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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 5, 2007 4:43:17 GMT
In most American jurisdictions you will do the official ritual or lose your charter. :-(
It's cookie-cutter Masonry and unfortunately one size will fit all OR ELSE!
This cookie-cutter mentality is at the core of the present problems.
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Post by antoninus9 on Dec 3, 2007 1:57:54 GMT
I had the opportunity to read this essay a couple of weeks before it was published. As it concerns American Masonry I find it to be dead accurate. I only wish it had been written several years ago so that I could have avoided being pulled out of orbit by the giant hairball.
If I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have even bothered to try to help mainstream Masonry; I would have just jumped on a plane for Paris and kissed the floor at Rue Cadet.
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 26, 2007 2:00:49 GMT
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 3:50:32 GMT
The lodge in Florida failed.
Two Georgia lodges remain and one merged. All changed their names and rituals as new brethren entered the system.
Much the same happened in Alabama.
None belong to the UGLA, but all show up for UGLA meetings. There's a great fear among the lodges of even the idea of a GL of any kind. I guess it's a case of once bitten, twice shy.
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 18, 2007 22:37:01 GMT
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 18, 2007 22:02:39 GMT
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 18, 2007 3:16:38 GMT
Brothers and Sisters,
The whole Halcyon/Euclid debate has led me to think more deeply about the root cause of these events. Some are saying that's its all about ego, but I know these guys and that just doesn't fit them very well. Of course this same argument could be made about Grand Masters. lol
The more I thought about it and my own experience here in Georgia I began to realize this whole thing is about happiness. It's about being happy and content with "Freemasonry".
As human beings we are not totally rational or logical creatures. We struggle with deep felt emotions that are not easily controlled. Surely everyone here remembers your first love as a teenager, or how full of joy you were at some significant event in your life?
Some people join Freemasonry out of curiosity and don't take it very seriously. To these folks Freemasonry evokes little if any emotional reaction. Others really believe in Freemasonry and its principles and make it a part of their daily lives. To these people Freemasonry evokes deep emotions.
Monolithic systems such as Grand Lodges are well suited for mass production operations where everything is the same, but poorly suited to address individual needs. This, I believe, is the true nature of the problem. It's not about the needs of the ego but the spirit of the human being.
If one truly believes in Freemasonry but the monolithic structure inhibits their spiritual growth they will become deeply unhappy and confused as to the nature of their unhappiness. Eventually the realization will come to them that it is the limitations of the monolithic structure that holds them back morally and spiritually in their quest for self-discovery.
This may not be true for all Masons but it is clearly so for some. This is most evident in European Freemasonry but is becoming more so in the United States.
As Masons we are taught to be tolerant of others but we tend to be very intolerant of other Masons. We view the world through the looking glass backwards.
If we are to grow and advance as an organization we must become more tolerant and understanding of the needs of others, and avoid assuming so much about others when their views don't agree with our own.
This means there has to be a kinder and gentler system established that is understanding of the many needs of the various brothers and sisters around the globe. It must recognize and acknowledge that what is good for one may not necessarily be good for all.
We must also recognize the value in diversity, and that this concept is written in the pages of the book of nature by the hands of G.A.O.T.U. All you have to do is look out of your window to see the great diversity in nature and the cosmos. The G.A.O.T.U. loves diversity and spreads it liberally throughout the universe. Even if you don't believe in the G.A.O.T.U. diversity is still readily apparent everywhere and in everything.
The question we must ask ourselves is...
Are we willing to allow others to discover happiness in their own unique way without passing judgment on them?
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 17, 2007 0:53:25 GMT
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 20, 2007 13:44:51 GMT
vtmason,
There are some good GL's and some bad ones. You're lucky to be where you are brother. Some of us have not been so lucky.
In some states we need to build (like Vermont), in others we to bring in the wrecking ball and start over.
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 20, 2007 13:23:43 GMT
It's the ultimate act of extreme ego and hubris to suspend/expel a person from an organization that he quit of his own free will. It's so vain that it shows how little real power these jokers ever really had.
How many corporations fire you after you resign? It's nothing more than a petty act of revenge by the people you scorned. It reveals far more about their character than yours TC.
Keep up the good work Halcyon. :-)
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 17:10:36 GMT
To be honest Bro. Penfold none of this is any of your business, it's Halcyon's. You have no right to any information. I've shared with you all that I have to say.
If that's not satisfactory to you then that's just tough, isn't it?
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 16:07:24 GMT
Bro. Bill,
All members were sent 2008 dues cards. They can dimit to anywhere they choose if they choose to do so. The can still meet in their old building. All that changed is the lodge doesn't exist anymore unless they go back and request the Charter, which they can do, if they choose.
I don't believe anyone cares enough to come back and re-constitute the lodge, but that option is available to them.
Not an awful lot really changed by this event. As I said earlier, the other Cleveland Masons are still using the temple. The fact they even have the temple is a credit to the brothers of Halcyon.
