[Ashlar521]

Let's use this as an 'anecdote" . Let's say there is a man who wears a S & C ring , who has a S & C decal on his car , who has read all the books and prowls Masonic internet sites but the problem is , he is not a Freemason .No lodge has found him worthy to allow in through the West gate . He knows enough to prove himself a Mason to the profane and to the newly Intiated , but not to a Master Mason who has went through the degrees . Now , let's say he walks up to an EA because he sees him wearing a Masonic pin . They have a nice long talk about Freemasonry , they may even delve into something they should not be talking about , our EA being fooled into thinking he is a Master Mason and our EA being excited about the Fraternity would have just violated his obligation . Now , someone in the Lodge finds out about it , now we have to "have a talk" with our EA . All this could have been avoided because , if this EA was not wearing a Masonic pin , then this cowan would have never approached him , they would never spoken Masoniclly , and may or may not have never violated his OB .

You do realize that their are people out there who claim to be Freemasons when in fact they are not , right ? There are those who claim to be Freemasons , who know quite a bit about the Fraternity , and it takes a Master Mason to see through their lie ? It happens on the internet all the time , people show up to these forums and Master Masons , because they are MM's , find out rather quickly that they are not Masons or they are Clandestine Masons .

It is a double edged sword . By an EA wearing a pin , he may open himself up to meeting a fellow Traveling man which is great , or may end up meeting an impostor or an unrecognized Mason and get himself into some trouble .

[kcraig1011]

As I mentioned in the Initiation forum, my petition has recently been approved, and I am awaiting my initiation on October 15th. As excited as I am to be able to show my support and dedication to this organization through the wearing of symbols, I must agree with Ashlar's opinion on this matter. As a soon-to-be EA, the last thing I would want to do is get tricked into betraying my Masonic resposibilities before I even perform my first degree work. Until I become a MM, and have some experience, knowledge, and wisdom within the fraternity, I do not believe I should put myself in a position that may lead to mistakes and misrepresentations. There are many books out, and webpages, that claim to know the secrets of Masonry. At an early stage in my degree work, I would not be able to tell a true Mason from a book Mason. Further, I would be extremely embarrassed if not only had I been fooled by a fraud, but the Brothers who vouched for me and allowed me to join this fraternity knew that I had been fooled, and broken my promises and obligations to them, and to the Lodge. I will not allow myself to openly wear such symbols, or in any way put myself in a position to be confronted, until I am able to confidently determine a true brother from a fake. I did not join this organization so that I may show off my new affiliation to the world, I joined so that I could improve myself, and work to improve the community around me, and that, more than a pin or a license plate, will prove that I belong to Masonry.

I hope my words are not too strong, and I certainly do not mean to offend anyone. If I did so, I heartfully apologize. This is simply an opinion from a candidate for initiation whom wishes to make the most of an opportunity to be a part of the Fraternity that included the likes of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. This opportunity is a true honor to me, and I will not risk this privilege by beginning my journey with mistakes. I will protect the Fraternity by keeping my status anonymous until I am a wise and knowledgeable Brother.

[Ashlar521]

I like your attitude and no one should take offense , these are your feelings . Same with DonaldG , he feels EA and FC's should be able to wear Masonic pins . I have no problem with that either . If his Jurisdiction feels it appropriate for new EA's to wear Masonic insignias then that is their perogative .Agree or disagree , everyone is entitled to their own opinions .

[BG_TRBL]

Ashlar, I would agree with your statements, and as such, my jurisdiction also regulates what and whom an EA, and a FC can speak with and about. I also do not agree with an EA, or a FC wearing a traditional S&C as they have not yet acheived that rank and order.

I have a silly little question/comparison for this. Bear with me on this please, and let me know what you think.

You have a driver's license, it entitles you the privaledge of driving a car, however it does not automatically entitle you to operate a motorcycle, or a tractor-trailer. These both require more information, more training, more time. Once you have obtained this additional training, then you have the privaledge of operating those things, but not until you have "earned" that privaledge.

I know these are just my opinions, but I would hasten to say that they are shared by many other MM, WM's, and PM's.

[Ashlar521]

I like that comparison .

I will add this also , it was a great feeling having my ring presented to me and having a S & C lapel pin pinned on my suit coat the day I was Raised . It was just a little extra something from the lodge to show their appreciation for the work I done to move on up through the degrees . If they had given it to me as an EA , it just wouldn't have had as much meaning .

[Kelleyskustoms]

I would have to say that my thoughts are a little mixed. I am still a pretty young brother also. In Michigan, one does not have to memorize the complete degree anymore. It is suggested and impressed on them that after they receive their degree, that they would learn of the degree and prepare for their next. We encourage them to learn as much as they can of our basis for the fraternity. During our investigations and interviews, the true nature of the candidate will be surfaced. If they are truly engaged in the lawful pursuits, then they will continue on and learn as millions have before them. If a new brother asks me if he may wear a ring or something bearing a S&C, I will tell him to refrain from doing so until he is raised, because he has yet to gain the light that a MM has. I would definitely not do so in a discouraging way. All states have different bylaws and rules and regulations. I think that the only way to obtain an answer to this question, it would be from one lodge to another and from one state to another. There is nothing in our fraternity that cannot be read about on the internet or by going to their local library and checking out some books. The true "knowledge comes from joining a lodge and doing earning the rights and benefits first hand, and I believe that if someone learns some through unworthy means, that they will not petition and become a true and lawful brother. I am very proud to speak with anyone masonicly. I hold our secrets dear to myself, but there are very few things that one cannot speak to another person about masonically. If a person were truly a cowan, then their intentions would be made visible quite early and easily even by a newly initiated brother. If not, the new EA or FC would not have "knowingly" violated their obligation. If someone introduces themself to another, it is almost always followed by an explanation of sorts on who they are, what lodge they are a member of and what position, if any they hold or have held there. If someone were to approach me and ask me very in depth questions about masonry and the secrets within, I would be very apprehensive and would not divulge anything to them until finding out if he is a true and lawful brother. Further, even the youngest EA would know if someone were trying to gain information from them "unlawfully", because they are still very limited on their education and information. I would like to see our EA and FC Brothers to be able to show their zeal for the institution as well. Maybe a pin for each degree would be a great thing for them to be recognized as such and be able to proudly display it as masionic law directs.

[cemab4y]

In Kentucky, there is no "hard and fast" rule in the Grand Lodge by-laws, forbidding EA/FC from wearing any masonic "bling'. But- it is "taboo", nevertheless. Newly made EA/FC masons are told not to wear any masonic jewelry or identification, until they have been raised as a Master Mason.

[removed120209a]

I read a quote a website that answered this question for me and expresses my feelings about it after being raised:

Regarding the wearing the S&Cs

If you are a Master Mason no reason is needed. If you aren't no reason is good enough.

[Custer148]

In Nebraska, any EA or FC who remains an EA or FC for 5 years without advancing will be automatically dropped from the role. (Grand Lodge regs). We try to convince the EAs & FCs not to wear a ring or pin until they are a MM. Most of them comply and we usually don't have trouble getting them to advance to the sublime degree of a MM.

[zumaechtenfeuer]

In Germany the wearing of Masonic insignia is a matter of personal choice and there are few Lodges which limit such insignia to a specific Grade. I have several different badges which I wear in public, as I am 'out' to the Real World.