Hypocrisy

I had posted awhile back on another site about the Swedish Rite, which is practiced in Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Let me say that I have nothing against the Scandinavians, and I am sure that there are many outstanding brothers in those jurisdictions.

I do have issue though with the fact that the Swedish Rite is only open to Christians. I see this as contrary to the traditional practice of Freemasonry. Even in the US, and England, which are bastions of conservatism regarding Masonic practice, no man can be denied Masonic membership on the basis of his religion.

By any standard, this is a violation of one of the Landmarks of Freemasonry. What if the Grand Lodge of Israel were to announce that only members of the Jewish faith could join? What if the Grand Lodge of Italy were to announce that membership was only available to Roman Catholics?

What if the Grand Lodge of Mississippi were to state that only White men could join..................?

When the Grand Orient of France decided that whether or not a man believed in God was a matter of personal conscience, and should not be asked as a condition of membership, the United Grand Lodge of England, acting "shocked" at such an offense, cut off all recognition.

Their supporters, in lock step, fell into line and denounced the Grand Orient as well. Any complaints about those Grand Lodges that discriminated on the basis of religion, or race? None.

Throughout the world, the UGLE has set up puppet Grand Lodges where there have been Grand Lodges, and Grand Orients for centuries, something that the U.S. Grand Lodges would consider to be a violation of Territorial Exclusivity.

Somehow, when the UGLE does it, it is alright. Since the United Grand Lodge of England decides who is a "real" Mason, and who is not, that apparently, gives them the right to establish lodges wherever they wish, regardless how long other Grand Lodges have existed there.

My point here is that the U.S. Grand Lodges, the largest and wealthiest of the Grand Lodges in the world, should stop kowtowing to the UGLE. Freemason's Hall in London is not the Vatican. The Grand Master of the UGLE is not the Pope.

It is hypocrisy to recognize jurisdictions that are restricted to a particular religion, or race, while severing relations with the Grand Orient of France, not to mention the Grand Lodge of France, which is "regular" in every sense of the word.

Utter hypocrisy.

T:. T:. G:. O:. T:. G:. A:. O:. T:. U:.

I was thinking today how, even in many of the adogmatic jurisdictions of Freemasonry, there is still reference to the Grand Architect of the Universe. I know that many of my Brothers, and Sisters are atheists or agnostics and may find the term undesirable.

I understand their concerns, though I happen to like opening and closing the lodge "to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe and the progress of Humanity, in the name of Universal Freemasonry".

My religious beliefs are a mixture of Deism, Taoism, and Stoicism that sometimes borders on the agnostic side. I do not believe however that the universe came into being out of nothing by sheer chance. I do believe in a higher reality, though I would never anthropomorphize that reality by attributing human qualities to "it".

I am not arguing here for the existence of God, that is up to each man, and woman, to decide for themselves. I am just grateful that the reference to TGAOTU is still optional in Liberal, Grand Orient Freemasonry. Banning the use of the term, if a majority of a lodge's membership desire it, would be just as bad as forcing a lodge to use it, as is done in the "regular" jurisdictions.

By the way, I do like the fact that we use a blank book instead of the Bible. I would actually prefer though to use Anderson's Constitutions, or the Constitution of the particular jurisdiction. A blank book, despite what it symbolizes, is still blank. Why have it on the Altar at all? Just my opinion.

Wonderful Evening

I just returned home from attending a meeting of Lodge Aletheia of the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium. The meeting lasted about five hours, running a little over due to the business at hand. I visited as a guest with my WM from Lodge New Isis.

I never cease to be impressed by the standard of work and dedication that the Sisters of Lodge Aletheia display. The Sisters of Aletheia treat masonry as work, not a chance to get together with friends and socialize. The Chain of Union was a moving experience.

It has been a long day, 10:30 masonic education meeting, followed by lunch and lodge from 2:00 until 7:00. I am grateful to the Sisters for their warm welcome and masonic fellowship.

