My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Study on the present conditions of Freemasonry in the world.

vinceatwork

Registered User
Secrecy doesn't help who? Check your VSL and see if you can find a place where it recommends keeping things secret in your heart. I know mine does.
= = = = =
Secrecy does not help the Craft, but rather gives rise to suspicion among the profanes. We are concerned about the general declining membership; would visibility hurt the Craft in any way? And finally, what do we have to hide? our strive for enlightenment? our bond of friendship? our dedication to charity, in all its forms?
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
My jurisdiction is shrinking at 3% a year as it has done for decades.

My own view is that the breakaway Grand Lodge of London and Westminster in 1717 constituted a wrong turning as demonstrated in 1727 when it implicitly admitted in the new version of the 3rd degree (Hiram rather than Noah) that the genuine secrets were lost to it.

Still the genuine secrets are discoverable by those very few brethren (whether ritually initiated or not) that make enough progress in the work of the FC. In principle, those few genuine FC are capable of forming a Freemasonry that makes real progress towards the recovery of the secrets - as compared to waiting around until time and circumstance do the work for us.

But I do not know if a regenerated Freemasonry will appear in my lifetime.
= = = = = =

I have just received this morning from a brother in Kansas the statistics for that state
(scroll down to p. 8): https://www.kansasmason.org/cms/images/KansasMason-Winter2014.pdf
and also for the whole USA. The trend is similar to that of your jurisdiction.

As for the Lost Secrets, you may want to look at what was said about them by a hard-working Mason two centuries ago: http://www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com/kraus/00-21e-03-furtherremarks2.php#a4




 

vinceatwork

Registered User
Could I suggest that rather than using the example of the eagle feather, just ask the question you wish answered. However, I'm guessing the answer will be what is called for in ritual and recognition: They use the VSL.

Contact for MSANA: http://www.msana.com/contact.asp

You have not indicated why your GL will not help you contact other jurisdictions, at least for CGMNA. I understand you may not contact them directly and they don't have time to respond to your question. My thrust is different: Draft the email and letter to be sent with two clicks by your GSec.

I am not authorized to speak on all of those issues for my jurisdictions and some of the information you already have available from MSANA. And that is the weakness of your approach to the internet: It is so much gossip.

Another suggestion, at CGMNA in Wisconsin in February, seek approval to submit a SHORT Yes/No questionnaire to either the GM's or the GSec's. You could also do this at the various Regional Masonic Conferences.

Also, have you looked at Paul Bessel's site?
= = = ==

Glen, I have looked at the Bessel site: good information, but dated (2000). Useful though, as it can be compared to the most recent from the Masonic Service Association of North America (2014). Is not a pretty picture - now, with my study I hope to find the "whys"
 

Bloke

Premium Member
. Also, have you looked at Paul Bessel's site?

Great site, but the information is becoming dated and is no longer updated.

....that is the weakness of your approach to the internet: It is so much gossip

I tend to agree with Glen. After consulting an "experience brother" I would then consult someone qualified and experienced in surveys & research like this, they will poke holes in the questions you have written, and hopefully offer suggestions... If you are going to do this, you need to do it right, especially to solicit help from whom you need Brother... . If you are going to engage with respected GLs, they will only take the time with quality research (no offense intended).

You need to think about this;
Qualitative research gathers information that is not in numerical form. For example, diary accounts, open-ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews and unstructured observations. Qualitative data is typically descriptive data and as such is harder to analyze than quantitative data

There is another great problem in trying to collect data like this -many GL's will not have hard data on some of your questions. I know our GL (and Freemasons including me) does sampling of a sort - but there are often biased and the sample not truly random.

I think you have several issues
1 - the format and design of the questions themselves - text responses do not allow you to quantify answers. Quantitative rather than Qualitative responses will make analysis easier and the data more transparent..
2 - the delivery of the questions - how will you get a true sample from GLs (and if you randomize it via the web, your responses will be biased by the type of men who answer surveys on the internet). How did you deal with the road block of not being able to contact GLs ? (If your rich, just employ a non-freemason to do it for the purposes of "Fraternal Study")
2a - of you cannot get GLs to participate and use individual masons, you sample will need to BE HUGE to get decent aggregate data, but even then it will be more opinion in nature.

I've got stuck on this sort of thing before, my answer was to remove any question which could not be put on a scaled response with a numerical or yes/no response, but I've never faced the problem of getting a decent sample...

Have you done this sort of research before ? Do you have any informal or formal training in such research and the following analysis ?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
= = = ==

Glen, I have looked at the Bessel site: good information, but dated (2000). Useful though, as it can be compared to the most recent from the Masonic Service Association of North America (2014). Is not a pretty picture - now, with my study I hope to find the "whys"
Do you know how many articles have been written on the "why"?
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
Great site, but the information is becoming dated and is no longer updated.



