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As a follow-up, after thought and discussion, including with our WM-elect, I decided I will wear a yarmulke in lodge. I wanted to use a special one, but not have any religious symbols as decoration, so I had one custom designed. In the attached picture, I put the design at the front, but it...

I really didn't read Bro. Jamie's post that way. He did clearly challenge the statement that Freemasonry is not a religion, which I have been taught is absolutely true. He also showed by example, that there are those, such as Pike and Mackey, who described it as such (according to their...

Bro. Jamie, I have no doubt that it will be pointed out that none of these writers speak for Freemasonry, their opinions are their own, etc., etc. However, you have indeed illustrated that the answer is not an unequivocal "no". It depends both on the individual's understanding of what...

That's not necessarily true. In my religion, while immortality of the soul in some shape or form is part of the theology, it is a small part. While we speak of 'the world to come' at some future time, we do not primarily concern ourselves with the disposition of the soul in the afterlife, but...

This asses that the time and money spent on Masonry would otherwise go to your church, that any extra minute or dollar you had would be dedicated to your church. I suppose this may be so for some, but most people, I imagine, pursue other interests as well. In my case, it does not take away...

There is an ignore user feature? How does it work? If I am one of the user's you are ignoring, I hope someone else can answer. Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

That is as it should be. Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

Accidentally hit send before finishing. Anyway, he was eventually suspended for NPD after he died. No one tried to find out why he stopped paying, or at least no one tried very hard . He was fairly well known in his community, so it would not have been hard to find out what happened. A...

Some effort should be made to contact the person. You never know the reason. My Grandfather stopped coming to lodge after my Grandmother's death at a young age. He stopped a lot of things he used to enjoy. He later remarried , and focused on his business and supporting his family. Though he was...

Once or twice a month does not sound unusual. We only meet once a month, but I wish it were more. Once or twice a week, though, seems unusual. Assuming it wasn't mistyped, I wonder if that includes less formal gatherings, fellowship nights or breakfasts or whatnot. Sent From My Freemasonry...

Things change. Turns out I will be Senior Steward. Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

Gosh. No one is asking you to be responsible for Sweden. Nobody is attacking Christians (which you seem to feel that everyone is doing if they ask a question that touches on Christianity in any thread). I just wonder about the fact that one jurisdiction's decision to allow atheists loses them...

According to all the sources I could find, including the Swedish Rite FAQ on the website of the GL of British Columbia, the SW, including the first 3 degrees, requires that members be Christians. Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

My logic only works if you accept my statement as a core tenet of Freemasonry, and ascribe equal weight to both parts if that tenet. So rational minds can disagree. It disappoints me to think, though, that one of the most beautiful things about our gentle craft, what attracted me to it and what...

I certainly see your point with regard to the appendant orders. Not sure I feel the same way, but the point is well taken. However, isn't the Swedish Rite a grand lodge in its own right? To me that would be a different story. In that case, the very trunk if the tree denies brotherhood based on...

So here is where I have a problem: "I don’t find the Commandery or Swedish Rite or Rectified Scottish Rite as offensive because I am a Christian." What this basically says is that the writer does not have a problem with the exclusion of others based on their religion because he is not...

When such a thing happens, it is, of course, important to diffuse the situation as well as one can. However, once the moment has passed, I would suggest that a Brother not directly involved in the conflict follow up with the upset brother. It can be that there are other things going on...

That was actually made explicit under the rules of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. I'd have to go back and look up when that was, but it is mentioned in the member's handbook we receive as an EA. One is allowed to ask if someone is interested. No pressure, no coercion. Sent From My...

I think I have seen it at our Table Lodge after each toast, just didn't know it was called that. Thanks. Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

It was made easy for me. I started learning modern Hebrew in Kindergarten and Biblical in first grade (I went to Jewish religious private school). We started on Aramaic in 8th grade as we first started studying Talmud. That wasn't too hard because with some letter substitutions and grammar...