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

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pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
I was asking anyone in general. It seemed more than one person brought it up, so I genuinely wanted to know.
My guess is that people increasingly use the computer to organize their lives. Allowing people to pay their dues using the same tool that they use to pay all their other obligations seems like a reasonable course of action.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Is it change to go from failing to fulfill our obligation to actually fulfilling it? Maybe we're splitting semantic hairs here, but I'd say yes. It is definitely a change, in our behavior, bringing us more in line with the "intent".

As for change for change's sake, that's seldom a good idea. But when the status quo is failing to achieve the desired results, Einstein tells us that change is the only sane thing to do.

And I don't think anyone is suggesting abandoning any worthy traditions. In fact, there are a lot of traditions that have fallen by the wayside (dramatic degree work, music in Lodge, caring for our widows) that deserve to be dusted off and brought back into regular use. In other words, change.
I agree. Old traditions need to be kept while some operating procedures need changed such as instituting some methods to bring more young people into the Craft.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
Gentlemen, We are going to see changes forced upon us. With the aging of our membership cohort, and the closing of more smaller lodges, change is inevitable. How best we cope with these changes, or if we let change control us, will show what type of men we really are.
 

JJones

Moderator
Well, the fraternity is going to change but it's still in the air if the changes will be brought on by our actions or inactions.

As a fraternity we need to come to terms with this. Lodge demographics are changing and this will result in changes over time. I don't think this has to be a bad thing in the long term, although it's tragic that the changing demographics are partially being caused by older generations of brethren passing away...now that is saddening.

I feel we need to ask ourselves exactly where the borders of our circle of influences (cable-tows) rest at. We can't change things outside our circle of influence but we can work on ourselves first and our lodges second and in doing so we will make the lodge experience more enjoyable.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I have visited lodges in 14 states, WashDC, and five foreign countries. I have never been refused entry to any regular lodge. As long as you are a member of a Grand Lodge which is in communication with the Mother Grand Lodge in England, and the lodge you wish to visit is also in communications with the Mother Grand Lodge, you should have no problem.
 

AndreAshlar

Registered User
Uninhibited recognition and cross visitation privileges by EVERY regular lodge of ALL lodges descended from African Lodge #459!
 
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cemab4y

Premium Member
I have discussed the possibility of a "Masonic Bill of Rights". I would like to see certain rights set down in the constitution and by-laws of all Grand Lodges. In my home lodge, (and in most lodges), normally the entire body of the lodge is responsible to make sure that all present are Master Masons in good standing.

The WM has the final say, though, in who may visit his lodge.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I have discussed the possibility of a "Masonic Bill of Rights". I would like to see certain rights set down in the constitution and by-laws of all Grand Lodges. In my home lodge, (and in most lodges), normally the entire body of the lodge is responsible to make sure that all present are Master Masons in good standing.

The WM has the final say, though, in who may visit his lodge.

Each GL of which I am aware already does declare a Mason's rights. In Utah, it includes the right to object to a visitor. It appears you wish to abrogate the right of the brethren. That is in derogation of their rights, not in support of their rights.

Further, for a WM to have the final say in who visits a Lodge is contrary to Utah Masonic law and, again, is in derogation of the rights of the brethren.

There is also a certain arrogance in declaring what one thinks best for another jurisdiction.
 
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