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Post by joyrock on Apr 6, 2009 3:07:49 GMT
There are other Organizations in the USA who work Memphis-Misraim. None other than ourselves that we are aware of that work original Misraim.
There are only a handful of lodges that work the Rite of Misraim. Most of them in France and Belgium. One in Africa that I know of.
Those other organizations do what they will. I wish them well.
There are many independent lodges all over the world. The idependent lodge concept is as old as speculative Freemasonry itself. Even though it has not been until recently that they have come to the attention of the Masonic public.
What works for some may or may not work for others. That's OK. As long as the information exchanged is truthful we can all move ahead with what would be most beneficial for all.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 6, 2009 2:05:56 GMT
The work began in the second half of 2008 and the lodge was officially launched in the fall of 2009. As to heritage we felt a need so we decided to respond to that need. We do not claim otherwise. I note the contents of your reply. Do you mean fall of 2008? Fall 2009 has not arrived yet. I am somewhat intrigued by this latest working a rite that for many years has been under the 'protection' of the Grand College of Rites USA as are some other extinct bodies. Especially as these new groups that have suddenly started up all over America have founders that now say they cannot find what they want within the existing framework of what they were once members of or by joining one of the multitude of groups that are already in existence. Yes, you are correct. Thank you for catching that slip. I will edit my original post. We don't state any any official opinion of any other organization including the Grand College of Rites. What they do is their own business. Whatever some individual does or does not get in any framework is their own business as well. If they feel they need to inquire regarding Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte we will respond with accurate and truthful information. We do not ask any other organizations approval nor do we need their recognition. All we ask as a lodge and all I ask personally is that when it comes to our lodge that the facts be understood and represented.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 6, 2009 1:33:18 GMT
Nothing huge, just a pet peeve.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 6, 2009 1:30:51 GMT
We are not connected to any other Organization outside of our own lodge Masonic or otherwise. We make that point very clear on our website. So, in fact it is only one stand alone lodge and it is supreme, you are not subordinate to the Sovereign Rite of Misraim (does this body have a web site?). When was this body formed? Otherwise I don't understand the heritage of this new lodge. How is your Sovereign Rite of Misraim a different body to the MEAPRMM? It also seems you were already a Freemason before this lodge was started. Has this new lodge - wherever it is - IPR'd any candidates or are the members all affiliated or defected from other groups? Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte - Sovereign Rite of Misraim - Post-Modern Freemasons - www.lodgenapoleon.com/The lodge works in the original Rite of Misraim. This Rite of Freemasonry dates back to the 18th century and we are the only Masonic lodge based in North America that practices the Rite of Misraim. We are comprised of a worldwide membership of men and women from all backgrounds, occupations and interests. The Misraim (Egyptian) Rituals that we use date back to at least 1788. In Venice in 1788 the famous occultist and Freemason; Calgliostro and a group of Socinian Protestant constituted the Rite of Misraim. We work in the original speculative Rite of Misraim and the operative Egyptian Rite. Now, it must be clarified that Lodge Napoleon is not just a "web lodge." We do all of our ritual work the old fashioned way. In person, in a tyled and consecrated lodge, one at a time, the long way. No shortcuts here, no side liners. There are a few Grand Lodge systems who do work in the Egyptian Rites. Albeit Memphis-Misraim and not the original Misraim. But these we found posed difficulties. Lodges only in a few places and very small in number. Requirement to attend the physical lodge on a regular basis. What we found was a plethora of tools that were available to us. Web 2.0 turned out to be our best asset. Pod casting, video conferencing over Skype, desktop sharing applications. Real time SMS and file sharing. The ability to build the worlds most powerful member only Masonic portal. Real one on one collaboration with Brethren not only on the other side of the country, but the planet. These best practices took the brick and mortar structures of the Antients and Moderns and replaced them with communication at the speed of light. The Post-Modern era had begun. If it weren't for the Pragmatic problem solving and constantly evolving approach of Post-Modern Freemasonry none of this would even be possible. Now, it must be clarified that Lodge Napoleon is not just a "web lodge." We do all of our ritual work the old fashioned way. In