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Philalethes Society Self Destructing

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Traveling Man

Premium Member
"Outside influences" tend to create resistance to change and are, thus, counterproductive.

I see... Like using peace and harmony as a tool for refusal to change or; the changing of Masonry in any way...

But back to the subject matter title; I see from the latest copy of the magazine (on loan from my brother; who is not in this banned jurisdiction lest we read anything that might be innovative) that nothing could be further from the truth. Very good articles, an even greatly improved appearance, very modern subject matter... We should all self destruct in such a manner. VBG
 

Beathard

Premium Member
JohnnyFlotsam said:
No. Please support your curious definition of "Masonic Communication".
.

Johnny, we got into this before. You pick one little statement and attack it with a passion. I'm not going to play your game, but in this case I will tell you the source. Me. I stated an opinion. One that you disagree with, which is fine with me.

What I was attempting to say was an organization that was attempting to become recognized in Texas and requires Masonic affiliation as a requirement for member was allowing a clandestine mason present in Texas and in front of the Grand Master.

In my opinion, so don't ask for a source, this could be seem as a slap in the face to the Grand Lodge. This type of outside pressure can create discontent. It can set back the goal of visitation by years. If you don't believe me look at this thread. And this site has masons that are not old set in their ways guys. If we are going to have a heated discussion, the others are going to clam up and vote no.

The statement was made that we as masons in Texas were a living hipocracy since we allow co-masons, etc. to present papers. I do not know that any have in Texas. If they have they should have been treated the same. (My opinion - no source.)

I believe, no source, that the intent of the law is to prevent us and clandestine masons of any type to communicate (read that in my statement as to talk about the inner workings of masonry as would be done in a research paper). Until there is a change in Grand Lodge law, this should apply to all appended bodies operating within the Texas Grand Lodge jurisdiction or they should receive the same unapproved status (opinion - thus no source).

If we don't like the non visitation rules, a resolution needs to written to change the law. BTW the deadline for resolutions is tomorrow.
 
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JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
I believe, no source, that the intent of the law is to prevent us and clandestine masons of any type to communicate (read that in my statement as to talk about the inner workings of masonry as would be done in a research paper). Until there is a change in Grand Lodge law, this should apply to all appended bodies operating within the Texas Grand Lodge jurisdiction or they should receive the same unapproved status (opinion - thus no source).

I'll leave it to those more familiar with the laws of the GL of TX to confirm, or refute, but I am inclined to agree with your assessment of such laws' intent, thus reinforcing yet again the notion that Texas Masonry is out of step with pretty much the rest of the world. The obligation I took is, but for inconsequential differences in the wording, the same as that taken by Masons in TX. That obligation does not prevent me from discussing Masonry with anyone. It does prevent me from divulging certain details with anyone not a regular Mason from a recognized jurisdiction. The rest of the Masonic world, recognizing this fact, has no problem discussing Freemasonry, even it's "inner workings" (save those few details) and understands that a "Masonic Communication" refers to a tyled Lodge meeting (stated, special, Grand, etc.). They furthermore have long since recognized that there are no secrets other than those which can not be transcribed and that their time is better spent sharing the pursuit of those, rather than petty squabbling about race, gender, "regularity", or any of a thousand inconsequential differences that can be used to set "us" apart from "them". Sure, I keep my obligation, but again, the list of things it actually restricts is short and does not prevent me from sharing the rest of what Freemasonry has to offer with those similarly inclined. To suggest, or to mandate, otherwise is naive, at best.

It has been suggested in this thread that needed change is actually slowed in the jurisdiction of the GL of TX when outside pressure is involved. I will not argue with that, but I will point out that what this actually means is that "doing the right thing" is not something that a majority of Texas Masons (those that vote at Grand Lodge, at least) are willing to do until they can convince themselves that it was their own idea.
 
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Benton

Premium Member
but I will point out that what this actually means is that "doing the right thing" is not something that a majority of Texas Masons (those that vote at Grand Lodge, at least) are willing to do until they can convince themselves that it was their own idea.

That's human nature, though. We desire free will so strongly, that when something feels forced upon us, we dislike it, even if in other circumstances we would have chosen it of our own volition. I know I do this, and stupidly I usually only catch it in retrospect. And I think if 99% of people are honest with themselves, they do it as well. It's simply one of our flawed human short comings we should acknowledge and try to overcome as best we can.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
According to Mackey's "Lexicon of Freemasory", "communication" means a meeting of a lodge. That would seem to fit very well into the context where the word appears.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Traveling Man,

If you & Johnny Flotsam feel so strongly about this issue, why don't y'all collaborate on a resolution to get the Philalethes Society restored as an organization recognized in Art. 225a to which Texas Masons may belong, & present it at the Grand Annual Communication? That's the way things get changed in GLoT.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
Traveling Man,

If you & Johnny Flotsam feel so strongly about this issue, why don't y'all collaborate on a resolution to get the Philalethes Society restored as an organization recognized in Art. 225a to which Texas Masons may belong, & present it at the Grand Annual Communication? That's the way things get changed in GLoT.

As far as I'm concerned; never going to happen. If Texas chooses to live in the dark ages, so be it. As I have said before no one should have to kiss up to exist. That's all I'll say about the subject.
 

Beathard

Premium Member
Traveling Man said:
As far as I'm concerned; never going to happen. If Texas chooses to live in the dark ages, so be it. As I have said before no one should have to kiss up to exist. That's all I'll say about the subject.

Guess we all outta give up then eh?
 

Beathard

Premium Member
Traveling Man, thank you for enlightening us the backwards beliefs of the GLoTx. Since you are obviously knowledgable about the inner workings of both TX Blue Lodge and PH Grand Lodge activities, can you enlighten us to the steps the PH grand lodge has made towards visitation?

Several of us on this site have been very active in moving the issue foreword. I for one am starting to second guess my dedication towards fixing the situation mainly due to this thread.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
Traveling Man, thank you for enlightening us the backwards beliefs of the GLoTx. Since you are obviously knowledgable about the inner workings of both TX Blue Lodge and PH Grand Lodge activities, can you enlighten us to the steps the PH grand lodge has made towards visitation?

Several of us on this site have been very active in moving the issue foreword. I for one am starting to second guess my dedication towards fixing the situation mainly due to this thread.

Nice try, but I will not rise to the bait. You'll have to consult with all of the other Brethren here that have all of that inner working knowledge.

I have made statements about the oganisation that this thread is about. As far as knowledge regarding the fraternity worldwide this magazine contains very valuable information. As far as the GLoT not acknowledging or banning membership; that's their prerogative.

Forgive me if I have over stated the idea that this fraternity was about enlightenment.

<End>
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
As far as I'm concerned; never going to happen. If Texas chooses to live in the dark ages, so be it. As I have said before no one should have to kiss up to exist. That's all I'll say about the subject.

In other words, all you wish to do is piss & moan about it, or use it as an excuse to denigrate the Grand Lodge of Texas, rather than actually do something about it.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
In other words, all you wish to do is piss & moan about it, or use it as an excuse to denigrate the Grand Lodge of Texas, rather than actually do something about it.
Here we go; let's get back on the topic shall we? You as a moderator should know better than this. No P&M here, I've said my piece. Y'all go beat this to death all you want.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Thread closed

[video=youtube;1gG8tefPfqs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gG8tefPfqs&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]
 
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