Contact with Irregular or Clandestine Masons |
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easttowesttoeast
Newbie Joined: February/24/2013 Location: U.S. Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Posted: April/08/2013 at 2:19pm |
Gentlemen and Bretheren, Regular and Irregular, I have a question. What happens if I meet a man with a friendly grip and find that he represents a lodge which my GL deems "Irregular" or "Clandestine"?
I came into contact with a gentleman who was wearing the square and compasses. I'm an FC and kind of excited to meet other men. The only thing I know about Reglar/Irregular/Clandestine stuff is what I have been told online. My lodge has not given any instruction otherwise. I asked him how he was doing and greeted him in a friendly manner. His eyes lit up and he asked my lodge. He then told me his. However, judging by the name (which I was unfamiliar with), A quick search revealed that he may be from what some would consider a "bogus" GL.
What now?
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Flotown79
Administrator Joined: November/06/2007 Location: Hoover, AL Status: Offline Points: 5122 |
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Speak as you would with any other stranger and keep on moving.
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F. E. Thomas III, MPS |
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GaLightSeeker
Quarryman Joined: January/11/2013 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 96 |
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Just remember your obligation. It should be pretty specific about regularity.
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E - 5 Feb 2013
P - 2 Apr 2013 R - 16 Apr 2013 |
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easttowesttoeast
Newbie Joined: February/24/2013 Location: U.S. Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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No, I know that for sure. But there are sometimes when things get fuzzy. Case in point, someone who has a state sanctioned license plate from Ohio AND a dues card (I've never seen a dues card before). So, you see that and go "Oh cool! Brother!". But you're wrong.
I don't know the PHA lodges around here (until I spoke with a PHA brother here in Ohio). I kind of feel duped, but now a bit more cautious.
I guess I will have to ask what Prince Hall/Mainstream Lodge and look it up before saying anything to anyone.
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Z111
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Status: Offline Points: 963 |
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Err on the side of caution always. Always.
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"You cannot do square work by cutting corners."
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easttowesttoeast
Newbie Joined: February/24/2013 Location: U.S. Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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Z111
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Status: Offline Points: 963 |
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You did well.
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"You cannot do square work by cutting corners."
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Caution1010
Moderator Bro. Never Give Up Joined: November/16/2010 Location: 127.0.0.1 Status: Offline Points: 2677 |
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Hi...my name is...
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I: 10/1/10
P: 12/3/10 R: 12/31/10 PHA-AL "You can't trust those fellow-crafts...buncha rogues and murderers!" |
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jaya
Moderator Joined: November/16/2010 Location: Western NC Status: Offline Points: 2628 |
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I would not speak on the secrets of masonry outside of the lodgeroom with a brother that I just met......That is just me.
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Jay Austin
Black Mountain 663 - Junior Warden AASR Valley of Asheville - KSA The Masonic Society http://westernncmason.blogspot.com |
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anchorsaweigh20
Newbie Joined: November/15/2012 Location: Bellingham, WA Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Being in the military and working with certain things, I learned that it's better to not speak of these things outside of my workplace. I apply the same principle to Masonry. I don't talk Masonicly outside of lodge, which is pretty much all that's require of you. Don't treat them like a brother if they are clandestine etc., because they aren't. As cold as it sounds, but don't be a jerk either. Treat them with the same respects as you would someone you just met.
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easttowesttoeast
Newbie Joined: February/24/2013 Location: U.S. Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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I saw the gentleman leave today with his coat.
"King Solomon Grand Lodge F&AYM". YUP! Irregular.
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dxg
Newbie Joined: April/30/2013 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Only speak about Masonic Activities with those from your lodge if you are unsure.
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WBScott
Quarryman Joined: October/18/2014 Location: Wright City, MO Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Since you are a Fellowcraft, it is not surprising that you have not been told about clandestine Freemasons. In Missouri, it is in the Master Mason obligation that we are told that we are not allowed to hold Masonic communion with a clandestine Freemason, but other than that, you are free to associate with him in any manner you see fit. You just can't be in a tiled lodge with him. If you are not sure if he belongs to a lodge recognized by your Grand Lodge, ask your lodge's secretary. He has (or should have) a book listing all of the lodges around the world that are recognized by your Grand Lodge.
