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Post by windtimber on Jun 1, 2007 1:03:35 GMT
In our jurisdiction a felony conviction disqualifies a candidate and has resulted in Masoinic charges against a raised brother ending in expulsion. I'm not certain where an exceptional pardon or restoration to civil rights after completion of felony sentence fits into the scheme of things.
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Post by windtimber on May 24, 2007 0:06:48 GMT
Hi Devoutfreemason - A good question that deserves discussion - without long bickering - I do not think that there is such a thing as Traditional Freemasonry - Freemasonry constantly evolves... Well put, but...perhaps Freemasonry does not constantly evolve so much as the practice of Freemasonry evolves. The fundamentals and the underpinning moral lessons and universal truths remain the same. Some lodges can communicate those fundamentals, and have wide ranging discussion on their effect on the individual and society, through ritual done outdoors at Rowen's Gulch dressed in bluejeans, boots, and western hats. Others prefer formal wear, a nicely appointed lodge room in the heart of the city. Regardless of garb, we all wear the badge of innocence and emblem of a Mason. Some maintain low dues to encourage the participation of a broad spectrum of eager young learners. Others prefer an older, potentially more affluent and mature group. Young or old, rich or poor, we're similarly obligated and bound by a chain of fraternal affection. The key is the universality of the lessons. That is "traditional observance" to me - an unbroken chain of learning through the ages.
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Post by windtimber on May 6, 2007 1:18:24 GMT
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Post by windtimber on May 3, 2007 23:25:30 GMT
Realizing I'm in the U.S. and the issue and petition relate to the U.K., what's the big deal? Why DON'T people "reveal" their Masonic membership? I wear a Blue Lodge ring, have a variety of Masonic lapel pins scattered among various suits and jackets, and have Masonic emblems on my automobile. I also serve as a part-time criminal prosecutor and have, unfortunately, had to take cases involving Mason/defendants to trial and conviction. I don't recall anything in any obligations or landmarks that would keep from doing my duty as an officer of the court. I certainly don't like the idea of my brothers getting in trouble...I certainly will give a brother due warning if he's heading into trouble...but where in our Craft is there any expectation that one brother would ever give another a "free pass" in the justice system? If anything, I fear we might be harder on a brother Mason than we would on a "profane." After all, a Brother should know better, shouldn't he?
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Post by windtimber on Apr 4, 2007 0:56:51 GMT
Any idea on the percentage of American Master Masons who join the York Rite opposed to those who join the Scottish Rite? Couldn't hazard a guess...locally our Scottish Rite is more active than our York Rite. That's largely a function of a number of our loyal and longtime YR brothers being called from labor below to refreshment above. Also, the YR operates as local organizations, each doing its own work, individually and independently. The SR has semi-annual reunions with Brothers from many local lodges gathering to do the work as a cooperative undertaking. That model may be working a bit better these days. There is some discussion in this jurisdiction's local YR bodies to move to the "reunion concept." It's being done on an ad hoc basis in that fashion here and there and seems to be working. Time will tell...
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Post by windtimber on Apr 1, 2007 0:41:40 GMT
Congratulations! Great to see more US York Rite Masons. I'm active in the AASR and have served in our Chapter, Council, and Commandry grand lines from time to time and know from great experiences that both organizations are outstanding. Welcome!
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Post by windtimber on Feb 12, 2007 4:29:43 GMT
Here here! I heartily agree! I just returned from the Midwest Shrine Association Midwinter Meeting in Madison, WI, USA. We heard an amazing presentation on the cooperative venture of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Shriners Hospitals for Children unsing embryonic stem cell lines for spinal cord nerve regeneration - Masons and Shriners moving forward on the cutting edge of medical care!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 6, 2007 14:53:08 GMT
There's been an annual "low vale" outdoor lodge on a summer afternoon at Rowen's Gulch near Wessington, SD, USA for as long as I can remember. Quite often the MM degree has been conferred there. Also, a lodge opens in mid-August each year at a remote promontory - Kodak Point I believe it's called - overlooking the SD Badlands. Looking out across the western expanses can't help but remind us all of the great work of the GAOU.