person, in a tyled and consecrated lodge, one at a time, the long way. No shortcuts here, no side liners. You will have access to the most powerful membership web portal that has ever been in the Masonic world. One of the FAQ on the lodge website:Q: I have read that person X on an Internet forum is a member of your lodge. Can you verify this? A: Our membership is private. Who is or who is not a member of Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte is only the business of the membership. We leave it up to our members to decide if /when or ever to make their membership public knowledge. From a link on the website - Freemasonry - www.vulcanlodge.comSons of Light And Vulcan - "On Saturday April 19, 2008 history was made in Birmingham, Al. For the first time ever Black and White Masons met on the level and breached the color line." Now if that is not an oxy-moron: "Progressive Free & Accepted Mason lodge affiliated with PHA but not a member of PHA" So, they are Affiliated with Prince Hall Affiliated but not Prince Hall Affiliated. OK. Vulcan Masonic Lodge - www.masonicinfo.com/vulcan.htmSovereign Rite of Misraim is descriptive of two things. Number one; sovereignty as a self created and self governing lodge. Number two; what Rite we the members of the lodge have chosen to work. Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte arose from an idea amongst a small and tight knit group of fans of the Rite of Misraim. The work began in the second half of 2008 and the lodge was officially launched in the winter of 2009. As to heritage we felt a need so we decided to respond to that need. We do not claim otherwise. Why do you keep referring to the MEAPRMM? What on our website would give you the idea that we are subordinate to any foreign body? What the MEAPRMM or any other body does or does not do is their business. I suggest you contact them or one of their representatives if you have questions regarding that organization. To make it 100% clear. Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte is a self created, self chartered lodge of Freemasons. This is in accordance with our Post-Modern approach to the Craft. We do NOT hold a charter, patent or warrant from any other organization. We do not accept the authority of any organization to rule over us; we regulate our own affairs as a separate sovereign body of free men and women. We do not have any formal relationships with any other organization. We have no official opinion of any other organizations Masonic or otherwise I will repeat, as official lodge policy we do not give out any information regarding any of our members. Who they are, what organizations they do or do not belong to etc. We also do not release the number of current, past or future members. We also do not broadcast official lodge business for public consumption unless by unanimous vote by the membership. If you have any questions regarding any group (Masonic or otherwise) that we have linked to via our resources page I would suggest that you contact them individually. We do not speak for them and those links are there as educational resources for those so inclined. I hope this answers your questions.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 5, 2009 17:13:14 GMT
We are not connected to any other Organization outside of our own lodge Masonic or otherwise. We make that point very clear on our website.
You are free to think what you want and to come up with any assumption you wish. Those assumptions could not come from any facts about ourselves that we have presented.
Please, do not spread false information, that is all I ask.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 5, 2009 17:06:12 GMT
No, we are a sovereign and independent lodge. We are not a part of nor do we report to any other organization.
That point is made totally clear on our webpage under the link Declaration of Sovereignty.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 5, 2009 5:31:24 GMT
Our website explains who we are and what we do in great detail.
You may want to check out our pages on Post-Modern Freemasonry, What We Do Differently and our F.A.Q.
As to the policy of private membership we feel that it is just good manners to respect the privacy of our membership.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 5, 2009 4:38:48 GMT
If I attempt to lift a stone from the middle of the river and I have much difficulty, which one of you is to tell me the stone is light? Are you telling me that to reinforce my mind over matter, or to mock me? How does it make my task possible? Frater Raum Sariel 3° Lodge Secretary Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte Sovereign Rite of Misraim Post-Modern Freemasons www.lodgenapoleon.comWhere is your lodge located please and when was it founded? I cannot see any mention of it on the lodge website link you provided. The first part of your question was answered in the thread where it was originally asked. The lodge was officially opened this year after much hard work.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 5, 2009 4:34:51 GMT
Our lodge is located in the hearts and minds of our membership. Our mailing address resides with our current Worshipful Master in Atlanta, Georgia.
