I had to sing that in my head, you know.My masonic light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine , let it shine let it shine. Let it shine.
Ok I'm done.
I had to sing that in my head, you know.My masonic light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine , let it shine let it shine. Let it shine.
Ok I'm done.
Yes.Sometimes you read an old thread via a site or Google search, become passionate, forget where/when you are and reply.
I've done it hear and elsewhere on accident. The reply was on topic. What would you rather have, a repost?
Totally agreed; a different approach is needed in my opinion.I'm not a fan of the idea that a Mason can be compelled to "defend" his property or have it taken from him. Taking someone's property by force or threat of force is a crime in pretty much every state, and not something Masons should be doing. However, I'm not a Prince Hall Mason, so it's just my opinion.
Totally agree! This is a pet peeve of mine. If someone would try to take my personal property from me they are likely to have a rude awakening....and a painful one at that.Totally agreed; a different approach is needed in my opinion.
Good morning. Glad to be here. My feelings are "Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?"I know of a brother who was healed over into Prince Hall from international he has been a MM for at least 3 yrs under PHA and every time I see the brother he is Masonic from head to toe he has been warned several times by the craft not to ware anything Masonic until he can defend it he was tried by a brother and could not answer the question asked therefor his jacket was taken ... Long story short the brother is upset about his things being taken from him but what do you do when you have warned a brother about this issue time after time again he feels as if he is being picked on I think he is being tought a valuable lesson in knowing how to protect his emblems ijs ....what do the brothers here think on this subject..
But what are your feelings about the topic of the thread?Good morning. Glad to be here. My feelings are "Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?"
Agreed. May I ask your AASR jurisdiction?Good morning. Paraphernalia or a ring does not make you a Mason. You were first prepared to be a Mason in your Heart! That can never be taken from you. Just because someone is more versed, does not make them an authority. Myself, I have served as the Dep. Grand Lecturer, the Ill. Dean of Instruction for my Orient and am currently serving as the Grand Orator. Those positions require much study, and fortitude. I would never challenge a brother, because we are each on our own path. In regards to challenging or confiscating, I always find that Good and Wholesome Instruction works best.
New Jersey Council of Deliberation, Orient of New Jersey, United Supreme Council, AASR PHA, NMJ Inc.Agreed. May I ask your AASR jurisdiction?
<cough>Good morning. Glad to be here. My feelings are "Where were you first prepared to be made a Mason?"
If it weren't for necro threads we wouldn't have anything here these days! LoL
Bro. Pierce. See my comment below. You are right. In the earlier days of obtaining proficiency, this was the way to do it. Depending on your surroundings, environment, culture, etc. there were things done that made a whole lot of sense then, but maybe not now. Especially, if you were truly dedicated to ensuring the Craft had True Brothers, not not just those wanting the title of Mason and showing off by wearing "fat gold chains". I am one of them that has no problem "trying" a Brother to prove himself worthy of the Brotherhood. BUT, at least now I know not to do it as an embarrassment but as a teaching opportunity.I honestly think the brother was not trying to embarrass him just showed him a little tuff love better a brother from your lodge than a stranger I think this sort of thing was more common in the older days guess this guy was old school the I'm sure the property was gave back with the instruction to go back to your ritual and become better informed
The problem, aside from a 1.5 year old threadBro. Pierce. See my comment below. You are right. In the earlier days of obtaining proficiency, this was the way to do it. Depending on your surroundings, environment, culture, etc. there were things done that made a whole lot of sense then, but maybe not now. Especially, if you were truly dedicated to ensuring the Craft had True Brothers, not not just those wanting the title of Mason and showing off by wearing "fat gold chains". I am one of them that has no problem "trying" a Brother to prove himself worthy of the Brotherhood. BUT, at least now I know not to do it as an embarrassment but as a teaching opportunity.
My comment above yours had nothing to do with any of that.I think everyone is focusing too hard on the confiscating part of the question. It isn't about confiscating, It is about challenging one another to be better at an in the Craft. If you are in a regular Greek fraternity, why wear the gear if you don't really know anything about it, except you passed initiation (assuming you completed). Of course if you really understand Masonry, we meet upon the Level. Meaning we are all equal no matter how long you have been a member. It doesn't even matter if you are a member of the Concordant or Appendant Houses. I agree, there isn't anything written in the By-laws, Constitution or Jurisdictional prudence that warrants the activity. But it is a fun challenge and keeps one on their toes. We are about continued learning, but we still need to know the basics by heart. I don't see anything wrong with that expectation.
“everyone is focusing to hard…”.Sir, the comment wasn't specific to you only. It was a general statement for anyone reading this thread, even 1.5 years later.
Kind of hard not to focus on the confiscating. It's such an alien concept to us non PHA Masons. Are the questions codified or just random Masonic trivia from the rituals you believe they ought to know? I will say from personal experience that our PHA Brothers ask some odd questions that I, even after decades as a Mason, would have no clue how to answer.I think everyone is focusing too hard on the confiscating part of the question. It isn't about confiscating, It is about challenging one another to be better at an in the Craft. If you are in a regular Greek fraternity, why wear the gear if you don't really know anything about it, except you passed initiation (assuming you completed). Of course if you really understand Masonry, we meet upon the Level. Meaning we are all equal no matter how long you have been a member. It doesn't even matter if you are a member of the Concordant or Appendant Houses. I agree, there isn't anything written in the By-laws, Constitution or Jurisdictional prudence that warrants the activity. But it is a fun challenge and keeps one on their toes. We are about continued learning, but we still need to know the basics by heart. I don't see anything wrong with that expectation.
Unfortunately it is a "gangsta" culture mentality. That is why it is imperative to screen the applicants. I know back in the day, screening wasn't done too much because it was about the numbers. If you think about the gangs in the way they treat each other or those of the opposition, it was about power, authority and ranks. Masonry is nowhere near gangsta in nature, but you can make anything anyway you want it.Kind of hard not to focus on the confiscating. It's such an alien concept to us non PHA Masons. Are the questions codified or just random Masonic trivia from the rituals you believe they ought to know? I will say from personal experience that our PHA Brothers ask some odd questions that I, even after decades as a Mason, would have no clue how to answer.