What is a Knife and fork Mason?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “free mason knife“
About Piper
Written by: Piper
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What is a Knife and fork Mason?
You can check the answer of the people under the question at Quora “free mason knife“
About Piper
My favorite working tools are the knife and fork. Most people forget that modern Freemasonry, was established in a tavern. The Goose and Gridiron tavern in London. The tavern served good food, and libations.
Personally, I wish that we could bring back alcoholic beverages into our lodges. I have been to “table lodges” where the toasts are made with NeHi grape soda. We are all grown men, over the age of majority. I have attended lodges in foreign lands, where alcohol is served.
We need to grow up.
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A “knife and fork” Mason is a derogatory term for a Mason who only shows up for dinner, particularly if it is a free dinner. I have heard the term “belly Mason” used in the same way.
In the days when my lodge had more money it did throw dinners at no charge – that is the LODGE footed the bill – and we had a regular pack who would show up just to eat. Often they would not even have the courtesy to stay on or even show any interest in the presentation – just eat and leave! And take leftovers!
The “free” dinners are a rarity now, there is almost always a “suggested donation” if not a ticketed reservation to eat.
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I love the “Knife and fork” term, and most don’t find it derogatory at all.
We have many brethren that visit Dining Lodges, who I am confident have not had an evening meal at home in 20 years.
This is not a problem, as all Lodges need the support of the Brethren in the District, Province, or area. Feeding them is the least we can do, as hospitality is a measure of a good Lodge and Lodge culture .
About Dining Lodges
Not all Lodges are classified as Dining Lodges, and the putting on of refreshments, or 3-course meals – are up to the Lodge to decide.
It is normally written into the by-laws and attracts new members accordingly. Dining is also indicated on summons and invited guests are informed accordingly.
Most brethren make appropriate arrangements based on the summons received, as it alerts them assist with work, or just join for a working.
How a Dining Lodge Operates
In cases of Dining Lodges, it depends on the mentality and financial prowess of Lodges if they are in a position to:
sponsor for the Afterboard
have members pay a small fee, while visitors dine for free
ask a flat fee to all who wish to dine at the Afterboard
Most of the 5 x lodges I belong to, do not charge a cent for food or drinks. With the same going for the other orders I am a member of.
In stark contrast to the Lodges not in our area (out of our city limits, one city over), whom we join regularly (50+ lodges) who charge for everything.
Conclusion
I appreciate brethren travelling from other Lodges to visit, and I think it is a wonderful thing. Dining Lodges should always be hospitable in the least.
Nothing affronts brethren like being invited to take the chair or an office, and then have the Lodge charging them without notice when they set their feet in the door.
We keep quiet, politely do the work, and pay for our supper. But we detest the practice. It is just bad taste and speaks a lot about the Master, and senior brethren that form part of the administration.
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I think it is rather unkind to use this term, certainly in the UK where we meet first and then have dinner.
We pay for our food here, so there is no ‘freeloading’, and we view eating together as an important social part of Freemasonry.
Some of the more mature members, having seen a ceremony countless times might decide to sit it out in the Bar and chat, lets not forget this could be the only bit of social interaction they get, when followed by Dinner, also perhaps the only decent meal they get.
There is more to Freemasonry than the Ceremonies.
Those using the term ‘Knife and Fork Mason’ as an insult need to look at themselves.
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A Knife and Fork Mason is a member who basically only shows up at function where there is food or beverages. You will rarely see them at degree work, a charitable function, or anything unrelated to fun and frolic.
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Q: What is a Knife and fork Mason?
It is a common term within the Masonic community to describe a man who is a Mason because he enjoys the social camaraderie of other Masons but is not at all bothered about the higher ideals of character building that is the stated aims of Freemasonry.
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A knife and fork Mason is a Mason who only attends Masonic functions where food is being served. They are also known as Belly Masons.
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In my experience, and in having participated in the “Knife and Fork degree”, this tends to be those Brothers who view Freemasonry as a social club, the fellowship and food more important to them than the actual work of Freemasonry. And that is okay, they still pay dues and support the Lodge.
Recently I heard about a local lodge meeting with about 60 Brothers there eating dinner before the meeting, yet only 39 in the meeting itself.
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We use the term to describe a brother who turns up too late to attend the meeting but miraculously just in time for the festive board ie dinner).
It rarely happens but when it does we make a particular point of everyone standing and drinking their health.
They don’t usually do it twice!
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He’s a Freemason in good standing who almost never attends regular Lodge meetings, but he never misses a Festive board, a Masonic dinner party held twice a year.
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Usually, its called the Knife and Fork degree. It happens right before the meeting in the lodge dining room just about every meeting when all the brothers come together to eat. It’s just something somebody came up with to honor Masons that cooks and feeds the craft. Its nothing official about it, just food and fellowship.
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I prefer the term “Fellowship Mason”!
These are the guys who join Freemasonry not to seek for ever deeper and convoluted meanings within the Ceremonies or to discuss the history of Freemasonry around the World but who join to enlarge their circle of friends and acquaintances.
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A Mason who rarely participates in any Masonic activities other than those involving a meal. He may not come to the activity but only come in for dinner. Generally, he is not highly respected in the Craft.
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