A particularly memorable experience was when, some years ago, I travelled east to help raise my brother-in-law along the banks of the Red Cedar River in Wisconson. It was late spring. As evening fell we stopped at an appointed location and followed a winding footpath down through the woods. Coming to the "lodge" was an experience I'll never forget - the water on one side reflecting the rising moon and lights from the lodge fire; tall, overarching trees to the E, W, and S; lanterns in lieu of burning tapers; firepits in the east and west providing muted illumination; brothers along the sidelines on stumps, logs, and rickety old chairs. The whole proceeding had an air of profound, ancient and continuing mystery and certainly put me in mind of our ancient brothers, having to meet in remote low vales or high hills to safeguard their wisdom, if not also their lives.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 6, 2007 15:17:47 GMT
Does anyone know what species of cedar comprised the cedar forests of Lebanon? Seems that would be somewhat appropriate...
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Post by windtimber on Dec 24, 2006 21:05:11 GMT
Sorry to expose my ignorance, but what the heck is a "chain" anyway? Another one of those UK/USA dialect problems, maybe? Ahhhh..."chains"...known in these parts simply as the "collar and jewel."
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Post by windtimber on Dec 23, 2006 13:40:46 GMT
Sorry to expose my ignorance, but what the heck is a "chain" anyway? Another one of those UK/USA dialect problems, maybe?
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Post by windtimber on Dec 16, 2006 15:44:58 GMT
...In Scotland and the USA Freemasonry is far more open and has a far wider socio-economic base and is not considered "elitist" nor as a special self-interest group... There is a disconnect between Freemasonry and the local communities from which the membership is drawn, especially here in England. Perhaps as a start they should wind up the Big Masonic Charities and instead encourage Lodges to donate time and talents as well as money in their local areas, and to be seen to be involved in their Communities rather than be perceived as being aloof and thus considered with suspicion. ... Points well made, I believe. Sorry if I'm belaboring the US/UK differences - and as always speaking only from the perspective of my lodge out on the prairie - but as far as "elitism" goes our membership is very diverse. There are business men, professional people, tradesmen and craftsmen. The roster of officers is a good example of the wide cross-section of our membership. We have a business equipment salesman, a truck driver, a restauranteur, a heavy equipment operator, a retired property manager, a butcher, a jailer, a farmer, a dental surgeon, a school teacher, a lawyer, and blacksmith/iron-worker in our elected and appointed positions. We don't look at what someone does for a living or where they reside or their income - if they petition for degrees, demonstrate good character and a belief in a supreme being, and can pay the dues without burdening themselves or their families, that's all that matters. As far as a disconnection between the local communities and the lodge is concerned that is an EXCELLENT point. I've been to several regional and national conferences for various Masonic bodies and inevitably and invariably the subject of public awareness ALWAYS comes up. We support our own charities with significant donations. We now also fund and operate programs on a statewide Grand Lodge basis designed for the community at large - e.g. the Masonic Model Student Assistance Training Program and the Children's Identification Program. Local Lodges are encouraged to undertake local outreach programs as well. In our town we sponsor a free Christmas dinner - anybody - Mason or not - who wants to come to the Masonic Temple on Christmas Day is welcome. We get about 350 to 400 folks who come largely so they are not home alone on a holiday. Brothers and their families prepare and serve the meals. It is a wonderful, heartwarming [And successful PR.] event. In a small town nearby the Masonic Lodge has cooperated with a local church for years to sponsor a "baked potato dinner" every fall and raises thousands for a community scholarship fund. The result? People know who Masons are and realize that in the process of building ourselves we understand that we can not individually grow without a healthy and thriving community. Add the wealth of information - both accurate and just plain goofy - available at Borders or Barnes & Noble and people are discovering that we've had something good and valuable for eons. Many want to become part of that great history and opportunity! As Freemasons we are searching for more light. Isn't it time to take that light out from under the bushel basket?
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Post by windtimber on Dec 15, 2006 0:30:40 GMT
Yes but were we always so mistrusted and why does it seem more accepted in the USA? The 1776 Revolution [or Rebellion for my UK brothers] and the establishment of the USA has been described by some as "a great Masonic experiment." Perhaps that accounts for differing attitudes - Washington, Franklin, etc. lend historical background to US masonry. Now, we have plenty of critics as well - primarily conspiracy buffs, ultra-conservative religious fundamentalists, the old "Anti-Mason" political party, and assorted crackpots - but by and large I think Freemasonry is seen in a pretty good light. Also, since the "Morgan Affair" in the early 19th Century and a strong "anti-mason" political movement thereafter, US Freemasonry has steered clear of politics. There are many politicians who are Freemasons, but that that is not a major issue anymore. By common consensus - or maybe rules and bylaws, I'm not sure which - politics are simply not discussed in our lodges. That might have something to do with it as well...
