Freemasonry ??

[destillat]

Are there any Masons here?
I have been considering joining.
I am in my mid-40s. I have a very busy, happy, and fulfilling life.
But recently I have been thinking that it is all centred around me.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
But giving back is a good thing.
And I have always had a very hard time making male friends (I literally have had 2 close male friends in my entire life).
So the Freemasonry fraternity caught my interest.
But the website is lean on information, probably because they want you to contact them, understandably.
Which I will.
But I just thought I would throw it out here in case there were any members floating around.
Positive experiences? Red flags?

 

[onomatopoeia]

I am not a Mason.

In August, 2017, I made an appointment to visit the Victoria Lodge, through their website - google 'Victoria Lodge Toronto' for the url. I had been told about the paintings on the ceiling, and I wanted to see them for myself. Most of them were star constellations.

Victoria Lodge is very close to Keele Street, on the south and west side of Annette. At the Keele/ Annette intersection, there's a lawn bowling green on the opposite side of Keele.

I think the Lodge has meetings on Tuesday and/or Thursday nights except in July and August, when many members would be on vacation. Two men were there when I visited on a Saturday afternoon. I was inside for about ten minutes.

There was a main meeting room with unusual acoustics and a dining hall in the basement among the rooms I saw.

No doubt some of the members of TERB are also Masons, but I wouldn't expect any of them to out themselves on a message board.

 

[bazokajoe]

I was under the impression you had to be asked to join by a current member.
Am I right or wrong?

 

[destillat]

I was under the impression you had to be asked to join by a current member.
Am I right or wrong?

I have heard that.
But I have also heard that as long as you meet their criteria, and they get to know you and feel you are a good fit, someone will invite you.

Since I have originally posted, I have been diving deeper.
One of their requisites is 'belief in a Supreme Being'. ANY kind of supreme being.
That is not me, and I am not sure how much that is woven into what they do.

 

[roadhog]

Copied from the Birch Cliff Lodge site, which my grandfather was a member for many years.

Becoming a Mason
Are you thinking of becoming a Freemason?

A man who wants to join a lodge must be recommended for by two members of that lodge. He must understand that his character will be investigated. After approval by the members of that lodge, he will be accepted as an applicant for membership in Freemasonry.
One of Freemasonry's customs is not to solicit members. However, anyone should feel free to approach a Mason to seek further information about the Craft. Membership in Ontario is for men, 21 years of age or older, who meet the qualifications and standards of character and reputation, who are of good moral character, and who believe in the existence of a supreme being.​

The doors of Freemasonry are open to men who seek harmony with their fellow man, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to participate in making this world a better place to live.
Freemasonry is a way of life
If you would like someone to contact you about membership in the Masonic fraternity, please send an email with your contact details to:
webmaster@birchclifflodge612.com​

 

[roadhog]

Map of lodges around the city.

freemasons toronto - Google Zoeken

 

[bazokajoe]

I have heard that.
But I have also heard that as long as you meet their criteria, and they get to know you and feel you are a good fit, someone will invite you.

Since I have originally posted, I have been diving deeper.
One of their requisites is 'belief in a Supreme Being'. ANY kind of supreme being.
That is not me, and I am not sure how much that is woven into what they do.

Well I am a hard core atheist so I will never be asked/invited.
And I'm ok with that.

 

[canada-man]

Spooky Rituals of The Freemasons | The Freemasons Explained

 

[unassuming]

They have a secret hand shake that i witnessed where IIRC they rub/touch each other's knuckles