vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jun 30, 2009 10:20:22 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back
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Doc
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In vino veritas
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Post by Doc on Jun 30, 2009 11:03:25 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back As do I. I suppose that you, Bill and I are the only one's who see it. This is the "New Tolerance," in which dissenting viewpoints are shouted down and demonized with cries of "racism."
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Post by leonardo on Jun 30, 2009 11:39:33 GMT
There is a certain sadness that some members of this forum seem to have nothing better to do than run it down.
They seem to forget that this place was set up so that members from all areas of Freemasonry would have a place to discuss topics of mutual interest, and because we enforce guidelines that ensure this happens some do not like it, preferring instead to just get their own way as if MFOL is somehow their particular playground.
I am amazed that some members who claim not to like it here still visit, and one must questions their motives. I personally would not remain a member of a forum that did not live up to my ideal.
I suggest instead of moaning and groaning they either leave or go where they feel more comfortable, or stay and try becoming more involved, more helpful towards fellow members and not just those they agree with.
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Post by leonardo on Jun 30, 2009 11:54:50 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back As do I. I suppose that you, Bill and I are the only one's who see it. This is the "New Tolerance," in which dissenting viewpoints are shouted down and demonized with cries of "racism." "New tolerance" MFOL, I am pleased to say, has, unlike some forums I could mention, always been welcoming of Masons from every part of the Masonic world. In fact, it is the reason it was set up. You say you miss the old ways. Really? I can't understand what you mean as your profile tells us you only joined a few weeks back.
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vtmason
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Posts: 251
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Post by vtmason on Jun 30, 2009 15:06:53 GMT
There is a certain sadness that some members of this forum seem to have nothing better to do than run it down. They seem to forget that this place was set up so that members from all areas of Freemasonry would have a place to discuss topics of mutual interest, and because we enforce guidelines that ensure this happens some do not like it, preferring instead to just get their own way as if MFOL is somehow their particular playground. I am amazed that some members who claim not to like it here still visit, and one must questions their motives. I personally would not remain a member of a forum that did not live up to my ideal. I suggest instead of moaning and groaning they either leave or go where they feel more comfortable, or stay and try becoming more involved, more helpful towards fellow members and not just those they agree with. Coming from the guy with his finger on the button means nothing to me. It's easy to say if you don't like it leave. It looks like many have.
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vtmason
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Posts: 251
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Post by vtmason on Jun 30, 2009 15:08:07 GMT
As an aside note, I post very little any more but read every day.
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Post by magusmasonica on Jun 30, 2009 16:00:45 GMT
The "old board" means the one without me. Why be so back handed and directly steer your comments towards me as I am who they are intended for anyway.
I was invited back, what did you guys think I would do, not participate?
Like Bro.Leo has stated, there are plenty of Orthodox boards where you won't have to deal with me, hell there are others where you don't have to deal with me either. Go there (most of you are already there) have a great time, no me, no mess. What is all the crying about?
BTW: I was a member of the "old board" seeing how I joined here in 2007 ;D
Get over it already, acknowledge and move on.
Love and Light,
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Post by billmcelligott on Jun 30, 2009 17:28:52 GMT
Absolutely nothing to do with you Brad.
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vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jun 30, 2009 18:24:15 GMT
The "old board" means the one without me. Why be so back handed and directly steer your comments towards me as I am who they are intended for anyway. I was invited back, what did you guys think I would do, not participate? Like Bro.Leo has stated, there are plenty of Orthodox boards where you won't have to deal with me, hell there are others where you don't have to deal with me either. Go there (most of you are already there) have a great time, no me, no mess. What is all the crying about? BTW: I was a member of the "old board" seeing how I joined here in 2007 ;D Get over it already, acknowledge and move on. Love and Light, I didn't have you in mind either. I have rather enjoyed the different personalities and user names you have brought along. I deal with you when I have an itch to. Other than that I don't even think about you. No offense, I just am a very busy person. There used to be SEVERAL great thinkers that frequented here and some very open minded conversations took place. Now the only place I seem to see these people is on Facebook. I could care less about much of the things that go on here, but the whole "if you don't like it, leave" attitude, is NOT what this board was about.
