|
Post by ankh on Nov 4, 2009 5:32:10 GMT
First of all, thank you for having this forum. Secondly I have searched several Masonic Forums and everyone here seems to be fantastic. I think I will stick around a bit. Anyway.... I have contacted the secretary of a local lodge and requested an application for membership. The Pass Master contacted me and informed me of the process. He asked me a few questions about myself and stated that I would be sent an application. I would return the application with the first years dues and be contacted for an interview from an investigative committee. I would be voted on and then If all went well the process of initiation would begin. Fine I dont have a problem with that at all and I hope it happens I look forward to being a Masonic Brother more than you know. The thing is he also said I would have to have a physical. Is that normal??? Should I be accepted will I have to do a 100 yard dash, run 2 miles and do 72 pushups??? I am 49 years old is there an age at which a physical is part of the process??? or will I be solicited to get insurance. From the postings I have read I have not heard of the physicals being mandated? Can I have your thoughts. Am I headed in the right direction or have I stumbled on a wayward bunch? Oh and wish me luck
|
|
imakegarb
Member
One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
Posts: 3,573
|
Post by imakegarb on Nov 4, 2009 7:06:03 GMT
Physical? Hmmmm. Not something I've ever heard of
|
|
|
Post by magusmasonica on Nov 4, 2009 7:53:06 GMT
May I ask what jurisdiction your future lodge is under? I have heard that some PHA, PHO and Hiram of Tyre lodges can be very "physical" in thier initiations.
Love and Light,
|
|
|
Post by lauderdale on Nov 4, 2009 10:27:44 GMT
SomeScottish Lodges have a very physical Third Degree. I know! It took me a week to get rid of the bruises.
|
|
|
Post by ankh on Nov 4, 2009 11:39:44 GMT
May I ask what jurisdiction your future lodge is under? I have heard that some PHA, PHO and Hiram of Tyre lodges can be very "physical" in thier initiations. Love and Light, Im not sure of the formal answer but it is a PHA in Illinois. A very "Physical" Third degree? Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I should work out ? Well its still a couple of months away at least I have some time to prep physically and mentally. Hmmm How do you prep for the unknown.
|
|
|
Post by lauderdale on Nov 4, 2009 12:34:01 GMT
I have to say that I was aware of the physical nature of the Scots Third Degree before I experienced it. Ths is quite a well known matter in Masonic circles so much so that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has in the past urged some Scots Lodges to tone down their Third Degree Ceremony although this was probably advisory not manditory as Scots Lodge enjoy considerably more autonomy from their GL and PGLs than their UGLE equivalents, especially in matters of Ritual.
|
|
|
Post by ankh on Nov 4, 2009 14:03:54 GMT
I have to say that I was aware of the physical nature of the Scots Third Degree before I experienced it. Ths is quite a well known matter in Masonic circles so much so that the Grand Lodge of Scotland has in the past urged some Scots Lodges to tone down their Third Degree Ceremony although this was probably advisory not manditory as Scots Lodge enjoy considerably more autonomy from their GL and PGLs than their UGLE equivalents, especially in matters of Ritual. Thank you for the insight. Everything comes at a cost. Im willing to pay the price.
|
|
|
Post by magusmasonica on Nov 4, 2009 18:43:37 GMT
SomeScottish Lodges have a very physical Third Degree. I know! It took me a week to get rid of the bruises. In your opinion Brother, what purpose does a "physical" degree serve? Love and Light, BC
|
|
|
Post by lauderdale on Nov 4, 2009 23:28:22 GMT
Well it certainly forciibly impressed the moral of the degree upon me.
I have to say I was somewhat disappointed by my Third Degree in an UGLE Lodge even although it was well performed using a far better Ritual than Emulation I am glad to say. I always feel that I truly did my Third Degree at the hands of the Scots Lodge when I was the Candidate at a demonstration they performed at Brighton.
|
|
|
Post by letterorhalveit3 on Nov 7, 2009 15:19:28 GMT
Ive never heard of a physical but then Im not that familiar with the workings (as it were) of the PHA Lodges. I have heard some stories about the nature of the third degree. I only experienced one moment of anything that could be considered rough during mine.
I think what would concern me more than the physical requirement is the fact that they are asking you to submit the first years dues before you are even a candidate (that is before your application has been voted on.
|
|
|
Post by ankh on Nov 9, 2009 13:23:00 GMT
Ive never heard of a physical but then Im not that familiar with the workings (as it were) of the PHA Lodges. I have heard some stories about the nature of the third degree. I only experienced one moment of anything that could be considered rough during mine. I think what would concern me more than the physical requirement is the fact that they are asking you to submit the first years dues before you are even a candidate (that is before your application has been voted on. I will let you know how it unfolds.
|
|
|
Post by penfold on Nov 9, 2009 23:30:00 GMT
I'm somewhat cautious in my approach and I would be concerned about being asked for the fee's before knowing if they will have you. It may just be the way they do things, but please, don't trust them just 'cos they say they are masons, do some due diligence and make sure they are a legitimate masonic organisation, this is easily checkable.
|
|
|
Post by ankh on Nov 10, 2009 13:08:23 GMT
I'm somewhat cautious in my approach and I would be concerned about being asked for the fee's before knowing if they will have you. It may just be the way they do things, but please, don't trust them just 'cos they say they are masons, do some due diligence and make sure they are a legitimate masonic organisation, this is easily checkable. Sir what is the proper way to check?
|
|
|
Post by maximus on Nov 10, 2009 14:13:06 GMT
I'm somewhat cautious in my approach and I would be concerned about being asked for the fee's before knowing if they will have you. It may just be the way they do things, but please, don't trust them just 'cos they say they are masons, do some due diligence and make sure they are a legitimate masonic organisation, this is easily checkable.
