how do i find a freemason?
101392
Contact the local Lodge there. They may be able to provide you with info.  Also, the new recruiter there may be able to help you as well.
863835
Okay, you can't just join up and find out.  That's not even how it works.  You have to be sponsored and voted in by the elder members.\n\nSome of our Nation's most respected President's were Freemasons.  They believe first in God, Country and Family and then their beliefs.  I am a girl so I don't know a whole lot, except that they have some pretty strong beliefs that are pretty secretive. \n\nPeople are nosy and make up things about everyone who has secrets, and say that they are automatically a cult or something.  This is absolutely not the case.   You could learn alot by reading a book sold at the book store, called Freemasons for dummies. \n\nThey are grouped with the shriners and do many many fine works for the public and for the children in our communities.  They have hospitals and burn units all over the country, always non-profit, and usually at no cost to the patients.  \n\nFrom what I understand, they are all (Masons, Shriners etc.) an offspring of the Knights Templers.  They, in ancient times were the Knights who were put in power by the Pope to protect Jerusalem at all costs.  Later they recieved special permission from the Pope to take charge of Banking.  They had the Great International Bank of the middle ages.  They were executed by the King of France (Phillip IV), who luckily was unable to kill them all before all the KING's HELPERS kidnapped the Pope.\n\nI think they have a fascinating and outstanding history.  Many freemasons were involved in the signing of our Declaration of Independence.  That was not a joke made for Hollywood. There were actually several who signed it.
776215
Best Answer - Chosen By Voters\n\nFreemasons are a fraternity "men only" There is also a female version called the Eastern Star. They have three appendent bodies the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. Masons raise money for charity providing millions of dollars a day to various charities and it costs about 8 million a day to run a Shriners hospital where a child is treated at no charge. A society of secrets rather than a secret society all our rituals are plastered all over the Internet. But our grips,keys, and tokens are kept as secret as possible in the information age. Another words dont belive all you read on the internet! \n\nThere are many celebrties past and presesent Harry Houdini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart his music is written in masonic key.\nPresently Michael A. Richards Kramer from Seinfeld
1089572
James,\nYour travels in Masonry have already begun.  In your heart you know that you want to be a Freemason.  Because the fraternity does not evangelize in any way we never ask anyone to become a Mason.  Every member has joined of his own freewill and has not been persuaded to become a member.  Your own Grandfather followed this rule and never asked you to join his lodge.\n\nSearch out the most respected members of your community and you will find that they are probably Freemasons.  Tell your desire to one of these men and he will secure for you a petition to the lodge.  A committee of inquiry will call on you at your home to make sure that your desires are true,  that you are a respected member of the community and worthy to become a Mason.   If the committee approves of you; the entire lodge will be notified and you must pass a unanimous ballot.  If any member of the lodge feels that you are unworthy; you will never become a member of the lodge as long as the objection exists.\n\nAs a member you will be part of the world's oldest and greatest fraternity.  You will find charitable needs and causes, education, fellowship, and friendship.  One of the greatest gifts a man can give to another is to help him become a Mason.  I hope that I am responding in such a way that I can give this gift to you.
