Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with masons

How do masons communicate?

jimbaud — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:44:21 -0800

Masonfilter: If I were pulled over by the police for a minor infraction (35 mph in a 30 zone) and I wanted them to know that I was a member of the masons, how would I do this? Obviously Masonic police officers NEVER do favours for civillian masons while in uniform. However, in a situation that offers limited mobility and opportunities for a handshake how could one communicate a shared affiliation?

SecretSocietyFilter

lekvar — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:18:48 -0800

I'm interested in joining a fraternal organization of some sort or another. However, there's... The problem is I'm an atheist and the Masons and a lot of other fraternal organizations have the requirement that a member have a belief in a higher power of one sort or another. So tell me, O great hive-mind, are there any groovy secret societies, fraternal organizations or lodges that will accept me?

*Organizations need not be strictly fraternal.
*Organizations need not be atheist-only.
*Secret hand-shakes a plus.

The All-Seeing Eye

klangklangston — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 22:38:01 -0800

What's the best Masonic Rite/lodge to join? I live in SE Michigan, and am curious about the Masons. I like their freethinker philosophy, and I'm interested enough to talk to 'em about it (I know that you can't get in unless you ask).
The thing is— there are all sorts of different Rites (Scottish, UGLE, GODf, etc...) and they don't necessarily recognize each other. I guess I'm looking for the type that would be broadest in scope, because I wouldn't want to join, then move somewhere and find out it wasn't supported.
Are any of you masons? Any advice?

Tracking down a Mason

divka — Tue, 02 Aug 2005 15:03:50 -0800

Is there a way to find out if someone was a Freemason? I have limited information, unfortunately. There were Mason-related items in my grandfather's personal items, but there aren't any family members who can fill me in about whether or not he actually was a Mason.

I'm not even sure about which state's or city's lodge he might have been associated with, since he lived in several different places. Even if I knew, I'm not sure how willing the lodge would be to answer this question.

What, exactly, are the Masons and Shriners?

robbie01 — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 15:47:32 -0800

What, exactly, are the Masons and Shriners? A fraternal organization? Secret society? Religious cult? Charity fund-raisers? Community organization? To be honest I've always been a little creeped out by these groups, but since I don't much about them I don't know why that is. They don't seem very secrative, what with posting their logos on city welcoming signs wherever they have a chapter. But their buildings always seem so spooky.. tinted glass, no signage to speak of.. doesn't seem very inviting or sociable. Are the Shriners and Masons related? About the only dealings I have had with Shriners are having them show me where to park at county fairs. But what's the point of joining the group? Any benefit? How would one join? And are "Free" Masons different? I understand they've been around awhile..