As is stated on our webpage our membership is private. We do not confirm nor do we deny anyones membership.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 22:35:30 GMT
There is no need to take the bait.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 1:46:38 GMT
If the correct path has been chosen, the answers will come to you.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 0:36:03 GMT
My purpose here is to offer a defence of existentialism against several reproaches that have been laid against it. First, it has been reproached as an invitation to people to dwell in quietism of despair. For if every way to a solution is barred, one would have to regard any action in this world as entirely ineffective, and one would arrive finally at a contemplative philosophy. Moreover, since contemplation is a luxury, this would be only another bourgeois philosophy. This is, especially, the reproach made by the Communists. From another quarter we are reproached for having underlined all that is ignominious in the human situation, for depicting what is mean, sordid or base to the neglect of certain things that possess charm and beauty and belong to the brighter side of human nature: for example, according to the Catholic critic, Mlle. Mercier, we forget how an infant smiles. Both from this side and from the other we are also reproached for leaving out of account the solidarity of mankind and considering man in isolation. And this, say the Communists, is because we base our doctrine upon pure subjectivity – upon the Cartesian “I think”: which is the moment in which solitary man attains to himself; a position from which it is impossible to regain solidarity with other men who exist outside of the self. The ego cannot reach them through the cogito. From the Christian side, we are reproached as people who deny the reality and seriousness of human affairs. For since we ignore the commandments of God and all values prescribed as eternal, nothing remains but what is strictly voluntary. Everyone can do what he likes, and will be incapable, from such a point of view, of condemning either the point of view or the action of anyone else. It is to these various reproaches that I shall endeavour to reply today; that is why I have entitled this brief exposition “Existentialism is a Humanism.” Many may be surprised at the mention of humanism in this connection, but we shall try to see in what sense we understand it. In any case, we can begin by saying that existentialism, in our sense of the word, is a doctrine that does render human life possible; a doctrine, also, which affirms that every truth and every action imply both an environment and a human subjectivity. The essential charge laid against us is, of course, that of over-emphasis upon the evil side of human life. I have lately been told of a lady who, whenever she lets slip a vulgar expression in a moment of nervousness, excuses herself by exclaiming, “I believe I am becoming an existentialist.” So it appears that ugliness is being identified with existentialism. That is why some people say we are “naturalistic,” and if we are, it is strange to see how much we scandalise and horrify them, for no one seems to be much frightened or humiliated nowadays by what is properly called naturalism. Those who can quite well keep down a novel by Zola such as La Terre are sickened as soon as they read an existentialist novel. Those who appeal to the wisdom of the people – which is a sad wisdom – find ours sadder still. And yet, what could be more disillusioned than such sayings as “Charity begins at home” or “Promote a rogue and he’ll sue you for damage, knock him down and he’ll do you homage”? We all know how many common sayings can be quoted to this effect, and they all mean much the same – that you must not oppose the powers that be; that you must not fight against superior force; must not meddle in matters that are above your station. Or that any action not in accordance with some tradition is mere romanticism; or that any undertaking which has not the support of proven experience is foredoomed to frustration; and that since experience has shown men to be invariably inclined to evil, there must be firm rules to restrain them, otherwise we shall have anarchy. It is, however, the people who are forever mouthing these dismal proverbs and, whenever they are told of some more or less repulsive action, say “How like human nature!” – it is these very people, always harping upon realism, who complain that existentialism is too gloomy a view of things. Indeed their excessive protests make me suspect that what is annoying them is not so much our pessimism, but, much more likely, our optimism. For at bottom, what is alarming in the doctrine that I am about to try to explain to you is – is it not? – that it confronts man with a possibility of choice. To verify this, let us review the whole question upon the strictly philosophic level. What, then, is this that we call existentialism? www.marxists.org/reference/archive/sartre/works/exist/sartre.htm
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 0:31:07 GMT
Why the continued use of these subdivisions amongst human beings?
Would we think it proper to call someone a Co-Human Being?
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 0:28:03 GMT
If I attempt to lift a stone from the middle of the river and I have much difficulty, which one of you is to tell me the stone is light?
Are you telling me that to reinforce my mind over matter, or to mock me? How does it make my task possible?
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 0:23:43 GMT
The path you have chosen does begin with but a single step. Though it may seem as if your feet our bound, it is your will that will be the difference.
So, do go all in or do you fold?
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Post by joyrock on Apr 3, 2009 0:20:14 GMT
Thank you. I do hope to enjoy my time here.
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Post by joyrock on Apr 2, 2009 23:19:06 GMT
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Post by joyrock on Apr 2, 2009 23:17:30 GMT
Hello one and all.
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