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Freemasonry, a hobby or much more than that?

Posted By lauderdale 03/02/2010 11:14:37
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Freemasonry, a hobby or much more than that?

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Cora B
Posted 03/02/2010 22:02:28
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Nice one, Bro:. Pilgrim. "Do unto him as in similar cases you would wish that he should do unto you."

Blessings be unto Mercury.:)

Cora
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Alan Campbell
Posted 03/02/2010 22:03:24
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Sparker (03/02/2010)
Steve,

I have to say that this is my opinion and my opinion only.. doubtless this will upset soe, but I always speak my mind as you do.

If anyone regards Freemasonry as a hobby... well they just haven't "got" it.  It is obvious to me that the moral lessons taught in the degrees have simply passed them by.

Of course, if they are content with that and they continue to act within the rules of the constitution they are under then fine.  Crack on, etc. etc.

Tony.

Tony , i think upset is a bit strong to say i'm upset but i do disagree with you,

Do i get freemasonry? Well lets see.

Do i try to live my life according to the precepts, yes.

Have i spent the last 15 years of my life studying, learning, teaching and promoting the craft, yes.

Will i defend it and a fellow brother to the ends of the earth. Yes.

Is it a hobby, past time, leisure persuit. Yes.

As i said in my previous post to some it is a religion to others it isn't but they wish it was, and yet again to others it is a compliment to their religion.

And to more it is a gentlemans club or mixed club if your in that type of freemasonry.

A very experienced brother once said to me that he had been searching for 40 years for something in freemasonry and he didn't realise that he had found what he was looking for at his first meeting.  What did he find........Freindship.

So if Hobby doesn't describe this past time then what word would you say does describe it? 

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lauderdale
Posted 03/02/2010 22:18:15
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Bro Alan, as to a word to describe Freemasonry, how about "An Ethos"?

 

 

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dp
Posted 03/02/2010 22:37:14
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I like Mikes answer that Freemasonry is undefinable.

We will always argue about personal definitions and just because one Brother lables the Craft as a hobby does not for one second to me say that he has missed the point.

I was not being flippant with my earlier post. A word has many meanings.

We can all agree that Freemasonry is very important to us. and everything else will be a circular arguement.

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Chris
Posted 04/02/2010 18:12:39
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Hi All,
I have to say this is an interesting topic. Speaking on a personal level I love freemasonry for what it is and for how it has changed me as a person. But i have a young family who deserve and receive all my attention. So I have to treat freemasonry as a hobby. In the future I will be able to throw all my effort at the craft. I have every intention of going through the ranks a normally as possible ( i will be I.G. next month ) but I have to put family and work first. Does this attitude make me less of a freemason? I don't think so. I have made the effort to learn the ritual for I.G. and I have learned it when and where I can, much like a hobby, you do what you enjoy doing when you have the time.

Each to their own situations and circumstances.

Chris
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Mike Martin
Posted 04/02/2010 19:35:03
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Chris,

I think you have, quite brilliantly, hit on one of the major factors that dictates how a Freemason views the Craft.

A Mason with family responsibilities is not in a position (and nor should he as the Ritual makes plain) to put the Craft first before his own family.

It comes down, at least in part, to the life circumstances of the Mason. 

 Mike
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Sparker
Posted 04/02/2010 23:26:18
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Hi Alan,
you ask for a word. I don't like to use one word for it. To me a hobby is something you do on a regular basis to amuse yourself... Freemasonry should influence your life.... should influence the way you think and act... should be your guide and your conscience. To me..it's much more than a hobby. But if you see it as such, then that's just great. As in most things..I say...if it works for you, then great. Good luck to you.

Fraternally,

Tony.

I.P.M. Neptune Lodge No. 1264.
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mickx
Posted 05/02/2010 05:36:26
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A "way of life", "undefinable' and a "hobby"

Three areas for consideration that we may try and place what Freemasonary is to us/the individual, maybe depending on where we may be in our lives?

Therefore, is it the case of age, family commitments, religion, lifestyle etc that drives the answer to Lauderdale's question, or is Freemasonary, Freemasonary?

FYI - I think it is a life-style choice....;)

Mick

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whistler
Posted 05/02/2010 09:34:08
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Alan Campbell (03/02/2010)
. It doesn't put bread on the table at the end of the week,

Somebody who becomes a Freemason and practices the values Masonry teach - could well enable more and better quality to be put on the table
We are told it is not a religion or a substitute for a religion
maybe it doesn't use the word Religion but for some it provides the same certainties as others find in their "Religion".
For me Freemasonry is just part of the tapestry of life - Through odd strange circumstances Freemasonry found my wife and I at the same time, we found it fitted like a glove - For us it makes sense as a component part of the Universe - it demands no more than we are able to give.
I accept it doesn't work for all but it I can't imagine my, or indeed my wife's life without it.

HGW
Whistler
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Bob Butler
Posted 16/02/2010 09:19:57
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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

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