My only regret is that I was unable to stay for the agape afterwards. I would have enjoyed spending more time with the Sisters, but it was necessary to head back to San Diego.

Change is a good thing

Dear Readers,

Since I last posted there have been changes in my Masonic life. If you are familiar with previous posts of mine then you are aware that I joined lodge Intrepid of the Grand Orient of the USA. At a later date there were some issues between the leadership of Lodge Intrepid and the governing body of the GOUSA.

As a result of this unfortunate conflict Lodge Intrepid demitted en masse from the GOUSA and decided to go it alone as an independent lodge. For many reasons, none of which I can discuss here, I have recently demitted from Lodge Intrepid and am now a member of Lodge New Isis of the George Washington Union.

I am looking forward to continuing my Masonic education within the Liberal, European Tradition which is now available to me in the GWU. I send my greetings to all fellow Masons in CLIPSAS, especially to my brothers and sisters in the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium, the Grand Orient of France, the Grand Orient of the United States, and Le Droit Humain.

Last Weekend

I returned from a business meeting of Lodge Intrepid that was held last weekend. Over the course of the weekend many items were discussed and the results will be forthcoming as I am able to post them. I am no longer Secretary of the lodge. Since we have over 20 members, many of them Master Masons, it did not make sense for me, an Entered Apprentice, to hold the office, especially since I am not able to attend every meeting. I am sure that the new Secretary will do an outstanding job. Sorry for the lack of posts lately, so much is in transition. I will keep everyone posted as I am able to.

Update

Dear Readers,

As usual, it has been awhile since I posted. I finally completed my paralegal studies at the University of San Diego and am now seeking employment in the field. Things are progressing well at Intrepid, two more candidates for initiation have received their interviews.

I am working on a piece of Architecture so that I may advance to the Fellow-Craft degree, hopefully in September. I am enjoying the process, and have many Brothers and Sisters with years of experience to assist me.

I contacted the lodge in November of 2007, was interviewed in April 2008, was initiated in September of 2008, and am looking at passing in September of 2009. This is as it should be, no rush, and time to grow in Freemasonry. We are having an excellent series of Masonic Education online twice a month. In addition, we have a minimum of one meeting a month at lodge, sometimes two, which I often cannot attend due to the distance involved.

When I first entered Freemasonry, the thought of women being involved seemed foreign to me. Now, I could not imagine it any other way. The Sisters in lodge Intrepid have been a joy to meet and labor with, without them, lodge Intrepid would be missing something very special. When men and women can meet on the level and work together as Brothers and Sisters, it really expresses the concepts of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity that I hold so dear.

I have no problem with men and women's clubs, but Freemasonry, a revolutionary organization, that in a time when racism, slavery, religious intolerance, class differences, where considered acceptable, stood up and preached tolerance, the equality of people regardless of origin, ethnicity, and religious faith. There is no reason that I can see to exclude half of the human race from such an organization.

Mixed Masonry is the future. While there are, and will continue to be, Masonic groups that are limited to men, or to women, the mixed lodges will grow, and become the dominant lodges of the future. As well they should.

The Royal Art

It has been quite awhile since I last posted. It has been a busy time for me, what with being laid-off from my job, starting school, and the Holiday season. Despite some setbacks, I am very positive regarding the growth of Liberal Freemasonry in the United States. I have had the pleasure of meeting many new Masons, both male and female, and there are new lodges in various states of development. There have of course been growing pains involved in the process, but that is to be expected. I was recently appointed secretary to my lodge, a position that I am honored to have. It is a real learning experience. I would like at this time to recommend a book that I think is one of the best introductions to Freemasonry available. It is Royal Art: Three Centuries of Freemasonry by Stevan V. Nikolic. I cannot think of a better all-around, concise treatment of the subject. I strongly advise any reader who is interested in Masonry to purchase this book. It covers all the bases without getting to in depth, or technical. I hope that everyone enjoyed their Holidays, and I wish all a very happy new year.