quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
The world we live in, is much different than the world of 50 years ago.

Masonry is going to have to adapt to the 21st century, or it will die.

When a young man drives past a masonic lodge hall, he will go home, get on the 'net, and research masonry. If no lodge in his local area pops up, the he will forget about it.

Many changes are coming down the pike, and Masonry is going to have to do a reality check, and participate, or be left behind to wither and die.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia, has opened a twitter account! Such a thing would have been inconceivable just a few years ago.

Massachusetts has two state-wide open houses each year. This results in many new petitions, and some lodges have waiting lists of men waiting to join.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
ODC Masonry in its current form, is not popular in many areas. The incoming Grand Master of Masons in Florida stated, that there will be no ODC's during his term of office.

I believe that there is room for compromise. Instead of having all three degrees presented in one day, why not have all three degrees presented on Saturday mornings, with the standard 30 days between the degrees?

I am firmly convinced, that Masonry can adapt and change some administrative procedures, and still remain true to our ancient roots. Some lodges permit dues payment on-line, and with PayPal. This is great.

With the highly mobile population, men can move all over the USA, and never get an introduction to Masonry. This is why "open houses" are so important. There are only so many ways to learn about Masonry, and our lodges can expand with more ways to get Masonry out into the public eye.

Very good points indeed. There remains one enemy to the fraternity and it the brethren that sit on "Buzzards Row." They are the senior members of the lodge that resist change and are ready to peck off the flesh of any officer that makes the slightest mistake in his ritual presentations. The fraternity is not threatened by the anti-Masons, I have found the enemy and he is in every lodge working to keep the tradition alive as it was 40-50 or 60 years ago. When the buzzards die off, we will see a new fraternity arise out of the dust and ashes these brethren left behind. The same brethren that sit on buzzards row do not own computers and have internet accounts. They are the same ones that complaint that lodge website are going to ruin Freemasonry. In Indiana, the alcohol prohibition is alive and well. The cookies and milk socials instead of the great Masonic feasts are the menu of the day. Only time will tell when real change occurs in the fraternity.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

quote:

Originally posted by TerryTCT:

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
The world we live in, is much different than the world of 50 years ago.

Masonry is going to have to adapt to the 21st century, or it will die.

When a young man drives past a masonic lodge hall, he will go home, get on the 'net, and research masonry. If no lodge in his local area pops up, the he will forget about it.

Many changes are coming down the pike, and Masonry is going to have to do a reality check, and participate, or be left behind to wither and die.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia, has opened a twitter account! Such a thing would have been inconceivable just a few years ago.

Massachusetts has two state-wide open houses each year. This results in many new petitions, and some lodges have waiting lists of men waiting to join.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
ODC Masonry in its current form, is not popular in many areas. The incoming Grand Master of Masons in Florida stated, that there will be no ODC's during his term of office.

I believe that there is room for compromise. Instead of having all three degrees presented in one day, why not have all three degrees presented on Saturday mornings, with the standard 30 days between the degrees?

I am firmly convinced, that Masonry can adapt and change some administrative procedures, and still remain true to our ancient roots. Some lodges permit dues payment on-line, and with PayPal. This is great.

With the highly mobile population, men can move all over the USA, and never get an introduction to Masonry. This is why "open houses" are so important. There are only so many ways to learn about Masonry, and our lodges can expand with more ways to get Masonry out into the public eye.

Very good points indeed. There remains one enemy to the fraternity and it the brethren that sit on "Buzzards Row." They are the senior members of the lodge that resist change and are ready to peck off the flesh of any officer that makes the slightest mistake in his ritual presentations. The fraternity is not threatened by the anti-Masons, I have found the enemy and he is in every lodge working to keep the tradition alive as it was 40-50 or 60 years ago. When the buzzards die off, we will see a new fraternity arise out of the dust and ashes these brethren left behind. The same brethren that sit on buzzards row do not own computers and have internet accounts. They are the same ones that complaint that lodge websites are going to ruin Freemasonry.

