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Re: Membership and participation in Freemasonry to Those words seem to have resonated with me, provoking much thought. First of all, IMHO, if a the membership of a particular lodge wants to avoid any visibility or availability via the Internet, that's fine. They should be free to do so. I can...

Same here. The obligation of each degree is quite specific about what secrets we are promising to keep. That's actually a pretty short list, and (in my experience, at least) did not include the working tools. Still, I am reluctant to discuss much of the degree work, lectures, etc. with anyone...

Sigh... While this is a common misconception, reinforced regularly by the conservative echo chamber, it is patently false. Yes, your medical emergency will be treated if you show up at the emergency room, regardless of your ability to pay, but you will be expected to pay what you can. What you...

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, they have been attempted, and they were rather successful. Let's start with the U.S. I believe that we can agree that the period of time that spans the end of WWII to the mid-70's as the summit of this country's economy. The middle class grew the most during that...

He probably doesn't know the difference between a Lodge of Masons and The Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction. He won't want to either, I'll wager. Mundane truth is much less fun than dark conspiracy theory. :001_smile:

This!

Re: Membership and participation in Freemasonry to Membership numbers are not an issue. Truly. The issues are things like Lodge buildings that were designed to house much larger numbers than they currently do, Lodge buildings whose maintenance has been neglected to the point that effective...

Actually every single person that I have talked to from those places would not trade things. Yes, my sample size is small, but then so is the collection of "average citizens" trotted out by Fox News to show us how "everyone there hates socialized medicine". In other words, the reality is far...

Glad to see that "Bassomatic" made the list, but I'd have added the episode of "Church Chat" with Jim and Tammy Faye Baker. "Demonic raisins, I rebuke you!"

Funny, that's not how it has worked out in every other industrialized nation. They pay less, and get more. Yes, in every case. The problem is that most healthcare consumers lack utterly the ability to make an effective analysis of what they are getting for their money. If they did have that...

Mine does. Many do, though it must be said that several of those also call for rather harsh treatment of those who believe differently, depending on which book/chapter/verse of their scripture you read. Reason, on the other hand, not only allows such tolerance, but rather demands it.

I shouldn't be surprised. After all Freemasonry teaches it's members some very dangerous ideas, like tolerance and reason.

Most mentally ill people have nothing to say about Masonry. When in extremis, however, they will seize on just about anything that will explain the bizarre things that they believe are happening. Most anti-Masons lack that excuse. They're just stupid. And yes, I use that derisive term advisedly...

The content of the rant, while almost certainly being received from the Internet, is pretty much immaterial. The inappropriateness of the behavior, especially given the particular setting, is a hallmark of mental illness, as is not sleeping "...because the Lord has been talking to me..." This...

Someone once said, "You are entitled to your opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts." Opinion: The Affordable Care Act was legislation "crammed down the throat" of an unwilling minority. Fact: Votes determine which legislation is passed. The opponents of The Affordable Care Act lacked...

They must be so proud...

Congratulations! I am willing to wager that the value of being home every night will outweigh the pay cut in the grand scheme of things. Then again, when my cousin was about to retire after a 30 year career in the fire service (where the shifts were 24 on/48 off), his wife had become noticeably...

Yes, but sadly, lots of Freemasons still do, and our friend jfree7997 seems to have run into one. Doubtless, that man (the one who refused to sign) will offer some rationale that includes the phrase "own kind". Still, one should not judge the organization by the actions of one or two idiots.

Re: Just married, looking for words of wisdom and Congratulations! Remember, always, that you are partners. You will, of necessity or of choice, have different roles and responsibilities. Those roles and responsibilities will likely change from time to time. Neither partner is superior...

We could have that. We could. We don't want it. We are content to continue to swallow the whole "best healthcare in the world" meme and ignore the plain fact that "the best" is out of reach for the vast majority of us. Increasingly, "just adequate" healthcare is unreachable. But that's OK, as...