Pete Ramboldt
Registered User
I have displayed Wisconsin Masonic plates on my car since the time they were adopted without issue.
My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
License plates... yea or nay?
- Thread starter Illuminatio
- Start date
jjjjjggggg
Premium Member
Just got today!
cemab4y
Premium Member
I reside in Alexandria VA. There are several different plates available here, for Masons, OES, Shrine, etc. There is a special plate for Prince Hall Masons. I would guess that the clerks at the DMV would not know the difference between masons, and that a PH mason, could easily obtain either plate.
Brother_Steve
Premium Member
I believe in NJ that you have to order them through your secretary or your secretary has to fill out the proper paperwork for you to get one. It is disseminated through Grand Lodge and you have to be a regular recognized mason in good standing to get one.
It should be like this for every state.
My only issue with the plate is letting your 18 year old borrow your car.
Nothing like seeing a kid driving a mini cooper like a race car on the parkway with masonic tags.
Illuminatio
Premium Member
I believe in NJ that you have to order them through your secretary or your secretary has to fill out the proper paperwork for you to get one. It is disseminated through Grand Lodge and you have to be a regular recognized mason in good standing to get one.
It should be like this for every state.
My only issue with the plate is letting your 18 year old borrow your car.
Nothing like seeing a kid driving a mini cooper like a race car on the parkway with masonic tags.
Definitely agree. And that's how it's working for these here in IL as well. You have to get the signature of the Grand Secretary and his seal stamped on the paperwork for the plate before you can submit it.
Morris
Premium Member
Off subject but I sold a truck with a S&C emblem on it. When I met the guy I told him I would make sure to get it off for him. He told to leave it on that it would look cooler, haha. I definitely had to take it off after that statement.
Jeff
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
I will be getting a Kentucky Masonic plate for myself.
JamesMichael
Premium Member
Illuminatio
Premium Member
So by way of an update, I never did go through with getting these yet. I keep wanting to but haven't because of a concern that I hadn't really crossed my mind initially - church.
I'm a member of a denomination that can sometimes fall on either side of the fence concerning Freemasonry. I've just been concerned that if the wrong person notices it at church, I may be getting myself into a sticky situation. We're fairly new at the church and it's pretty big, so it's a minor concern, but still, I'm worried about people arriving at their own negative conclusions. I did email the pastor anonymously to ask broadly what his thoughts were regarding Freemasonry and he replied "I have not done enough research on freemasonry to the point that I would have a comprehensive opinion. Thanks. Sorry I could not be more help." This sort of made me feel like it would be a non-issue, at least from the pastor's standpoint. I mean, there's a good age range there so there's every chance there are some other masons attending, but I can't exactly ask for a show of hands.
Anyway, just still can't bring myself to pull the trigger yet... Anyone have any thoughts or past experience specific to issues with fellow church members on the matter?
I'm a member of a denomination that can sometimes fall on either side of the fence concerning Freemasonry. I've just been concerned that if the wrong person notices it at church, I may be getting myself into a sticky situation. We're fairly new at the church and it's pretty big, so it's a minor concern, but still, I'm worried about people arriving at their own negative conclusions. I did email the pastor anonymously to ask broadly what his thoughts were regarding Freemasonry and he replied "I have not done enough research on freemasonry to the point that I would have a comprehensive opinion. Thanks. Sorry I could not be more help." This sort of made me feel like it would be a non-issue, at least from the pastor's standpoint. I mean, there's a good age range there so there's every chance there are some other masons attending, but I can't exactly ask for a show of hands.
Anyway, just still can't bring myself to pull the trigger yet...
Anyone have any thoughts or past experience specific to issues with fellow church members on the matter?
MaineMason
Registered User
Well, in my state an 18 year old man can petition a lodge for membership and be initiated, passed, and raised in his 18th year. So technically, it could be that 18 year old's plates!I believe in NJ that you have to order them through your secretary or your secretary has to fill out the proper paperwork for you to get one. It is disseminated through Grand Lodge and you have to be a regular recognized mason in good standing to get one.
It should be like this for every state.
My only issue with the plate is letting your 18 year old borrow your car.
Nothing like seeing a kid driving a mini cooper like a race car on the parkway with masonic tags.
We have special plates for everything from universities to conservation to breast cancer awareness, veterans, Native American tribal affiliation and other things but not for Freemasons. One lucky brother I know, however, does have a vanity plate which reads "A F & A M" and that is one lucky brother indeed in a state where nearly everyone has a vanity plate, or so it would seem (it's very usual to have such personalized and specialized plates here in Northern New England) and where there is a large concentration of Freemasons per capita. Someone told me it was actually suggested in the lege a couple of years ago but then, it was argued, they'd have to create them for the Odd Fellows (also highly active here), the Moose, the Elks, the Lions and the Rotary Club, etc.