In Indiana, the buzzards have been successful in keeping the alcohol prohibition alive and well. Thus is preserved the milk and cookie socials instead of the great Masonic feasts which should be the menu of the day.

What is tragic here is no lodge in Indiana can have any alcohol with any meals, or even rent a Masonic Temple to a wedding party that will serve alcohol. This is insane attitude when the Shrine has an open bar along with the Moose and Elk's lodges. Even the Scottish Rite Cathedral Valley of Indianapolis serves alcohol privately in a quiet corner of the Cathedral after their stated meeting. What is so sad is when someone brings up the alcohol ban in Indiana, the buzzards will ask why does it need to be lifted and the person trying to defend change always get shot down. My argument that no one wants to hear is that the real question that needs to be asked which is "WHY IN THE HELL DOES THE ALCOHOL BAN NEED TO REMAIN IN PLACE." This is the $64 dollar question that is never asked openly as we see Masonic buildings crumble and lodges surrender their charters, or merge with other lodges. Some brethren will say that lifting the alcohol ban won't save Freemasonry. I can say that this is true, but that is not the point. The real point here is lifting the the attitude that remains locked in the "PROHIBITION ERA." What is absolutely amazing is the brethren that stand up at the microphone and fight change like lifting the alcohol ban are the first ones out of the Masonic Temple after lodge to run to the nearest bar to have a drink. It is when this conservative 1930's attitude dies is when Freemasonry will once again raise to the greatness it once enjoyed. Only time will tell when real change occurs in the fraternity. Tough talk, you bet. The truth hurts, but the truth may just change some attitudes and save Freemasonry.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TerryTCT,

I am impressed by your candor and honesty. I love Masonry, but sometimes, your love has to be "tough love". As we enter and progress through the 21st century, Masonry will have to embrace both new technology, and new attitudes.

Every lodge has a group of "buzzards", who shoot down and stomp every new idea into the ground. Only when some younger men, are able to rise up, and seize control of the lodge, will any new idea or proposal take off.

"You can always tell a pioneer, they have arrows in their backs"- Author unknown.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Every lodge has a group of "buzzards", who shoot down and stomp every new idea into the ground. Only when some younger men, are able to rise up, and seize control of the lodge, will any new idea or proposal take off.

Actually those "Buzzards," are your brothers who are trying to protect the fraternities tradition. Something you fail to understand about our brotherhood, my brother, is it's tradition! We are not in the business of a progressive brotherhood. Just like some people think the U.S. constitution is a living document, not so my friend.

If the fraternity isn't the way you like it, maybe there is another one this meets your requirements.

Remember, it is about tradition!!!

quote:

Originally posted by GSO60:

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Every lodge has a group of "buzzards", who shoot down and stomp every new idea into the ground. Only when some younger men, are able to rise up, and seize control of the lodge, will any new idea or proposal take off.

Actually those "Buzzards," are your brothers who are trying to protect the fraternities tradition. Something you fail to understand about our brotherhood, my brother, is it's tradition! We are not in the business of a progressive brotherhood. Just like some people think the U.S. constitution is a living document, not so my friend.

If the fraternity isn't the way you like it, maybe there is another one this meets your requirements.

Remember, it is about tradition!!!

True statement, but that is the same mentality that is killing many lodges. The tradition in degreework is one thing, but resistance to change is another thing all together. When one asks the question why is there an alcohol prohibition in Indiana Masonic Temples, one will say because it has "Always" been that way. Is that tradition, or is that being hard headed? The business or fraternity that changes with changing times will survive the others won't. Each lodge has it's own culture. For example, I have seen lodges with new young brethren and very few past masters and they seem so active and full of life. However, on the other hand I have seen lodges with nothing but past masters going back through the line time and time again and no new young brethren. The young lodge goes out to a bar to drink and throw darts after lodge and the old traditional lodge breaks out the milk and cookies after lodge and cards. However, both has active brethren in regular lodge events. However, both confer great degree work. So, which one is traditional and which one isn't? Something to think about. Brother Charles, can find a lodge that fits and suits him, some have new young active members and other have buzzards that want to keep things the way there were in 60ies when they were Master and times was good. Today, times are no so good and membership in the fraternity is falling faster than the economy. Thus, no one has the answer on how Freemasonry is going to survive in the future. My .02 cents.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Hot Topics Moderator

