Seasonal Greetings from my lodge to yours,
Fellow Craft Brothers!

Signed,
Brother of Hiram

Is that some kind of masonic imagery? Funny how every free mason I've ever met couldn't use a compass and straight edge to save his life :o)

That would be because the compass and mitre are symbols for something else entirely and have nothing to do with the standard usage as far as Masonic rite goes. I can't go into more detail, sorry.

On the other hand, I'm certain there is more than one brother who is a talented draftsman.

What's interesting is the Grand lodge of England, hold the guarding of secrets so close that members are not allowed to wear any jewelry, rings, pins, etc that shows non brethren that you are a Mason. Also Free Masonry is NOT a religious organization. It is a group of Men that believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Men. The VSL at my Lodge is a Torah, in Hebrew. at others it is the sacred books of Buddhism, Hinduism, whatever. In fact I visited a Lodge on Boston's Chinatown where the VSL was in Chinese, they told me it was a Book sacred to Confusionists. (spelling)

Happy Holiday's Brother's
I've often wondered how many Magi here belong to our Fraternity.

Oh boy, now it's really getting tough trying to separate the geeks from the nerds...

Brother Brian, I hope you are doing well in the Valley of the Sun.
Hang in there and please give my best to the misses.

Paddy, what good are the rings, if you can't clink them right?
Chad, There will be blood!

Thank you brother, happy holidays to you as well.
Floyd Collins P.M 32

A lot of good memories and a lot of good friends.
Happy holidays to all ...............

The only reason I responded is to show that masonry is not just a Christian thing. My Lodge consists mostly of Jews. Anyone can become a Freemason but you have to ASK one to be one. We can not ask you if you're interested in masonry. It is a GREAT organization. The Shriner's Hospitals for children, where no one ever pays for care, are a part of Masonry. Those who are not brothers, don't be afraid to "Ask 1 to be 1"

Doesn't one have to be a part of (or at least a belief in) a monotheistic religion? Can atheists become Freemasons?

^No Atheist may be a Mason.
A belief in a mono or poly theistic religion is not required.
a belief in something, yes.
even the pick and choosers are allowed(those who choose a little from this religion or that).
But, no atheists may be allowed to be a Mason.

So not everyone can be a Mason, then.

And of course the classic line comes to mind:

I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER.

Can I join long enough to find out where the cap of the Giza pyramid is & what's on it? Or where the Ark is. Or if Dumbledor really died...really just about any secret would be worth it, so long as I could back out before I was expected to tithe.

No, the "secrets" are our signs & dewgaurds so that one mason can know another mason anywhere in the world. Our rituals may have some differences but these signs are the same worldwide.

That is funny, there is however a big difference in accepting one as a member for that join Lions, Elks, Moose, Eagles and even your local credit union the list of clubs goes on and on, yet when we accept someone they are our brother. Free Masonry is a fraternity (Latin frater : "brother")

The invisible lodge, is a group of Masons who are also performers of magic.

Once again to everyone here Invisible or not,
Kissing Conjurors

Have a very safe holiday season!

The Invisible Lodge, a world wide organization of Masonic magicians, organized in 1953, is offering a $500 (USD) scholarship to a magic camp or convention to a magician under the age of 18.

Applicants must write a letter telling a bit about their magic interest and why attending a magic gathering would be helpful in their magical growth.

The deadline for entries is April 30th with the winner announced June 1.

Entries should be sent to International President Roger Miller, Box-417, Bonner Springs, KS 66012 USA

Or emailed to: rogerrx@magician.org

Hi Brothers of the IL! Just found this link. Glad to see it!

Best Wishes!
Carl
PM Knox Corinthian Lodge