Admittedly, it was a type-o originally, I caught it and then said to myself, "Leave it! See is someone catches the double MEaning."I'm not sure if it was a typo, @coachn , but I particularly like the "good me" comment. There is only one man I can change and that's me. If that change brings about a positive change in the lodge or Brethren, even better.
I am going to agree with you IF we're on the same train of thought.Just went through this whole thread, and it was simultaneously enlightening and a tad discouraging I must admit.
If they are on the lodge roster and are paid up, they are indeed "members". What's more, if they belong to the fraternity, they are members. We have a whole bunch of "members"; every last one of them are Freemasons....Anyone who has knelt before the altar and took the obligations is a Mason regardless of what we think. They are not "members."...
I believe your questions are based in fear and have nothing to do with being qualified as a member.
I asked quite a few posts ago what the "Benefits & Rights" were and no one responded. I believe they are voluntarily enjoyed; they are not mandatory.
Responsibilities do not include "running the lodge" or "attending meetings". In fact, life takes priority over lodge activities, ALWAYS! Those who get caught up on an unfounded guilt trip are usually the ones who get most upset when others do not buy into it and who have their priorities proper for themselves.
I believe those who adequately assess membership responsibilities of the jurisdiction will come to understand that they are to continue being a good man and practice Masonic principles. Attendance or running the lodge are elective responsibilities only.
Members do not owe anything to the lodge other than what I just mentioned AND dues payments. "Guilting" anyone with what you have mentioned is counterproductive and morally wrong.
BTW - It's been my experience that those who get caught up in these guilt trips eventually get bitter and attack those who don't; this behavior drives members away.
So I have a debt I try to pay forward, but that does not mean everyone should do as I do and in the same way.. hopefully some follow the example, just as I did (and they are, there were only 2 PMs in the ceremony and all the other work was done by MMs) but if some dont, but still support the lodge, even if only by paying dues, I am grateful for their support and continuing commitment, even if it is not the same as others' contribution..
Amen! I felt the exact same way. I had (& have) respect & admiration for those who conferred my Degrees and took the time to teach me not only the catechism, but, more importantly, what it means & how to live as a Mason. I felt & continue to feel that I owed it to the Fraternity to emulate, to the best of my ability, their example.I think to develop as a Freemason, you need to be going to Lodge. I also think as a Freemason, you need to focus on your own conduct first as it is the only thing you can control. Me, I felt like in initiating, passing and raising me, I owed a debt to the lodge and only had that experience because someone had put the time into learning the lines and lessons and delivering them in lodge and coaching me outside lodge so I try to pay that debt forward to others by doing what was done for me and learning the lines and showing up etc.
The only thing I fear is that Lodges will cease to exist without Brethren accepting their responsibilities in assisting with the work of the LodgeI believe your questions are based in fear.
Well, forgive me for not responding sooner. You see, like most of the Brethren of my Lodge, I am not retired. Of our officers, only one is not working. Roughly half of the rest of us are self-employed and the other half have "real" jobs. In fact, our SW not only runs his own ready-mix business, but also has 5 kids. Trust me, he neither neglects his business nor his family. Masonry is important enough to him that he finds time to be involved- he knows full well the lesson of the 24-inch gauge. As to your question, the benefits & rights are to be able to meet on the level with others who have the same interest, to have a place where like-minded Brethren can meet to fellowship & learn about Masonry and to perform the work that teaches the lessons of Masonry.I asked quite a few posts ago what the "Benefits & Rights" were and no one responded.
Of course it does. That IS the lesson of the 24-inch gauge. One will always find time for that which is important to him- the lesson is to keep all in balance.life takes priority over lodge activities, ALWAYS!
Your fear is based upon an assumption that is unfounded. Brethren do not have that responsibility unless they volunteer to take it upon themselves.The only thing I fear is that Lodges will cease to exist without Brethren accepting their responsibilities in assisting with the work of the Lodge
Forgiveness given! Nice of you to step up to the plate. KUDOS!Well, forgive me for not responding sooner.
That makes two of us. We should start a club! and get polo shirts with logos!You see, like most of the Brethren of my Lodge, I am not retired.
You have not given me any reason to mistrust you, yet.Of our officers, only one is not working. Roughly half of the rest of us are self-employed and the other half have "real" jobs. In fact, our SW not only runs his own ready-mix business, but also has 5 kids. Trust me, he neither neglects his business nor his family.
Kudos to him. He finds time to be involved "with lodge activities". That is his way. Others have their own ways.Masonry is important enough to him that he finds time to be involved- he knows full well the lesson of the 24-inch gauge.
What you have shared is not something that is limited to attending meetings. It is one way; it is not the only way.As to your question, the benefits & rights are to be able to meet on the level with others who have the same interest, to have a place where like-minded Brethren can meet to fellowship & learn about Masonry and to perform the work that teaches the lessons of Masonry.
I'm glad that you agree.Of course it does. That IS the lesson of the 24-inch gauge. One will always find time for that which is important to him- the lesson is to keep all in balance.
You have no idea what you are talking about Bill. I have no problems whatsoever with the institution. It is designed to do exactly what it does and it does it splendidly. The fact that you have concluded this from my statements tells me that you have some baggage that biases your view of me. Good luck with that.Coachn, it is obvious from your statements that you have a serious problem with the institution of Masonry.
There are helpful programs for that.At times, I also get aggravated with it also.
One does not have to attend lodge to pursue the ideals of Masonry. In fact, should you attend Lodge to pursue these ideals, you might just become aggravated. The fact that you have concluded there are necessary evils in lodge make me wonder what fraternity you belong to.However, it is a necessary evil with which we must deal in order to pursue the ideals of Masonry.
life takes priority over lodge activities, ALWAYS!
I think this "guilt trip" point Coach makes is very important. Freemasons often use it to try to get people to lodge, but it is a bad bad method and actually can be damaging. You need members to be there because they want to be, not because they have been emotionally blackmailed and I say guilting members to attend is counter productive because you need happy members who want to be there, not ones who are unhappily there because they've been guilted into it. ..
At the end of the day, any gift should be given without strings, if it s given with conditions, it's not really a gift, it is a transaction... but on reading what I wrote in the sentence "At the end of the day, any gift should be given without strings, if it s given with conditions, it's not really a gift, it is a transaction" degrees do create mutual (and I do mean MUTUAL) obligations.. at its simplest, that obligation is to meet the promises you make and to particularity obey to Const.. but our Second and Third degree Obligations doe have the lines about "answer and obey all lawful.. summonses, if within the length of my cable tow" ... some folk seem to have very short cable tows and I often wonder about that but try not to judge unless is positively, for instance, we had a guy only recently recovered from illness attend last meeting, and a bro with one leg to struggles up our stairs very meeting, but hardly misses one... I think that effort is fantastic and often point out their commitment. Indeed its inspired me to show up when I have not felt like it (esp a meeting a few years ago when the lodge was in mourning for my proposer..)
Agreed!The only thing I fear is that Lodges will cease to exist without Brethren accepting their responsibilities in assisting with the work of the Lodge