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Post by middlepillar on Jan 20, 2005 18:48:53 GMT
Re the lack of G, "need to be a little careful here." The lighted G is essential to our ritual and is pointed to, at opening and closing and at certain times during rituals. It also has great esoteric importance shining down on our work Whistler No need to be careful, the G should be in place in all our Temples and it is a great shame that on many occasions it is missing. But perhaps this indicates why 'certain' people attack the more esoterically minded, basically thay do not understand the basic concept of what we do. There is a certain Poster (on TFM) that has a habit of quoting "if you believe that, your away with the fairies, mate". This same Poster is I am no doubt a commited mason, believes in God and is well versed in his knowledge of Masonry and there are a vast number of Freemasons like him. However what I cannot seem to understand is if he believes in God and if he believes in Freemasonry how does he explain the opening ceremonies and the very Temple we sit in? We invoke the assistance of God (or do I imagine it?) And No Temple is considered Proper unless it has been consecrated! Why does he and others like him think we do it? We may have differences , but the fundamentals are the same. I am not a great believer in White Tables (I understand why we have them) The main reason is I feel somewhat violated in as much as I have taken obligations to get to sit in the Temple and these non-masons haven't, it just does not sit comfortably with me thats all. However, I would be extremely comfortable holding a 'white table' meeting with Co-Masons and Lady Masons because they might not be 'regular' but they are Masons and they have taken the same obligations as I have! If I've rambled on too much, I apologise
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Post by whistler on Jan 20, 2005 18:59:50 GMT
Middlepillar, The care was because I was starting to discuss ritual detail, You can be sure I have nothing to fear from this forum, it is so much better not having to waste time fighting the fires of ignorance.
I love the way one answer creates another question. "White Tables" these a new to me I can imagine a little possibly.. can you tell me more. Middlepillar Have reread your post and think I understand. We have discussed on other posts the residual influence of our temple after the lodge is closed... Other than the room should be treated with respect. I don't have a problem with non-masons entering, when a lodge is not open. In fact I would hope some of the influences would flow onto, into them.
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Post by middlepillar on Jan 20, 2005 21:07:49 GMT
Whistler Basically a white table meeting in UGLE Land is held because a Lodge may (And I say may) be struggling for membership. So they ask all members to invite friends (potential candidates) and thier ladies to come to a 'White Table' meeting. It is very similar to the meeting you attended for the Prestonian Lecture. The Lodge members enter the Lodge Open, do all mundane business and Close. They then invite all visitors into the Temple, where a Senior or well versed Past Master will give a talk on Freemasonry. Now I absolutely agree this is in principle a great idea, however I attended one once (and for me never again) and it just did not feel right. I basically felt very uncomfortable and it is something that I often look back on, sometimes to remember the feeling I had, I still have not got to the bottom of why I had this feeling. I can assure you I went along in a very happy mind and was looking forward to it!? Now since I have been posting over there and now with much more enjoyment over here, I have got to know, and have started to understand Freemasonry from a Co/Female point of view. And believe me I greatly appreciate all that I have gained from you guys (and girls ). This got me thinking back to that White Table event, your Postings over the other side and silly bol..cks nit picking and offensive responses made it clear in my mind that any person who has gone through the same initiatic experience as me is indeed a Brother (Yoki definately included ) and I would positively love the opportunity of sitting in a Lodge at a White Table meeting (Being the only way my obligation etc allows) with the like of you guys. I am definately starting to ramble ;D
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Post by whistler on Jan 20, 2005 21:46:59 GMT
Strange feelings do occur- at the Meeting the other night, the lodge room was packed, and purely by chance we found ourselves sitting in the back row in the East. During Question time I spoke briefly saying we were Co-masons and thanks for having us sort of thing. (The Organisers knew already). I was almost Tongue Tied. Was speaking in a Lodge that wasn't a Lodge, the natural flow of addressing using the words RWM, and Brn created a mental problem because you say these things without thinking.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Jan 21, 2005 16:03:48 GMT
Whistler,at UGLE white tables we are permitted to show the women the temple but not the non masonic men as it would spoil the day if they choose to join the craft.However in Brighton anyone can take a tour of the masonic center,ask questions and visit the temple, It is unllikely a lecture would allow women and non masonic men to enter.
What you must remember that white table dos will involve a lot of non masonic guests and normally the ide would be to entice so to speak future candidates.
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bod
Member
UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Jan 21, 2005 18:09:53 GMT
I went to a white table as a non-mason, with Mrs Bod, and was taken into the temple/lodge room with many other non-masons and their wives. I don't really see the point in having a white table and not taking the non-masons in
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