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Post by middlepillar on Jun 30, 2009 19:28:27 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back VT Mason Yes there is lots about this boards life in the 'early' years that I miss also. I miss; Staffs constant particpation, I miss Lauderdales constant participation, I also miss Ruff Ashlar, Russell Holland and many more. I would love them all back, all of thier insights along with all of us is what makde that board However as in life Forums develop and take on thier own peculiarties and MFoL is no different. I feel MFoL can hold its head up alongside all the other 'main' Forums, and feel it has provided something for everyone. I also dislike the use of the term 'if you dont like it you know what you can do' however it sometimes comes to a point that some members do directly challenge the moderators decisions on a constant non stop basis. I believe we should all be sensible and draw a lione under any discussion and move on, then people just do not want to let go. As a Mod I receive PMs stating so and so is guilty of this ot that somewhere in the World, we should not allow them to be member! Now we have a situation where magus has answered this topic saying you are talking about him so why not be open about it! This has been countered by Bill and your reply! So we must take your word for it and presume you are wishing after the 'old days' of the board. This I do happily. Now I feel we should all try to draw a line under everything that has been written and move on, I accept that there will be some who feel they do not want to belong here anymore, I feel sorry that you feel like this but you will be welcomed back anytime. If people feel the Forum has gone to rack and ruin I am genuinely sorry that you do. I will however never lay the blame at one person, it always takes two and no matter how right one person is there is always rroom for disagreement. This Forum is more important than any individual, however one man owns this Forum, if people do not like the way it is run, perhaps they should go direct to him. Nothing would make me happier than to have meaningful masonic discussions, that is all discussions relating to all aspects of Freemasonry with all members participating, that is after all what any Forum is about. If someone is participating in a discussion and you do not like that person ignore them or start another thread! I learnt to do that a few years ago and I have never regretted it
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Post by corab on Jun 30, 2009 22:26:20 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back What do you think you can do to facilitate that ..? Not being funny, but just expressing the wish is not going to make it happen, especially not when it is taken as yet another fire to pour fuel onto. It doesn't do for us to stand back and point the finger of blame. Forums are communities, and in true communities, all should take responsibility not only for their own thoughts, words and actions (and lack thereof), but also for the the whole of the community.
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vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jul 1, 2009 1:20:29 GMT
I actually miss the group dynamics of the old board. I wish it would come back What do you think you can do to facilitate that ..? Not being funny, but just expressing the wish is not going to make it happen, especially not when it is taken as yet another fire to pour fuel onto. It doesn't do for us to stand back and point the finger of blame. Forums are communities, and in true communities, all should take responsibility not only for their own thoughts, words and actions (and lack thereof), but also for the the whole of the community. Sadly I'm not equipped to facilitate a change on a board like this one. Time stops me as much as anything, but I honestly do miss the dynamics of this board. There just seems to be a great deal of negative energy flowing around. I catch myself getting caught up in it, but have gotten much better at redirecting my energy back into a positive flow. After doing this for my family, my 75 employees, and the lodges that I am responsible to I have none left for masonic discussion forums, especially ones that are fully against the Freemasonry that I represent. I don't mean to start any new fires, but do get a little nostalgic at times.
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Post by hollandr on Jul 1, 2009 2:56:45 GMT
I found that there was too much antagonism in the discussions and not enough willingness to explore. So eventually there was not much value for me
I think this was largely due to the absence of direct experience of metaphysical matters. In the absence of experience (and experiment) the brethren depend upon logic and received wisdom. After a year or 2 of recycling received wisdom there may be a lack of new material and a noticeable repetition of previous discussions
My conclusion therefore is that brethren who are not experientially esoteric are inclined to run out of interesting discussion after a couple of years. And that is my observation of various fora.
Still I value this board and hope for a renewal
In the meantime I am pursuing experiential observations of multiple time paths and the practical application of the working tools for peer-reproducible moral measurements. Maat is cooperating in the latter.
