Godfrey Daniel
Registered User
ironic
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I take that to mean you believe reciting the Pledge prior to opening lodge is appropriate, but not in a tyled lodge?
Further, that having any objection to its rote recitation is unpatriotic? Or indicates that the objector is somehow angry at a particular politician or party? Or by extension, hates America? Does it promote solidarity or homogeneity?
I'm in complete agreement that Masonry held a special place in the founding of our Republic - perhaps nowhere as significantly a place as in the separation of Church and State, followed closely by what was at the time an unheard of right of citizens - freedom of speech.
If our Canadian brother attended lodge here, we obviously wouldn't expect him to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Nor would we expect a Brother who believed his religious beliefs were being compromised to do so.
If I felt strongly that the Pledge had no place in lodge and exercised my Constitutional right of free speech and refrained from reciting it, would I be separating myself from the fold and be viewed as unpatriotic or irreligious? I contend that for some, perhaps many, that would be the reaction - unpatriotic in particular.
When the "Shrine" became international they changed the pledge said at each meeting to reflect this new international shrine, I still recite the pledge I learned in elementary school . I also was never in the military so I remove my Fez and place my hand over my heart. I get told all the time , You can leave your fez on etc etc, NOT ME. I take the pledge to the US flag as an honor, and if it offends so be it. If I happen to be in your country I will stand quietly while you pledge to your flag .
When the "Shrine" became international they changed the pledge said at each meeting to reflect this new international shrine, I still recite the pledge I learned in elementary school . I also was never in the military so I remove my Fez and place my hand over my heart. I get told all the time , You can leave your fez on etc etc, NOT ME. I take the pledge to the US flag as an honor, and if it offends so be it. If I happen to be in your country I will stand quietly while you pledge to your flag .
Nor would we expect a Brother who believed his religious beliefs were being compromised to do so. Is that a subtle form of exclusion? If I felt strongly that the Pledge had no place in lodge and exercised my Constitutional right of free speech and refrained from reciting it, would I be separating myself from the fold and be viewed as unpatriotic or irreligious? I contend that for some, perhaps many, that would be the reaction - unpatriotic in particular.