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RPBrown wrote:

Beiruty wrote:Another question:
Freemasons claims their brotherhood is not a religion or substitute for one. However, Freemasonries uses a lot of Jewish and Christians Symbols and themes. As mentioned above the York rite is very Christian and uses the metaphor of Knight Templar, the oath to defend Christianity, etc...

Why so?

Moreover, the symbolism and themes and in particular what is related to Christian themes is incompatible with the Muslim creed and theology. Also, when referring to the Attributes of the "Creator", GOD, Those attributes are well know for any young Muslims and none of those attributes resemble those of the creations. For Muslims, it is forbidden to relate the attribute (or their meanings) of the creations to the Creator.

I have been asked why one decide to become a Freemason?

The explanation I got is that it should be more than just building a better person, more than just becoming a philanthropist. And, becoming a Freemason is like the membership of secret "power house". Whatever that means.

Masonry is not a religion but you must believein a higher power. As to what that power is is your personal business. The York Rite is christian based.

As for why I became a Mason it is ment to make good men better. you get out of it what you put into it. If someone just wants to join to say they are a Mason (and there are some that do) then its not for you.

Beiruty wrote:I guess what they teach is a secret like their meetings. No books available on the shelves.

packina45 wrote:Ditto to what others have said. There is no "higher degree" in Masonry than the 3rd degree, Master Mason. Someone else asled how long it takes to achieve that. It all depends on you, and your instructor. Most guys, at least in my experience, are able to complete it in less than a year. Took me about six months, IIRC.

River Oaks Lodge #1311

AEA wrote:

Medic624 wrote:I want to become a Mason... how do I go about it??...

How does a man become a Mason?

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry, we can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we can't ask, much less pressure anyone to join.

There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. To live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked into" making such a decision.

So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to the Mason, and that Mason takes it to the local lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer their questions. The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative -- and it usually is -- the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree. When the person has completed all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.