I tend to agree with Glen. After consulting an "experience brother" I would then consult someone qualified and experienced in surveys & research like this, they will poke holes in the questions you have written, and hopefully offer suggestions... If you are going to do this, you need to do it right, especially to solicit help from whom you need Brother... . If you are going to engage with respected GLs, they will only take the time with quality research (no offense intended).

You need to think about this;


There is another great problem in trying to collect data like this -many GL's will not have hard data on some of your questions. I know our GL (and Freemasons including me) does sampling of a sort - but there are often biased and the sample not truly random.

I think you have several issues
1 - the format and design of the questions themselves - text responses do not allow you to quantify answers. Quantitative rather than Qualitative responses will make analysis easier and the data more transparent..
2 - the delivery of the questions - how will you get a true sample from GLs (and if you randomize it via the web, your responses will be biased by the type of men who answer surveys on the internet). How did you deal with the road block of not being able to contact GLs ? (If your rich, just employ a non-freemason to do it for the purposes of "Fraternal Study")
2a - of you cannot get GLs to participate and use individual masons, you sample will need to BE HUGE to get decent aggregate data, but even then it will be more opinion in nature.

I've got stuck on this sort of thing before, my answer was to remove any question which could not be put on a scaled response with a numerical or yes/no response, but I've never faced the problem of getting a decent sample...

Have you done this sort of research before ? Do you have any informal or formal training in such research and the following analysis ?
= = = = =


Bloke, I can’t and I won’t argue with your observations. My study is not a survey that I am conducting for money, and therefore ought to be professionally structured and marketable to be successful – it is a study, by which I hope to form a picture of what the brethren are doing in their jurisdictions that makes their lodges prosper, or decline, perhaps to extinction, as we can see in many example of lodges amalgamating or going dark. You have given me the answers for Victoria, for which I thank you, and from which one can already draw lessons.

Since I have no shame, I going to ask of you still more: do you know of any brother who can give me the information I seek regarding the other Australian states, and perhaps New Zealand? You know already I cannot ask the Grand Lodges directly, and all the attempts I have so far made by other means and through other bodies have born no results.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
No, Glen, I don't. Would you tell me?

Also, do you have the answers to my questions for Utah?


I would guess over a hundred in the last 20 years. Before beginning a research project, do a literature review.

I am not authorized to speak on all of these issues on behalf of Utah, Oklahoma or UGLE.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I think you should reflect on what I wrote.

I am actually an editor of a masonic newsletter of sizable international distribution.... find a third party site (even facebook will do) and i'll shoot it to my editorial team but i doubt we will form the view to promote it as the methodology will not be seen as sound. For the same reason i will not be promoting it to my personal contacts.

Like it or not brother, you do need to 'market' your survey, particularly as u do not have a GL to promote and drive it. With some digging, i could obtain more answers than i gave but your not successfully motivating me to invest time in your project, esp now in the busy race to Christmas.....
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
I would guess over a hundred in the last 20 years. Before beginning a research project, do a literature review.

I am not authorized to speak on all of these issues on behalf of Utah, Oklahoma or UGLE.
= = = = =

Fair enough. Can you speak on your own behalf, and share your knowledge with me?
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
I think you should reflect on what I wrote.

I am actually an editor of a masonic newsletter of sizable international distribution.... find a third party site (even facebook will do) and i'll shoot it to my editorial team but i doubt we will form the view to promote it as the methodology will not be seen as sound. For the same reason i will not be promoting it to my personal contacts.

Like it or not brother, you do need to 'market' your survey, particularly as u do not have a GL to promote and drive it. With some digging, i could obtain more answers than i gave but your not successfully motivating me to invest time in your project, esp now in the busy race to Christmas.....
= = = ==

I acknowledge having hit another wall. Would that newsletter (any issue) contain any of the information I am seeking? would I be able to access it?

I thank you for all you have done, and I wish a Marry Christmas to you and to the all Australian brethren and their families.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Secrecy does not help the Craft, but rather gives rise to suspicion among the profanes.

I say secrecy helps the craft specifically because it makes profanes of poor quality that much easier to identify. It helps guard the western gate.

There's old the old saying "You can't learn everything about a man by who his friends are, but you can learn a lot. You can learn even more about a man by who his enemies are than by who his friends are." I look at the antis and I thank God for making it so easy to judge.

We are concerned about the general declining membership; would visibility hurt the Craft in any way?

As a researcher you are aware that the Craft grew out of bounds during the WWI-WWII period and it is now returning to the levels or ancestors enjoyed in centuries before that. As a result the word "We" in your post refers not to you, not to me, not to many of the other members of this board but rather to those brothers not well read in our history.

And finally, what do we have to hide? our strive for enlightenment? our bond of friendship? our dedication to charity, in all its forms?

