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What would you like to see changed in the Masonic experience?

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cemab4y

Premium Member
Dreyfuss.png


Based on your previous post in another forum he was made a Mason and became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason in 1 or 2 days. Has he contributed anything to Freemasonry since becoming a Mason? His bio on the site you listed does not even mention his Masonic affiliation.

--Brother Dreyfuss took the Craft degrees in a special class, presented in WashDC as the post states. He then took the SR degrees immediately thereafter. He walked in to the building at 0900am with no Masonic affiliation. He left the building before lunch, a 32d degree SR mason. (At that time) he was made a member of Potomac Lodge #5, F&AM WashDC, and the WashDC Scottish Rite bodies.

I personally submitted his Masonic membership information to "wikipedia", and after confirmation, the affiliations were listed. Some months later, Wikipedia removed the information. (Don't ask me why, I honestly do not know).

If you are interested in what he has contributed to Masonry, you will have to ask him directly. He is big Hollywood actor, and I just an engineer, out in the Kuwait desert.
 
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cemab4y

Premium Member
Unless you are capable of creating and funding this on your own, you are asking others to do it for you. Great Ideas are a dime a dozen, and that is about what they are worth.

I suggest that you view the movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". The proposal for the national boys camp, calls for the Federal Government to issue a loan, and the camp to be built, and then the loan to be paid back, by the young men, who would go to the camp.

Of course, I do not have the millions of dollars, that such a venture would cost. And of course, if such a venture ever came to fruition, the costs would be borne by a combination of donations, and tuition paid by the attendees, and perhaps an endowment fund.

Of couse I cannot create such a venture "on my own". That is preposterous.

"Lead, follow. or get out of the way". -Laurence J. Peter
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
“We”, do you have a mouse in your pocket?

I do not think that Freemasonry can or should create a charity/foundation for every societal need, but if you want to be taken seriously you should put forth the effort to develop a detailed business plan before you make a proposal and not rely on the efforts of others to accomplish your goals.

Now a few random quotes:

"Vision without execution is hallucination.” Thomas Edison

“He is all hat and no cattle.” Author unknown

“He is a legend in his own mind.” Author unknown

“Money talks and bull$hit walks.” Author unknown, but the first time I heard it was from an old country bank President.

======================


"WE" is used, in this context, as a first-person plural pronoun, not as onomatopoeia. If you do not wish to part of "WE", then just stay out of the discussion.
Most people do not take me seriously, anyway. And I am not especially interested in being taken seriously.

I am a telecommunications engineer, not an educator, nor an expert in fund-raising, nor remotely capable of developing a "detailed business plan" for such an endeavour. For an idea like this to take root, and grow, it will take the efforts of many individuals, and barrels of money. The only way it could happen is to rely on the efforts of others. That is why there are charitable foundations, and committees. We might even get a grant from the MacArthur foundation, or another philanthropic foundation or Bill Gates.



If you do not think that Freemasonry can or should create a charity/foundation, that is your right. Thankfully, most Masons do not agree with you. If you feel that charitable and humanitarian activities are not in the scope of Freemasonry, I suggest you read this list:

(This is a PARTIAL listing of what Freemasonry (and the appendant/concordant bodies) are doing.