Sir what is the proper way to check?I would find out if they are affiliated with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of your state, which can be found online. If so, they are legitimate. If not, they may be a clandestine lodge. PH has a major problem with bogus imitators. If you become involved, inadvertantly, with one, you will not be recognised by mainstream PHA or AF&AM or F&AM Masonry. I have never heard of having to take a physical or paying an initiation fee up front, before your petition is even voted on. I paid mine after I was approved, right before the initiation itself.
|
|
reprobatus
Member
Lapis Reprobatus Caput Anguli
Posts: 42
|
Post by reprobatus on Nov 10, 2009 20:25:09 GMT
|
|
|
Post by happyzealot on Nov 13, 2009 9:03:07 GMT
I'm somewhat cautious in my approach and I would be concerned about being asked for the fee's before knowing if they will have you. It may just be the way they do things, but please, don't trust them just 'cos they say they are masons, do some due diligence and make sure they are a legitimate masonic organisation, this is easily checkable. Agreed. Contrary to others' opinion that to insist on legitimacy is to prop up one's self-superiority, there is actually a far more legitimate reason. 'Masonry' is by no means a trademarked term, so there's no stopping anyone from taking it and slapping it on their own label. The problem is the petitioner will not know the difference until he or she has been bilked out of both time and money, and maybe not even then. My lodge once initiated a Brother who had formerly been a member of a bogus PHA lodge. After talking with him a bit it was clear that his experience there was a total waste of time, and about 2000 dollars! Would that he had done his homework first! If you visit that lodge, ankh, check their charter and lineage, and verify whether they trace back to a reputable GL. Someone else here said that the charter is an administrative tool-- which is true, but it is also a permit of sorts authorising that lodge to engage in authentic Freemasonry. If the lodge is within the 'mainstream' you'll be getting your money's worth. Btw-- I'm not saying you can't get Freemasonry outside the 'mainstream.' You just can't be assured of it. Bottom line: know where you're travelling, and who'll be leading you.
|
|
|
Post by magusmasonica on Nov 13, 2009 16:35:10 GMT
I'm somewhat cautious in my approach and I would be concerned about being asked for the fee's before knowing if they will have you. It may just be the way they do things, but please, don't trust them just 'cos they say they are masons, do some due diligence and make sure they are a legitimate masonic organisation, this is easily checkable. Agreed. Contrary to others' opinion that to insist on legitimacy is to prop up one's self-superiority, there is actually a far more legitimate reason. 'Masonry' is by no means a trademarked term, so there's no stopping anyone from taking it and slapping it on their own label. The problem is the petitioner will not know the difference until he or she has been bilked out of both time and money, and maybe not even then. My lodge once initiated a Brother who had formerly been a member of a bogus PHA lodge. After talking with him a bit it was clear that his experience there was a total waste of time, and about 2000 dollars! Would that he had done his homework first! If you visit that lodge, ankh, check their charter and lineage, and verify whether they trace back to a reputable GL. Someone else here said that the charter is an administrative tool-- which is true, but it is also a permit of sorts authorising that lodge to engage in authentic Freemasonry. If the lodge is within the 'mainstream' you'll be getting your money's worth. Btw-- I'm not saying you can't get Freemasonry outside the 'mainstream.' You just can't be assured of it. Bottom line: know where you're travelling, and who'll be leading you. "Authentic" but not trademarkable, an interesting paradox. What is also interesting is that Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry (PHA) is not mainstream and even where recognized it is only recognized in part and not wholly. In fact the majority of Prince Hall Affiliated Masons reside in states (GA,AL,AR, MS for example) where Prince Hall Affiliated is considered as "bogus" and "clandestine." as anything else. Oh, and if the mainstream GL does recognize PHA (CA for an example) they DON'T where the mainstream GL does not recognize it. Same goes for the UGLE. Oh, and as far as making sure your lodges charter goes back to a "Legit" Grand Lodge. All Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges go back to Prince Hall Origin National Compact that is recognized by NO mainstream counterpart. Information is good, correct information is even better ;D Love and Light,
|
|
|
Post by methuselah on Nov 14, 2009 7:10:55 GMT
SomeScottish Lodges have a very physical Third Degree. I know! It took me a week to get rid of the bruises. In your opinion Brother, what purpose does a "physical" degree serve? Love and Light, BC Well, for starters, you actually have to be there.
|
|
|
Post by magusmasonica on Nov 14, 2009 8:46:58 GMT
In your opinion Brother, what purpose does a "physical" degree serve? Love and Light, BC Well, for starters, you actually have to be there. What are you talking about?
|
|
|
Post by mike on Nov 14, 2009 11:21:26 GMT
What is also interesting is that Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry (PHA) is not mainstream and even where recognized it is only recognized in part and not wholly. In fact the majority of Prince Hall Affiliated Masons reside in states (GA,AL,AR, MS for example) where Prince Hall Affiliated is considered as "bogus" and "clandestine." as anything else. Oh, and if the mainstream GL does recognize PHA (CA for an example) they DON'T where the mainstream GL does not recognize it. Same goes for the UGLE. Oh, and as far as making sure your lodges charter goes back to a "Legit" Grand Lodge. All Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges go back to Prince Hall Origin National Compact that is recognized by NO mainstream counterpart. Information is good, correct information is even better Hmm you appear to enjoy making up Masonic history. I would suggest that rather than making up what you think it is, you might actually attempt studying the history of Prince Hall Masonry before commenting on it and giving their prospective Candidates misinformation: www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/prince_hall/history.htmlfosterglenn.tripod.com/prince_hall_freemasonry.htm
|
|