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Freemasonry, a hobby or much more than that?

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Author	Message
Brother_TJ	Posted 16/02/2010 22:11:07
Fellow Group: Forum Member Last Login: 17/01/2012 00:42:17 Posts: 247, Visits: 376	Not a pastime, not a hobby. If Freemasonry was a hobby craft I would be a Master of Knitting by now. My family is my bio family and Masonry is my extended family, if my bio family has a problem with that then they can kiss it. I am free and of free will and accord. .·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·. Amethyst Lodge No. 2, Orient of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Isis Lodge No. 3, Orient of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...A.F.H.R.
Post #18520
Alan Campbell	Posted 17/02/2010 00:12:02
Past Master Group: Forum Member Last Login: Yesterday @ 12:02:46 Posts: 1,251, Visits: 2,228	Brother TJ, you would honestly take freemasonry over your own family?
Post #18536
Larry	Posted 17/02/2010 07:33:36
Apprentice Group: Forum Member Last Login: 15/12/2011 15:18:06 Posts: 15, Visits: 169	Brother_TJ (16/02/2010) - if my bio family has a problem with that then they can kiss it. Hmmmm.... I inform prospective candidates that the priorities to consider before freemasonry are; Self (health; physical & spiritual - not indulgence) - Family (care, attention and providing) - Career (support for the family and advancement) - Home (maintenance & safe environment for the family) - Social/Hobby (if no other hobby maybe freemasonry included but not to the exclusion of social) - and then....... Freemasonry. Freemasonry is there to enhance my understanding and appreciation of all that precedes it and may even assist prepare me for what is to come - but not to the exclusion of any of it. Some parts of my priority list can be merged but they shouildn't be ignored most especially not for freemasonry or that would indicate a (my) lack of understanding of all the Working Tools and Charges for starters. As regards the priorities; in my personal life, and with the greatest of respect, it has got be "last in... first out"* *excluding any children or partners that arrive after freemasonry of course! :) I forgot to mention.... a distinction must be made... the Ethic of freemasonry and the dedication to the ritual, meetings, including accociated time "spent" that I would class as "physical freemasonry" If I wasnt able to practice (and really enjoy) my "physical freemasonry" for any reason I would still act like one.... Larry P.M. 4060 & 4369 U.G.L.E. Prov. AGDC Province of Sunny Cheshire "Live respected & die regretted" Unless otherwise stated all comments are in reference to the UGLE Craft and HRA - any opinion is personal and does not represent ANY masonic body
Post #18540
lauderdale	Posted 17/02/2010 08:32:43
Excellent Master Group: Forum Member Last Login: 10/07/2011 06:43:06 Posts: 2,146, Visits: 4,278	TJ, like many Americans, puts things rather more bluntly than most of us on this side of the pond, but I can see where they are coming from. I have made a lot of decisions in my life on matters such as Religion, Politics and indeed being a Freemason which do not accord with the stance on such matters of my immediate family. As an adult I do not ask them, I have no need to, nor even inform them of my position. Yes, when I was invited to become a Freemason 21 years ago now, I of course did discuss this with my then wife who raised no objection to the time nor money - my own - which would be involved. I have now been single again for 16 years and have no children and only one living relative a long way away. Accordingly the sutuation mentioned does not arise but if for example I was to take up with a lady again it would be a case of "Love me, love my Lodge" and she would be told at the start of the relationship. I could not imagine me being that interested in a relationship with anyone who was strongly anti-Freemasonry on political or religious grounds as we simply would not get on anyway. Opposites do NOT attract as far as I am concerned, it tends to be "my way or the highway" and I have very strong views and positions on many matters as those who know me can attest. So whilst I would have given a more diplomatic answer than TJ, I can understand where they are coming from on this matter.
Post #18544
~Paul~	Posted 17/02/2010 13:05:14
Apprentice Group: Forum Member Last Login: 06/06/2011 22:10:26 Posts: 63, Visits: 219	its not a hobby for me, im new to it and iv been student of freemasonry long before i joined, I want it, and it will be, a big part of my life, Im told that i am a good man by others, I just strive to become even better, if i spend time with some of the great men in my area (masons) then id like to think that some of it will rub off onto me! Provincial Grand Lodge's website
Post #18559
David	Posted 31/10/2011 23:29:07
Journeyman Group: Forum Member Last Login: 02/01/2012 23:59:50 Posts: 123, Visits: 1,490	The first person I ever heard refer to Freemasonry as a hobby was an APGM - and in fact I have heard him say that several times. S & F David
Post #33563
willf	Posted 01/11/2011 11:06:38
Journeyman Group: Forum Member Last Login: Yesterday @ 15:51:46 Posts: 149, Visits: 836	I am hearing from people more and more that 'it's only a hobby'. Will
Post #33569
chestnut	Posted 01/11/2011 12:38:53
Past Master Group: Forum Member Last Login: 2 days ago @ 16:03:15 Posts: 1,023, Visits: 5,561	Freemasonry is a hobby. It is an activity which we look forward to, enjoy and we do not get paid for it. But its a hobby with benefits, the benefits of self development. Golf is my other hobby and I get just as much pleasure from that and it also develops me as a person. I think it would be a shame if a hobby, took over our lives unless there was a financial incentive to do so. David
Post #33576
Govan729	Posted 08/11/2011 23:43:55
Apprentice Group: Forum Member Last Login: 10/01/2012 23:13:18 Posts: 15, Visits: 54	definately a way of life but im only 1 year in the Craft so im eager but i then see my dad and uncle who are both approaching 50 years in the craft and hope i still have the same appetite as they do. Stuart 729 Lodge St Columba Govan
Post #33929
sojourner	Posted 09/11/2011 08:35:51
Past Master Group: Forum Member Last Login: Yesterday @ 21:29:38 Posts: 868, Visits: 7,125	Freemasonry becomes a state of mind. Roy L. "SELUME PROFERRE"
Post #33935