=================

What Freemasonry does…
Simply, Freemasonry builds and advances the character of men to make them better.
Building on principals of moral integrity, Freemasons hold brotherly love as paramount to the benefit of mankind. Whether through charitable acts, or by direct involvement, Freemasonry has dedicated itself to the prosperity of mankind.
On the individual level, Freemasonry builds on moral philosophy, through allegorical symbols to impart rich and complex meanings about the divine. What that means is through Masonic education, individuals are given their own personal building blocks to contribute to the build of their own personal moral character, and then charged with applying that purpose in their day-to-day life.
It does not act to impart religion to its membership, instead it builds on the tenants and virtues taught by all religions, including a faith in the divine, the application of the Golden Rule, and the value of leading a moral virtuous life, all with the drive to put these ideas into personal practice. It promotes the active participation in the member’s individual faith tradition, charging them to build their spiritual character.
Throughout the mason’s life, the lessons of morality and ethics are revisited through the extensions of the various bodies of Freemasonry, building on the principals of Freemasonry. Seldom can a mason say they have learned all of the meanings taught to them through the degrees.
By serving to promote brotherly love masons are now involved in extended levels of charity and benevolence to meet the needs of those least able in society.
To serves as an example, Freemasons are involved in all of these charitable organizations, giving to the needs of others.
•Childhood language disorders
•Treatment for birth defects
•Scholarship and direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite Masons as well as to members of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls, and other
•Masonic youth groups
•Research on diabetes
•A summer camp for underprivileged children
•Arteriosclerosis research
•Christmas Day Dinner for the Des Moines community
•Cancer research
•Training awards for religious leadership and those making religious work their career
•A museum and monument to George Washington
•Grants to students at in Schools of Government and Business
•Administration and International Affairs
•Dental care for handicapped children
•Scholarship assistance to nursing students
•Geriatric research
•Child development for good citizenship and sound character for boys and girls
•Outpatient services for cancer treatment
•Low cost education loans
•Eye surgery and prescription glasses
•Treatment for cancer patients and cancer research support
•Masonic Hospital Visitation Program for V.A. Hospital volunteers
•Research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension, and blood substitutes
•Meeting and performance facilities at the International Peace Garden
•A clearinghouse on Masonic information
•Education of youth about drugs and alcohol
•Ohio Special Olympics
•A non-denominational chapel for mediation and religious services at the International Peace Garden
•Research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders
•Research into auditory perception disorders in children
•A Georgia children’s medical Center
•A museum and library focusing on our American heritage as well as Freemasonry’s role in the history of our country
•The first public library in the District of Columbia
•Scholarships and fellowships for Ph.D. candidates in Public School Administration
•Support for students seeking degrees in fields associated with service to country and humanity Orthopedic services to children through a network of 22 hospitals and treatment for burns victims at four burns centers
•Support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
•A provider of new shoes for needy Tennessee and Alabama children
•An orthopedic, neuralgic, and child development hospital in Texas
•Operates a clinic for dyslexic and aphasia disorders in children
•Provides needy homeless children in the school district with clothing and toiletries

The following is a brief listing of these American Masonic Charities mentioned above:
Abbott Scottish Rite Scholarship Program
Provides direct grants to children and grandchildren of Scottish Rite masons, as well as members of DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and other Masonic youth groups.
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Amaranth Diabetes Foundation
(Supports research on diabetes)
The Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth
Mrs. Ethel B. Fry, Supreme Secretary
2303 Murdoch Avenue
Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101
(304) 485-0423 or (304) 428-1565


I ESPECIALLY LIKE THIS ONE!!!!

Camp Chicota
A summer camp for underprivileged children
Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Prince Hall Affiliation
1335-37 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821
(504) 387-0996





Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
Supports arteriosclerosis research
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
Marion K. Crum, Executive Secretary
Route 4, Box 301
Nashville, Indiana 47448
(812) 988-8655
Des Moines Masonic Christmas Day Dinner
Provides Christmas Day Dinner for the community
Masonic Christmas Day Dinner
Masonic Temple
1011 Locus Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 244-6011
Eastern Star Cancer Research Project
Supports cancer research
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737

Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership
Supports those who are making religious work their career
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Supports the Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden which
provides a non-denominational chapel for meditation and religious
services
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
1618 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2578
(202) 667-4737
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
A museum and monument to our first President (and a Mason)
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Calahan Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
(703) 683-2007
George Washington University Grants
Provides grants to students in the Schools of Government and
Business Administration and International Affairs and matching
grants for graduate students
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction
1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-3199
*****-SR MASON
Grotto Dentistry for the Handicapped Program
Provides dental care to handicapped children
Supreme Council, M.O.V.P.E.R.
34 N. Fourth Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 463-9193
Illinois Scottish Rite Nursing Scholarships
Provides scholarship assistance to nursing students throughout
the State of Illinois
Illinois Scottish Rite Fund
Illinois Council of Deliberation
915 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 787-7605
Indiana Masonic Home Foundation
An endowment which supports the Indiana Masonic Home, a retirement
and convalescence center. Located on 360 acres, is home for over
400 residents.
P. O. Box 44210
525 North Illinois Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46224-0210
(800) 277-4643
Indianapolis Scottish Rite Foundation
Supports geriatric research at the University of Indiana Medical School
Indianapolis Scottish Rite Bodies
650 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-1294
(317) 635-2301
International Order of Job’s Daughters
A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and twenty who are relatives of Master Masons
Supreme Guardian Council, International Order of Job’s Daughters
233 West 6th Street
Papillion, Nebraska 68046
(402) 592-7987
International Order of Rainbow for Girls
A organization for girls between the ages of eleven and eighteen who are daughters of Masonic or Eastern Star families or friends of such girls
International Order of Rainbow for Girls
P.O. Box 788
McAlester, Oklahoma 74502
(918) 423-1328
Kansas Masonic Oncology Center
Provides out-patient services for cancer treatment
Kansas Masonic Foundation
320 West 8th Street
P.O. Box 1217
Topeka, Kansas 66601-1217
(913) 357-7646
Knights Templar Educational Foundation
Provides students with low-cost education loans
5097 Elston Ave, Suite 101
Chicago, Illinois 60630-2460
(312) 427-5670
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Supports eye surgery and prescription glasses
P.O. Box 579
Springfield, Illinois 62705-0579
(217) 523-3838
Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center
Provides treatment for cancer patients and supports research
Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc.
1700 West Highway 36, Suite 120
Roseville, Minnesota 55113
(612)639-8433
Masonic Hospital Visitation Program
Provides Masonic volunteers to work with patients at Veterans
Administration and military hospitals
Masonic Services Association of the United States
8120 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(301) 588-4010
Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, Utica, New York
Supports research in heart disease, cancer, aging, hypertension,
and blood substitutes
2150 Bleeker Street
Utica, New York 13501-1787
(315) 735-2217
Masonic Memorial Auditorium, International Peace Garden
Provides meeting and performance facilities for visitors
Grand Lodge of North Dakota
201 14th Avenue North
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 235-8321
Masonic Services Association of the United States
Serves as a clearing house for Masonic information
National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children
Supports education for youth about drugs and alcohol
1629 K Street N.W., Suite 606
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 331-1933
Ohio Special Olympics
The Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio sponsors every Ohio Special Olympian at these games
Grand Lodge of Ohio
P.O. Box 629
Worthington, Ohio 43085-0629
(614) 885-5318
Order of DeMolay
A fraternal organization for boys between the ages of thirteen and
twenty-one; its purpose is the encouragement and development of good
citizenship and sound character
International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay
10200 N. Executive Hills Boulevard
P.O. Box 901342
Kansas City, Missouri 64190-1342
(816) 891-8333
Research In Schizophrenia
Supports research into the causes and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Royal Arch Research Assistance Program
Supports research into auditory perception disorders in children
General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International
111 South 4th Street
Danville, Kentucky 40423-0489
(606) 236-0757
Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center in Georgia
Provides generalized and specialized services to children
Scottish Rites Children’s Medical Center
1001 Johnson Ferry Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30363
(404) 256-5252
Scottish Rite Museum of Our National Heritage
A museum and library focusing on our American heritage as well as
Freemasonry’s role in the history of our country
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, N.M.J.
P.O. Box 519
33 Marrett Road
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173
(617) 862-4410
Scottish Rite Supreme Council Library
The first public library in the District of Columbia which today
serves the general public as well as international Masonic scholars
Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction
1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-3199
http://www.srmason-sj.org
Shepherd Scholarship
Supports students seeking degrees in fields associated with service
to country and humanity
Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners Burn Institutes
Provides orthopedic services to children through a network of 22
hospitals and treatment for burns victims at three burns centers,
also provides specialized medical services for spinal cord injuries,
and cleft palates.
Direct phone to Shriners Hospitals for Children (USA) 800-237-5055
Shriner Headquarters
2900 Rocky Point Drive
Tampa, Florida 33607
[USA - (800) 282-9161 ] [Canada - (800) 361-7256 ] [All other areas
call collect - (813) 281-0300 ]
Tall Cedar Foundation
Supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Supreme Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon
2609 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
(717) 232-5991
Tennessee and Alabama Scottish Rite Shoe Program
Provides new shoes for need Tennessee and Alabama children
Chattanooga Scottish Rite Bodies
510 Uptain Building
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411-4031
(615) 855-0175
Birmingham Scottish Rite Bodies
400 Valley Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209-3899
(205) 942-2687
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Provides orthopedic, neuralgic, and child development services to children in Texas
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, Texas 75219-9982
(214) 521-3168
Masons Assisting Children (MAC)
Provides needy homeless children in the school district with clothing and toiletries
Masons Assisting Children
2200 West Mesquite
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106
Scottish Rite Foundation
Operates a clinic for dyslexic and aphasia disorders in children
Scottish Rite Foundation
2200 West Mesquite
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106

