Chewer Freemasons - Page 2

My pops is a Mason. All it seems to have given him is a lack of humor and a shitty attitude at home. And he keeps mumbling "She sells seashells by the sea shore" over and over. Apparently my old man was FAR to into the mysticism.

that's too bad, B MetalSucks. Most of the Masons that I know are more into cigars and scotch.

Ha ha ha ha haaaa!

Fucking Belial worshipers! When I was at college in Boston I was based near the local Masonic lodge, and my God were the people coming in and out of there creepy in the expensive-suit-Neocon-with-a-zombie's-distant-stare fashion. And I swear one night I was walking down the sidewalk towards the building and I could see eerie blue light flashing from the windows of the topmost floor. No bullshitting! So what the hell kinda mysticism does go on once you get past the cigars-and-brandy-snifters stage? You oughta know if you help bankroll it.

I tried reading one of the advanced (the ones they gave to leaders rather than basic members) Masonic texts once (it turned up in the charity shop I worked in, of all places).
I have to admit it came across as remarkably dull.

I've been to a Masonic Temple and socialized with them, but I'm dreary louse so you probably don't care.

Now, atheism excludes me from their company (I used to be a clandestine atheist with 'confirmed'-xian credentials).

They weren't much fun anyway. If they want to blow the world up, it's because it's so uninteresting to them. Or, well, I suppose there's always poking at the enslaved humanity with sticks.

Most likely more than just one. Only one wants to voluntarily identify himself as a Mason (kudos to him).


When I tried a similar thread for Gay Chewers I got a very limited response (fully knowing of several that didn't post). Guess people don't want to be pigeon-holed as something......

Hey Phil, I missed this post (they were coming pretty fast earlier today).

Catholics are discouraged from joining due to our obligations of secrecy between each other. A Catholic is only supposed to have that kind of relationship with a priest.

If you're a member of a Lodge, you're able to travel the world and visit (and attend) other Lodges as long as you're paid up with your dues. Indeed, the visiting of other Lodges is strongly encouraged. Whenever I take a vacation somewhere, I contact Lodges in that area and see if I can arrange a visit. This has resulted in some really cool vacations, as the members there have gone out of their way to show me around and take care of myself and my wife. In turn, we've had many visiting members from other countries visit our Lodge (we have regular visitors from different countries in Africa, for instance).

Yes, you can quit the Lodge if you want to. Your obligations to secrecy continue on even if you are no longer a Mason, however.

I'm not a Catholic, so I'm only passing on what I've been told. Catholics have formed a similar fraternal organization called the Knights of Columbus that does not violate their relationship with the Catholic Church. That being said, I personally know of a couple members of my Lodge who are Catholic.

There really isn't a penalty that we can enforce on those who violate their oaths of secrecy. They've broken a solemn vow made before their version of God, and they will have to live with the knowledge that they are not honorable men.

I don't think the perseption that Masons are not open to blue collar types is accurate. I had an uncle (whose last name, ironically, is Mason) who joined a lodge years ago, and he was a longshoreman at the time. He's a doorman now. I don't think he's still an active member, but his lack of advanced education or professional credentials didn't seem to be a bar to admission. He was also raised catholic, so I don't think that's a bar, either. Judas? care to comment?

That's nice of you guys. Although from what I know, Masons officially were always kind of eager to play down such connections.

That is correct. I'm sorry if I was not clear on this point earlier.

Iggy: the whole point of the Lodge is that EVERY Brother is equal, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, etc. All of that is left at the door. Officers of the Lodge will have authority, but it's ELECTED authority that anyone can aspire to.

My Lodge has accountants, laywers, pilots, social workers, soldiers, nursing home attendants, and tattoo artists.

Weird.

Are there international Lodges in lets say, Argentina?

Like you don't know Tati, like you don't know...

Absolutely. Do a google search, Tati.

Found the website. Very interesting. And curious!

PM me with any questions, Tati.

eta: Phil, let's see that list!

Judas, do you get any bonus for introducing people to this? Like a set of stake knives or something?

Stelios: No, I don't. Phil started the thread and I'm merely providing information.

I already own some Ginsu knives anyways.

Just kidding Judas, just kidding.

