Post by offramp on Jan 25, 2020 18:45:33 GMT
I thought this was very good.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/5207458/vegan-freemason-scotland-grand-lodge/
Lambine is a slightly cruel word: lambs must hate it.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/5207458/vegan-freemason-scotland-grand-lodge/
VEGANS will now be allowed to become Freemasons [Eerm, I think that has always been allowed!] in a move that has seen the Grand Lodge of Scotland change centuries-old traditions.
For years, masons have work [sec] lambskin aprons while taking part in rituals - but a vegan alternative is now being offered.
Lambine, an artificial fabric that imitates lambskin, is available for those wishing to join the Lodge without using animal products.
A spokesperson for the Grand Lodge, which once included Robert Burns in its ranks, said there were no reason why vegans could not join the 280-year-old fraternal organisation.
In a social media post seen by The Times, they said: "Many lodges now use vinyl [aprons]. Please remember that it is symbolic and does not need to be real."
And the Freemasons' sister organisation down south, the United Grand Lodge of England, has been allowing vegans and vegetarians to use lambine for decades.
More than a third of aprons sold by the UGLE last year using the vegan-friendly material.
A spokesperson said: "We have 200,000 members and a 300 history of welcoming people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic position in society.
"Our Districts, which are spread across areas such as Asia and Africa include thousands of members from a variety of religions which are primarily vegetarian.
"Since the 1960s both vegan and vegetarian Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England have been able to use lambine regalia, which is made from a high grade, soft feel plastic as an alternative to traditional regalia.
"We sold 1,200 lambine aprons in 2019 and 1,900 traditional aprons so they are a popular options here."
However, some masons were not too keen on the idea of breaking tradition.
Speaking to The Times, Gordon Kilgour, a lodge member from Glasgow, said: "In the address to the apron would the ritual be changed from 'You will observe that it is made from the skin of a lamb' to 'You will notice that it is made of vinyl?"
And Sotiris Sakellarios, a Greek mason, said: "Some traditions and symbolism should remain intact."
Alan Borsbey, the owner of VSL Regalia, Scotland's largest masonic showroom, said he would offer lambine aprons - but has yet to have any requests.
He said: "Under the masonic tradition it is normally lambskin aprons that are worn.
"But if somebody came in as a vegan and asked for something different, such as lambine, we would be able to provide that.
"Generally, I wouldn't offer that unless it was specifically asked for.
For years, masons have work [sec] lambskin aprons while taking part in rituals - but a vegan alternative is now being offered.
Lambine, an artificial fabric that imitates lambskin, is available for those wishing to join the Lodge without using animal products.
A spokesperson for the Grand Lodge, which once included Robert Burns in its ranks, said there were no reason why vegans could not join the 280-year-old fraternal organisation.
In a social media post seen by The Times, they said: "Many lodges now use vinyl [aprons]. Please remember that it is symbolic and does not need to be real."
And the Freemasons' sister organisation down south, the United Grand Lodge of England, has been allowing vegans and vegetarians to use lambine for decades.
More than a third of aprons sold by the UGLE last year using the vegan-friendly material.
A spokesperson said: "We have 200,000 members and a 300 history of welcoming people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic position in society.
"Our Districts, which are spread across areas such as Asia and Africa include thousands of members from a variety of religions which are primarily vegetarian.
"Since the 1960s both vegan and vegetarian Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England have been able to use lambine regalia, which is made from a high grade, soft feel plastic as an alternative to traditional regalia.
"We sold 1,200 lambine aprons in 2019 and 1,900 traditional aprons so they are a popular options here."
However, some masons were not too keen on the idea of breaking tradition.
Speaking to The Times, Gordon Kilgour, a lodge member from Glasgow, said: "In the address to the apron would the ritual be changed from 'You will observe that it is made from the skin of a lamb' to 'You will notice that it is made of vinyl?"
And Sotiris Sakellarios, a Greek mason, said: "Some traditions and symbolism should remain intact."
Alan Borsbey, the owner of VSL Regalia, Scotland's largest masonic showroom, said he would offer lambine aprons - but has yet to have any requests.
He said: "Under the masonic tradition it is normally lambskin aprons that are worn.
"But if somebody came in as a vegan and asked for something different, such as lambine, we would be able to provide that.
"Generally, I wouldn't offer that unless it was specifically asked for.