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Home » General » General Masonic Discussion » Freemasonry, a hobby or much more than that?

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Freemasonry, a hobby or much more than that? Rate Topic Display Mode Topic Options Author Message goldengoose Posted 08/02/2010 19:02 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 17/05/2010 19:52 Posts: 27, Visits: 96 a few years ago , before i joined the craft i had a dilemma where had to choose between my job and a hobby/volunteer service. I had requested time off from my job because i had to attend a training course. I was an adult instructor with the west lowland battalion army cadet force, i had to go on the course for a promotion, and when i request the time there was no one else off and there was plenty of cover. on my last day before the time off they took me to one side and said "no, we cant spare the manpower" to which i said" could you not have told me this two days ago when i asked you if it was still fine? i have band the arrangements and booked my flights if i cancel now i lose my booking fee and i don't get paid for taking the course and i lose my promotion which in the long run means i lose my command" the boss looked at me and smiled mockingly, and said "its really a simple decision to make, who pays your wages?" "actually when i go on a course i earn more with the cadets than i earn here" when i told him that he looked like a week old party balloon! since then i have made sure that my working life does not interfere with my personal life, be that attending the lodge or my kids birthdays (i vowed never to work on my children's birthdays). Freemasonry is not a hobby to me, the morals and values of freemasonry stand out as a beacon to navigate towards. i don't know how many people on here follow Iron maiden but the singer Bruce Dickinson, when asked why iron maiden have had such a huge impact on heavy metal while getting little or no airtime on mainstream radio he simply said "Iron Maiden is more than a band, its a state of mind. Its saying that you don't mind standing out from the crowd" and i almost see that with freemasonry. The world is going to hell in a hand cart and having morals and values is the exception rather than the rule now. which is very very sad. Ramires : Why does the sun come up? Or are the stars just pin holes in the curtain of night, who knows? What I do know is that because you were born different, men will fear you... [url=http://307.pglre.org/][/url] - my lodge Post #18321 lauderdale Posted 08/02/2010 20:06 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 15:19 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,270 Most beautifully put, Goldengoose. Post #18322 goldengoose Posted 08/02/2010 21:01 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 17/05/2010 19:52 Posts: 27, Visits: 96 thanks buddy! Ramires : Why does the sun come up? Or are the stars just pin holes in the curtain of night, who knows? What I do know is that because you were born different, men will fear you... [url=http://307.pglre.org/][/url] - my lodge Post #18323 Mark Adams Posted 09/02/2010 14:57 Journeyman Group: Forum Members Last Login: 07/06/2010 10:07 Posts: 112, Visits: 320 'The golden goose is on the loose and never out of season'. Great lyric in a great song. Powerslave is their best album, in my opinion. I saw them at the Southampton Gaumont, Piece Of Mind tour: probably 1983. Post #18337 goldengoose Posted 10/02/2010 22:47 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 17/05/2010 19:52 Posts: 27, Visits: 96 Mark Adams (09/02/2010) 'The golden goose is on the loose and never out of season'. Great lyric in a great song. Powerslave is their best album, in my opinion. I saw them at the Southampton Gaumont, Piece Of Mind tour: probably 1983. well seen that man! not too many people get the link Ramires : Why does the sun come up? Or are the stars just pin holes in the curtain of night, who knows? What I do know is that because you were born different, men will fear you... [url=http://307.pglre.org/][/url] - my lodge Post #18384 Bob Butler Posted 16/02/2010 09:19 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 02/08/2010 08:25 Posts: 71, Visits: 211 Much more for me the oppertunity of self improvement the ability to step back and think of the effects of my actions on others before I act besides the brotherhood the joy of the ritual and the day out for me time It would be a great hobby but to me much more Post #18498 Brother_TJ Posted 16/02/2010 22:11 Journeyman Group: Forum Members Last Login: 24/08/2010 20:12 Posts: 175, Visits: 212 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 Past Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 07:30 Posts: 1,096, Visits: 1,336 Brother TJ, you would honestly take freemasonry over your own family? Post #18536 Larry Posted 17/02/2010 07:33 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 19/06/2010 08:39 Posts: 13, Visits: 135 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. 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 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 15:19 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,270 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. 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