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Post by maat on Jun 19, 2006 23:29:23 GMT
web forums are perhaps a step back into the past where codes and secret words facilitate the meeting of like-minded free-thinking souls who can meet and talk and think without public disclosure - which was the very essence of M initially. Great observation Wayseer! It's a shame we have to do that again isn't it Just the cycle of Life. Inhalation, exhalation. Inhalation, exhalation. What has happened before will happen again only on a higher level the spiral - IMO. Good news is - Masonry that started that way blossomed worldwide before the impulse started to wane. We are at the beginning another impulse - watch it grow before your eyes. Hopefully, if we have learned the lessons of Freemasonry, this phase will survive even longer before it too declines. If I was King (or Court) of the Freemason's I would slip in the back door of the Fora and see what was happening 'out here'. What would they find? A vast number of Freemasons demonstrating their love and loyalty for Freemasonry. Freemasons who are endeavouring, in their own individual ways to help make it thrive and shine even more. Maat
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Post by wayseer on Jun 19, 2006 23:42:34 GMT
In esoteric terms - it seems one of the GREAT CHALLENGES OF THE SOUL as we climb the ladder towards Light is selfish egotistical pride. And the higher up the ladder we are if this happens the greater we fall. So maybe pomp and circumstance has a place in that it tests us against the S...,L...,C... for when we get to the top we discover the ladder is a two sided one - and we need to descend. It is then that the triumphant become really useful and show others the way by resuming their selfless service. The others? Ha Ha - Now I see - It's that bloody ladder. Who put that there? Jacob who? Never heard of him. Let's get rid of the damn thing before someone else gets injured.
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Post by maat on Jun 20, 2006 4:48:58 GMT
In esoteric terms - it seems one of the GREAT CHALLENGES OF THE SOUL as we climb the ladder towards Light is selfish egotistical pride. And the higher up the ladder we are if this happens the greater we fall. So maybe pomp and circumstance has a place in that it tests us against the S...,L...,C... for when we get to the top we discover the ladder is a two sided one - and we need to descend. It is then that the triumphant become really useful and show others the way by resuming their selfless service. The others? Ha Ha - Now I see - It's that bloody ladder. Who put that there? Jacob who? Never heard of him. Let's get rid of the damn thing before someone else gets injured. ;DWhats the matter Wayseer - frightened of heights? ;D Maat
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Post by hollandr on Jun 20, 2006 5:02:03 GMT
Going off happily on a tangent: The ladder is not that of Jacob but that of Horus (Lord of Light - see MM ritual) by which Osiris ascended to heaven
Homage to thee, O divine Ladder! Homage to thee O Ladder of Set! Stand thou upright, O divine Ladder! Stand thou upright, O Ladder of Set! Stand thou upright, O Ladder of Horus, whereby Osiris came forth into heaven. -- Pyramid Texts, Pepi I
And was Osiris called the "god of 3 steps"?
Do I detect an egyptian influence in Masonry?
Cheers
Russell
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Jun 20, 2006 5:19:56 GMT
Going off happily on a tangent: Russell we wouldnt have you any other way .Your tangent to us is a far off place. Dont change now please . And was Osiris called the "god of 3 steps"? And did not Showaddywaddy have a record called Three Steps to Heaven ? ;D Cheers Russell[/quote]
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 20, 2006 5:21:47 GMT
Do I detect an egyptian influence in Masonry?
Indeed there is Bro Russell if people will only open their minds and eyes to see it.
As regard ladders I am reminded of the words of Sir Thomas Moore as he ascended the scaffold to be executed, " Pray assist me to ascend, as for my coming down I shall fetch for myself"
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Post by pastmasterchris on Jun 20, 2006 10:35:46 GMT
So, I don't think members of GL will be a rush to join us - this jurisdiction is not in their control.
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Post by pastmasterchris on Jun 20, 2006 10:57:07 GMT
So, I don't think members of GL will be a rush to join us - this jurisdiction is not in their control. Wayseer - why do you assume that officers in Grand Lodge do not post on the internet or participate in forums. Isn't that a somewhat prejudiced view? I have been a freemason for thirty years, and am now a Grand Officer but I have been posting on masonic forums since the days of the Compuserve masonry forum. I enjoy learning about other GL's and their different interpretations of masonic ritual. In another ten to twenty years time ( well I was always taught to be cautious), I can envisage every freemason being online and we will look back and wonder what the problem was S & F
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Post by corab on Jun 20, 2006 11:03:09 GMT
I think that this topic would become more interesting if members of other Grand Lodges could supply the Internet policies of them, so that we could compare. Just a thought. M I'd thought of that myself, but as far as I'm aware we don't have one - and I'm thankful for it. Cora
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Jun 20, 2006 12:05:56 GMT
Mike,
we haven't any but I think our Board should be notified about the existence of any masonic forum as well as of any outward activity.
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Post by mike on Jun 21, 2006 9:39:41 GMT
we haven't any but I think our Board should be notified about the existence of any masonic forum as well as of any outward activity. I remember writing to the G. Sec of UGLE in 2001 after TFM had become established, explaining that it could become an invaluable tool for communication amongst English Freemasons and that UGLE should take the opportunity of it for getting news out in a fast and efficient manner. Yep that went up like a solid lead balloon M
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Post by wayseer on Jun 21, 2006 10:16:55 GMT
Wayseer - why do you assume that officers in Grand Lodge do not post on the internet or participate in forums. Isn't that a somewhat prejudiced view? Chris - Hello - and it's always good to be proved wrong. ;D Why my position - well, I guess it comes from the thundering silence from above - which is, of course, rather prejudical on my behalf. And I agree with you - I think the web will become another tool in the Mason's toolbox - particularly where recruitment is concerned and I would enjoy the contributions GL members - their contributions would certainly give some authority to some of the more thorny issues that present from time to time.
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Post by taylorsman on Jun 21, 2006 11:38:51 GMT
We were founded as Mike knows, we asked nobody's permission nor approval nor did we notify anyone. Lee picked up the idea and worked with it and here it is. Be they high and mighty or just an interested but unconnected party they can read or sign up and post as they wish.
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jmd
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fourhares.com
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Post by jmd on Jun 22, 2006 1:50:31 GMT
For what it's worth, I personally will continue to support and engage in an open Forum.
Other Forums also exist with sections restricted to members. Perhaps if I was in a more isolated location, I would find that useful as well, but actually find the more open format more to my personal liking.
I cannot recall if it was in this thread or another where a more recent Mason was effectively asked to close the site - I found that quite astounding, and will continue, for myself, to present as I honestly see fit.
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Post by ingo on Jun 22, 2006 11:50:27 GMT
Gio: A jesuit ad in "Playboy" - what a step. They shouild have changed the headlines: "The way how to enjoy sex and the Roman catholic church" ;D wayseer: Thats right. Maybe we should bring the GOs of every GL of the world here to defend their principles of masonic intervisitation....
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Jun 22, 2006 17:43:13 GMT
Gio: A jesuit ad in "Playboy" - what a step. They shouild have changed the headlines: "The way how to enjoy sex and the Roman catholic church" ;D ; Sshhh, it's their secret...
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