---

If you truly believe that Freemasonry/Appendants should not be involved in charitable and humanitarian activities, I suggest that you contact each of the activities on this list, and given them your reasons, and tell them to stop the activities.

"Mankind was my business" - The Ghost of Jacob Marley, talking to Ebenezer Scrooge.
 
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LAMason

Premium Member
That is the truth. I was there, and I personally witnessed the entire ceremonies. Afterwards, I was delighted to shake Brother Dreyfuss' hand.

I did not say it was not true, it is just disheartening to see such a publicity stunt.
 

Pete Ramboldt

Registered User
I have looked through this section for quite some time now and have tryed to think about what I could change to make Free Masonry better. After much thought I think it boils down to just one thing.

ME!

Brothers, it's not about changing Free Masonry - It's about changing oursevles to live and act by her moral standards. Think about it!
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I did not say it was not true, it is just disheartening to see such a publicity stunt.

I understand your point. I, personally, am NOT a fan of ODC's. Even a "big shot" should be able to take the Masonic experience like the rest of us. I would, however, keep the door open for exigent circumstances, like a soldier deploying overseas. During WW2, some lodges operated "around the clock", doing degree work on soldiers.

I am nevertheless delighted, that an actor of Richard Dreyfuss' stature is a Mason. He does not get any publicity from it, and even the fact that he is a Mason, is absent from his Wikipedia biography. I am thrilled that he started the "Dreyfuss Initiative" (It was underway a long time before he was made a Mason, and there is NO connection between the foundation and Masonry).
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I have looked through this section for quite some time now and have tryed to think about what I could change to make Free Masonry better. After much thought I think it boils down to just one thing.

ME!

Brothers, it's not about changing Free Masonry - It's about changing oursevles to live and act by her moral standards. Think about it!

If you are of the opinion that there is nothing in Freemasonry, that needs changing or updating, then this discussion is not for you. If you wish to improve yourself in Masonry, as we are all charged to do in the EA degree, I wish you well, and I am right there with you. There is no lodge nor any Masonic fellowship where I live, so my Masonic experience here is personal and internet only.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member

I am a graduate of Western Kentucky University (class of 1983). The motto of my Alma mater is "Back of the deed was the doer, back of the deed was the Dream".
My dream is a healthy and vigorous Freemasonry, that can meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"If you don't have good dreams, then all you have are nightmares". Mickey Rourke, actor/boxer
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
If you do not think that Freemasonry can or should create a charity/foundation, that is your right. Thankfully, most Masons do not agree with you. If you feel that charitable and humanitarian activities are not in the scope of Freemasonry, I suggest you read this list:
...
If you truly believe that Freemasonry/Appendants should not be involved in charitable and humanitarian activities, I suggest that you contact each of the activities on this list, and given them your reasons, and tell them to stop the activities.

"Mankind was my business" - The Ghost of Jacob Marley, talking to Ebenezer Scrooge.
<sigh> You miss the point continually. It's never been about not doing charitable works.

It's always been about stopping the insanity of further encouraging members toward yet one more undue distraction from their PRIMARY PURPOSES.

The Problem: The organization as a whole does not do the basics for its own members. To ask members to build organizational structures to support others without making sure that those members have first built structures to support themselves is insanity perpetuated.

