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I never heard of ODCs outside the US. So, why do other nations deal with the same problems differently? Maybe, because it IS a riling-up issue.

It took me over 1/2 hour to convince the WM, who did the test, that I am a mason. And I think, he only let me in, because of three brothers, who I knew from the internet. I explained to him half of our ritual and a quarter of german masonic history. *gg*

Keeping silence over the modes of recognition, is, in my opinion, not a matter of secrecy, but of discipline. We swore to hold them secret, and therefore, it is a question, if I am able to hold my oath. It does not matter, if they are publicly known. With keeping the silence, I show to the other...

Ah, I see. I know that from a visit in a lodge in Mass. We have something similar, but often, the questions are different, and even the answers to the same questions are different as well, as we have different words and more or less different signs for the degrees.

Same with me.

What does "the work" mean? Is it a paper on symbolism or memorized ritual knowledge?

Again interesting. Here, grand lodge has nothing to say about the officers in a lodge. The lodge has souvereignity over such decisions. In my jurisdiction, GL has to approve the election of the WM, but in other german jurisdictions, it is not even that. That may be connected to the civil law...

Interesting. Very different to our customs. Here, the WM can usually assamble the board of officers as he sees fit.

I think, yout tradition, to have 3-year-terms, gives you the opportunity to develop a real feeling of being the WM. And you are usually about 4 years a mason and 2 years a MM, before you can even get electable as WM (you need the 6th degree in Swedish Rite to be electable as WM in Germany, in...

In my jurisdiction, all brothers are covered, and it is required. In other jurisdictions, it is more a matter of lodge tradition, and it seems to be a matter of location too. In northern Germany, many lodges require a top hat (no other hat-styles allowed), in the south, it is not common. But it...

Germany has to offer 5 GLs, you can visit, with about 10 different rituals, including a US style and an english Emulation ritual. Others are Swedish Rite, german AF&AM standard, Grand National Mother Lodge 3 World Globes ritual, Schröder Ritual, Royal York, GL of the Sun ritual (GL extinct...

In Germany, a few lodges have their own lodge-wine or lodge liquor, with their lodge coat of arms and name on it. Wine and beer is very commonly served, hard beaverages often too. I usually begin the lodge evening with a glass of wine among my brothers, then the degree meeting, and after that...

In my jurisdiction, grand lodge fixed the style of dress for every brother, not only the WM. Black suit or Tail, white bowtie and top hat, as it is seen in my avatar picture.

We elect WM, the Wardens and the Treasurer. The rest is appointed. But the WM nominates the candidates for the elected offices. They just have to be approved by the brotherhood.

I voted Master of Ceremonies, as I did this for 9 years. My current office does not exist in the US. I'm Assistant WM.

I have 4 masonic forums I post in, 2 german and 2 american/international. I have used non-masonic forums in my beginning time in the internet, but no longer do that. In the past I wrote on several forums for wicca and witchcraft, to prevent some junior girlie white witches, who watched too much...

I agree.

So, you cannot remove your officers from duty? "Not worthy" sounds severe. In such cases, a WM would change the officer. It is a whee bit more difficult with the wardens, as they are elected, but it can be done.

You are right, but there are other grand bodies, that were once clandestine, and now are not, like the Prince Hall GLs in many states. So, the status quo is not hammered in stone. There was also the rule of "one GL per country" (or state, for those large federal constructs like USA or Brasil)...

I was initiated in December 1997 at age 26, passed November 1998 and raised in May 1999. My next degrees were 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2008. I will get my 10th and last degree of our system this October.