544942
You wished to talk with an esoteric Freemason? You got it. I will give you only my take on the questions you asked. Freemasons are that, FREE. We speak for ourselves.\n\nFirst, there are branches of Freemasonry that are more esoteric than others. \n\nSome are truly simple fraternal service organizations. Shriners do enormous good for children - orthopedics and burn hospitals that do not take a penny from families unable to pay. Go ahead and dis that and then tell me what YOU are doing to help the world. *sorry, I do get tired of the anti-Masonic stuff occasionally*\n\nI am a member of the American Co-Masons. We are Freemasons who admit women and men of all races and religions, who are of legal age, good repute, and believe in a Supreme Being. Most of all that person must ASK to join. We do not recruit. \n\nWe are a system of morality. We use the symbols of ancient operative stone masons as reminders of how to conduct our daily lives. Symbols have only the meaning we choose to invest in them. Sounds like a cop out. Strangely enough though, when a new member of the Lodge asks what a particular symbol means, he is often asked right back, "Well, what does it mean to you?" We layer meanings, you see. We find new meanings for the symbols as they apply. \n\nLet me give you a made up example (yes, I do wish to keep within due bounds of my own oaths here not to reveal things I am sworn not to reveal - more on that in a second, promise): Suppose we had a society based upon Shepherding. I mean that would be as rich in symbols, right? The head of our Lodge might be called "The Faithful Shepherdess" and we would talk about using the Shepherd's Crook of our conscience to keep the sheep of our thoughts from straying away from our sworn tasks. Later on, some Brother might say he found that he used the Shepherd's Crook to remind his Brother not to go into that barroom with that dancer and instead to head home to his wife.  Silly madeup example but there you go.\n\nOK, you may read many interpretations about the Square and the Compasses. Notice, it is not compass (that is a magnetic thing that shows direction) but compasses (that is a drawing tool). Interpretations abound online. Each Freemason is encouraged to bring their own meanings to them. I will give you only a little to chew on.\n\nThe Square is unchanging. It measures a block to make sure it is uniform. What a wonderful thing that was in building! If you "square your work or area up" what does that mean? It means to make it as perfect as you can. Square is truly a 4 sided object (two sides are missing in most representations). \n\nThe Compasses is used in circles and in trigonometry. It has three parts. It opens and closes. Nice complement to something so rigid as a Square, right? \n\nThere are those who find their combination to be something sexual. Some say it looks like a guy and a gal together, some say it looks like a mandorla. There are those who laugh when the school cafeteria serves hotdogs on buns, too. *sigh*\n\n\nIn regards to the G, not all Lodges have a G. The French have a D. Ahem, does that give you a clue? Mon Dieu! Did I give you too much? Perhaps. In my Order we have a five pointed star, the pent-alpha with a Yod (Hebrew letter) in the center of that. Wonder what that means?\n\nOne can argue that there is a select cabal of very rich men who run this world. And of course you do not know their names because they are secret. You cannot disprove this because no proof is ever given. You can say it is the Roman Catholic Church, the Freemasons, the Jews, the Mafia, the Illuminati, or all of them. The Freemasons I know are upright and law-abiding folks. We work pretty hard at trying to improve the world and ourselves. Personally, I would be unwilling to take the reins of anything beyond myself right now. Too daunting. \n\nRegarding secrets. Mostly what we want for the candidate of each degree is that he or she not have expectations of the
973192
Masons have a role in society.  I don't know what it is but they must be a worthwhile organization.
866709
It is actually quite simple.  Just call them and ask to speak to someone about becoming a Freemason.  I don't personally know any of the brothers at that lodge, but almost all lodges are very welcoming for people who are interested in joining.  Just give them a call and arrange to meet with some of the officers.\n\nYou can get the phone number from the website for that lodge at:\nhttp://www.cedarbayoulodge.org/contact_us.htm
478157
Contact the Grand Lodge in Virginia. Perhaps they can point you in the right direction.
21258
Military.com should have a search by name\nClick on Buddy Finder\n\nSometimes members choose NOT to have their information made available; if they did you won't be able to see them unless you join.
392556
Congratulations and good luck....Public forum is not the place to discuss any lodge type questions.....Speak to a fellow Mason for the info you need....As you know they will be happy to assist you....The web sites looked good also from the other answer.....