Your "idea" farm is also part of the problem. You're laying a lot o' eggs there Bro. You need to sit down and hatch those chicks before you even begin to feed 'em, raise 'em! and put 'em out to stud. Until your do, the yokes on you.

 

cemab4y

Premium Member
<sigh> You miss the point continually. It's never been about not doing charitable works.

It's always been about stopping the insanity of further encouraging members toward yet one more undue distraction from their PRIMARY PURPOSES.

The Problem: The organization as a whole does not do the basics for its own members. To ask members to build organizational structures to support others without making sure that those members have first built structures to support themselves is insanity perpetuated.

Your "idea" farm is also part of the problem. You're laying a lot o' eggs there Bro. You need to sit down and hatch those chicks before you even begin to feed 'em, raise 'em! and put 'em out to stud. Until your do, the yokes on you.

I am glad that most Masons are not opposed to our charities. (The huge majority of which are sponsored by the appendant/concordant bodies anyway).

I disagree that the organization as a whole does not do the basics. I have visited lodges in 14 states, WashDC, and 5 foreign countries. The meetings are as basic and boring as anyone could imagine. Open, read minutes, read the sick list, pay the bills, close, go home. This is "basic Masonry",to be sure.

The whole point of this discussion topic, is to hatch and "massage" ideas. The great thing about 51 Grand Lodges,is that there are 51 "laboratories" ,where ideas can be tried. If found successful, they can be imitated. If found impractical, then they can be discarded. This is why the idea of a national Grand Lodge (which I oppose) is ludicrous.

If you are opposed to discussing ideas, then this thread is not for you.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I am glad that most Masons are not opposed to our charities. (The huge majority of which are sponsored by the appendant/concordant bodies anyway).
It's never been the issue, although you continually make effort to make it one.

I disagree that the organization as a whole does not do the basics. I have visited lodges in 14 states, WashDC, and 5 foreign countries. The meetings are as basic and boring as anyone could imagine. Open, read minutes, read the sick list, pay the bills, close, go home. This is "basic Masonry",to be sure.
That is basic "Freemasonry". It is far from having anything to do with Masonry.

The whole point of this discussion topic, is to hatch and "massage" ideas.
Oh! Thanks for pointing this out. I thought is was merely to share what each poster wanted to change about their organizational experiences; not to drum up ideas to change the organization.
The great thing about 51 Grand Lodges,is that there are 51 "laboratories" ,where ideas can be tried. If found successful, they can be imitated. If found impractical, then they can be discarded. This is why the idea of a national Grand Lodge (which I oppose) is ludicrous.
Well, that and for a whole bunch of other reasons.

If you are opposed to discussing ideas, then this thread is not for you.

Did you want to discuss this idea further or are you dead set on not discussing your opinion on this any further?
 
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LAMason

Premium Member
...I am nevertheless delighted, that an actor of Richard Dreyfuss' stature is a Mason.

What does his stature as an actor have to do with the qualifications of becoming a Mason? Do you believe that being agnostic meets the requirement of having a belief in a Supreme Being?

...He walked in to the building at 0900am with no Masonic affiliation. He left the building before lunch, a 32d degree SR mason...

So, how can the 3 Craft Degrees be conferred in less then 3 hours?
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
What does his stature as an actor have to do with the qualifications of becoming a Mason? Do you believe that being agnostic meets the requirement of having a belief in a Supreme Being?
1) Nothing, but good God man! It's RICHARD DREYFUS!!!!
2) Not in my jurisdiction.

So, how can the 3 Craft Degrees be conferred in less then 3 hours?
I thought he said he walked out a 32 Degree mason after 3 hours. Isn't that 32 degrees in 3 hours?
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
All i.see is cemab4y making suggestions on things.he sees as ways to make meetings and lodges better and the old timers screaming "thats not how we did it in my day!" hes got some really good ideas. Im a fairly new.mason(about 2yrs now) and i just affiliated with my second lodge,Army moved me, there r 2lodges here in Santa Fe,NM and i chose Cerrillos #19 over Montezuma 1 because Cerrillos actually has masonic and.non masonic.presentations at at the meetings where Montezuma was all business all the time. By adding presentations to your meetings u arent changing Masonry.
 
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