Cheers
Russell
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Post by maat on Jul 1, 2009 3:13:07 GMT
And after 4895 posts from me I figured you all deserved a holiday... ;D
It's good to experience change ... makes us realise, or discover, where we stand..
Maat
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Post by leonardo on Jul 1, 2009 7:37:06 GMT
Errol said:
....and the lodges that I am responsible to I have none left for masonic discussion forums, especially ones that are fully against the Freemasonry that I represent
I am not sure what forums are “fully against” your form of Freemasonry but I do know that MFOL is inclusive and available to all branches of the Craft.
Just because MFOL does not bow down to any one GL does not mean it is against any type of Masonry. It was set up specifically as a platform for all members of the Craft, and not just those brothers who feel their brand of Masonry to be superior, here on MFOL all are treated equally, unless they decide to ignore our rules and guidelines that is.
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vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jul 1, 2009 8:24:26 GMT
Errol said: ....and the lodges that I am responsible to I have none left for masonic discussion forums, especially ones that are fully against the Freemasonry that I representI am not sure what forums are “fully against” your form of Freemasonry but I do know that MFOL is inclusive and available to all branches of the Craft. Just because MFOL does not bow down to any one GL does not mean it is against any type of Masonry. It was set up specifically as a platform for all members of the Craft, and not just those brothers who feel their brand of Masonry to be superior, here on MFOL all are treated equally, unless they decide to ignore our rules and guidelines that is. You write this specifically, but the collective of your post suggests differently
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Post by leonardo on Jul 1, 2009 9:16:07 GMT
Errol said: ....and the lodges that I am responsible to I have none left for masonic discussion forums, especially ones that are fully against the Freemasonry that I representI am not sure what forums are “fully against” your form of Freemasonry but I do know that MFOL is inclusive and available to all branches of the Craft. Just because MFOL does not bow down to any one GL does not mean it is against any type of Masonry. It was set up specifically as a platform for all members of the Craft, and not just those brothers who feel their brand of Masonry to be superior, here on MFOL all are treated equally, unless they decide to ignore our rules and guidelines that is. You write this specifically, but the collective of your post suggests differently I'll be more specific: do you include MFOL in your "fully against" comments?
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vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jul 1, 2009 12:01:51 GMT
You write this specifically, but the collective of your post suggests differently I'll be more specific: do you include MFOL in your "fully against" comments? It didn't use to. Thats what I miss. My feeling is that the new leadership seems to be heading that way. I'm not alone in this feeling it seems either.I don't know if you cats can look at private messages, but if you can, check mine. I didn't realize how big the silent majority was here. Look I'm not interested in being a problem. My perception though is that some of the attitudes and behaviors exhibited by the leadership of the board don't fit the billing of what I am led to believe it is about. When I bring this up I am told if I don't like it leave? I'm not going to comment further as I feel like I've spent too much time on it already. I do apologize for any problems caused. I'm not going to delete my account and leave, though I will slip back into the shadows.
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Post by leonardo on Jul 1, 2009 12:58:50 GMT
No, Errol, unlike some forums we do not have the ability to read private messages and if you are a member of a forum where private and confidential PMs are read by the admin then I suggest you leave. Such practices are unethical.
You say “new leadership” to whom are you referring exactly, many of us have been here for years.
We have four Male Craft Masons and three Co – Masons, a pretty balanced bunch. In fact, the forum owner, Lee, is also Male Craft (UGLE)
MFOL prides itself on being a place for all members of the Craft but if some feel aggrieved then we’d like to know why. Now, if these grievances are brought on by themselves that’s an entirely different matter.
All are welcome, but they should keep in mind that just because they might be from a GL that has more members they get no more leeway than anyone else. And as long as they behave in a respectful manner towards all other members, including the staff, they will remain welcome.
You, for example post in a balanced, respectful way, which is appreciated.
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vtmason
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Post by vtmason on Jul 1, 2009 13:45:08 GMT
At the end of the day, all we really have is our integrity. That is the most important lesson the Masonry has taught me. If I were any different I would hope I would be told by a well informed brother
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