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 14:14:42 GMT
Bro. Penfold,
In what way does the post show "aggression"? Could it be that you are overly sensitive? If you are offended I apologize for whatever offended you.
No one is being ignored in this. Lodges are governed by the officers and attending members. As it has been for centuries among Masons, the members not attending must trust the good will and intentions of those who attend and know what's going on.
Maybe you should consider trusting the brothers who know what's going on as well. It is their duty to act in the best interest of the lodge and they have done what they believed to be the right thing given the circumstances. It wasn't just a bunch of young radicals who made that decision, the older members in attendance agreed it was the right decision. It was officer election night and many brothers were there. They voted unanimously to do what they did. There were no votes against and no abstentions.
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 12:50:40 GMT
Bros. Bill and Penfold,
I'm not the Master of Halcyon nor do I speak for the brothers of the lodge but let me give you my observations.
The temple once housed multiple lodges (two of them had over 1000 members each) plus the Royal Arch, Council and Commandery. At one time it was a palatial edifice. Unfortunately, as American Masonry declined so did the building. The building had fallen into disrepair and fell just short of being condemned by the city. Some of the older members started selling off the antiques and furnishings to pay the bills. Much was lost during this period. Eventually the lodge starting getting a lot of new young members due to the reclamation of Ohio City as an historic center. Many young people started moving into the area. These new young Masons started restoring the old temple through their own hard labor. Believe me, it's no small task! The temple is 30,000 sq ft.
Halcyon didn't have enough money to keep the temple open on their own and restore it so it they opened it to the community and it is now being used for Olympic/Golden Gloves training for under privileged inner city kids. In 2008 it will begin hosting cultural, thespian, and arts events for the youth of Ohio City.
The GL of Ohio didn't accomplish any of this. They had written the building off as worthless. These young guys figured out a way to save the building and keep their lodge alive on their own.
The building is open to all Masons. They just hosted the Masters installation of Harding Concordia Lodge No. 345 on Friday.
All this talk of the older members being cheated or wronged is pure crap. 90% of them haven't set foot in the temple in 10 or 20 years. The temple is still open to them to use should they ever choose to do so. If the brothers at Halcyon hadn't taken the actions they did the temple would now be a parking lot and Halcyon would have been merged into Po Dunk Lodge No. 613 in the burbs. Do you think the guys who haven't attended in 20 years would like to return to discover a parking lot where their temple had once been? Somehow, I think not.
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 19, 2007 0:05:29 GMT
"By the way, Lodge is not for having fun or being fun as you mentioned elsewhere, maybe this could be the core of the misunderstanding you have with other Masons?" -- Maat
If a talk about the value of education and spirituality I'm condemned for trying to turn Freemasonry into a an elitist study club. They say "Freemasonry is a convivial society and has nothing to do with learning or spirituality. If I talk about the convivial and fun aspects I am condemned by others who say that Freemasonry is a serious life-long endeavor.
I can't win for losing. :-(
Let me give it one more try?
Freemasonry is a serious discipline that some find to be both enjoyable and fun.
My avatar scares me too. I think I'll change it.
If I get shot I'll tell the cops the Freemasons did it. The antis will have a field day. lol
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 18, 2007 23:19:20 GMT
Maat,
I don't think you like me. lol
Mr. Peace
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 16, 2007 14:25:00 GMT
penfold,
It was officer election night and almost all of the active members were present. They voted unanimously to surrender the charter. Several out of state members were called and they agreed as well.
The remaining lodge members haven't attended in twenty years or so and live out of state. These are the brothers TC is referring to. They were sent 2008 GLO dues cards and can do whatever they feel is best for them. I feel that many (if not all) will stay with Halcyon once they understand what happened and why.
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 16, 2007 3:52:17 GMT
Bill,
I guess I'm being a little too harsh but I'm sick of all the fighting and ready for something positive and constructive to begin. Masonry needs to be fun again.
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 16, 2007 1:46:20 GMT
Bro. Bill,
I labored for 19 years in mainstream Masonry and did everything within my power to help it grow and prosper. All of it was a complete waste of time, effort and money. Like vtmason, I too love Freemasonry and am not about to just sit idly by while it dies. If that makes me a "revolutionary" then so be it.
I'm not interested in toppling mainstream GL's. To be honest they are irrelevant. I'm not trying to change things for the older brothers either. They can sit in their musty old buildings until the wrecking ball arrives for all I care. I'm focused on building a future where all Masons can meet on the same Level and enjoy the spirit of brother/sisterhood. That future has already taken root in the present and is just now beginning to spread its wings. It's not a new Freemasonry - it's merely a return to what Freemasonry has always been.
Jeff
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Post by antoninus9 on Nov 15, 2007 23:17:16 GMT
I thought you would post something like that. lol
Don't you think that's just obfuscation in an attempt to avoid discussing the real issue? A MAINSTREAM LODGE just defected. It is only the first of more to come over the next few months.
You really don't have a clue do you?
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