Actually those "Buzzards," are your brothers who are trying to protect the fraternities tradition. Something you fail to understand about our brotherhood, my brother, is it's tradition! We are not in the business of a progressive brotherhood. Just like some people think the U.S. constitution is a living document, not so my friend.

If the fraternity isn't the way you like it, maybe there is another one this meets your requirements.

Remember, it is about tradition!!!

--------------
I have nothing against tradition. Part of the appeal of Freemasonry, is that it continues a tradition going back many hundreds of years. But tradition has to be moderated with progress, else we would be meeting in lodge halls, with no air conditioning and kerosene lamps. Someone had to propose that the lodge building install electric wiring.

Our tradition, up until the 1930's was to have refreshments after lodge meetings. Refreshment, meant the moderate use of alcoholic beverages. In George Washington's time, when the lodge called for refreshments, they passed a jug of corn liquor around.

I would love to return to our tradition of serving alcohol in our lodge buildings.

I would love to return to the tradition of sons following in their father's and grandfather's footsteps, and petitioning Freemasonry.

I would love to participate in the tradition of having exciting and innovative lodge meetings, with interesting speakers and programs.

I disagree with anyone who thinks that we are not in the business of a progressive brotherhood. Our tenets of freedom of thought and conscience, and acceptance of a pluralistic society, and the right of men to practice their own religion, according to the dictates of their conscience, is a progressive concept. Masons were at the forefront of the drive for independence in 1776, and Masons were present in the creation of our Republic.

We can adapt to the 21st century, and still remain true to the "anchors" of Freemasonry. I have been pushing for my lodge to get an internet page. They refuse, stating that "we never had one before". I have been after my lodge to provide new Masons with instructional videos, so that they can learn about the history of Freemasonry. They refuse, stating that "Masonry has existed for hundreds of years, without video". And on and on.

We are in danger of "traditioning", ourselves right into extinction.

I do not need "protection" from the modern world.

It isn't that I do not like Freemasonry, in its present form. I cherish the ritual, the symbolism, the brotherhood. I do not like the attitudes that our administrative procedures, and our regulations are immune from change.

Kentucky lowered the age of petitioning to 18. This was a major change in our tradition, but our Grand Lodge is surviving the change. North Carolina voted to recognize Prince Hall Masonry. This was a major break from several hundreds of years of tradition, but Freemasonry is thriving in North Carolina.

I believe sincerely, that Masonry can embrace the changes of this modern, 21st century, internet age, and still keep true to our most cherished traditions.

quote:

Originally posted by lstolk:
It always bothers me when people join an organization knowing what they are getting in to and then find it necessary to get upset and try to then change it.

One of the reasons I found Freeemasonry a fraternity I could realy feel comfortable with, was the unchanged history and record of stability. Why is it always thought that when things get a little tough, a change it necessary.

On one of deployments overseas I was in Sola, Norway. When it was noticed that I had on a masonic ring my fellow Norwegian bros. thought I was a little young to be a master mason. You see in Europe, it takes quite a few years to attain the elevated level of MM. This was back in the '80's and we didnt' have this ODC concept.

I can only wonder how our European bros would think of this system???

I do believe in one change and that is we are all brothers, no matter what color we are!!!

quote:

Originally posted by GSO60:

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Every lodge has a group of "buzzards", who shoot down and stomp every new idea into the ground. Only when some younger men, are able to rise up, and seize control of the lodge, will any new idea or proposal take off.

Actually those "Buzzards," are your brothers who are trying to protect the fraternities tradition. Something you fail to understand about our brotherhood, my brother, is it's tradition! We are not in the business of a progressive brotherhood. Just like some people think the U.S. constitution is a living document, not so my friend.