Many of our secrets are the type that can be shouted from the roofs and still remain secret. The advantage remains that secrecy draws out into the open those who would otherwise oppose us in private. The fact remains that being able to shout certain of our secrets from the roofs and they remain secret explains that many among the mundanes are no ready for some of our types of light.
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
I say secrecy helps the craft specifically because it makes profanes of poor quality that much easier to identify. It helps guard the western gate.

There's old the old saying "You can't learn everything about a man by who his friends are, but you can learn a lot. You can learn even more about a man by who his enemies are than by who his friends are." I look at the antis and I thank God for making it so easy to judge.

As a researcher you are aware that the Craft grew out of bounds during the WWI-WWII period and it is now returning to the levels or ancestors enjoyed in centuries before that. As a result the word "We" in your post refers not to you, not to me, not to many of the other members of this board but rather to those brothers not well read in our history.

Many of our secrets are the type that can be shouted from the roofs and still remain secret. The advantage remains that secrecy draws out into the open those who would otherwise oppose us in private. The fact remains that being able to shout certain of our secrets from the roofs and they remain secret explains that many among the mundanes are no ready for some of our types of light.
= = = = =


Doug, to some extent, I do not agree with you about secrecy. As for the miseries of the Craft during WW2, I just got a book written some time ago by Ralf Melzer, and translated into English by Glennys Waldman (the librarian at the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania). I didn’t get to read it yet, but I hope to do so soon. I also have a book on the history of Archimedes lodge in Altenburg (Germany) from its inception in 1743 to the present, which deals with its troubles during the Napoleonic wars, the Nazi era, and during the DDR era. As soon as I am done with the Study on the present condition of Masonry, I will translate this history for my brethren.

I see you have ties to lodges in Texas, California, and Illinois. Do you have any information regarding my questions, that you can share with me for those States?
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
California answers.

1. Total number of members in your Grand Jurisdiction - Are the numbers up or down? (As compared to 10 years ago)

Down. 53136 end of 2013, 50781 end of 2014. The 2015 report is not yet out and I don't keep older reports.

2. On the whole, do you feel the lodges in your jurisdiction are prospering or declining?

Some lodges in each situation. Individual lodges move back and forth between the two situations. My mother lodge has been through 2 up and down cycles in my 20 years of membership when counting the number of degrees confirmed, though the total membership continues to decline because of the giant boom that ended about 1960.

3. What are the causes of this prosperity, or decline?

Number of activities each year has a large influence but local economy has also been a large driver.

4. Which segments of the population/professions constitute the membership in your area?

I don't know how to answer this as the data on profession only appears in petitions and is not tracked in any database.

5. What is the average age now found among the members? Is the age average now changed (up or down) as compared to the past?

69.31 right now for my mother lodge. There is no report that I could find for past or for the entire jurisdiction. I think average age is falling becasue so many elderly brothers from the boom are dying.

6. What is the average membership size of yourLodges?

550 per lodge

7. What percentage of the membership is usually present at the lodge meetings?

Under 10% as usual for American lodges

8. How often do members meet, in lodge or socially, each month?

Monthly family dinner 12 times. Other social and fund raising events 12 times.

Lodge opens at least for practice every Tuesday except the night of the family dinner.

9. Do your lodges meet in the summer months?

Yes. No skipped meetings.

10. With the exception of members who can not attend the meetings, due to illness or distance, what remedies or sanctions are enforced against the defaulting members (e.g. complaint, summons to appear and to justify their absence, expulsion or other ....); how common are these cases?

No sanctions. During the meeting we welcome back any member not a regular for positive reinforcement.

11. Are the temple’s building generally the property of the lodge, co-owned with other lodges, or rented from others (commercial enterprise)?

The temple corporation is a stock company with many owners. Pasadena Lodge holds well over 90% of the stock but we have never been able to gather all shares. Some shares were sold to individuals during the construction fundraising and some of those individuals have no known estate.

12. Are the membership fees sufficient to pay for the maintenance of the Temple, or are some of the Temple facilities rented to the public, to balance income and expenses?

No. A large fraction of the income comes from trust fund proceeds and the profit from building rentals. The life membership fund does not see even interest withdrawals. The combination of building rental profits and trust fund proceeds puts our lodge far above the majority of lodges for income.

13. What is the average cost of admission (Initiation), and the annual fees (proportionally to the the average daily earning from employment in your country)? Are there additional fees charged for each degree?

I'm a life member so I send them checks but I don't pay attention to current fees.

14. What are the most common reasons today in your Grand Jurisdiction that entice a petitioner to join a Lodge?

High opinion of the order.

15. Must the Petitioner be known to one or more members of the Lodge?

In theory yes. In practice if you pull out a petition pens start pointing at you immediately.

16. What investigations about the Applicant for membership are conducted by the lodge after receiving an application for membership – how thorough are these investigations?

California requires character witnesses. They are called by telephone. The committee visits the home of every candidate before the ballot.

