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lauderdale
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Posted 03/02/2010 11:14:37
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If this has been done before as a subject I apologise.Recently on TFM Forum I have noticed that quite a few posters have referered to Freemasonry as "A Hobby". Now it is not of course for me to tell people how they ought to regard The Craft and perhaps to some that is what it is, or maybe it is a nice Dining Club, or an opportunity to contribute to Charity. If that is their expereince then fine. To myself and quite a few Brethren that I know, Freemasonry is far more than a hobby , it is deeper, more of a "Way of Life", a code which should inform our lives and dealings with other Brethren and the World at large that are not Masons. I do have some hobbies. A bit of digital photography, restored steam locomotives, computers to name but three but these do not have such a deep influence on my life as Freemasonry, only my Political and Religious activities impact as much on what makes me the person I am. Travelling behind a restored "Castle" Class Loco or taking a picture of a Dragonfly resting on a reed whilst pleasurable do not. Well that is my take on Freemasonry. Now how do others here feel about it? Hobby? Way of Life? Or something else?
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Cora B
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Posted 03/02/2010 13:02:01
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Group: On Warning
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Hobbies come and go, Steve. Masonry is a way of life; I have chosen to follow the tenets inculcated in its degrees.S&F,
Cora
--
International Order of Co-Freemasonry "Le Droit Humain",
British Federation
Lodge Light of Amen-Ra No. 717, Orient of Surbiton
Lodge St Francis No. 817, Orient of Camberley
Mark Lodge Nephthys No. 32, Quarries of Surbiton
HRA Triangle The Hidden Glory, Vault of Surbiton
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Mike Martin
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Posted 03/02/2010 13:42:08
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Apprentice
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One of the lasting fascinations I have with Freemasonry is that it eludes the efforts of any person who may attempt to label it or try to put it into a category other than Freemasonry. To be honest no one who is even half aware of it would try to do so. It is, was and will remain Freemasonry, a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. A system that means something different to each of its adherents but yet at the same time the same thing. Such an enigma that it has often been emulated during its existence but never bettered.
MikeMersey Lodge No. 5434 WebsiteThe Freemasons'''' Grand Charity WebsiteSee my BALLS here
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dp
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Posted 03/02/2010 14:23:46
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| Main Entry: | hobby | | Part of Speech: | noun | | Definition: | pleasurable pastime | Synonyms: | amusement, art, avocation, bag*, craft, craze, distraction, diversion, divertissement, fad*, fancy, favorite occupation, fun, game, interest, kick*, labor of love, leisure activity, leisure pursuit, obsession, occupation, pet topic, play, quest, relaxation, schtick, shot, sideline, specialty, sport, thing*, vagary, weakness, whim, whimsy | Antonyms: | profession, vocation, work |
* = informal/non-formal usage
So, I don't know. :P
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Alan Campbell
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Posted 03/02/2010 15:08:16
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Yes it's a topic that has been done before and only towards the end of last year but i will happily answer again. I agree that it is a way of living your life but it is still a hobby. It doesn't put bread on the table at the end of the week, so its not work. We are told it is not a religion or a substitute for a religion, although i know a lot of masons who class it as that. To be quite honest a religion is a about as close a description as i have found, it is a belief in something which is hard to explain. If it came right down to it and i had to give something up for personal reasons, or for family, then the craft would go. I would only do that with a hobby. Not my religion, not my work, and definately not my family.
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sojourner
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Posted 03/02/2010 15:17:50
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As Mike so correctly states. Masonry defies a common pigeon-hole to stick it in apart from the "peculiar system of morality etc." In the days when I had a very (at times) distasteful, dangerous and stress inducing job, it was to me an "Island of sanity" in an otherwise unsavoury world. It introduced me into a group of my "fellow Man" where I met people that I wanted to emulate. Decent people, with far higher standards of morals and behaviour and integrity and pleasantness, than the people that I encountered out of it. People who made me feel welcome, and valued and respected. People in who's company I wished to be and who I was proud to call friends and Brothers. People who's company I sought and who's fraternity I was and am so proud to be accepted into and a part of.A hobby? Well it's something you do in your spare time. But it's who and what you are all of the time. It is what you become and what you remain for the rest of your days. Whilst being far from a perfect human being, and about as politically correct as Vlad the Impaler - with toothache, I believe that my years in Freemasonry have had a very beneficial effect on my life. I believe that I am a better person through my association with Freemasonry, than I would have been without its influence. A vocation? Well unless it stirs you to working with the sick, or disabled or homeless, then no. If you devoted your life to those worthy causes, then that would be a vocation. Masonry may well have been an influence but not the vocation. A way of Life is closer to the mark but even that is not a complete definition. It is not a Religion, nor a dogma, nor a theology. It is what I am. Even if "it had to go", it would not alter "what you are".
Roy L."SELUME PROFERRE"
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chestnut
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Posted 03/02/2010 17:18:43
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Roy succinctly put.
David
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lauderdale
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Posted 03/02/2010 18:27:54
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I do not have a family so cannot see me ever being in the position of having to chose between The Craft and a family. I would hate to be in a sitaution wewhere it was my Employment or Freemasonry as it would then be my income Vs my heart. If I was in that situation I would be looking for another job until I found one where the conflict no longer existed.The Craft is not a religion to me but is an adjunct to my Christian faith.
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Sparker
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Posted 03/02/2010 19:00:38
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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.
I.P.M. Neptune Lodge No. 1264.
P.M. of Wilbraham Lodge No. 1713,
P.PrJGD,
Member of Tranquility Lodge No. 2000 (USA):D
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Pilgrim
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Posted 03/02/2010 20:40:51
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I would have to say it's much more than a hobby.Some while ago the local crematorium was only accessible from one direction due to roadworks. An elderly couple (on the wrong side of the roadworks) asked me if I knew another way as they were almost late for a funeral.They were in some distress and I realised trying to explain the intricacies of the ring road would be a non starter,so I simply said 'follow me' and got in my own car. They made it. Nothing remarkable about that except that had I never served as JD I would have been clueless.I would not have known what to do. Masonry affects the way I think,act and am.
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