Masonic conduct

Emeth1 · 05-27-2008, 10:05 AM

I find it interesting as so many lodges cry for membership, and struggle to promote freemasonry, that the masonic conduct is horrid. So many brothers stand proud and pat themselves on the back for their "years of service" yet they do nothing but complain and whine and criticize. "Whence came you" brothers? Did you not come to be enlightened, and learn? Did you not come to build the brothehood?

Exactly where in the catachism does it say "the end"? Where does it say "o.k. you've learned all we have to teach"? Where does it say "you have earned your reward, so sit back and judge"?
I have not seen it and am searching diligently for it. There are so many things we could do as a fraternity if we could surpass all this in-fighting. But instead we stand back and crictize our brother for leaving this lodge or that lodge. We criticize our brother because I didn't like this word in this post. We take new members and drag them into the sewage of our discontent, then wonder why they won't stay.
Maybe it is time all of us, myself included, ask ourselves "What the heck are we trying to do here"?
I was raised in a masonic household, and my father and I discussed for very long periods about my decision to demit from the traditional masonic system here in Arizona and join the Grand Orient. But as a past master, and life long mason he understood what was in my heart, the saving of this fraternity!
I think we get so caught up on who is on which side that we forget, WE ARE ON THE SAME SIDE! We are just taking different paths to achieve the same goal. The restoration of this fraternity to its former RELEVANCE in society.
If we spent just half the energy we spend pointing out our differences, and used that for a constructive "push" we could achieve momentous milestones in solving the problem with our fraternity.

I pose this to ALL masons, regular, irregular, free, ancient, tantient, grand orient, george washington union, ldh, and any others I have not included:
WHAT DO WE GAIN THROUGH THE DIVISION OF OUR STRENGTH?

grandsecretary · 05-27-2008, 11:22 AM

Just out of interest, what was its "former relevance in society" as you see it?

Emeth1 · 05-27-2008, 11:28 AM

Freemasonry used to be the conscience of society. The fraternity was comprised of the movers and shakers, of the great scientists, and philosphers. It was a society where we weren't about fish fyrs etc., but more about intellectual debate. Education on the relevant issues of today, as well as maintianing the understanding of the past. It was an organization not to gain sales leads, but to affect change yourself and on society. It was an organization that took good men and made the stronger spiritually (not necessarily relious) as well as stronger in character. It gave men a solice when the world around them strayed, as it often does.

IMO.

Jayman · 05-27-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeth1

Freemasonry used to be the conscience of society. The fraternity was comprised of the movers and shakers, of the great scientists, and philosphers. It was a society where we weren't about fish fyrs etc., but more about intellectual debate. Education on the relevant issues of today, as well as maintianing the understanding of the past. It was an organization not to gain sales leads, but to affect change yourself and on society. It was an organization that took good men and made the stronger spiritually (not necessarily relious) as well as stronger in character. It gave men a solice when the world around them strayed, as it often does.

IMO.

funny you should say that.

At my initiation, I met an EA that was initiated the week prior in our sister Lodge. He said he was there purely for business contacts to get a better job.

I was a little taken back but said nothing.

Tinker · 05-27-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeth1

Freemasonry used to be the conscience of society. The fraternity was comprised of the movers and shakers, of the great scientists, and philosphers. It was a society where we weren't about fish fyrs etc., but more about intellectual debate. Education on the relevant issues of today, as well as maintianing the understanding of the past. It was an organization not to gain sales leads, but to affect change yourself and on society. It was an organization that took good men and made the stronger spiritually (not necessarily relious) as well as stronger in character. It gave men a solice when the world around them strayed, as it often does.

IMO.

Yes, that is largely true. However, Freemasonry as such is an institution of the Enlightenment, and threw its lot in heavily with the age of reason. At a certain point that came to a limit. The great successes in providing education, advancing science, and bringing Democracy may have achieved a state of diminishing returns. Certainly Masonry should be more than seeking business contacts, much more. Masonry will change a great deal in the next twenty years, I believe.

Emeth1 · 05-27-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

Yes, that is largely true. However, Freemasonry as such is an institution of the Enlightenment, and threw its lot in heavily with the age of reason. At a certain point that came to a limit. The great successes in providing education, advancing science, and bringing Democracy may have achieved a state of diminishing returns. Certainly Masonry should be more than seeking business contacts, much more. Masonry will change a great deal in the next twenty years, I believe.

Tinker I coudn't agree more! I think society as a whole is doing the ole pendelum swing and reverting back to the "there must be something more" phase where they are joining charities, fraternities, and social clubs. As such I think it is even more important the freemasonry (internally that is) analyze soem changes it has made, get back to the catachism (still not sure how to spell that), and get back to being an eclusive organization of good men. I think it is already on its way because of discussion boards like these. The more we brothers communicate (even in disagreement) the fraternity will no doubt benefit.

Tinker · 05-27-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeth1

Tinker I coudn't agree more! I think society as a whole is doing the ole pendelum swing and reverting back to the "there must be something more" phase where they are joining charities, fraternities, and social clubs. As such I think it is even more important the freemasonry (internally that is) analyze soem changes it has made, get back to the catachism (still not sure how to spell that), and get back to being an eclusive organization of good men. I think it is already on its way because of discussion boards like these. The more we brothers communicate (even in disagreement) the fraternity will no doubt benefit.

Absolutely. In my Masonic career I have felt to a certain degree like a bit of a careening pinball, uncertain of how to interface with the organization. I have seen and been a part of some sad disharmonies. Masonry really does seem to be in a position of soul-searching. There is something deep and ancient, but the secrets are well hidden in many respects.

However, one thing that is to our advantage today, is that we get to rebuild King Solomon's Temple in a way that is different from past situations.

I'm hoping that a greater level of harmony between the older Masons and the younger ones can be achieved.

Jayman · 05-27-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeth1

Tinker I coudn't agree more! I think society as a whole is doing the ole pendelum swing and reverting back to the "there must be something more" phase where they are joining charities, fraternities, and social clubs. As such I think it is even more important the freemasonry (internally that is) analyze soem changes it has made, get back to the catachism (still not sure how to spell that), and get back to being an eclusive organization of good men. I think it is already on its way because of discussion boards like these. The more we brothers communicate (even in disagreement) the fraternity will no doubt benefit.

I think many preople are looking for more, but are not getting it from organized religion. Most North American mainstream religions are turning people off of attendence, but they still want light.

grandsecretary · 05-27-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Freemasonry as such is an institution of the Enlightenment, and threw its lot in heavily with the age of reason.

Only if we are to exclude the 129 lodges which existed well before the age of enlightenment?

Emeth1 · 05-27-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandsecretary

Only if we are to exclude the 129 lodges which existed well before the age of enlightenment?

Grand Secretary, cna you explain what you mean? I do not know of those lodges, and am curious about the subject, were they formed before the grand lodges?