Why Become a Mason?
Lecture By
WM Deidric Cave
First, I would like to give you a definition of Freemasonry and what the Masons think of their Society in the 21st century. According to Wikipedia, Freemasonry is a fraternal organization whose membership is held together by shared moral and metaphysical ideals and (in most of its branches) by a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being (Metaphysical relates to the branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of the world). Believed to be an organization that is specialized or advanced in nature, available only to a narrow circle of "enlightened", "initiated", or highly educated people, Freemasonry is a mysterious society only in that certain aspects are private. Freemasons have stated that in the 21st century, Freemasonry has become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets." In my reading, studies, and searching the web I have come to this conclusions of the Freemasons.
1. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, not a religion. Good old meetings with good old boys (MEN)!!!
2. Freemasonry is an open, not secretive, society. It might have secret signs, handshakes and symbols. What fraternity does not?
3. Freemasonry is open to all men of good character who believe in God. Nowadays is that a bad thing?
4. Freemasonry does not require improper oaths. Who does it hurt to keep things secret and have a little play on words?
5. Freemasonry teaches individual improvement through study. Is it not good to improve oneself?
6. Freemasonry teaches in steps. Is it not good to learn in steps? A child does not start their learning in High School, do they?
In this lecture, I will focus on these statements
FIRST: WHY BECOME A MASTER MASON?
There are as many reasons for becoming a mason as there are men who have become masons. I was 28 when I was initiated because I wanted to see for myself what the mystery and hype was all about. Throughout my life, I have seen the Shriners in parades. I have even seen some of the men from my neighborhood with funny hats and costumes. I thought to myself, “How hard could it be to drive around in a little funny car or march in a parade for a good and just reward?” Years ago, I was told that if I wanted to be a Shriner or member of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America (A.E.A.O.N.M.S), I had to first become a Master Mason and pick a path, York or Scottish rite. As a young adult, I was told by my mother that being a freemason was not consistent with being a Christian. I questioned this and was told that all Masons did not believe in Jesus Christ and question him and his reason for being. I also questioned this and was told, “study your bible and you’ll see.” As I got older, I had become more educated but still had more questions than answers. If you are not a Mason and read all the reports and watch the YouTube videos from ex-members, then to become a Mason is not a good thing to do.
Secretive Society, Improper oaths, people who don’t believe in or mock JESUS CHRIST. Freemasons are required to declare a belief in a monotheistic God, or a belief in a Supreme Being; a generic description allowing the candidate to adhere to whichever deity or concept he holds to be appropriate where Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Gentile (non-Jew) may together worship around its altars. No atheist can become a Mason so maybe that is why some people who don’t believe in Supreme Being are upset. Also take note the discussion of politics and religion are forbidden in a Masonic Lodge so the candidate should not be placed in the situation of having to justify the interpretation. With this new information I asked myself, “How can a Masons and Shriner not be a good society/person. What is even more puzzling is the standing Mason thing is:
2 BE 1 ASK 1
I am told as our Grand Lodges says, "Among millions of Masons, not one was lawfully invited to apply for membership." Well, if we hear and read only negative stories about the Masons, then why do we want to ask them about being one?
The first thing I had to do was to find out where the Masons had their Lodges and start the process. At the time there were so many other things going on in my life. I was in the military and set to deploy. The days went into weeks and the weeks went into months. I could not find one to ask. Not that I was not trying… it just was not possible. One day, I was having a conversation with a neighbor and brought up that I was looking to become a Mason. He revealed to me that he was a Mason and told me about his lodge, Hannibal Lodge #218 AF&AM, North Carolina. He asked me questions on why I wanted to become a Mason, whether I believe in GOD or not, who my friends were, and where I work. My neighbor handed me a petition, I filled it out, signed it, and gave it back to him so he could submit it to his lodge. A committee of three contacted me and asked me the same questions. Then, I had to be recommended by the committee on their impression of me by “the interview”. I was interviewed and found to be of good repute and well recommended. Fast forward a few weeks and I began my degree work. I am a firm believer that being initiated an Entered Apprentice changes you because without trying, Masons started to recognize me as such. Being cautious, I only revealed my lodge name. At that moment, I learned of another reason as to “Why become a Mason?” Apparently, my lodge was non-Prince Hall Affiliated, so none of the people whom I encountered were able to communicate with me on a Masonic level but that did not pause my journey.
Pursuing the first three degrees of my Masonic journey took a little over a year from August 1997 (the interview) to November 1998 (raised as a Master Mason).
ENTERED APPRENTICE. This went through OK. I was initiated alone. I tried to remember all things but could just remember the key parts. I was able to show proficiency as an EA after three months.
FELLOW CRAFT. I was passed with one other person who was initiated after me. All was going well with my proficiency, but then I was deployed for six months. Although no PHA mason help me maintain proficiency while deployed, a non-PHA Mason worked with me and kept me proficient. I was starting to see the Masons as a historical place, telling about the craft and how a man should act and be.
MASTER MASON. After returning from deployment, I immediately showed proficiency as a FC and was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. This was a long and rough process back when candidates were physically hazed. I was raised with five other brothers. My former cable tow was raised while I was deployed.
SECOND: WHY STAY?
As I was initiated, passed and raised into the first three degrees of Freemasonry, I received the foundation stones of Masonry. This is the basis on which I may build on my Masonic education. This can be likened to the basic education received in grade school. Therefore, the following sums this up. In the Blue Lodge - the Master Mason has received the great lessons or "4 cardinal virtues", of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. Grand Master Solomon, King of Israel startled us by the assertion, "I fear the master’s word is forever lost." To complete the symbolism of Freemasonry, the word must be recovered. Therefore, there is a case for the additional degrees. Now being a Prince Hall Affiliated Mason for almost twenty-three years, I could never conceive abandoning my membership in Freemasonry. Let me say this: in becoming a Master Mason, I have received the highest honor that could ever be bestowed upon a man, one more honorable than any other order that could be conferred - by king, prince, president, or anyone else. It was a moving experience, to be led around the floor and instructed in the history of the Hebrew people and the oral history of freemasonry. Therefore, if I am going to stay, I might as well continue my training.
I am what some refer to as a “Full-Circle” mason, whereas I have completed the York Rite degrees, Scottish Rite degrees, and I’m a member of Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America. These advanced degrees do not hold a higher rank than that of a Master Mason; however, they are a continuation to seeking “More Light in Masonry.”