Funny story. There is this guy I hang out with sometimes who's completely computer illiterate. So when he bought a laptop I was helping him set everything up. During that he asked me to help him set up a free email account and the account names he wanted raised my curiosity. So I turn around and ask him if he's a Mason. The poor guy almost choked on his own saliva. I had to spend the next ten minutes trying to calm him down. The funny part is that he's also homosexual and since I've met him I've actually managed to make him come out to me, but I still haven't had much luck with him admitting he's a Mason. I guess Greek lodges are more secretive than American ones.

Some governments actively suppress Masonic Lodges, Stelios.

While I think the benefits of these organizations are great, especially the social ones. The one thing I'm very leery on is having to fundraise and I'm terrible at hitting people up for money.

This is what stops me from joining such things.

Some people really thrive on fundraising and being involved in supporting the community. I'm glad that we have many of those people within our Lodge and I will volunteer my time to assist them when I can (alot of those events are quite fun). I'm personally more interested in the social and networking aspects of the Lodge.

I know it's necessary to keep money coming in, but if you're not interested in that sort of thing. Would you have to participate regardless?

Looks like there may soon be more than one Chewer Mason, Phil.

Many people don't. Our Lodge is big enough that we never have any issues filling up slots for charitable events (we even help out other smaller Lodges with their events). There's no gun to your head in any of this, Ed.

Until you try to leave ala Tom Cruise in The Firm.

I wouldn't necessarily go that far. I was just asking a general question. It really comes up on political campaigns I'd like to look into.

It's understood at our Lodge that you are to leave all political talk at the door. We have Reps and Dems in our Lodge and we all get along just fine, even though some members will actively campaign for both parties outside of the Lodge.

It's not even that. It's just something else to do.

Of course, I've got this nagging feeling that the lodge over here is just loaded with old people. Which seems to be an issue any time I want to volunteer in something.

Ya think there will be people my age, but nope. Not the case.

Ed: if you're SERIOUS, go online and do a search of the Lodges that are near you. Submit some queries to the websites and find out what the members are involved with and how the ages skew.

Alot of younger prospects in MN have submitted queries to the Grand Lodge website specifically looking to be directed to 'younger' Lodges. We've received alot of new members this way.

You're young (relatively speaking). Most people of your age group have different prioities. Drinking, partying, sexin, etc.

I'm sorely lacking in those areas *Hangs head in shame*.

You just need a good mentor. Hey, check out the masons. You might find a good one there.

Shit, you may be onto something

Something tells me that I'm missing something here regarding the role of a 'mentor'.

Well played, Phil. But in all fairness, I did have legitimate questions. I wouldn't necessarily go as far as signing up right here right now. But I am far from wasting Judas' time here.

And I'm certainly not 'selling' anything here. If anything, I'm hopefully clarifying a few misconceptions about Masonry; Lord knows, there's enough misinformation out there.

And the fact that the apron is a sexy, sexy item. ;p

You should see my Past Master's apron; it's a stylin' fashion accessory, Ed.

Judas, how much actual bricklaying is involved in being a Mason?

I am an extremely rare Mason as I am also a Roman Catholic. I know I should not receive Communion as per Vatican law, but I know for a fact Freemasons do not practice religion their own form of during lodge meetings, nor is it a cult as some would say.

Why am I a Freemason? I joined at a fairly young age. I wanted to join a brotherhood which helped man. Joining Blue Lodge has been the best thing I have ever done for myself.

What are the benefits? If you are looking to gain anything fiscally or tangibly, you might be looking at the wrong group, sir. Becoming a Mason is a way for you to grow. It is hard to describe, but you learn to be a better man in every sense of the word.

How has your experience been? Regrettably not as good as it could be. I have not been an active member for some time so I am not able to help out other brothers. This is my only regret.

Will they ever let you out? This is not La Cosa Nostra. If you want out, you can get out. If you want back in, you are welcome with open arms.

What's the plan? Whatever you want it to be.

Will you let me live? No, I have shared too much information. My fellow brothers are already hunting you down.

I'd would love to look into my local lodges, but when asked if I believe in a supreme being, I dunno if I could bite my tongue from saying "You mean Satan?"