492081
Name\n State &\nDate Signed\n Masonic Membership, if any\n \nJohn Adams Massachusetts\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nSamuel Adams Massachusetts\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJosiah Bartlett New Hampshire\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nCarter Braxton Virginia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nCharles Carroll of Carrollton Maryland\nAug 2, 1776 not a Mason \nSamuel Chase Maryland\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nAbraham Clark New Jersey\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nGeorge Clymer Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nWilliam Ellery Rhode Island\nAug 2, 1776? First Lodge of Boston, 1748 \nWilliam Floyd New York\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nBenjamin Franklin Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? Grand Master of Pennsylvania, 1734 \nElbridge Gerry Massachusetts\nSep 4, 1776 not a Mason \nButton Gwinnett Georgia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nLyman Hall Georgia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJohn Hancock Massachusetts\nJuly 4, 1776 & Aug 2, 1776 became a Mason in Merchants Lodge No. 277 in Quebec, affiliated with Saint Andrew's Lodge in Boston, 1762 \nBenjamin Harrison Virginia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJohn Hart New Jersey\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJoseph Hewes or  Howes North Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? Unanimity Lodge No. 7, visited in 1776, and buried with Masonic funeral honors \nThomas Heyward, Jr. South Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nWilliam Hooper North Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? Member of Hanover Lodge in Masonborough, N.C. \nStephen Hopkins Rhode Island\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nFrancis Hopkinson New Jersey\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nSamuel Huntington Connecticut\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nThomas Jefferson Virginia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nFrancis Lightfoot Lee Virginia\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nRichard Henry Lee Virginia\nSep 4, 1776 not a Mason \nFrancis Lewis New York\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nPhilip Livingston New York\nAug 2, 1776 not a Mason \nThomas Lynch, Jr. South Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nThomas McKean Delaware\n1781 listed as visitor to Perseverance Lodge in Harrisburg, PA \nArthur Middleton South Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nLewis Morris New York\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nRobert Morris Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776 no evidence that he was a Mason \nJohn Morton Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nThomas Nelson, Jr. Virginia\nAug 2, 1776? no documentation that he was a Mason \nWilliam Paca Maryland\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nRobert Treat Paine Massachusetts\nAug 2, 1776? Attended Massachusetts Grand Lodge in 1759 \nJohn Penn North Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? no evidence that he was a Mason \nGeorge Read Delaware\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nCaesar Rodney Delaware\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nGeorge Ross Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nBenjamin Rush Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? no documentation of Masonic membership \nEdward Rutledge South Carolina\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nRoger Sherman Connecticut\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJames Smith Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? no evidence that he was a Mason \nRichard Stockton New Jersey\nAug 2, 1776? Charter Master of St. John's Lodge in Princeton, 1765 \nThomas Stone Maryland\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nGeorge Taylor Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nMatthew Thornton New Hampshire\nNov 19, 1776 not a Mason \nGeorge Walton Georgia\nAug 2, 1776? Solomon's Lodge No. 1, in Savannah \nWilliam Whipple New Hampshire\nAug 2, 1776? St. John's Lodge, Portsmouth, N.H., 1752 \nWilliam Williams Connecticut\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJames Wilson Pennsylvania\nAug 2, 1776? not a Mason \nJohn Witherspoon New Jersey\nAug 2, 1776? no evidence of Masonic membership \nOliver Wolcott Connecticut\nSep 4, 1776 not a Mason \nGeorge Wythe Virginia\nAug 27, 1776 not a Mason \nSUMMARY   56 men signed the Declaration of Independence\nit appears that, at most, 9 (16%) were Masons
93321
If you mean how do you become an officially recognized chapter of a national fraternity, you need to contact the headquarters of the fraternity you wish to start a colony for.\n\nMost have strict guidelines, but if you are motivated enough to rally up a good number of prospectives then there shouldn't be a problem.
554859
What I tell you about Freemasonry will only be MY truth, not some other people's quotations, not something you can google. I will link you to MY Order of Freemasonry and let you read more (but only if you wish to.) Points? If you wish to. The important truth here is that you asked. OK?\n\nFirst, no one knows how far back Freemasonry goes. Many of us believe it is a descendant from the Ancient Mystery Schools of the Middle East. Certainly numbers and geometry play great parts in our work. There are those who say we have roots in the Knights Templar. There are, after all, in many Orders of Freemasonry a degree or more designated to correspond with those men. Some say that all of that is just convenient legends made up to add mystery and to sucker folks in. \n\nSecond, there are many different Orders of Freemasonry. The Order I belong to, American Co-Masonry, is very esoteric and places a great deal of emphasis on the slower alchemy of personal transformation. We also are different from most other Orders in that we admit women and men into Lodge. I am not talking Eastern Star, but fully into the Brotherhood. We admit all races, all religions but you must believe in a Supreme Being in our particular Order. There are even Orders of Freemasonry where that is NOT a requirement. In ours it is a requirement. \n\nWe are more than just a social club, more than just a club that does good for charities; although, both are part of Freemasonry. We are a way of helping make the world better by helping humans make themselves better. We study morality and try to practice it in our own lives. Simply put, we try to live by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."