🚀 go-pugleaf

  Fraternal Greeting Ron

RB>OK, now a MM must decide if he is going to visit that lodge or not
RB>even though his own GL forbids such visitations.  I pesonally feel
RB>that GL's get a little to impressed with themselves and the limitted
RB>authority THEY WERE INTENDED TO HAVE.  I don't like them telling me
RB>which masons I can and can't recognize.

   Well said. It is unfortunate but it seems once an organization (be it
   social, labour, governmental or religious) get large enough it begans
   to restrict those personal freedoms it once fought for; * of course
   for the good of the masses they are supposedly representing * (yea
   right)

RB>But they have said "NO" to
RB>visitations with Co-Masonic lodges.
RB>I have spoken with a Co-Mason from the Detroit area lately and *SHE*
RB>said her lodge regularly has around 2-3 *VISITING* masons from F&AM or
RB>AF&AM lodges.  First you have to decide for yourself if you think it
RB>is right or wrong to visit these lodges, then make your decision to do
RB>it or not.  To visit the lodge or not to is a committment either way
RB>that needs to be considered.  While a one time or two visit to a lodge
RB>for a few hours dosn't really seem like much of a committment, it is
RB>actually only an indication of a much larger committment.  That being,
RB>"Am I going to do EVERYTHING the GL says and believe that everything
RB>they impose upon us as law is RIGHT, MORAL, AND CORRECT? or Am I going
RB>to use my heart to decide what is right and when it conflicts with the
RB>GL I will follow my heart."  These are big choices.

   Unless I'm extremely mistaken one of the duties we are obligated to
   perform is to study the mysteries of science and nature along with
   the seven liberal arts. Now this task is presented to each mason, not
   to make him a puppy dog to be led about on a leash, but to make him
   an independent thinker who questions and seeks answers to those
   questions.  As we have seen too often in history, blind loyalty
   brings about bigotry, intolerance and the masses giving up their
   freedom and choice to a few "chosen leaders" and usually ends up in
   disaster. As far as Co-Masonry goes it comes down to one simple
   question, Why women can not be initiated into Freemasonry? If a
   reason is presented then each mason can make the decision as to
   whether it is valid or not. The only eternal law in the universe is
   that of change, if masonry can not change and grow it will stagnate
   and die. Especially if it begins to fall back onto the time
   worn excuse of "tradition" without backing it up with reason.
   Remember also that few of the "regular G.L." of today were regular
   when they first formulated.

   Lets hear some other opinions on this issue. Is it breaking one's
   obligation to stand up against a G.L.'s edict if one personally feels
   that the edict is unjust or unreasonable, or just plainly old fashion
   and out of touch with the realities of the modern world.

     On the level with square and compass in hand beneath the stars

                                  In L.V.X.
                                           Jim Fairman (Fyrstar)


 * SLMR 2.1a * With the working tools, we discover the word within.

--- Maximus 2.00
 * Origin: The Homestead * Brampton, Ont * (905) 458-4812 * (1:259/212)