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Post by roberthlamar on Jan 11, 2005 0:57:17 GMT
Assuming that all of us here in this Forum have a basic interest in the Craft and all have something to say about it.
I ask how many of you have ever read the Old Charges, even just one the Texts, and how many of you does actually know what the Old Charges are.
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Post by kizzy on Jan 11, 2005 8:35:21 GMT
Have read them but feel that time has marched on for centuries since so Modern Freemasonry must consider them as advisory and historical and not in any way mandatory.
I cannot see many men wanting to be bound to a celibate lifestyle while an Apprentice and until the are Freed from their Bonds. Again some of these Charges ban "Cripples", NOT an attitude that would go down well these days and I personally know many disabled Freemasons.
Let us look to them as a Historical part of Freemasonry, but that is about it.
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Post by hollandr on Jan 13, 2005 1:35:58 GMT
Robert
There is an interesting choice in improving Masonry (assuming of course that it can be improved.) One is investigating what our ancient brethren did - in case they knew better than we.
The other is using a spiritual science (presumably Masonry considers itself to have some aspects of science) to investigate what works and what can be improved.
Now in some cases the ancient brethren certainly did know better. An example of that is found on web link you gave to the Ancient and Primitive Rite. There you will see a beehive surrounded by 7 stars. This is a quite correct image that has been lost by modern Masonry. The site also shows 2 sets of 9 stars. These are quite beyond my understanding at present. (Any suggestions?)
On the other hand the human race is proceeding rapidly in spirituality and arguably the Plan of TGAOTU is unfolding or even changing too. So I have difficulty supporting the proposition that the rear view mirror is the only way forward. Not suggesting that you are saying that. But that would be the extreme position there. And I have found many brethren who take that line - the best we can do is copy the previous generation and hope to slow the progressive loss of meaning and secrets.
Cheers
Russell
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Post by taylorsman on Jan 13, 2005 6:36:13 GMT
Russell, the Beehive may not be so apparent in Craft Freemasonry, at least as practiced under UGLE , but is present in the "boss" on the Officers', PM's, etc collars, a little bit of hidden symbolism.
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