Candidates sign permission forms for background checks. Background checks are not required by GL and few lodges conduct them.

17. Is it usual for an Applicant to be rejected - What are usually the reasons for rejection?

Unusual to reject a candidate. It is forbidden to ask why a cube is dropped. No reason is ever announced in the rare cases that the committee's recommendation is a no.

18. How does an Apprentice qualify for the next level; and the Fellow-craft for the Master's degree? How long does it take for these qualification as a rule?

There is a memorized proficiency to be delivered in tiled lodge between EA and FC, between FC and MM. Often this is down before the next degree.

There is a memorized proficiency after the MM degree but it is only required to hold an elected office in a lodge. In California all lodges elect JW. SW, SE, TR, WM and appoint all other officers.

19. Is a Candidate required to present in lodge one or more Papers (Lectures) to qualify for the next level?

No.

20. Are apprentices permitted to speak in Lodge?

Speak yes. Vote no.

21. Is the belief in a “Creator” an indispensable condition for the admission of an applicant?

No. Only belief in the existence of a supreme being.

22. Are any believers of other (not mainstream) faiths excluded from membership?

No. The religious diversity in California is vast.

23. Is the belief that the Scriptures (of any religion) constitute the will of God - a determining factor for the approval of an applicant?

No. Not consistent with religious diversity.

24. Universality. - for example: Would a just, righteous and reputable North American Indian (true believer in its traditional spirituality) be admitted in a lodge of your Grand Jurisdiction? - such an Indian having no Bible or equivalent Holy Scriptures, but his spirituality and his faithfulness is represented by the Eagle Feather, holding which he swears and feels bound by it. You will find the reasons for this strange question here: http://www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com/the-eagle-feather.php

As I posted elsewhere if he wants to bring his own VSL it would have to be a book. The book would have to be approved by vote of the lodge members at the initiation. The GL publishes a list of pre-approved VSLs of numerous well known faiths. Some lodge members might prefer the book be vetted by members of Lodge of Research. I know that a book on Scientology has been declined by local vote at one point. Putting a feather into the book would not be an issue.

25. Besides the Bible, what other holy writings are permitted to be displayed on the altar of the Lodges in your Grand Jurisdiction?

§402.060. ALTERNATE HOLY WRITINGS
...
A.
If the candidate does not wish to be obligated on the Holy Bible, he must select an
alternate Holy Writings in book form from a list promulgated from time to time by the
Grand Master of the Holy Writings of those recognized religions whose theology is
notinconsistent with a belief in a Supreme Being and a future existence. The Grand Master’s
list shall at all times include the al-Kitab al-Aqdas of Bahaism, the Tripitaka of
Buddhism, the Analects of Confucianism, the Vedas of Hinduism, the Koran of Islam,
the Tanach of Judaism, the Koji-ki of Shintoism, the Adi Granth of Sikhism, the Tao-te
Ching of Taoism and the Zend Avesta of Zoroastrianism. In selecting an alternate Holy
Writings, the candidate must state that the book chosen is the Holy Writings of his
religious faith;
...
E.
When an alternate Holy Writings is used during a degree, a closed Holy Bible of any size
must be on the altar; and
...

I note this list is not exhaustive as it provides a means to add VSLs. The current list has not changed since it was passed back in the late 1990s.

26. Except for the conferral of degrees (Rituals), what other activities are usually undertaken by the lodge?

Social events. Charity fund raisers. District meetings don't always teach ritual. Regional conferences generally don't include rituals.

27. What public activities for the benefit of the community do the lodges carry on?

Some volunteer events like painting a school. Blood drives at the district level.

28. What is the perception of Freemasonry by the general public in your area? (City, State, Province or Country)

Very high in California.

29. Does the assertion: “Masonry is not only the most ancient, but the most moral human institution that ever existed” still sounds true to your members?

I've never heard the expression before so the word "still" makes no sense. Masonry has never tried to compete with other orders.

30. Does this assertion sound true to the general (profane) public in your area?

I have no idea.

31. Is any activity of the lodge made public in the media?

Our charity fund raising events are listed in the local newspaper. Rental events at our building are often listed in the local building.

32. Do lodges advertise in their website or in the media, to entice new candidates to join the lodge? (To join Freemasonry.)

The GLofCA has a published PR program with camera ready artwork. No lodge I know of has ever used the material.

33. After a Brother has completed his term as Master of the Lodge, does he keep his W. Bro. title, or is addressed simply as Brother?

Worshipful. It is very common for a PM to wear his own PM apron from then on.

34. How common is the resignation of a brother? What are usually the reasons for resigning?

Rare. I have seen brothers go to appendent bodies and never attend again but I don't think that's what you mean.

Because California does multiple and plural memberships it is not common to demit to other lodges.

35. Is there any other information about the present practice of Masonry in your Grand Jurisdiction that would render this study more complete and useful?

