Feeling offended

[AJHilliar]

Hi everyone. I'm new to My Freemasonry and enjoying it. I would like some advice from anyone who would
Like to share. Yesterday at work I was assisting a client who after our business was complete handed me a pamphlet about why I should leave the Masonic Lodge based on her religious beliefs. I feel offended by this personally. Any advice how to handle situations like this? What organizations I am involved in is my business not
anyone else's. Also I didn't care for her brining this up in my place of work.
Am I over reacting or should I feel offended?

 

[crono782]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion regardless of how unfounded it is. Most folks like that aren't even aware of who we are and what we do; they are just blindly regurgitating something that was second-hand told to them and not even thinking for themselves. If a Jehovah's Witness handed me a tract telling me not to celebrate holidays because of their belief, I wouldn't get offended, just brush it off as there is a wide berth of opinions out there. Especially in our case where the CT nutjobs don't do us any favors by spreading misinformation. If it is brought up again, just thank her for her concern and assure her that it is nothing nefarious and you would like to leave your non-work activities just that, non-work related. Keep it professional and let her see that we take the higher roads in life.

 

[Brother JC]

She is certainly welcome to her opinion, but I feel she overstepped her role in your business meeting by inserting that opinion into it. It was neither the time nor place for her to try to save your soul.

 

[AJHilliar]

Thanks for the input. I did not take into account peoples rights to an opinion. Everyone has that right and the right to express that opinion even if we do not agree to it.
I shouldn't let myself get so worked up.

 

[dfreybur]

... based on her religious beliefs ...

Which are not yours. Pray in gratitude that our Masonic for bearers saw to it that freedom of religion has constantly spread farther and farther across the global. Pray that we may participate in expanding it further in the future.

Generally the reasons people oppose us is they are crazy or dupes of crazy people. I pray for their mental healing.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Having this happen on your personal time is one thing but in the transaction of business is another.

I would not be wearing masonic regalia if you are the face of your business or publicly represent the company you work for.

Save the ring for personal time/lodge time this way you don't have to worry about offending potential clients who would otherwise be good clients for your business.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[AJHilliar]

I wear a lapel pin at work. My employer is also a mason. So maybe I was the first one she got a hold of. Where she said she knew I was a masons was from the Remembrance Day service here. I was in regalia laying a wreath on behalf of the lodge. Thanks for your advice. I don't think I will wear my pin anymore or do anything publicly in my regalia

 

[Brother_Steve]

I wear a lapel pin at work. My employer is also a mason. So maybe I was the first one she got a hold of. Where she said she knew I was a masons was from the Remembrance Day service here. I was in regalia laying a wreath on behalf of the lodge. Thanks for your advice. I don't think I will wear my pin anymore or do anything publicly in my regalia

I wear my ring at work but I am not dealing with the public.

I however do not wear my ring when I work in the field if I so happen to be outside that day.

If the client saw you on your personal time then there is not much you can do about that. However I do have one question. Is your boss the owner of your company? Does he wear masonic emblems at work? I know it is taboo to have masonic emblems at/on your place of business. How do others feel about a brother wearing a ring at his place of business that he owns? I would even go as far as to say I would not have a S/C on my vehicle in my office parking lot if I owned the company.

Maybe I'm just over analyzing things.

 

[AJHilliar]

My boss is the owner. I have never been told not to wear my pin.

 

[bezobrazan]

I would have thanked her for it and used it as a coaster for my coffee mug.

 

[Brother_Steve]

I was just wondering if your boss wears any masonic pins at work.

We all know there are a lot of misinformed people out there. People who are otherwise everyday normal people. I would just act as I was instructed in my EA degree. Be cautious while on the job when dealing with the public.

 

[crono782]

I do not feel the need to hide my affiliations at the workplace and I would go so far as to say that if I felt I had to, I would be the target of harassment. Don't forget that there is a flip side to that opinion coin. YOU are entitled to yours too.

 

[AJHilliar]

I appreciate all of you who gave me advice. I know
How I will respond if something like this happens again.

 

[Bro Darren]

One of the core values of Freemasonry that inspires me the most is that we, as a Fraternity, are welcoming to ALL forms of faith as long as you believe in a supreme being.

We teach acceptance for all and live by a rich moral code that is taught in all of the major faiths around the world. It's sad that some preach about love but jump up to condemn a man because he is of a different faith or belief.

I encourage you to stand strong in your belief and take refuge in the fact that you are not alone and that many of your brethren face similar rebukes from those that do not understand what Freemasonry is.

 

[Bill Rose]

I wear my ring to work proudly. I have received only positive reaction to it... I really don't know how I would verbally respond if confronted in a negative way but I do know I wouldn't take my ring off

 

[Brother JC]

Brother Steve, you should check the wording in the code about businesses. I have only seen a prohibition to using the S&C in advertising, not in wearing a ring at work, or having an emblem on your vehicle.

 

[Bill Lins]

I wear my ring at work but I am not dealing with the public.

I however do not wear my ring when I work in the field if I so happen to be outside that day.

If the client saw you on your personal time then there is not much you can do about that. However I do have one question. Is your boss the owner of your company? Does he wear masonic emblems at work? I know it is taboo to have masonic emblems at/on your place of business. How do others feel about a brother wearing a ring at his place of business that he owns? I would even go as far as to say I would not have a S/C on my vehicle in my office parking lot if I owned the company.

Maybe I'm just over analyzing things.

At least under GLoTX, the prohibition is against using the S&C for business purposes, such as in advertisements and the like. Having the S&C on your personal vehicle or wearing a pin or ring is OK.

 

[MarkR]

I would just say "thank you for your concern" and let it drop. I always represent. I always have at least a ring on, and most of my sport coats have a Masonic lapel pin of some sort.

 

[JohnnyFlotsam]

The tract was offered sincerely. Such an effort deserves appreciation and thanks. The explanation that "I don't believe that to be true..." is optional.

 

[BroBook]

Take the pamphlet read it well be ready for the next nut!