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Post by phoenix on Oct 31, 2006 17:36:38 GMT
Hello to all.
I am new to this forum and I would kindly ask for advice on the following. I believe that a man is first to “become a freemason” in his heart and that he will then be drawn to Freemasonry and seek membership. Such is my case. I felt that I had found an admirable fraternity in which I could learn to strengthen and improve my moral character and take a greater appreciation and awareness of my role in the community.
My profession brings me into contact with public officials of the worst dishonourable kind who are completely devoid of ethics. This sickened me and also prompted me to search for men who shared my admiration for concepts like honesty, loyalty, sincerity, justice, temperance and humility.
My understanding is that the essential qualification for admission into Freemasonry is a belief in a Supreme Being and that this must be complimented by having good repute and a high standard of morals and principles. I sought sponsorship from a Freemason approximately one year ago to join lodge and must assume that the investigating committee did not support my application/nomination or that I was blackballed (http://bessel.org/ballotar.htm) for reasons that baffle me.
This hit me quite hard as I felt that somehow my moral character had been found lacking in someway. I do not recall filling in an application form and I certainly was not interviewed so I pray that maybe there was a mistake. The most frustrating thing is not knowing why. If I knew that there was a legitimate reason for refusal I could work to change and overcome whatever it was.
I am not so arrogant to believe that I am without imperfection but I know I would never bring dishonour or disrepute to Freemasonry or the lodge.
Membership is a privilege and honour not lightly bestowed and I would humbly wish to reapply and believe that I may have been unjustly viewed or could it be as simple as being a case of lodge policy to “see if the petitioner (me) is interested enough to petition again”?
What would be your advice? What are the protocols, I do not wish to cause offence to anyone and certainly not to the kind Freemason who vouched for me. Any advice received would be most appreciated. Thank you for listening.
A seeker of Truth and Light.
Phoenix.
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 31, 2006 18:27:55 GMT
I assume that you are an American, please forgive and correct me if I have that wrong.
Over here in the UK, as far at least as Malecraft UGLE Freemasonry is concerned at Craft (Blue Lodge) Level it works something like this in most cases.
More often than not the potential Candidate is approached by a family member, friend, workmate who is a Freemason and who feels that he would be a suitable person to become one and to thus be in his Lodge. Whatever the official position may be we do not tend to go for the "To be one ask one" system as I understand is the norm in the USA, although that is slowly changing and some men will contact a Lodge directly or may do so after an Open Day etc.
After the first approach if the man is interested there may be a second "chat" perhaps at some Lodge Social Function such as a Ladies Night, then if he is still interested he will be asked to fill out an Application Form signed by his Proposer and Seconder. A few months can elapse then he will be invited to attend a meeting with the Lodge Committee. They will ask him various questions, one of which being "Does he believe in a Supreme Being?" others may be "What does he already know about Freemasonry?", "Why does he wish to become a Mason?", "Does he understand the cost in time and money?" "How does his wife/partner feel about his joining?"
Assuming his answers are satisfactory and there is no impediment to his being Initiated such as a Criminal Record, or his not believing in God, then he will be recommended to the Lodge and a Ballot taken at a Meeting thereafter.
Now here in the UK under UGLE he could be Blackballed at that Meeting, but he would first have to have gone through the process I have detailed. In most Lodge it takes Three Blackballs to reject a Candidate, in some Two are sufficent, One very seldom is over here as no one man alone should have the power to reject a potential Candidate as this could be motivated by spite , prejudice etc. I have only once in 18 years of membership seen a Candidate Blackballed and I later found this was for a very good reason but one which could not be publicly disclosed owing to our draconian Laws on Defamation in the UK.
The Ballot is of course secret and rightly so! No body should ever ask who put in the Black Ball(s) and the person who did so should only disclose this if he feels there is a very good reason indeed to do so. I have never Blackballed a Candidate and I doubt I ever will, but would take that secret with me to the grave if I did.
In any event over here in England we don't play games with Candidates and would not Blackball a man as a test to see if he was serious, I personally would consider that to be an Abuse of Process and un-Masonic. My advice to you is to apply to another Lodge and trust that they will keep you informed of your progress from submitting your Form to being Ballotted then to hopefully being Initiated.