= = = = = = = =

For further information on this Study, feel free to contact me: Bro. Vincent Lombardo – P.M. Quinte St. Alban’s Lodge No. 620 G.R.C., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, +1 905 - 731-0504 vince.lombardo.to@gmail.com[/QUOTE]
 

vinceatwork

Registered User
California answers.

1. Total number of members in your Grand Jurisdiction - Are the numbers up or down? (As compared to 10 years ago)

Down. 53136 end of 2013, 50781 end of 2014. The 2015 report is not yet out and I don't keep older reports.

2. On the whole, do you feel the lodges in your jurisdiction are prospering or declining?

Some lodges in each situation. Individual lodges move back and forth between the two situations. My mother lodge has been through 2 up and down cycles in my 20 years of membership when counting the number of degrees confirmed, though the total membership continues to decline because of the giant boom that ended about 1960.

3. What are the causes of this prosperity, or decline?

Number of activities each year has a large influence but local economy has also been a large driver.

4. Which segments of the population/professions constitute the membership in your area?

I don't know how to answer this as the data on profession only appears in petitions and is not tracked in any database.

5. What is the average age now found among the members? Is the age average now changed (up or down) as compared to the past?

69.31 right now for my mother lodge. There is no report that I could find for past or for the entire jurisdiction. I think average age is falling becasue so many elderly brothers from the boom are dying.

6. What is the average membership size of yourLodges?

550 per lodge

7. What percentage of the membership is usually present at the lodge meetings?

Under 10% as usual for American lodges

8. How often do members meet, in lodge or socially, each month?

Monthly family dinner 12 times. Other social and fund raising events 12 times.

Lodge opens at least for practice every Tuesday except the night of the family dinner.

9. Do your lodges meet in the summer months?

Yes. No skipped meetings.

10. With the exception of members who can not attend the meetings, due to illness or distance, what remedies or sanctions are enforced against the defaulting members (e.g. complaint, summons to appear and to justify their absence, expulsion or other ....); how common are these cases?

No sanctions. During the meeting we welcome back any member not a regular for positive reinforcement.

11. Are the temple’s building generally the property of the lodge, co-owned with other lodges, or rented from others (commercial enterprise)?

The temple corporation is a stock company with many owners. Pasadena Lodge holds well over 90% of the stock but we have never been able to gather all shares. Some shares were sold to individuals during the construction fundraising and some of those individuals have no known estate.

12. Are the membership fees sufficient to pay for the maintenance of the Temple, or are some of the Temple facilities rented to the public, to balance income and expenses?

No. A large fraction of the income comes from trust fund proceeds and the profit from building rentals. The life membership fund does not see even interest withdrawals. The combination of building rental profits and trust fund proceeds puts our lodge far above the majority of lodges for income.

13. What is the average cost of admission (Initiation), and the annual fees (proportionally to the the average daily earning from employment in your country)? Are there additional fees charged for each degree?

I'm a life member so I send them checks but I don't pay attention to current fees.

14. What are the most common reasons today in your Grand Jurisdiction that entice a petitioner to join a Lodge?

High opinion of the order.

15. Must the Petitioner be known to one or more members of the Lodge?

In theory yes. In practice if you pull out a petition pens start pointing at you immediately.

16. What investigations about the Applicant for membership are conducted by the lodge after receiving an application for membership – how thorough are these investigations?

California requires character witnesses. They are called by telephone. The committee visits the home of every candidate before the ballot.

Candidates sign permission forms for background checks. Background checks are not required by GL and few lodges conduct them.

17. Is it usual for an Applicant to be rejected - What are usually the reasons for rejection?

Unusual to reject a candidate. It is forbidden to ask why a cube is dropped. No reason is ever announced in the rare cases that the committee's recommendation is a no.

18. How does an Apprentice qualify for the next level; and the Fellow-craft for the Master's degree? How long does it take for these qualification as a rule?

There is a memorized proficiency to be delivered in tiled lodge between EA and FC, between FC and MM. Often this is down before the next degree.

There is a memorized proficiency after the MM degree but it is only required to hold an elected office in a lodge. In California all lodges elect JW. SW, SE, TR, WM and appoint all other officers.

19. Is a Candidate required to present in lodge one or more Papers (Lectures) to qualify for the next level?

No.

20. Are apprentices permitted to speak in Lodge?

Speak yes. Vote no.

21. Is the belief in a “Creator” an indispensable condition for the admission of an applicant?

No. Only belief in the existence of a supreme being.

22. Are any believers of other (not mainstream) faiths excluded from membership?

No. The religious diversity in California is vast.

23. Is the belief that the Scriptures (of any religion) constitute the will of God - a determining factor for the approval of an applicant?

No. Not consistent with religious diversity.

