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Post by corab on Oct 4, 2007 7:22:08 GMT
This I will break my "radio silence" for ... I voted to remove it completely, moving topics appropriately.
Co-freemasonry is part of, not separate from freemasonry -- it doesn't need its own niche.
We did this on NOS -- we dissolved the co-masonry board into the main body of the forum. Serious and genuine discussion of topics relating to co-masonry (and feminine masonry, for that matter) has not diminished -- only the back biting, the flaming, the baiting has dwindled. And that, my friends and Brethren, can only be a good thing.
Co-masons are masons. Period. We have no need for special treatment.
S&F,
Cora
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Post by naphesh on Oct 4, 2007 11:08:04 GMT
Dear all
We are all brethren, in our obligations we vow we will do anything to ease the pain of other brethren that not being detrimental to ourselves or connections.
You may all think I am going over the top here but to put it simply, the Co-Masonic Board is causing distress to one of our brethren, who has eloquently stated her reasons.
For myself, I see good points to keep it, but none that would encourage me to keep it against the will and obvious discomfort of a Brother.
I have voted to close it. However I would like to keep the threads in one place to be able to look back on in the future.
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Post by waynecowley on Oct 4, 2007 12:08:54 GMT
Thank you for breaking cover Cora - I had intended waiting until after your raising so that I could take your views into account having already heard from Karen and Steve
My vote is now cast to amalgamate the threads nto the general area
Wayne
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Post by leonardo on Oct 4, 2007 12:40:42 GMT
I have waited until now to cast my vote simply because I was thorn between what to do.
On the one hand the Co-Mason area has been very helpful for me in the sense it allowed me to learn more about CFM and come to the decision to petition LDH for membership.
But even so I can also appreciate where Karen is coming from.
Mike from TFM made a very valid point in my view when he alluded to the fact that we have enough CFM members on this forum for there to be no need for such a place.
Anyway, after careful consideration I voted for Remove it completely, moving topics appropriately
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Post by gipsyrose on Oct 4, 2007 13:27:09 GMT
I am going to spend some time thinking about this as right now I am undecided. For me the co-masonic section of this forum and at thefreemason.com forum (along with the HFAF website) were the places which were primary in finding my home in freemasonry. They were a place where as someone who knew no freemasons, let alone women who were freemasons, I could tentatively speak about my desire as a woman to become a freemason. What was even more amazing for me was that I felt so welcomed when I did. I'm not sure that in the initial stages of this journey I would have felt confident to post on the general masonic forums as they seemed like a land where I didn't belong. I know that is not actually true, but masonry traditions can seem a bit daunting for those who have not had any previous exposure. There is a whole language and culture to learn about which takes some time.
I have watched many spirited discussion threads about the place of women in freemasonry, from which I have learned much, both about my craft, and about helpful ways of communicating. My approach has been to listen with care, without making assumptions or taking things personally, and to gently and occasionally put forward my thoughts, while understanding that humour and irony can easily be misinterpreted between people from different countries.
At the moment what I would like is for any discussion in the co-freemasonry section that becomes "inflamed" to be immediately transferred to the general discussion section, so that the co-masonry section remains clear of these potentially distressing types of discussions, while at the same time still providing a section where those who feel they want to have a specific focus on co-masonry can avail themselves of it.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 4, 2007 13:52:05 GMT
Bro Gipsyrose, that sounds like a good compromise. Indeed I suggest a further modification which is an adaptation of one on a Non-Masonic I sometimes post to.
Instead of moving any "heated" posts to the General Section where they will just inflame that section instead, they set up a "Sin Bin" to which such posts were transferred and the posters thereon left to slog it out. This section had a separate password to access, obtained from the Mods, and a clear warning that it contained "Robust" postings which some might find offensive. This worked very well , allowing those with strongly held views to express them freely and get it off their chest whilst the other sections were free of such heated exchanges.
Just a suggestion.
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Post by penfold on Oct 4, 2007 14:36:35 GMT
Interesting stuff from all contributors so far, the poll will continue to run until the date initally mentioned by MP, and no decisions will be made until after that date.
Please keep the feedback coming, nothing worse than operating in a vacuum
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jmd
Member
fourhares.com
Posts: 1,081
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Post by jmd on Oct 5, 2007 0:25:39 GMT
I wonder, Bro Gipsyrose, if there was a section currently headed "New to Freemasonry [subtitle:] For those thinking of becoming a Freemason", by being reworded "Thinking of Becoming a Freemason? [subtitle:] for Men and Women considering joining the Craft" would be a more explicit invitation that also meets the points you raise?