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Post by windtimber on Dec 12, 2006 3:27:34 GMT
Because you wear funny clothes... Funny clothes? No, it's the hats...and because we accept people as they are, insisting only on a few immutable universal principals and letting each search for their own answers. What an outrageous idea!
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Post by windtimber on Dec 2, 2006 14:24:38 GMT
The two are not mutually exclusive, at least in my part of the USA. I belong to both AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, and the York Rite, having in the past served in the line of our state's Grand York Rite bodies. Our York Rite work does not require Christian obligations until the final portions of the Order of the Temple. We understand that brethren of other faiths will not, at that point, find continuing on acceptable. That is not a problem. Our AASR work includes philosophical lessons from many faiths. I know that some of my Scottish Rite brethren are Jewish, some Christian, some are Deists, and I have no idea what faith most practice. We are bound by ties of fraternal brotherhood and a belief in a supreme being. Beyond that, there is little if any inquiry - that being a matter of individual faith, spirtuality, and understanding.
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Post by windtimber on Mar 5, 2008 17:00:15 GMT
IMHO I believe that the Shrine should go thier own way as they are thier own thing. I do not see how "Mirth Is King" can be compadable with Masonic morality. Oh, come on now. I think it was Garrison Keillor who told the story, in one of his annual Prairie Home Companion joke shows, of Moses coming down the mountain, slipping, dropping one of the tablets, and the 11th Commandment "Though shalt not laugh" being broken off...
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Post by windtimber on Feb 21, 2008 15:55:16 GMT
Membership in the Shrine is not for everyone. However, you can support the hospitals through personal donations if you so desire. You can even donate directly to the hospital of your choice or donate to the temple nearest you and tell them it's for the hospital fund. We shriners do alot of work for the hospitals but alot of the finances come from private individuals. es selamu aleikum That would be: Shriners Hospitals for Children 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607
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Post by windtimber on Feb 15, 2008 15:16:58 GMT
Old news - old memories - old grudges - old turf battle - at least that's my take as a long time Shriner.
The Rites suffered when rite membership was no longer a prerequisite to joining the Shrine. Some misguided higher ups in the Shrine "stepped in it" when they suggested Blue Lodge ties should either be severed or, at least, weakened. [They haven't been, by the way. You still need to belong to Blue Lodge to be in the Shrine.] Some stalwart Blue Lodge members can't understand why some brothers are very active in the Shrine and not active in Blue Lodge - and translate that into a belief the Shrine is "non-cooperative." Some York Rite masons are jealous of busy Scottish Rite bodies. Etc., etc., etc. Competition seems to have bred ill-will in some circumstances over the years. And, in the past and maybe still in some place, all of those jealousies remaikn, or may have been true in the past.
In our jurisdiction jurisdiction the Blue Lodge, Rites, and Shrine came to a conclusion similar to Ben Franklin's comments on the Declaration of Independence - "If we don't hang together we'll certainly all hang separately." Though there is still some work to do we all try to come together as a Masonic Family - realising that what's good for the Blue Lodge has positive effects on the Rites and Shrine and vice versa. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats. Maybe there are men who only want the social and philanthropic activities of the Shrine. But they still have gone through the Blue Lodge and some place down in their hearts they learned something of our lessons. Some prefer esoteric Masonry and stick with educational activities in Lodge. Others are thespians and love to participate in theatrical productions for the degrees in the Rites. The Fraternity as a whole is big enough for everyone's varied interests. By appreciating our differences and reveling in our common bonds, the Craft will continue to succeed in the long run.
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Post by windtimber on Oct 26, 2006 1:08:42 GMT
Visit the website of the Masonic Service Association of North America. They've promulgated a myriad of "Short Talk Bulletins" which would be very useful for you. I think, though I'm not certain, that there are quite a few of the bulletins online, or at least excerpted online. Go to www.msana.com for information.
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Post by windtimber on Jul 16, 2006 13:18:27 GMT
Q - How many Masons does it take to change a lightbulb? A - Can't tell you. It's a secret.
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