Comments on: Get Lost…”Brother” http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/ Masonic Thinking and Working Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:30:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 By: AEdifico http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7404 AEdifico Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:41:31 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7404 Josh, I am a bit of a fanatic (like you can't tell from my writings), so I will continue to reserve the rights that I have taken. As a former US Marine, I am a firm believer in the axiom: our chain is only as strong as our weakest link. That having been said, I take seriously the responsibility I have to the brothers that DO try to be good Masons. We do not hesitate Masonic Trials when one has committed a crime (in fact, in Arizona a trial is required when the Lodge becomes aware of a brother's conviction), we do not hesitate to "whisper gentle counsel" and, in fact, we are obliged to do so. What I am getting at is that we must take responsibility for our own Craft. This sometimes means that we must pass judgment on our brothers. If we do so with thoughtful and reasoned maturity...and after looking to the lessons of our Craft for guideance, we will probably come to the same conclusions as any of our other brothers would almost every time. I am not perfect. I will continue to learn and grow as I apply those lessons and live the experiences that Masons should. But I will also admit that I love my Craft enough to protect it jealously from the mediocrity that this "brother" imposes on our collective reputation. Josh, you and I are of the same mind. We just have different approaches. Safe travels...and thanks for the conversation. ...and a big fat PEACE right back at you! Josh,
I am a bit of a fanatic (like you can’t tell from my writings), so I will continue to reserve the rights that I have taken.
As a former US Marine, I am a firm believer in the axiom: our chain is only as strong as our weakest link. That having been said, I take seriously the responsibility I have to the brothers that DO try to be good Masons.
We do not hesitate Masonic Trials when one has committed a crime (in fact, in Arizona a trial is required when the Lodge becomes aware of a brother’s conviction), we do not hesitate to “whisper gentle counsel” and, in fact, we are obliged to do so.
What I am getting at is that we must take responsibility for our own Craft. This sometimes means that we must pass judgment on our brothers. If we do so with thoughtful and reasoned maturity…and after looking to the lessons of our Craft for guideance, we will probably come to the same conclusions as any of our other brothers would almost every time.
I am not perfect. I will continue to learn and grow as I apply those lessons and live the experiences that Masons should.
But I will also admit that I love my Craft enough to protect it jealously from the mediocrity that this “brother” imposes on our collective reputation.
Josh, you and I are of the same mind. We just have different approaches.
Safe travels…and thanks for the conversation. …and a big fat PEACE right back at you!

]]> By: Josh http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7396 Josh Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:12:32 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7396 AEdifico, I share your frustrations and I know of alot of people who feel the same way. There was a point where I was getting fed up with the state of Masonry today, but had the good fortune to read a few things that made me see things in a different light. I think that all of us should take the high ground on issues that specifically regard the craft, and not be too quick to judge or dismiss each other. Please don't take my comments as anything other than gentle critisism and a helpful hand. Peace. AEdifico,

I share your frustrations and I know of alot of people who feel the same way. There was a point where I was getting fed up with the state of Masonry today, but had the good fortune to read a few things that made me see things in a different light. I think that all of us should take the high ground on issues that specifically regard the craft, and not be too quick to judge or dismiss each other. Please don’t take my comments as anything other than gentle critisism and a helpful hand. Peace.

]]> By: aedifico42 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7395 aedifico42 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:48:17 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7395 Josh, Your comments are well taken, but I differ in this regard alone... Masonry is about that brother AND about all HIS brothers. Where has he been for them? What has he done for his Lodge? Where is his obligation? He is absent. He is only paying for the respect that you say he deserves. This, my brother, is never enough. -AEdifico Josh,
Your comments are well taken, but I differ in this regard alone…
Masonry is about that brother AND about all HIS brothers. Where has he been for them? What has he done for his Lodge? Where is his obligation?
He is absent. He is only paying for the respect that you say he deserves. This, my brother, is never enough.
-AEdifico

