Masons

[cop414]

Nice artwork Bill, tad over my price range though!

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Just discovered this artist with masonic works. I have no affiliation, just thought his stuff was pretty cool.

https://ari-roussimoff.pixels.com/

https://roussimoff.com/

Thanks for posting, very interesting.

[brandrea]

I know I know google is your friend ….

Can someone please give me the short story of what being a Mason is all about? Is it like a service club or is their a religious belief system behind it?

Thanks.

[Mifune]

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by cop414

Nice artwork Bill, tad over my price range though!

The prints aren't priced too bad.
Might get one or two myself.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Elected and installed Master of my lodge last night.

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I was installed master of the other lodge I belong to tonight.
Originally I never planned to join the officer line of this lodge but that's just how it goes sometimes.
Here's hoping we have a productive year where we can continue to meet in person and do good works.

I'm out!
Last night the new WM was installed. After two terms in two different lodges I'm very much looking forward to grumbling from the sidelines.
"That's not how we did it in MY term(s)..." Did I get that right?

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I'm out!
Last night the new WM was installed. After two terms in two different lodges I'm very much looking forward to grumbling from the sidelines.
"That's not how we did it in MY term(s)..." Did I get that right?

My second time as master but first for my lodge in Tenerife and was in the chair two years. Jeepers that was long enough. I was pretty worn out by the end.
Not going through ever again that's me done
Now to brush up on my tut tutting

[cop414]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

The prints aren't priced too bad.
Might get one or two myself.

Bill I was looking at the price on the original work, you’re right the prints aren’t bad at all, might have to pick one up.

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I know I know google is your friend ….

Can someone please give me the short story of what being a Mason is all about? Is it like a service club or is their a religious belief system behind it?

Thanks.

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly as I liken it to a golf club. Some live for golf and talk about nothing else. Some love the history of golf some like to sit at the bar rather than actually play golf

You find your own way in freemasonry. Yes there is a belief system which isn't designed to brainwash you into some kind of cult.its there mainly to promote self reflection on you as a person and how you reflect to the world If you join and leave no one is going to hunt you down or ruin your life. All that is just conspiracy nonsense

Whilst people do business with people it's not a business club and personally I actively preferred not to work with masons not because they are bad people but rather in the main they are excellent people and I found myself putting extra pressure on myself to be even better than normal because I didn't want to let myself them or the lodge down.

But plenty of the new joiners do seek business connections but if too aggressive in the UK at least they are kinda ring fenced out of promotion opportunities within freemasonry by the chains from my experience and often end up leaving because it doesn't give what they wanted

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly as I liken it to a golf club. Some live for golf and talk about nothing else. Some love the history of golf some like to sit at the bar rather than actually play golf

You find your own way in freemasonry. Yes there is a belief system which isn't designed to brainwash you into some kind of cult.its there mainly to promote self reflection on you as a person and how you reflect to the world If you join and leave no one is going to hunt you down or ruin your life. All that is just conspiracy nonsense

Whilst people do business with people it's not a business club and personally I actively preferred not to work with masons not because they are bad people but rather in the main they are excellent people and I found myself putting extra pressure on myself to be even better than normal because I didn't want to let myself them or the lodge down.

But plenty of the new joiners do seek business connections but if too aggressive in the UK at least they are kinda ring fenced out of promotion opportunities within freemasonry by the chains from my experience and often end up leaving because it doesn't give what they wanted

Thank you Richard, that helps me to understand the basic concept a bit better. Here we have service clubs like Optimists, or Lions … it sounds similar?

I guess I always thought there was a fundamental religious belief system involved.

Last question (well maybe be more to come) are all religions welcome? Christian, Muslim, etc.

Thank you Richard

[RichardBartlett]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thank you Richard, that helps me to understand the basic concept a bit better. Here we have service clubs like Optimists, or Lions … it sounds similar?

I guess I always thought there was a fundamental religious belief system involved.

Last question (well maybe be more to come) are all religions welcome? Christian, Muslim, etc.

Thank you Richard

Sorry for the slow response I'm on a world cruise as mentioned elsewhere so connections are difficult

Firstly the religion aspect is irrelevant as the only criteria is a belief in a supreme being. Religion itself is never discussed within freemasonry. Freemasonry itself isn't a religion or a replacement for your religion or to question your belief system.
Your god is your god. We accept all those who believe in a supreme being irrespective of who or what that is.
Thus people of all faiths mix without fear or favour
You can request to swear your oath on the sacred writings of your choice. Again without fear
This was brought in at the beginning to encourage men of all walks of life to enter the craft.
There is an old saying "Freemasonry isn't Rotary with aprons" I can't say as I'm not in Rotary but I know plenty who are in both.
It's about self discovery and awareness of your failings and to self improve.
The saying "Freemasonry is making good men better"
A very senior mason rephrased it as "making myself better within Freemasonry"

Hope that helps some

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

Sorry for the slow response I'm on a world cruise as mentioned elsewhere so connections are difficult

Firstly the religion aspect is irrelevant as the only criteria is a belief in a supreme being. Religion itself is never discussed within freemasonry. Freemasonry itself isn't a religion or a replacement for your religion or to question your belief system.
Your god is your god. We accept all those who believe in a supreme being irrespective of who or what that is.
Thus people of all faiths mix without fear or favour
You can request to swear your oath on the sacred writings of your choice. Again without fear
This was brought in at the beginning to encourage men of all walks of life to enter the craft.
There is an old saying "Freemasonry isn't Rotary with aprons" I can't say as I'm not in Rotary but I know plenty who are in both.
It's about self discovery and awareness of your failings and to self improve.
The saying "Freemasonry is making good men better"
A very senior mason rephrased it as "making myself better within Freemasonry"

Hope that helps some

Thank you for this Richard, it does

I hope you enjoy your cruise.

[cop414]

Very well said brother Richard.

[RichardBartlett]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9SMEeGTPDiajoNVy5

Hopefully that works