24. Universality. - for example: Would a just, righteous and reputable North American Indian (true believer in its traditional spirituality) be admitted in a lodge of your Grand Jurisdiction? - such an Indian having no Bible or equivalent Holy Scriptures, but his spirituality and his faithfulness is represented by the Eagle Feather, holding which he swears and feels bound by it. You will find the reasons for this strange question here: http://www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com/the-eagle-feather.php

As I posted elsewhere if he wants to bring his own VSL it would have to be a book. The book would have to be approved by vote of the lodge members at the initiation. The GL publishes a list of pre-approved VSLs of numerous well known faiths. Some lodge members might prefer the book be vetted by members of Lodge of Research. I know that a book on Scientology has been declined by local vote at one point. Putting a feather into the book would not be an issue.

25. Besides the Bible, what other holy writings are permitted to be displayed on the altar of the Lodges in your Grand Jurisdiction?

§402.060. ALTERNATE HOLY WRITINGS
...
A.
If the candidate does not wish to be obligated on the Holy Bible, he must select an
alternate Holy Writings in book form from a list promulgated from time to time by the
Grand Master of the Holy Writings of those recognized religions whose theology is
notinconsistent with a belief in a Supreme Being and a future existence. The Grand Master’s
list shall at all times include the al-Kitab al-Aqdas of Bahaism, the Tripitaka of
Buddhism, the Analects of Confucianism, the Vedas of Hinduism, the Koran of Islam,
the Tanach of Judaism, the Koji-ki of Shintoism, the Adi Granth of Sikhism, the Tao-te
Ching of Taoism and the Zend Avesta of Zoroastrianism. In selecting an alternate Holy
Writings, the candidate must state that the book chosen is the Holy Writings of his
religious faith;
...
E.
When an alternate Holy Writings is used during a degree, a closed Holy Bible of any size
must be on the altar; and
...

I note this list is not exhaustive as it provides a means to add VSLs. The current list has not changed since it was passed back in the late 1990s.

26. Except for the conferral of degrees (Rituals), what other activities are usually undertaken by the lodge?

Social events. Charity fund raisers. District meetings don't always teach ritual. Regional conferences generally don't include rituals.

27. What public activities for the benefit of the community do the lodges carry on?

Some volunteer events like painting a school. Blood drives at the district level.

28. What is the perception of Freemasonry by the general public in your area? (City, State, Province or Country)

Very high in California.

29. Does the assertion: “Masonry is not only the most ancient, but the most moral human institution that ever existed” still sounds true to your members?

I've never heard the expression before so the word "still" makes no sense. Masonry has never tried to compete with other orders.

30. Does this assertion sound true to the general (profane) public in your area?

I have no idea.

31. Is any activity of the lodge made public in the media?

Our charity fund raising events are listed in the local newspaper. Rental events at our building are often listed in the local building.

32. Do lodges advertise in their website or in the media, to entice new candidates to join the lodge? (To join Freemasonry.)

The GLofCA has a published PR program with camera ready artwork. No lodge I know of has ever used the material.

33. After a Brother has completed his term as Master of the Lodge, does he keep his W. Bro. title, or is addressed simply as Brother?

Worshipful. It is very common for a PM to wear his own PM apron from then on.

34. How common is the resignation of a brother? What are usually the reasons for resigning?

Rare. I have seen brothers go to appendent bodies and never attend again but I don't think that's what you mean.

Because California does multiple and plural memberships it is not common to demit to other lodges.

35. Is there any other information about the present practice of Masonry in your Grand Jurisdiction that would render this study more complete and useful?

= = = = = = = =

For further information on this Study, feel free to contact me: Bro. Vincent Lombardo – P.M. Quinte St. Alban’s Lodge No. 620 G.R.C., Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, +1 905 - 731-0504 vince.lombardo.to@gmail.com
[/QUOTE]
= = = = =

Doug, this is great. Thank you very much.
for No. 1, I have the figures from another source (for California as well). No. 8 - Family dinner, should I read once a month? and 2 Lodge Meetings monthly? No. 13 - can you find out what these fees are for non life members? No. 34 - you are correct: my question refers to brethren that leave Masonry.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
My personal view

1. Total number of members in your Grand Jurisdiction - Are the numbers up or down? (As compared to 10 years ago). A: See MSANA report

2. On the whole, do you feel the lodges in your jurisdiction are prospering or declining? A: See MSANA report

3. What are the causes of this prosperity, or decline? A: Likely the same reasons as other GL's

4. Which segments of the population/professions constitute the membership in your area? A: It is unclear what "segments of the population" means. If it means professions, this is unknown, as the statistics are not kept by the GL. Additionally, it is not clear if trades are included in the word "professions." I individually know tattoo artists, military members, lawyers, bankers, doctors, a rocket scientist, retirees; production line supervisor; flower grower.

5. What is the average age now found among the members? Is the age average now changed (up or down) as compared to the past? A: Refer to GL. It is not thought that there would be historical information.