I have a Consistory Eagle disc on the trunk of my car, and I think that's sufficient. I'm not sure state-issued plates for Masons are appropriate though I know several states have done this for a while. For far less one can order something like what I have, if one's Scottish Rite, or a Blue Lodge, or two-balled cane, or York Rite insignia without going through the state and often benefiting those masonic bodies or charity. Being the pragmatic New Englander that I am, I prefer keeping that personal and not getting the Grand Lodge or, God forfend, the Secretary of my Lodge involved in government paperwork or worse, just handing such plates out to anyone. Would your BMV/RMV/Sec of State, etc, know to ask for your dues card? Would that be appropriate? I think not.
For many years, my father would not display a Masonic emblem on his car, though recently he has one on his car and on the elderly pickup he uses to lug stuff for the never ending projects on his house and boats. He recently told me that he had rented a piece of heavy equipment from a hardware store which had to be loaded into the bed of his pickup by ramp. He told the fellow at the store that he'd have to have a ramp to get it back off and asked if he could rent one from the store. Having seen the square and compasses on the tailgate as they were loading it, the brother at the hardware store said "just take it. Consider it a Masonic discount". Of course, the ramp came back with the equipment. I got a chuckle out of that.
MaineMason
Registered User
Attend, as the telephone book used to say in the Yellow Pages with the church listings, the church of your choice. Personally, I would be disinclined to belong to a church or a congregation which took any official view on Freemasonry at all. That's just me, personally. I know that can be complicated. Even though my denomination and congregation is teeming with Masons, including widely among the clergy, I tend not to wear my Blue Lodge ring or lapel pins to Church. I do have a Consistory "disc" on my trunk, however. Follow your conscience.So by way of an update, I never did go through with getting these yet. I keep wanting to but haven't because of a concern that I hadn't really crossed my mind initially - church.
I'm a member of a denomination that can sometimes fall on either side of the fence concerning Freemasonry. I've just been concerned that if the wrong person notices it at church, I may be getting myself into a sticky situation. We're fairly new at the church and it's pretty big, so it's a minor concern, but still, I'm worried about people arriving at their own negative conclusions. I did email the pastor anonymously to ask broadly what his thoughts were regarding Freemasonry and he replied "I have not done enough research on freemasonry to the point that I would have a comprehensive opinion. Thanks. Sorry I could not be more help." This sort of made me feel like it would be a non-issue, at least from the pastor's standpoint. I mean, there's a good age range there so there's every chance there are some other masons attending, but I can't exactly ask for a show of hands.
Anyway, just still can't bring myself to pull the trigger yet...
MaineMason
Registered User
Word to the wise: NEVER post your license plate number with all identifying features online!
Illuminatio
Premium Member
I can only speak for Illinois, but here, it is only an extra $25 in addition to the standard fee, and it goes to the Illinois Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children. Also, in order to get them, you have to submit the plate form which includes your lodge information. The Secretary of State's office simply verifies with the Secretary of the Grand Lodge that you are a member in good standing. So they're definitely not just handing them out to anyone. I know there are a couple states though where you don't have to prove anything and can just get them. I would say that I certainly prefer it the way they do it here.
Illuminatio
Premium Member
Sidebar for my own knowledge: I've thought about this before in other instances, but decided it wasn't too big a deal since hundreds of people are seeing it all day long as you pass them on the highway. I suppose anyone with the ability could also look you up based on the info they see on the road, right? What am I missing that makes this more of an issue online?
dfreybur
Premium Member
New church for you? If they have a problem with the plates you dodged a bullet by learning that early on. Move on to the next church down the block. Why give money to an organization that objects to organizations that teach morality and free thought?
If it's been your church since before petitioning I'd rather you decline to petition as a member of a problematic church, but one you're newer at than being a brother I have a different view.
MaineMason
Registered User
Of course it is more of an issue online. If I were to pass you in traffic, I would be unlikely to remember or even notice your registration plate. Online, it could not only be studied, but used for nefarious purposes (by, I would assume, someone who is not a Mason though people who are not can certainly see it here). "Seeing" it on the Interstate or a city or town street is one thing: putting it on the internet is another.
Illuminatio
Premium Member
Well, I just thought I'd stop by the thread I started here and share a final update. Last month I decided to just go for it and ordered the plates. Today they were waiting for me in the mailbox! I still think they're pretty great looking plates. Simple and clean, not too busy. I'll let you all know if I get any Chick tracts left on my windshield now.