Edited by WBScott - October/24/2014 at 11:02pm |
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Wentzville (MO) Lodge #46 - PM
Pride of the West (MO) Lodge #179 - PM (twice) Pauldingville (MO) Lodge #11 - Secretary Warrenton (MO) Lodge #609 - Secretary Past DDGM - 25th Masonic District |
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windrider
Quarryman Joined: May/02/2011 Location: NChelmsford, MA Status: Offline Points: 363 |
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I think the issue here is what to do when you've just met someone outside of the lodge who claims to be a Brother. You have no way, or for that matter reason, to contact the Secretary to confirm regularity right then.
The answer is actually in your EA Obligation. you promised to never reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry without confirming the person is entitled to them. Since you have no way to determine that, just don't discuss the "secrets" (grips, works, tokens, and details of Ritual) with anyone you have just met. |
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Master, Webmaster, Lodge Ambassador
Ancient York Lodge AF&AM Lowell, MA God never sends us anything we can't handle. Sometimes I wish He didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa |
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NobleShabba
Senior Member Joined: March/11/2012 Location: MD Status: Offline Points: 809 |
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why the grip though?
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DISCLAIMER: These are my comments, and mine alone - they do not necessarily apply to any group to which I belong! |
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NewToLight84
Senior Member Joined: February/28/2014 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 118 |
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Unfortunately as most of us know ( not saying anything new here ) there is so much information to be found on the web that it may, if someone did enough research and had enough guts to walk up to you in a parking lot and announce themselves as a brother... I haven't been approached by anyone directly but I wear my ring very proudly and have received a few interesting grips....I had an elderly gentlemen at Cabelas tell me to enjoy my journey....I thought that was very cool. I would 100% reluctant to discuss ANYTHING with ANYONE outside my lodge..
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"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Mason some people will ever meet." -unknown
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Adept?
Senior Member Joined: August/30/2013 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 746 |
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When in doubt always ask for a dues card. I can check the recognition of any lodge in the United States on my phone in about 30 seconds...
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"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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BroScubaSteve
Quarryman Joined: February/25/2013 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 375 |
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My train of though...If someone you just met wants to discuss what goes on behind a tyled door before he gets your name then he is either new and eager or someone trying to steal the secrets of Freemasonry.
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Initiated 4-22-13
Passed 5-29-13 Raised 6-27-13 Junior Deacon F&AM GLNJ 32°AASR NMJ, Southern Valley of NJ |
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boing1972
Groupie Joined: January/25/2015 Location: dix,il Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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I would ask him if he knew the hand shake, password, the rhyme while doing duck calls on the second Thursday of the month. Lol ! But seriously, smile and keep walking.
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brother bell
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edwmax
Administrator Joined: November/06/2007 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 7098 |
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This thread is more than 1 1/2 years old. The OP was an FC. He wouldn't know how to try another Mason, Clandestine or not. And, the OP has not logged on for more than a year. I do hope he has been raised and learned how to deal with this type of situation by now.
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"He who would assume to govern others must first learn to govern himself."
Thomasville 369 |
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boing1972
Groupie Joined: January/25/2015 Location: dix,il Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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Why doesn't some one close these old threads ?
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brother bell
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Adept?
Senior Member Joined: August/30/2013 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 746 |
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Some new members may want to read back through old topics. There is a lot of good information on here.
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"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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Caution1010
Moderator Bro. Never Give Up Joined: November/16/2010 Location: 127.0.0.1 Status: Offline Points: 2677 |
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What he said. A lot of topics that are old to some are new for others especially as our fraternity grows. |
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I: 10/1/10
P: 12/3/10 R: 12/31/10 PHA-AL "You can't trust those fellow-crafts...buncha rogues and murderers!" |
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