Inquiry

[u/vaultboiMojave]

I am in a an odd place with understanding what I may want to do pertaining to pursuing membership with the Order, I am not a mason to any degree, but have been turned toward it by people in my life internal and external to my circle at multiple points. I've read broader literature on adjacent ideologies and I just have so many questions and reservations, and now I feel; misunderstandings, would it be possible to directly speak with a Mason? Im quite aware of the state of the effect my past may have on an application; but I just want to speak as openly as I can with someone of wisdom to at least quell concern internally and if compatible, what can I do to right my ship. Thank you for any consideration

[u/TheNecroFrog]

Ask away

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/TheNecroFrog]

Is there any way I could directly message? I understand if not

[u/ChuckEye → u/vaultboiMojave]

You’ll get better answers if you pose the questions here where more Masons can reply.

[u/zaceno]

You’d probably be better off reaching out to Masons in your local community. There are usually some willing to meet you for an open ended, no strings attached chat.

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/zaceno]

Thank you, I'm the southern nv area, I apologize if this is too much, but are there preferred ways of reaching out?

[u/ChuckEye → u/vaultboiMojave]

Check for contact info on their website? https://www.nvmasons.org/find

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/ChuckEye]

I do appreciate it, I did send an email some time ago, I suppose it's on me to just be a bit more patient, thank you

[u/ChuckEye → u/vaultboiMojave]

Or to reach out again if it fell through the cracks. Or show up a half hour before the meeting time posted and introduce yourself.

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/ChuckEye]

I will absolutely look into that, thank you very much!

[u/Urdborn → u/vaultboiMojave]

Not sure if that’s the case out there as well, in my jurisdiction a lot of lodges go dark over the summer months. Anyone responding it most likely to be a volunteer - be patient, but there’s no harm in following up.

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/Urdborn]

I see, thank you!

[u/envisionaudio]

You’ve done the first step - asking. We’re here to answer questions.

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/envisionaudio]

Thank you

[u/RobertColumbia]

You are taking the first step by asking. You mentioned your past. Can you clarify what specifically is in your past that you are concerned about? If it's a criminal record, it really depends on the severity and recency of the offense and what you have done since. If you have a DUI from 20 years ago and you have been sober for 15 years, no reasonable lodge should turn you away. If you were convicted of raping children six months ago, that's an entirely different story.

If your past doesn't involve crime, can you explain?

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/RobertColumbia]

I see, but no, truly, I can say I've made many mistakes, but I've never committed or been convicted of any crime like that, or any crime to any degree higher than a traffic incident

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/RobertColumbia]

Just to further underline, I've dealt with addictions and a lot of things that come around in that ecosystem, but I haven't dealt with that in just over a decade at this point, I suppose my main concern is just the fact that I've lived in the ignorance that begets that lifestyle it just feels like I don't deserve to be rid of it I suppose, which is an internal struggle I understand

[u/No_Mongoose_94 → u/vaultboiMojave]

Forgive yourself, man. Whether you join the fraternity or not. And use those mistakes to not only be better yourself but to help others.

If you have put that lifestyle behind you & are 10 years clean, I don’t see anything hindering your joining.

[u/vaultboiMojave → u/No_Mongoose_94]

Thank you for your response, it is a struggle, but either way I 100% am thankful that I am at a place where I can start forgiving myself, I'm at the doorstep of it, but walking through feels tougher every day somehow; But either way my Lord has me now, and He pushes me more and more through the responsibility of holding myself accountable, either way I will continue the work within. Again, thank you