Comments on: McMasonry must end!

By: Brother Free

Brother Free — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:10:43 +0000

Here here Brother Mike!

While it is true that Freemasonry should adapt over time this kind of evolution must never change the ‘core’ of what Freemasonry is.

These days it almost seems as though Masonry is pandering to the times out of fear of extinction. Chance to Advance degree work is issuing new brothers through like a degree mill. In my opinion, a man absolutely must experience his third degree raising personally to draw the greatest benefit from it.

I’m going to put up a post on 3Ruffians.com about this as well. The more of us who speak up in favor of tradition and real masonic value, the better.

By: Vince W.

Vince W. — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:35:31 +0000

Again, we are missing the point in our quest to trump or attack the messenger!
The point of Masonry is what you do, the quality of how you live your life and how you try to improve the state of mankind, in turn, improving yourself.
Whether a brother obtains the proper degree in one day or in one lifetime is only a step in the journey of life! What should be important is the morality and character of how the Brother(s) live their lives!

Anything worth having is worth working for! Conversely, there are exceptions to consider as well! The value of a one day degree should be looked at on a case by case basis! THE KEY IS WHAT DOES THE BROTHER TO IMPROVE HIMSELF AND WORLD AFTER THE DEGREE!

Brother Mike is not wrong in his opinion, it gives us cause to think!

By: Woody Jones

Woody Jones — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:12:43 +0000

Mike—I agree. McMasonry is not a good thing. I think the only people that should be able to receive degrees short of time or without demonstrating proficiency should be exceptional cases, such as deploying military, etc. I think that the majority of Mcmasons don’t appreciate their degrees as much as somebody who stood on trembling legs and demonstrated their knowledge.

http://woodyjones.wordpress.com/

By: Brother C

Brother C — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:07:51 +0000

Can’t we all “brothers” just get along…I have been a MM for 8 years now…I have been lecturing new candidates for the last several years…

I think that going through a one day thing does not fully educate new candidates…I guess it has its purpose…Monetarily I guess…Since the majority of money goes to the grand lodges of the different states…I do not attend lodge meetings or go to lodge for the benefit of the “grand lodge’…I go for the benefit or my brothers who I would trust to the ends…

If brothers do not want to get involved and participate further in lodge, “who cares”…This is where priorities come in play…You either want to or you don’t…It is in your heart or it is not…

We need to spend our time and thoughts on things such as the masonic homes…The masonic homes that we have all though would be a place for us as masons when we grow old and have nothing…This we have recently learned that it is a misnomer that any of us or our wives, widows, or orphans will even have a place…The masonic homes will accept anyone and being a MM or anything does not give us any rights at all when the time comes…This is what we need to spend our time on…Things that matter to us…

A “one day” brother could become just as educated and brotherly as the “traditional” brother if he has masonry and his brothers in his heart…

Thanks…C

By: Mike Bryant

Mike Bryant — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:47:27 +0000

Brother Dan, your counsel is both timely and good. For my part, I will refrain from any future comments on this issue.

Anyone may, of course, continue to post comments, but be forewarned: I will remove any comments that do not strive to further peace and harmony among our Brotherhood. Ours should be a fraternity without contention, except that ‘noble contention’. And it would appear that some of the comments posted on this topic have been somewhat less than noble. If I have been too negative, I do apologize.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:11:12 +0000

Brother Mike, Can I offer some wise counsel. It seems Anonymous does not want to discuss the issue calmly. I would suggest you quit arguing, both of you, remember your Obligations, and agree to disagree.

At the same time, I hope that I have not contributed in a negative manner to this discourse.

Respectfully and Fraternally,

Dan

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:51:54 +0000

Here’s the numbers: a few thousand men have become Masons through the one day class. Hundreds of thousands have become Masons the traditional way. More of the latter group don’t bother to get involved than the former. This is a making Freemasonry relevant issue, not a one day class issue.

By: Mike Bryant

Mike Bryant — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:04:59 +0000

Well, I’m busted. I have never worked at McDonalds. While in college (just recently paid off my student loans, BTW) I did work at a number of places, however, including Pizza Hut and some other eateries… And, I’m not sure exactly how it applies to the conversation, but my version of leeching off the system is working many, many long hours into the night writing software for people that don’t always pay me what they owe.

Yes, I was initiated, passed and raised in three days. And with the proficiencies you could count six days (recently turned in the MM proficiency, which is not a req, or it would have been five days). But that doesn’t count the hours spent learning the catechisms of the degrees. Even if it did, by your own numbers it is one day vs. six days. That’s roughly 17%. Are you really arguing that one can get as much out of Masonry in 17% of the time? From candidate to Master? Really?

As an example, I think I speak for most people when I say it’s really tough to do a full week’s worth of work on Monday alone.

Regarding your third point, I think you are missing my point, but I would like to ask you to show me your numbers to back up your statement. That would be interesting.

Finally, please re-read the initial post. I never used the term McMason at any point in the post. Brethren whether they are initiated, passed and raised in one day or 10 years are Masons. I’m referring to the techniques used by Grand Lodges to try and drum up the membership roles.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:45:48 +0000

First of all, I hate any term that takes the “Mc” from McDonald’s in an attempt to marginalize whatever is being referred to. It started with the term mcjobs, supposedly to denote that a job at McDonald’s isn’t a real job. If half the leeches in this country would get a job at McDonald’s instead of scamming the system, it would be a step in the right direction. So the term you used of McMason doesn’t even make sense.

Second of all, you were initiated, passed and raised in 3 days. Throw in your proficiencies and it could be up to 6 days. Compared to a one day class, that is only 5 more days. What is important is what a Mason accomplishes over his lifetime, not a few days.

Third, you refer to quality over quantity. That has nothing to do with a one day class. Most men who come in the traditional way never come back to lodge. Having 10 men you know in lodge are 10 men who are just as likely to have come in from a one day class as from the traditional way.

By: Mike Bryant

Mike Bryant — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 23:12:17 +0000

Thanks for the input. Your personal attacks on me provide nothing to the conversation however. How do you judge me? Do you know me? Have we attended Lodge together? Have I helped you study the catechisms? Or are you making attacks because of what you read on a single blog post? Are you a Mason?

In any case, peace to you.