand that a bit better once you've sat in Lodge. Yes, the object of the interview is to get to know you *and* to determine that you are the right person to be joining them. I've never asked for ID or documents of any Candidate I've interviewed. The interviewee isn't usually hit up for fees until all are sure the applicant is a fit and proper person to be made a Freemason. I think most Lodge Treasurers accept check and cash Now relax a bit. You'll be asked a number of get-to-know you type questions. I turned up for my interviews in jeans and a sweatshirt and I can tell you that's pretty normal for applicants to my Lodge (USA). I will say, though, that if a Candidate did turn up in a suit or otherwise very well dressed, that would impress me as it would indicate their eagerness. All that said, as important as the questions asked of you will be, you need to ask questions yourself. This is a chance for you to get to know the Lodge as much as it is from them to get to know you. Understanding this as a two-way-interaction is important because Harmony is extremely important in a Lodge. And, since you are applying to a UGLE Lodge, you have a number of options. They need to be sure you are right for them and you should make sure they are right for you. And if either figures out the fit isn't best, there are other Lodges for you to apply to. So I'd say ask your questions, let them ask their questions and let it be a friendly get-to-know-each-other thing. Good luck to you Can you please provide a short (or long) list of these "get-to-know you" questions? Also, which questions should we be asking the person who is interviewing us? The reason I am asking is obviously because I have submitted an application to become a mason and would just like to prepare myself. Thank you.
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imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
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Post by imakegarb on Apr 28, 2009 6:00:02 GMT
Uh, when you go to parties, what questions do folks ask you when they want to get to know you? What questions do you ask them? I think you'll find the questions above are pretty much the same as will be asked in this case. Good luck to you
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