Good Luck in your Quest and please keep us informed.
What I have posted applies to United Grand Lodge of England Craft Lodges, I cannot speak for the customs of Lodges in the USA or elsewhere.
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Post by phoenix on Nov 1, 2006 15:51:32 GMT
Steve. Thank you so much for taking the time and bother to reply in depth as you have. It has put my mind at ease a little. I am an Englishman who has resided some years in Spain. The lodge I approached was one that can be found via UGLE’s website link to “Foreign Grande Lodges recognised by the UGLE” and is a listed lodge under the Grand Lodge of Spain www.gle.orgIn short my wife and I were invited to a ladies night exactly 1 year ago. It was a strange co-incidence because I had been researching Freemasonry months before and found myself becoming drawn to it. It was a great evening, a handsome amount was raised for charity and I knew the Worshipful Master as well as the new one toasted in for the coming year. (our businesses bring us into occasional contact). Both gentlemen welcomed me and commended me highly. I also sat at the table where the Freemason who had been primarily responsible for my invite (not the one who sponsored me) was rumoured to be the next Worshipful Master in line the following year. I really felt welcome which makes the whole experience regarding my “petition to join” all the more bizarre. I have no skeletons in my closet, I am a decent moral man. I do not remember filling out an Application Form signed by my “Proposer and Seconder” but I do know that I was never was invited to attend a meeting with the Lodge Committee or any circumstance similar to the one you detail prior to a ballot. This has been a painful experience but it has not stifled my interest or enthusiasm to join Freemasonry because its principles resonate to my core. Needless to say, in the interest of discretion, that’s as much as I shall ever divulge on the matter. I only bring it up as a background to seek advice on where I go from here. The little response I have received on the forums has been: “Find another lodge”. “It sounds like your petition was never handed in/put forward by the proposer” “I would suggest contacting a local lodge personally, or the Grand Lodge of Spain, who will be much better able to direct you”. Should I approach the Worshipful Master of the same lodge and make known my wish to join? (obviously avoiding discussion of my prior attempt unless it is brought up). Or should I just approach another lodge via the Grand Lodge of Spain? I am just very concerned to not to cause anyone offence, betray any confidence or commit any impropriety. What would you do Steve? Thank you for listening. If there are any other Masons out there who can offer advice, it would be appreciated. A seeker of Truth and Light. Phoenix.
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Post by taylorsman on Nov 1, 2006 18:16:10 GMT
In your position Phoenix, I would cut my losses, forget the original Lodge and write to the Grand Secretary of the GL of Spain. He will then put you in touch with a Lodge near you. He may possibly ask you to attend at his office and he will have a chat with you then write to a Lodge.
It could well be that the original approach to you was not taken further for some reason. One can only speculate. Unless you have very strong reasons for wanting to join that particular Lodge I would let sleeping dogs lie and make your approach elsewhere.
Fraternal best wishes to you in your endeavours.
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Post by rbartlett on Nov 1, 2006 20:01:47 GMT
Where abouts in Spain as one of our ex PM upped and left for there last year but he's still on the mailing list so I can email him if you want. He's in the Costa del crime area
Richard
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Post by rbartlett on Nov 1, 2006 20:06:11 GMT
Where abouts in Spain as one of our ex PM upped and left for there last year but he's still on the mailing list so I can email him if you want. He's in the Costa del crime area For discression I can send you his name and you can make sure it's not him!! (although he's semi retired now helping out in an indoor bowling club) Richard
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Post by phoenix on Nov 1, 2006 20:34:19 GMT
Steve.
Once again thank you very much. Sounds like solid advice to me.
I'll let you know how things work out.
Phoenix.
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Post by phoenix on Nov 1, 2006 20:39:23 GMT
Richard.
Thanks for the offer.
My email is renovatio_2006@hotmail.com
Phoenix.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 1, 2006 20:40:56 GMT
Phoenix, exactly where abouts are you in Spain ?
PM or e mail me if you do not wish to reveal such.
I have the e mail add for the Provincial Secretary in Alicante area and Peter Dowling may well be able to help you in his area which is Mojacar and Almeria region.