6. What is the average membership size of your Lodges? A: Refer to GL


7. What percentage of the membership is usually present at the lodge meetings? A: Unknown by GL.

8. How often do members meet, in lodge or socially, each month? A: Varies with lodge

9. Do your lodges meet in the summer months? A: Varies with lodge

10. With the exception of members who can not attend the meetings, due to illness or distance, what remedies or sanctions are enforced against the defaulting members (e.g. complaint, summons to appear and to justify their absence, expulsion or other ....); how common are these cases? A: It is unclear what "defaulting members" means. If this refers to Masonic Complaints, refer to GL Code, available in Amazon

11. Are the temple’s building generally the property of the lodge, co-owned with other lodges, or rented from others (commercial enterprise)? A: Varies with lodges.

12. Are the membership fees sufficient to pay for the maintenance of the Temple, or are some of the Temple facilities rented to the public, to balance income and expenses? A: In Salt Lake City proper, no. Refer to individual lodges

13. What is the average cost of admission (Initiation), and the annual fees (proportionally to the the average daily earning from employment in your country)? Are there additional fees charged for each degree? A: Varies with lodge. Each lodge sets own fees. The average daily earning in the US is unknown. The requester would have this information and it is inappropriate to ask others to determine that information.

14. What are the most common reasons today in your Grand Jurisdiction that entice a petitioner to join a Lodge? A: Unknown. Refer to petitioners. It is likely the same across the US

15. Must the Petitioner be known to one or more members of the Lodge? A: Yes.

16. What investigations about the Applicant for membership are conducted by the lodge after receiving an application for membership – how thorough are these investigations? A: Varies with Lodge. See also http://www.wasatchlodge.org/wp-content/petition.pdf

17. Is it usual for an Applicant to be rejected - What are usually the reasons for rejection? A: Refer to the Code on discussion of rejections. GL does not keep statistics on how many are rejected.

18. How does an Apprentice qualify for the next level; and the Fellow-craft for the Master's degree? How long does it take for these qualification as a rule? A: Refer to Code. GL does not have information on a rule as to how long it takes.

19. Is a Candidate required to present in lodge one or more Papers (Lectures) to qualify for the next level? A: No. Refer to Code

20. Are apprentices permitted to speak in Lodge? A: If the degree is open on the appropriate degree, yes

21. Is the belief in a “Creator” an indispensable condition for the admission of an applicant? A: See sample petition http://www.wasatchlodge.org/wp-content/petition.pdf

22. Are any believers of other (not mainstream) faiths excluded from membership? It what is meant by mainstream faiths. A: See petition http://www.wasatchlodge.org/wp-content/petition.pdf

23. Is the belief that the Scriptures (of any religion) constitute the will of God - a determining factor for the approval of an applicant? A: See petition http://www.wasatchlodge.org/wp-content/petition.pdf

24. Universality. - for example: Would a just, righteous and reputable North American Indian (true believer in its traditional spirituality) be admitted in a lodge of your Grand Jurisdiction? - such an Indian having no Bible or equivalent Holy Scriptures, but his spirituality and his faithfulness is represented by the Eagle Feather, holding which he swears and feels bound by it. You will find the reasons for this strange question here: http://www.freemasonryresearchforumqsa.com/the-eagle-feather.php
A: See petition http://www.wasatchlodge.org/wp-content/petition.pdf

25. Besides the Bible, what other holy writings are permitted to be displayed on the altar of the Lodges in your Grand Jurisdiction? A: It is unclear what "holy writings" means. The Koran, Vida; others; Refer to Grand Lodge for specifics.

26. Except for the conferral of degrees (Rituals), what other activities are usually undertaken by the lodge? A: Varies with lodge. Recommend survey of lodges.

27. What public activities for the benefit of the community do the lodges carry on? A: Various: Food banks, charitable donations; scholarships; sub for Santa. Recommend survey of lodges. The Masonic Foundation of Utah makes significant grants

28. What is the perception of Freemasonry by the general public in your area? (City, State, Province or Country). A: In the view of Glen Cook: Many people have never heard of Freemasonry.

29. Does the assertion: “Masonry is not only the most ancient, but the most moral human institution that ever existed” still sounds true to your members? A: Unknown. Glen Cook does not recollect having ever heard of that, and would disagree with it. Survey of members recommended.

30. Does this assertion sound true to the general (profane) public in your area? A: Unknown, as have not surveyed them. Glen Cook suspects some would find it offensive, as it would indicate their religious faith was not moral.

31. Is any activity of the lodge made public in the media? A: Yes

32. Do lodges advertise in their website or in the media, to entice new candidates to join the lodge? (To join Freemasonry.) A: What does "advertise" mean? There are websites.

33. After a Brother has completed his term as Master of the Lodge, does he keep his W. Bro. title, or is addressed simply as Brother? A: He retains Worshipful

34. How common is the resignation of a brother? What are usually the reasons for resigning? A: It is unclear what is meant by resignation. Demit? Reunciation? No reasons are required for either.