\n\nWe use the working tools of real stone masons as allegorical symbols to remind ourselves of principles. Thus you see those tools as symbols everywhere after you become a Freemason and see their application too. Funny thing, when you join and ask what a certain symbol means, you are asked, "What does it mean to you?" The others are not mocking you; they want you to find answers within yourself and to help them find answers, too.\n\nWe work together because stones are smoothed (big analogy here) best by rubbing together. We work in Lodge and out of Lodge. Not the conspiracy business. I do not have a Ferrari. I did get to sit in one owned by a non-Mason the other day and it was too small. *sigh* We talk and email each other with encouragement and insight. \n\nWe are not for everyone. You have to be of legal age (21 in most places, sometimes 18 for children of Freemasons). You have to be free. You have to be of good moral character. \n\nI belong to two Lodges: one in Santa Cruz, CA and one in Los Angeles. I drive 360 miles round trip to each one each month. That is 720 miles. Lots of gas. We have very little time for socializing. We get our Lodge set up, do our ceremony, put away the Lodge furniture, have a quick potluck, and drive home. I am an officer of both Lodges. I do work outside the Lodge for both. \n\nWhat do I get from it? My daughter (23 years old and pretty cynical Libra, IQ at least 10 pts higher than mine) says that she sees a change in me. That I am more capable, less stressed, kinder to myself, more at peace, a lot more honest, even better to my ex-wife. \n\nOh, guess I should address the business of secrets. There are some. We have handshakes, certain words, etc that are traditional means of recognition. I suppose you could google around and find most of those. Cannot guarantee they would get you very far into a Lodge. There is a great deal of memorization work. I had to work pretty hard to learn all that took to get proficient in the first degree and second in order eventually to become a Master Mason (3rd degree). That is not so much a secret as it is a tough part of Masonry. \n\nOh, the real secret? Want to know that? I could put it in words all day but it really would not mean anything to you. Let us leave it wit
129298
just go to people finder.
542934
As an avid Freemason I continue to get this question. (my credantials include Past Master "President" of my local Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Valley of Harrisburg, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Royal Arch Chapter, Commandery Knights Templar, Pennsylvania Shield and Square Club, and the Order of the Amaranth.)\n\nFreemasonry is not a religion, our membership does not seek salvation through the lodge, and many members of Freemasonry take on active roles in thier respective churches or places of worship. Membershop however does require that you belive in a god or "supreme being". \n\nAs a result of not endorsing any one religion, there are Freemasons from nearly every religion and walk of life. There are Grand Lodges in India, Japan, to Spain and France. We leave the question of religion to the individual member, and we do not discuss religious theology inside the lodge.\nOur degrees however come from the bible, hence can be religious in nature. Members are reminded that it is a duty not necessarily for religions sake but for us as human beings to be good citizens and live by the golden rule regardless of religion.\n\nWe are an order, a way to live. to do to others that we would have done to ourselves, and seek no reward for our benefit religious or otherwise.
1048501
All of the previous answers are incorrect, and are obviously not answered by Masons.  Let me give you the real answer:\n\nTo become a Mason you must:\nBe a man over 18 years old (21 in some places).\nBelieve in a higher power (whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.)\nYou must ask to join.  We do not ask people to join.  You must ask us.\n\nSo if you are interested in becoming a Mason, just contact the Masonic lodge in your area and tell them you want to know more about them.  They will be happy to talk to you.  \n\nIf you have any other questions, please learn from real Freemasons such as myself.  Feel free to contact me.
970821
WOW,  it looks like nobody on here has any clue what they are talking about.  As a Mason, I should be able to answer this question for you.\n\nTo become a Mason, you must merely be a good man who believes in a higher power.  Then you should ask a member of your local lodge to meet and discuss joining.  They will be happy to talk to you and get you started.\n\nWhen I joined, I had no idea what to expect.  I have since met many wonderful people and have learned a great deal about myself and others.  You really learn how to work well and serve your community through charity.  It is a great fraternal organization. \n\nThere will always be those who accuse Masons of being Satanic, or of being evil at the higher levels, but let me assure you that the higher degrees of Freemasonry are only a continuation of the first three, which recounts a legend that takes place during the building of King Solomon's temple.  As a 32nd degree Mason myself, I have never seen or heard anything to lead me to believe that anyone in our midst is a Satanist.  In fact, there are members of my lodge who are Christian ministers, Muslims, and Jews.\n\nContrary to what some may say about the higher degrees, those of us who are 32nd degree Masons are often the ones with more opportunity to do good work in the community.\n\nIf you take away nothing else from my writings here, know this....you will always learn more about Freemasonry from Masons than you will from people who are guessing about the fraternity or regurgitating opinions about what they have read.  Find out for yourself.  We are a noble institution that strives to make good men better.