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Post by maat on Oct 5, 2007 0:41:14 GMT
Excellent suggestion Gypsy and jmd! (...must be something in the Melbourne water )
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Post by penfold on Oct 5, 2007 6:58:56 GMT
I concur, very good suggestions.
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Post by leonardo on Oct 5, 2007 7:13:10 GMT
I wonder, Bro Gipsyrose, if there was a section currently headed "New to Freemasonry [subtitle:] For those thinking of becoming a Freemason", by being reworded "Thinking of Becoming a Freemason? [subtitle:] for Men and Women considering joining the Craft" would be a more explicit invitation that also meets the points you raise? An excellent suggestion.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 5, 2007 10:44:46 GMT
Ok folks, you win.
Having given this matter a lot of thought and, after discussion with a Brother who's opinion and judgement I value, I make the following suggestion. Close the Co-Masonic section but on a trial basis, say for 6 months. Then note the following over that period.
1 Do people still post about Co-Masonry to the General Section or have postings on this topic died the death? This would test Bro Bill's observation.
2 Has the nature of postings, on Co-Masonry or any other contentious subject, become less heated than occurred when there was a separate Co-Masonic Section?
Based on such findings a decision could then be made whether to re-instate the Co-Masonic Board or not.
There folks, it IS possible to get me to change my stance if I can see some logic in the alternative.
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Post by Siontific on Oct 5, 2007 12:07:21 GMT
I don't find the voting options clear or wide enough and do not think they represent the discussions going on here. Therefore I will not vote. However, the choice is quite simple really. Either there is one thread for all postings to do with Freemasonry. We are all Freemasons regardless of how we follow it. Or, you split everything in to sub-groups. Where are the EA, FC and MM boards? The WM and PM boards? How far can we go? I am not adverse to seeing different sub-groups but they need to reflect the amount of interest. So if there are enough Co-Masons who want to talk specifically about Co-Masonry, then why not a separate board. IF, in the General board, a specific group comes to light, create one for them to post specifically. It still should not stop anyone posting on the General board. No simple answer there, just a question of what format everyone wants to see and the level of interest for any specific sub-group.
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Post by billmcelligott on Oct 5, 2007 12:36:07 GMT
I really admire that laudadale my total respect.
It should be possible to leave Co Masonry as a read only forum. which would alow it to be turned back on again. If you decided that is what you wanted.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 5, 2007 14:43:40 GMT
Now that sounds like an ideal compromise to me, see we agree again!
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Post by leonardo on Oct 5, 2007 15:07:56 GMT
Ok folks, you win. Having given this matter a lot of thought and, after discussion with a Brother who's opinion and judgement I value, I make the following suggestion. Close the Co-Masonic section but on a trial basis, say for 6 months. Then note the following over that period. 1 Do people still post about Co-Masonry to the General Section or have postings on this topic died the death? This would test Bro Bill's observation. 2 Has the nature of postings, on Co-Masonry or any other contentious subject, become less heated than occurred when there was a separate Co-Masonic Section? Based on such findings a decision could then be made whether to re-instate the Co-Masonic Board or not. There folks, it IS possible to get me to change my stance if I can see some logic in the alternative. Nice one, Steve. I too came to appreciate the merit of Karen's position after much thought and consideration, not to mention reading the views of others. A closed mind received no (additional) light.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 5, 2007 17:09:39 GMT
Sorry Leo, you've got the wrong person I'm afraid. My change of stance on this matter had absolutely nothing to do wth Karen whatsoever!
I communicated with another Brother, one who's opinion and judgement I particuarly value ,and weighing up their observations I decided that there might be merit after all in closing that section, even if for a trial period, and evaluating the outcome after a few months.
That's it. I'm still not 100% convinced but as my "Opposite Number" Bro Bill seems to agree then why not try it for say 6 months?
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Post by leonardo on Oct 5, 2007 17:32:54 GMT
Sorry Steve, I didn't mean to imply it was Karen herself who allowed you to reevaluate your thinking on this, just that as she is the one who initially got us all talking about this I used her name.
As I said earlier it was also after reading the views of others that I too came to see more clearly where Karen is coming from.
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Post by lauderdale on Oct 5, 2007 19:00:48 GMT
No offence taken I assure you Leo.
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Post by leonardo on Oct 6, 2007 8:11:13 GMT
That's good to know Steve as I hear cats have sharp claws
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