I am also in contact with a masonically active brother in the Torrevieja area who moved there some years ago.
I believe that the craft in general in the area overall has experienced some disharmony lately with Grand Lodges etc although i am not of the knowledge to expand this,
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Post by phoenix on Nov 3, 2006 15:24:45 GMT
Staffs.
I very much appreciate the time that Freemasons, who I do not know, have taken to reply and the advice that has kindly been offered. I thank you and everyone who has bothered.
I have taken on board the various suggestions and advice that has been offered and gratefully received. I will act on it soon and let you know how I get on.
In the event I run into a wall I will drop you a line and take you up on your offer.
Thanks again.
A seeker of Truth and Light.
Phoenix.
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Post by shanevor on Nov 4, 2006 5:32:17 GMT
I first 'knocked on the door' electronically 7 years ago. I was initiated in August this year. Sometimes the wheels move slowly. I suffered communication breakdowns and 'lost' paperwork but still both myself and the GL , it seems, persisted with my petition.
The advice of the forums members seemssound but I will add this. Keep treading water, someone will reach out a hand in the end!!!!
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Post by peterd on Nov 4, 2006 19:49:31 GMT
phoenix, I have PM'd you.
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Post by phoenix on Nov 5, 2006 9:33:02 GMT
Shanevor Thanks for sharing that & congrats. I’ll keep treading water. I think I may have found that helping hand Phoenix. I first 'knocked on the door' electronically 7 years ago. I was initiated in August this year. Sometimes the wheels move slowly. I suffered communication breakdowns and 'lost' paperwork but still both myself and the GL , it seems, persisted with my petition. The advice of the forums members seemssound but I will add this. Keep treading water, someone will reach out a hand in the end!!!!
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Post by phoenix on Nov 5, 2006 9:36:32 GMT
Peter. Thank you. I'll do the same. Phoenix. phoenix, I have PM'd you.
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Post by phoenix on Jan 12, 2008 10:16:58 GMT
When I started using Masonic internet forums I called myself a seeker of light. By using forums like this one I learned more about Freemasonry and I was touched by the sincerity and warmth of the replies I received and offers of assistance by private emails from complete strangers! I want to thank everyone who answered my call for help. Your kind words and encouragement made all the difference. THANK YOU! I found a new friend on a Masonic forum, Peter Dowling, who now is my brother and he helped me along with my proposers and my petition was presented. When I received the summons to the Lodge for my initiation I found this essay called “Preparation”, written in 1925 by Carl H. Claudy ( www.masonicinfo.com/preparation.htm ). I would highly recommend it to any candidate to read prior to initiation before entering the lodge. I went to my initiation in the spirit of this essay (especially the last 2 paragraphs) and the experience was only the more special for me because of it. Regarding my initiation and festive board afterwards I have never been made to feel so warmly welcomed and accepted anywhere before. Without going into detail on an open internet forum my initiation counts as one of the most unique and special moments of my life. What was told and imparted to me during my initiation resonated to my core. I am humbled, honoured and proud to be a member of Freemasonry. Still in the infancy of my first Masonic steps I am looking forward to my journey and extending my researches into the order. For me the initiation experience has been an awakening and a calling to live my life with a higher purpose in mind and if I stumble and fall I know my new brethren will be there to help guide me and keep me on that path. Yes, I have found the light! Phoenix.
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Post by lauderdale on Jan 12, 2008 11:29:25 GMT
Good news indeed that your quest has met with success. It goes to show the benefit of Masonic Fora such as this.
Fraternal best wishes
Steve Foley (formerly Taylorsman)
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Tamrin
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Nosce te ipsum
Posts: 3,586
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Post by Tamrin on Jan 12, 2008 12:36:30 GMT
Wonderful news Brother Phoenix. Congratulations.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Jan 12, 2008 15:26:53 GMT
Phoenix, i was initiated 4 years ago and i too read this essay about 3 hours before the meeting. It helped me prepare mentally and also to relax and enjoy and savour the experience of what i was about to do. It helped me to understand a little better.
And...yes i showered twice before getting ready. funny old sod me
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Post by leonardo on Jan 13, 2008 23:26:24 GMT
Many congratulations!
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