]]> By: Josh http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7379 Josh Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:30:32 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7379 There is Just a few things I would like to point out about this situation. It is written that this brother expected special treatment just because he paid his dues. I may be missing something that wasn't written down, but what kind of special treatment did he say he expected? If he has paid his dues then isn't he entitled to come and go as he pleases? "For all I know, he’s a liar, cheat, swindler and kicks his dog for fun. Why am I supposed to treat this guy with any respect?" You treat the man with respect, because he is your brother. It's never necessary to assume the worst about a brother when the opposite may be true. You also mention that you regularly ask new members how much they expect to pay for the privilege of being a Mason, and they answer anywhere from $300 to $500. I actually agree with that amount, but you have to make sure that their experience really is worth that to them. Above all a lodge needs to be a warm, welcoming, and friendly place so that if someone like this brother ever does want to come back he will. It's like a family you may go away for years but they are always glad to see you when you get back. Peace. There is Just a few things I would like to point out about this situation. It is written that this brother expected special treatment just because he paid his dues. I may be missing something that wasn’t written down, but what kind of special treatment did he say he expected? If he has paid his dues then isn’t he entitled to come and go as he pleases?
“For all I know, he’s a liar, cheat, swindler and kicks his dog for fun. Why am I supposed to treat this guy with any respect?”
You treat the man with respect, because he is your brother. It’s never necessary to assume the worst about a brother when the opposite may be true.
You also mention that you regularly ask new members how much they expect to pay for the privilege of being a Mason, and they answer anywhere from $300 to $500. I actually agree with that amount, but you have to make sure that their experience really is worth that to them. Above all a lodge needs to be a warm, welcoming, and friendly place so that if someone like this brother ever does want to come back he will. It’s like a family you may go away for years but they are always glad to see you when you get back. Peace.

]]> By: David http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7321 David Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:34:24 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7321 It seems although intending to raise fees you have inadvertently woke up some people in your lodge. This brother demoonstrates the quintessential example of taking from freemasonry and not giving to it. It seems although intending to raise fees you have inadvertently woke up some people in your lodge. This brother demoonstrates the quintessential example of taking from freemasonry and not giving to it.

]]> By: emeraldi42 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7314 emeraldi42 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:17:59 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7314 Great blog, Brother! For some strange reason I am glad that he contacted you as WM instead of me, you know how the handle flys. Great blog, Brother! For some strange reason I am glad that he contacted you as WM instead of me, you know how the handle flys.

]]> By: Makers Mark http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7295 Makers Mark Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:44:13 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7295 My good Brother, two words; Amen & Amen! My good Brother, two words; Amen & Amen!

]]> By: Mr. Ed http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7294 Mr. Ed Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:32:53 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7294 Are we sure the problem is with the Brother who hasn't been to Lodge for 30 years? What did the members of the Lodge do or not do that may have exacerbated this situation. Back biting, harsh criticism, poor ritual, and no real attempts at education, lack of Brotherly Love, and on and on..... We have all seen this in our Lodges. Who is to blame? We all are. Are we sure the problem is with the Brother who hasn’t been to Lodge for 30 years? What did the members of the Lodge do or not do that may have exacerbated this situation. Back biting, harsh criticism, poor ritual, and no real attempts at education, lack of Brotherly Love, and on and on….. We have all seen this in our Lodges.

Who is to blame? We all are.

]]> By: Widow's Son http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7292 Widow's Son Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:23:38 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7292 Great post, Brother. Harsh is sometimes good. As Bro. Winston Churchill once said, "If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time — a tremendous whack." What kind of "place" was this guy's place-card holder holding, if he was neither active online or in his community lodge? Was he reserving a place in heaven by expecting a Masonic funeral? --Widow's Son Great post, Brother. Harsh is sometimes good.

As Bro. Winston Churchill once said, “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time — a tremendous whack.”

What kind of “place” was this guy’s place-card holder holding, if he was neither active online or in his community lodge? Was he reserving a place in heaven by expecting a Masonic funeral?

–Widow’s Son

]]> By: Josh http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7289 Josh Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:20:46 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2008/01/05/get-lostbrother/#comment-7289 I like the blog alot brother. Let me play the devil's advocate for a minute. It has been over a year since I attended lodge, and in some ways I can see why a man has quit going altogether. Some lodges don't always offer what they promise to a prospective candidate. Rote memorization of the lectures, with little actual education, is the norm. Some lodges rush their regular meetings and initiations so nobody actually has inconvenience themselves any more than they have to. Also, the brotherhood is, more often than not, very conditional. Backbiting can abound sometimes, and it seems more damage is done to the craft by people who would speak ill of a brother, or not defend him as they are obligated, than not showing up for lodge in the first place. I like the blog alot brother. Let me play the devil’s advocate for a minute. It has been over a year since I attended lodge, and in some ways I can see why a man has quit going altogether. Some lodges don’t always offer what they promise to a prospective candidate. Rote memorization of the lectures, with little actual education, is the norm. Some lodges rush their regular meetings and initiations so nobody actually has inconvenience themselves any more than they have to. Also, the brotherhood is, more often than not, very conditional. Backbiting can abound sometimes, and it seems more damage is done to the craft by people who would speak ill of a brother, or not defend him as they are obligated, than not showing up for lodge in the first place.

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