35. Is there any other information about the present practice of Masonry in your Grand Jurisdiction that would render this study more complete and useful? A: Refer to Code. Read the Communication reports. Do an internet search on Grand Lodge of Utah. Review the Lodge websites and FB pages. Review the history of Masonic discrimination against Latter-day Saintsnd the antipathy between the two organizations
 
Last edited:

vinceatwork

Registered User
Glen, I go by the assumption you are a member of a Lodge (or more than one); that you have been around Masonry for some time; that you are well-read in Masonic matters, and as such, you have some knowledge regarding the questions I ask. If a stranger and a Profane in the street were to ask you my questions - how would you answer him? In my neck of the woods, if you ask a lawyer "what time is it?" and he answers you, theoretically he is legally entitled to bill you for it. Now, if by the same theory your reluctance is motivated by fear of becoming in some way legally liable (under masonic laws or under that blessed protocol) in answering my questions, then I understand you; and I also understand how deeply troubling is our dedication to secrecy and protocol. I am not asking you to speak of policies and laws of your Grand Lodge, or to speak for it. Tell me, if you know it, how many time lodges in your area meet each month, generally; what are the fees for joining the lodge, generally; what activities do lodges carry on in your area, generally; how common is the sad occasion of a new member to undergo his initiation, and then never to return to lodge, and why, if any, generally; and so on. Glen, I am not asking for state secrets. My questionnaire may well be imperfect - but what is there to lose, and by whom, in answering those questions?

Let me add: would you not want to know what practices have caused other lodges in other areas to fail and disappear; or to prosper? Would it not be prudent on the part of every lodge, and every Grand Lodge to acquire such knowledge? – and free of charge! However imperfect in the manner in which it was obtained, since I am not a lawyer, nor a professional pollster. However, Brother Glen, I wish a Merry Christmas to you too.
 
Last edited:

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Glen, I go by the assumption you are a member of a Lodge (or more than one); that you have been around Masonry for some time; that you are well-read in Masonic matters, and as such, you have some knowledge regarding the questions I ask. If a stranger and a Profane in the street were to ask you my questions - how would you answer him? In my neck of the woods, if you ask a lawyer "what time is it?" and he answers you, theoretically he is legally entitled to bill you for it. Now, if by the same theory your reluctance is motivated by fear of becoming in some way legally liable (under masonic laws or under that blessed protocol) in answering my questions, then I understand you; and I also understand how deeply troubling is our dedication to secrecy and protocol. I am not asking you to speak of policies and laws of your Grand Lodge, or to speak for it. Tell me, if you know it, how many time lodges in your area meet each month, generally; what are the fees for joining the lodge, generally; what activities do lodges carry on in your area, generally; how common is the sad occasion of a new member to undergo his initiation, and then never to return to lodge, and why, if any, generally; and so on. Glen, I am not asking for state secrets. My questionnaire may well be imperfect - but what is there to lose, and by whom, in answering those questions?

Let me add: would you not want to know what practices have caused other lodges in other areas to fail and disappear; or to prosper? Would it not be prudent on the part of every lodge, and every Grand Lodge to acquire such knowledge? – and free of charge! However imperfect in the manner in which it was obtained, since I am not a lawyer, nor a professional pollster. However, Brother Glen, I wish a Merry Christmas to you too.

No, the attorneys in your area are not required to bill, even in theory. In fact, the CBA encourages pro bono.

See the answers above, which point out some of the deficiencies in your questions and your lack of knowledge and experience in the GL system.

Yes, you really are asking me to speak for my GL, you just don't understand that, and that is one of the problems in this enterprise.

It is not a dedication to secrecy. It is an issue of protocol, agency and manners. I am a retired US Naval officer. I did not speak for the CINC. I spoke for my Command. I do not have permission to speak on some matters for the fraternity. It is also a matter of arrogance. We have pleny of Masons for a Minute who are happy to opine as to protocol, law, ritual and custom throughout the Masonic universe, including Mars. It would appear you don't really wish authoritative information. My reading is that you have a hobby horse, and you wish to fill the blanks on a spread sheet regardless of whether the information is valid. Really, you hadn't even bothered to look at the MSANA stats.

We already have information on membership issues. You just seem unaware of it. There are so many papers on why the Craft is failing that seeking yet more personal views adds nothing. Much like the MSANA, you haven't bothered to research the topic. Read the Masonic Society, the Philalethes, Masonic Restoration Foundation, CGMNA reports, WCRMGL proceedings, regional Masonic conference proceedings, Shrine Membership Seminar, AASR publications, and more online comments than my system can generate.

Nevertheless, as indicated, I've replied to your survey. You can now indicate that someone in Utah had never heard that Freemasonry was the best moral system ever.
 
Top