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Originally posted by Masonic Light
If I ever decided to leave Masonry, it certainly wouldn't be for any of the reasons the anti-Masons on here constantly harp about. Instead it would be because of the commercialization and McDonaldization of Masonry from the Masons themselves.
One day classes, 2B1Ask1, Nascar (in the Scottish Rite no less!). Stuff like this mirrors the desire of many in Masonic leadership these days to turn the fraternity into just another social club without any deeper meaning than the opportunity to get out of the house a couple of timer per month.
If I wanted to be in a social club, I would have joined Rotary.
Originally posted by befoiled
Originally posted by Masonic Light
If I ever decided to leave Masonry, it certainly wouldn't be for any of the reasons the anti-Masons on here constantly harp about. Instead it would be because of the commercialization and McDonaldization of Masonry from the Masons themselves.
One day classes, 2B1Ask1, Nascar (in the Scottish Rite no less!). Stuff like this mirrors the desire of many in Masonic leadership these days to turn the fraternity into just another social club without any deeper meaning than the opportunity to get out of the house a couple of timer per month.
If I wanted to be in a social club, I would have joined Rotary.
There is little resemblence between the modern Lodge and the Lodge of my father and grandfather. Declining membership had resulted in extremely lax standards for entry and, as a result, Lodge meetings more resembled boys night out. At the time I left most of my brethren didn't know or care one whit about the history, philosophy, ideals, and ethics of this once noble organization. We have come a long way from the days when these very ideals forged a nation.
If only the ANTIs knew just how ineffectual and powerless Freemasonry has become.
Freemasonry is dying. I mourn the loss.
Originally posted by KilgoreTrout
Just a point I noticed when looking into the charitable work that masons do which I think is applicable here. I only studied the annual accounts in Britain so i would be grateful to know if it is different in the US - but I was surprised about how little of the money that was raised goes to youth programmes - in the UK health, respite care and elderly programmes seemed to be the mainstay. I found this a bit unfortunate.
For me, it makes sense that investment in the young is investment in all our futures. It would also seem to be an important means of disseminating your message - which is a good one - to the very people you hope one day to welcome into your lodges. Young males in particular are becoming marginalised in our societies. There are fewer positive male role models than ever before and it seems to me that the masons could and perhaps should help to fill that gap.
As I said i don't know what charitable works your individual lodges do but I would be interested in your thoughts on this.
Originally posted by Masonic Light
Unfortunately, I sort of agree. Whether this is temporary or permanent is impossible to tell.
It is important to note, however, that this decline is NOT as the anti-Masons would want. After all, true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all outside the Lodges. More and more people are becoming interested in the esoteric and in mysticism. The point here is that one can become much familiar with such things these days by sitting down with a few good books, instead of joining a Lodge an going through the degrees. Today, even the fraternity's highest leadership have absolutely no idea of what Masonic symbolism means, or even what its philosophy is. In far too many cases, it is simply the blind leading the blind.
In complete honesty, I too would have probably left Masonry already were it not for the close friends I've made in the fraternity. In fact, I almost did when the revised Scottish Rite ritual was released, and this is something that still bears heavily on my conscience.
As mentioned, true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all...except maybe in the Lodges.
Originally posted by befoiled
There is little resemblence between the modern Lodge and the Lodge of my father and grandfather.
If only the ANTIs knew just how ineffectual and powerless Freemasonry has become.
Freemasonry is dying.
Originally posted by In nothing we trust
Masons are just a bunch of has beens who have sold out to the world governing system.
Originally posted by Masonic Light
Originally posted by befoiled
Originally posted by Masonic Light
If I ever decided to leave Masonry, it certainly wouldn't be for any of the reasons the anti-Masons on here constantly harp about. Instead it would be because of the commercialization and McDonaldization of Masonry from the Masons themselves.
One day classes, 2B1Ask1, Nascar (in the Scottish Rite no less!). Stuff like this mirrors the desire of many in Masonic leadership these days to turn the fraternity into just another social club without any deeper meaning than the opportunity to get out of the house a couple of timer per month.
If I wanted to be in a social club, I would have joined Rotary.
There is little resemblence between the modern Lodge and the Lodge of my father and grandfather. Declining membership had resulted in extremely lax standards for entry and, as a result, Lodge meetings more resembled boys night out. At the time I left most of my brethren didn't know or care one whit about the history, philosophy, ideals, and ethics of this once noble organization. We have come a long way from the days when these very ideals forged a nation.
If only the ANTIs knew just how ineffectual and powerless Freemasonry has become.
Freemasonry is dying. I mourn the loss.
Unfortunately, I sort of agree. Whether this is temporary or permanent is impossible to tell.
It is important to note, however, that this decline is NOT as the anti-Masons would want. After all, true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all outside the Lodges. More and more people are becoming interested in the esoteric and in mysticism. The point here is that one can become much familiar with such things these days by sitting down with a few good books, instead of joining a Lodge an going through the degrees. Today, even the fraternity's highest leadership have absolutely no idea of what Masonic symbolism means, or even what its philosophy is. In far too many cases, it is simply the blind leading the blind.
In complete honesty, I too would have probably left Masonry already were it not for the close friends I've made in the fraternity. In fact, I almost did when the revised Scottish Rite ritual was released, and this is something that still bears heavily on my conscience.
As mentioned, true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all...except maybe in the Lodges.
Originally posted by Masonic Light
... true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all outside the Lodges. More and more people are becoming interested in the esoteric and in mysticism.
... Today, even the fraternity's highest leadership have absolutely no idea of what Masonic symbolism means, or even what its philosophy is. In far too many cases, it is simply the blind leading the blind.
As mentioned, true Masonic philosophy isn't dying out at all...except maybe in the Lodges.
Originally posted by In nothing we trust
You said it.
Don't you feel better now.
Originally posted by Tokyo Rose
"
Remember this; the masons are just a pass through front organization.
Originally posted by Masonic Light
A pass through organization for what?
Originally posted by Masonic Light
Originally posted by Tokyo Rose
"
Remember this; the masons are just a pass through front organization.
A pass through organization for what?
My major gripe is that, for the most part, Masonry has become a hot dog club where guys can gather round, drink coffee, and talk about baseball. If it's a pass through organization for anything, it would have to be Boring, Inc.
Originally posted by Rockpuck
.... I go to a morning lodge, named Solar lodge for it being in the day.. meetings at 9am ....