My dad was a Freemason. He was a Shriner which, to my knowledge, meant that he was 33rd degree. He never talked about it. My only clue was his ring. Even then, I assumed that the G stood for our last name. When he died, the lodge wanted to do his funeral which my mother refused. He was buried with full military honors. I asked her once why he joined the lodge. She said that his mom encouraged him to join because it was how you got ahead in life. He was episcopal, in the Lions Club and seemed to be into good works. With a wife, six kids and a full time job that included a commute that was about an hour and a half each way, I can’t imagine when he would have had time for whatever the Masonic lodge would have required of him, if anything.
My great grandfather on my dad’s side of the family was also a member of a lodge. I do not if he was Mason, and what I know about him is mostly from photographs inherited from family members. I do notice he has a ring on in many of the photos; this was in the 1920s and 1930s, in St. Joseph, Missouri. It is interesting that the name Herschel was given to my great grandfather, grandfather and father. I guess that name was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. I also note I was baptized in a Methodist Church in San Diego which is right next to the Scottish Rite Temple. I’ve also felt there was a kind of anti-Christian spell cast on my fathers side of the family. I have no idea if there was a Masonic history that may have caused this, but it probably needs investigating.
A Masonic funeral experience: My husband's father was a life long Mason. Being law enforcement, I think the Lodge offered fellowship with other officers since he worked alone every day. He had the ring, plaques, trophies, special car tags and emblems; however, in the 35 years I knew him, I never heard him speak of it. His family were not atheists, but they didn't practice a faith. At his funeral, a hospice pastor who never knew him, gave a very loving, comforting message, and included special memories family members relayed to her. Then came the Masons from the Lodge where my father-in-law was a member probably 50 years. The read-aloud ritual was cold and laborious. The men wore their special garb and there were large implements being held. It was bizarre and impersonal. Did these men even know my father-in-law? I couldn't tell. The words they recited were strange and made little sense. When they referenced "The Great Architect of the Universe," my husband and I exchanged bug-eyed looks. Why not call Him God, or YHWH, Elohim, The Almighty, El Shaddai? As born again Christians, we were very uncomfortable. This was the most god-less funeral proceeding I had ever witnessed--more so than one I attended for an atheist WW2 Nazi!
My dad was a Freemason. He was a Shriner which, to my knowledge, meant that he was 33rd degree. He never talked about it. My only clue was his ring. Even then, I assumed that the G stood for our last name. When he died, the lodge wanted to do his funeral which my mother refused. He was buried with full military honors. I asked her once why he joined the lodge. She said that his mom encouraged him to join because it was how you got ahead in life. He was episcopal, in the Lions Club and seemed to be into good works. With a wife, six kids and a full time job that included a commute that was about an hour and a half each way, I can’t imagine when he would have had time for whatever the Masonic lodge would have required of him, if anything.
My great grandfather on my dad’s side of the family was also a member of a lodge. I do not if he was Mason, and what I know about him is mostly from photographs inherited from family members. I do notice he has a ring on in many of the photos; this was in the 1920s and 1930s, in St. Joseph, Missouri. It is interesting that the name Herschel was given to my great grandfather, grandfather and father. I guess that name was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. I also note I was baptized in a Methodist Church in San Diego which is right next to the Scottish Rite Temple. I’ve also felt there was a kind of anti-Christian spell cast on my fathers side of the family. I have no idea if there was a Masonic history that may have caused this, but it probably needs investigating.
A Masonic funeral experience: My husband's father was a life long Mason. Being law enforcement, I think the Lodge offered fellowship with other officers since he worked alone every day. He had the ring, plaques, trophies, special car tags and emblems; however, in the 35 years I knew him, I never heard him speak of it. His family were not atheists, but they didn't practice a faith. At his funeral, a hospice pastor who never knew him, gave a very loving, comforting message, and included special memories family members relayed to her. Then came the Masons from the Lodge where my father-in-law was a member probably 50 years. The read-aloud ritual was cold and laborious. The men wore their special garb and there were large implements being held. It was bizarre and impersonal. Did these men even know my father-in-law? I couldn't tell. The words they recited were strange and made little sense. When they referenced "The Great Architect of the Universe," my husband and I exchanged bug-eyed looks. Why not call Him God, or YHWH, Elohim, The Almighty, El Shaddai? As born again Christians, we were very uncomfortable. This was the most god-less funeral proceeding I had ever witnessed--more so than one I attended for an atheist WW2 Nazi!
Here's a dreary little documentary for Flag Day tomorrow. I guess everyone's a Mason. Brother this, Brother that. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Er65PHKC1w&t=184s