I must disagree. If you think that by giving members the option of paying dues on-line, is a change in how "Masonry is practiced", then you are wrong. If you think that underwriting a public television program is a change in how "Masonry is practiced" you are wrong here as well. If you think that replacing a print newsletter with an electronic newsletter is a change in how "Masonry is practiced", then you are wrong a third time. If you think that underwriting a public television program is a change in how "Masonry is practiced" you are wrong here as well.
EDUCATIONAL MOMENT: When you say the words "
you are wrong" to another Brother, you let the Brother and the world know that you have yet to comprehend that you are
attacking the Brother rather than
what he is saying. You decrease the possibility of agreeing upon anything with that Brother when you fail to see that the very words you use are an affront to the person you address and not the subject being discussed. It might be a cultural thing on your part so I am letting you know how you come across. Your words are off topic. You fail to realize how far they are off topic and how abusive they come across. You might want to reconsider your word use strategy here and ask yourself if it is producing the results you desire.
BACK TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAM: Regardless, you have shown here that you truly 1)
can't stay on topic, 2)
can't see how changing a system's processes changes the system itself or 3)
can't keep yourself from passing and stating judgments upon another rather than the topic being discussed.
Additionally, you are attempting to reduce the argument to the ridiculous. You have failed here in your efforts. Until you change your methods and your views, I can see that any rational discussion with you shall not occur. When you deliberately change what or how you provide something, you change both the system and ultimately the experience of that system. This applies to what you call "Masonry" (I call it "Freemasonry", but that's a whole different thread). Masonry is a whole. Change any part of that whole, no matter how small you make effort to do so, and you change it. I can tell from your reactions though that you can't see this or have chosen not to. I accept either of these facts about you and do so without any reservation.
I recommend though that when you disagree with someone that you simply disagree with him rather than passing judgment upon someone who obviously holds a different view than that which you hold.
This is nonsense on steroids.
I could not agree more with you... that is, what you have put forth is just that.
Has Masonry sunk to such a low level, that we must rely on the financial support of inactive members, just to keep the doors open?
Brother, it was designed this way in the USA... the (extremely reduced) dues, low degrees costs, bank deposit interest and random donations are what keeps the doors open. So, your assessment of it
sinking is incorrect since it has been this way in the USA on purpose and it has done things this way for a very long time.
Please notice that I did not say that
you were wrong here. My thoughts as to
what you are should have nothing to do with the discussion.
If you believe that lodges should completely ignore the men who are "keeping the doors open", then the Masonry that I have cherished for 33 years, is GONE.
You appear to once again present bizarre imaginings of my view. Arguing absurdities is superfluous.
BTW - The Masonry that you have cherished for 33 years might well exist in your head only. Something to consider.
This comment seems to contradictory to your previous comment. First you say "let it go at that", and then you say "To inform and keep connected is important". What are you saying? Should we let it go at that, and just continue to let the money roll in, or should we inform and keep connected?
Only through your biased eyes. Regardless, based upon all that you have already put forth, you have convinced me that nothing that I try to explain to you along these lines will be understood by you. I shall leave you to your imaginings.