Derek Barclay
Registered User
Hey guys,
I entertained the idea of petitioning to join the Scottish Rite lodge in Dallas a while back. I eventually lost interest because I felt I could never reconcile my beliefs, or lack thereof, with the rules of the fraternity.
Some things left me genuinely perplexed so I'd like to ask yall about them.
Why is there, seemingly, an emphasis on formal attire and rituals? So often those things seem, to me, to be mistaken for having intrinsic meaning. I was asking the head of a different local lodge about attending a public get-together at a bar, and he informed me the attire was formal. I informed him that I only own jeans and t-shirts, and he said that was fine so long as I did not feel intimidated or offended (can't remember which) by the others being dressed formally. This truly confused me. I thought of it the other way around. I didn't want them to take offense at my lack of "proper dress."
Also, the notion that 'God' is an absolute term is something I can't understand, atleast not yet. Do I believe in a master plot to life, no. But I often find myself feeling/thinking about life, in general, the way many people do with regard to 'God.'
Any thoughts on these ramblings?
I entertained the idea of petitioning to join the Scottish Rite lodge in Dallas a while back. I eventually lost interest because I felt I could never reconcile my beliefs, or lack thereof, with the rules of the fraternity.
Some things left me genuinely perplexed so I'd like to ask yall about them.
Why is there, seemingly, an emphasis on formal attire and rituals? So often those things seem, to me, to be mistaken for having intrinsic meaning. I was asking the head of a different local lodge about attending a public get-together at a bar, and he informed me the attire was formal. I informed him that I only own jeans and t-shirts, and he said that was fine so long as I did not feel intimidated or offended (can't remember which) by the others being dressed formally. This truly confused me. I thought of it the other way around. I didn't want them to take offense at my lack of "proper dress."
Also, the notion that 'God' is an absolute term is something I can't understand, atleast not yet. Do I believe in a master plot to life, no. But I often find myself feeling/thinking about life, in general, the way many people do with regard to 'God.'
Any thoughts on these ramblings?