Re: Should Grand Lodges mandate that all subordina
You truly confuse me . I have read on various forums where you complain that a Grand Lodge should not dictate who and how a Mason contacts outside jurisdictions , I have read were you complain that a Grand Lodge should not dictate how many lodges a Mason may affiliate with , along with a few other things . But here you are "applauding" a Grand Lodge that has forced it's will on it's subordinate lodges by mandating each lodge have it's own web site ?
===I do not mean to confuse anyone. There are some things that some Grand Lodges are doing, which are unnecessary and outdated. These need to be changed. Some Grand Lodges permit individual masons to belong to only one lodge. 150 years ago, this made sense, but in our modern, mobile world, it is obsolete. Restricting individual Masons from getting advice from Masons from other jurisdictions is also obsolete.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio, did NOT "force its will" on the subordinate lodges of Ohio. The Lodges of Ohio, voted in Grand Session, to require that all lodges in Ohio obtain a webpage. The vote was not unanimous. But all lodges who are chartered by the GL of Ohio, are required to follow the regulations of the GL. If they do not wish to follow these regulations, then any lodge which finds a regulation that they cannot follow, must turn in their charter.
Suppose these Grand Lodge jurisdictions who allow alcohol in the lodge mandated that all lodges will be DRY . You would blow a gasket . Suppose all Grand Lodges mandated that no Mason is allowed to hold dual/plural memberships ? You would blow up Masonic forums complaining . But because it is something you agree with , you are all for it , you applaud it ?
==If a Grand Lodge, through their democratic process chooses to ban alcohol, that is their affair. I think it is silly and outdated, but Grand Lodges have the right to run their Grand Lodges as they see fit.
Some Grand Lodges forbid dual/plural memberships. That is their right. I disagree with this policy, but there it is.
And you are right. If a Grand Lodge passes a regulation that is necessary, and I agree with, then I will applaud it. Some Grand Lodges are making the changes necessary to deal with the 21st Century, and the internet age. They SHOULD be applauded and imitated. When a lodge does something that is idiotic, they should be condemned.
Subordinate lodges know their wants and needs , not the Grand Lodge nor you . My lodge is thriving and growing and , me oh my , we do not have a web site nor a FB account .
==I tend to agree, that subordinate lodges generally know their own wants and needs, to some degree. And I would love to see SOME "devolution", of power from Grand Lodges, to subordinate lodges.
BUT- Since all subordinate lodges derive their charters, and their ability to operate, from their Grand Lodges, there are many cases, where the Grand Lodges must be in charge.
And, since all regulations promulgated by a Grand Lodge, are initiated and developed by subordinate lodges, and enacted in their Grand Communications, and since all Subordinate lodges have agreed IN ADVANCE to follow these regulations, then this is how it must be.
If ANY subordinate lodge finds the regulations promulgated by a Grand Lodge to be at variance with their desires, then such lodges should turn in their charters, and cease to operate.
My home state of Kentucky has required (through the democratic process) that all subordinate lodges use only computer software and accounting practices, which have been approved in advance by the Grand Lodge. This is necessary and proper. If there is an audit, or a lodge is unable to operate , or closes down, the Grand Lodge can step in immediately, and run the financial aspects of the lodge. If every lodge in the state had their own system, it would be chaos.
My home state of Kentucky has mandated that 18-year old men be permitted to petition the Craft. Not all lodges were happy with this development. Some were furious. But the majority of subordinate lodges passed the regulation, and all lodges must "suck it up".