If the fraternity isn't the way you like it, maybe there is another one this meets your requirements.

Remember, it is about tradition!!!

The purpose of Freemasonry is to provide an environment where good men can unite together to assist one another in self-improvement and the realization of their true potential. However, considering the Craft’s current severe decline in most English-speaking jurisdictions, it is important to consider what is at stake. The tradition that has remained unchanged for centuries. Is this a good thing, or is is a bad thing? Hold that thought and let me explain.

While the rise of high-technology has left Freemasonry in North America unprepared to respond appropriately to the social changes that were quickly coming upon the institution. The leadership with the best intentions refuses to change unlike businesses that change to survive the current economic crises will result in further deterioration of the fraternity. Attempts to keep the old ways traditions of Freemasonry as they were centuries ago given the severe decline in membership to the fraternity is bringing ruin to the Craft. Much of our dilemma arises from the fact that too many men that join are not willing to change the fraternity with changing times. Instead of trying to change with changing times, the old die hards want to keep tradition alive in lodges that have existed for centuries.

As a result, just the opposite has occurred. In desparation, in an effort to arrest the decline in numbers, many jurisdictions in North America have sought to make Masons faster and to make it easier for them to join by reducing the requirements for membership instead of changing what really needs to be changed which is the centuries old traditions that current society refused to accept in its present form. If not why is the severe decline occurring? The changes made were not changes to tradition, but changes on how to get new members faster to replace the severe loss. As a result, it has done the opposite, it has created a new tradition of swinging the doors of Freemasonry wide open to replace the numbers being lost while not changing a thing with regards to tradition. Unfortunately, the change on making it easier to become a Mason is nothing more than a band aide on a sucking chest wound.

These facts tell us one thing and that that is Freemasonry is going to become a much smaller organization over the next decades. Rather than accepting this inevitable fact and refusing to change with changing time, it seems that the fraternity is too eager to adopt anything rather than change tradition that will only delay the inevitable. This kind of denial, is likely to leave North American Masonry unprepared once more for the challenges of the future. If we want Masonry to survive the future, some traditions will have to be changed inorder to attract the current generation of men eligible to join the fraternity. We cannot afford to keep things the way they were centuries ago given the current state of decline or lodge will continue to surrender their charters, merge with other lodges to avoid going away all together.

The current Masonic trend of the last century must consider the needs of men eligible of entering the fraternity and how they can be attracted to a centuries old fraternity while not eliminating the only real tradition which is the degreework. We must learn and understand that Freemasonry, if it is to be true to its designs, not lower its standards to replace lost numbers by refusing to change tradition. I say that the degreework must remain unchanged, but everything else needs to be revisited and reevaluated from top down or one will see Masonry slip away without the public really noticing what happened to the largest and oldest fraternity in the world. Brethren, some traditions need to change and much of that is the attitude that is killing this fraternity which is "If you don't like the way things are in Freemasonry as it is, leave and go somewhere else." Guess what? Many have taken this advise and this is why the large numbers of suspension of non-payment of dues in many if not most Masonic jurisditions in North America.

If I told you that there are some North American lodges that prohibit "Black men" from joining what would you say? If you or anyone would say that they hate folks who get into organizations that want to change it, would you say that now? If yes, would you agree with a racist policy and practice because you would not want to change it once you joined the fraternity and later found out about it? Rethink the logic of this issue for a minute then ask yourself the same question again. Would you now agree that change if for the betterment of everyone regarding a policy and practice is immoral and unethical which violates the very tenants of what Freemasonry is all about in the first place which for many lodges is tradition, now need to be changed?

If you are a Freemason and really love the fraternity, then you will advocate changes for the better, not stick your head in the sand and do nothing. The old school mentality is this, "If you don't like the fraternity as it is right now, leave and don't let the door hit you on the way out," mentality is what is literally killing Freemasonry. I rest my case of this last thought and comments.


Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
Terry, PM x 3
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TerryTCT,