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Do you agree with the results of Annual Communications

relapse98

Registered User
Now that I've had some time to stew:

I think its disgusting some of our members reactions to this amended pact. I think its nothing but downright racism, judging a man based on the color of his skin and I think a lot of our brethren should really reflect on the 3 obligations that they took at the altar and determine if they are really in Masonry for the right reasons. Its issues like that really show me there are some brothers I would just rather not sit in lodge with. There are a lot ways that one can spin this.. "lodges weren't notified", " 'they' make Masons in prison" (heard that one at Grand Lodge), etc., but it boils down to just being a old fashioned racist. At one time I would say that the rest of us would outlive them, but its disheartening to see brothers my age and younger espouse those views.


On a side note: What would I give to be a fly on the wall in some of those lodges the 1st time a brother from MWPHGLoTX comes for a visit (once the instructions are passed on from the Grand Secretary). I have a feeling this year's DDGMs are going to have their work cut out for them.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I think its disgusting some of our members reactions to this amended pact

My mean reaction is to look at my wrist watch and notice that it no longer says the time is year 2007. I am unimpressed with what I view as delaying tactics with an agreement signed and folks not just going to the standard places to look it up. It's like there's a culture of no one is capable of figuring stuff out on their own that I've seen at local lodge level and that I see now at the GL level. Anyone who found this board can look it up.

That's not as mean as my reaction when I encounter actual racism. Entire towns have ended up on my never-visit-there-again list for seeing that accepted. This is one of those times I'm glad I have chosen to be active on LinkedIn not on Facebook.

On a side note: What would I give to be a fly on the wall in some of those lodges the 1st time a brother from MWPHGLoTX comes for a visit (once the instructions are passed on from the Grand Secretary). I have a feeling this year's DDGMs are going to have their work cut out for them.

Visit your local MWPHGLofTX and invite them to return the visit. Let's do it en masse. Increase the chances of brothers actually having to live up to their principles! When the rubber meets the road the brothers don't usually let me down. There's a lot in the news about religion but I've been at degrees with a Koran on the altar. If some brothers had to stretch themselves to pull that off they did so internally not externally. I go on record here that's what I expect to happen with visitors at any lodge I have been to so far in Texas including yours in NB.
 

relapse98

Registered User
From said Facebook thread:

Scott Lewis: It is not racism God created all species of man for his purpose and it is glorious. But in a modern society of Europeans or Asians sub Sahara Africans are not capable of assimilating and it is not because they aren't good folks, they are of a different hominid species. When trying to adopt western ways they cant. Haiti, Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe. I have been to Africa and testify to what i have seen. They inevitably become a blight on any host nation

I literally have no words.
 

cacarter

Premium Member
Now that I've had some time to stew:

There are a lot ways that one can spin this.. "lodges weren't notified", " 'they' make Masons in prison" (heard that one at Grand Lodge), etc., but it boils down to just being a old fashioned racist. At one time I would say that the rest of us would outlive them, but its disheartening to see brothers my age and younger espouse those views.

It's like those arguments you hear that the Civil War was about states rights and not slavery. In this case it's the lodges and members not being given the proper notice/opportunity to vote on it.
 

jwardl

Registered User
Indeed. We knew before going up.

However, the MWPHGLOT didn't hold their GAC until about three weeks before ours, where their members voted. This is why there wasn't as much advance notice of it as there was of the other resolutions.

Don't know if this is part of what those who are displeased about the compact are thinking, but I noted what seemed like a good bit of mistrust toward the GL in general during the GAC.
 
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jwhoff

Premium Member
Yah I noticed that if you read the introduction it does say you can use any program in like spirit.

One other thing, after reading all the programs, I do not feel all programs are appropriate for every degree. There are a few FC programs and some MM ones too. My secretary assures me that these are okay for every degree, however, being the implementer of these in my lodge, I will not spoil even a hint of a higher degree to an EA or FC.

I was shocked to see reference to the MM degree in one of the readings this year. We were in a tiled EA lodge. Apparently the Brother who read the program missed the reference. Not sure if anyone else caught it (or was listening, frankly) as no one MADE A BIG DEAL out of it as is usually the custom just in case an EA or FC missed out on the slip.

These readings are being read at length. They have been informative, though wordy and boring at times. I think many of the lodges may be missing the point that a summary of the reading can be presented. Or, that another masonic point of similar value can be injected.
 

JJones

Moderator
I was under the impression that the readings had to come from the program?

I'll be honest, I love Masonic education but I've quickly learned to dread these readings as much as I dread Grand Communications.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
Check closer.

They can be read, BLOW for BLOW.

Summarized.

Handed out to attendees of the meeting (printed copy)

I believe I got that from the information exchange between GL and lodge secretaries from one of my lodge secretaries. That is, if my head is not as foggy as B Williams'.o_O
 
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