modernmason - Latest Comments

Re: Private: My trek to the grave of Brother Daniel Tompkins.

Men Smoking Cigars — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:00:29 -0000

Absolutely awesome travel guide - now I want to go experience it for myself.

Re: Private: My trek to the grave of Brother Daniel Tompkins.

chuck — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:33:05 -0000

What an awesome adventure!! I look forward to journeys like this!
Chuck

Re: Punks. In the Masons?

modernmason — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:45:29 -0000

Bro. Graeme,

Many thanks for visiting, and for these words!

I agree with you. I would be very interested to see other Brothers who are/were involved in "punk rock", and indie culture of all kinds - to be sure.

I have always been one to question things - and to experience them myself before passing full judgement. Freemasonry is but one of those experiences, and one that I will never regret pursuing.

My only regret? Not doing it sooner!

All the best,
[mm]

Re: Punks. In the Masons?

Graeme — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:23:59 -0000

I ran a so-called punk record label for ten years 89'99) called Raw Energy, and still count among my friends many of the artists who scream and yell on stage... and of course enjoying the attributes of freedom and independence makes perfect sense to migrate into Freemasonry as a so-called adult.

Re: modern tools.

Luke — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:04:59 -0000

I just noticed some comments on this post, so while I'm late in coming I'll add my own thoughts.

Masonry must be known by its members. Currently you can find 4 or 5 times as much "information" on the web by other people than you can be actual Masons. So using the web to make ourselves known is a necessary change in American culture...I would never have joined a Lodge if I had been unable to find out enough information online. I'm a fan of conspiracies and Masonry generates a new one every time someone says "I can't tell you; you'll have to join to find out."

Most everything in Masonry can be communicated as they are not secret. Check your Masonic Monitor and actual obligation. In Indiana it is only required to keep the modes of recognition and the passwords secret. Everything else is technically "publicly discussable." However, it's probably best not to go talking about the entire experience to a prospective candidate as you'll "ruin" the experience. However, as SD I have had several people whisper "Is this when I die?" as we made the trip....and afterwards they have become some of the most enthusiastic brethern.

My next thought "To Be One, Ask One" is a horrible model and has been discontinued in most states. No one understands what it means in general public and no one really wants to waste the time to figure it out (I wouldn't). Masonry has no Tenet or Ancient Landmark forbidding speaking of Masonry with prospective members. Catch up with the past - Masonry doesn't go around dubbing candidates, but instead does make itself known to the world and then invites those who knock to come in the door.

I'm off to prepare to be installed as WM. Take care.

Re: of rings and emblems.

modernMason — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:04:37 -0000

Brother Carl, very well said—especially with your example/version. Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing that!

[mm]

Re: of rings and emblems.

Carl Weaver — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 09:28:38 -0000

Brother, you are right on. I was explaining this to some candidates I was investigating just a few weeks ago. I explained it like this, although a crude version of what you wrote.

I said that if I give someone the finger, right next to that finger is my Masonic ring. We represent the whole of the fraternity in all our actions. My responsibility is not to myself but to 2 million others in this country and more around the world.

Thanks for this post.

Re: modern tools.

modernMason — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 23:07:13 -0000

Scott,

Thanks for your feedback! I am no means saying that we should be actively recruiting—as I know that is frowned upon in many, many states. I do, however, feel that it's important for us to be able to provide information to those who seek it out.

I just wanted to make that clear.

Re: modern tools.

Scott — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:31:16 -0000

You must be careful in this area....we dont say "To be one, ask one" on purpose. I dont think the GA Grand Lodge would be too happy with advertising for enrollment. I guess its OK to "be seen" but not to "fish for members".

Re: modern tools.

modernMason — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:00:51 -0000

David, while I understand completely what you are saying—there are definitely ways to privately communicate electronically—and at the same time be able to use web technologies to further enhance the abilities of a Lodge. Passworded/membership only websites would be a great way to do that, to protect information and to provide an "inner door", so to speak, for a Lodge's web-based operations.

As far as public information goes—the way I personally look at it is like this... If men are going to be seeking it out on the Internet, we may as well take advantage of that fact, and provide them with the information they need to contact us to set them on the proper path.

However, I also get very upset when I see things online that I know are meant for Brothers only. When I was going through my three degrees I made a promise to myself to not look at the Internet, read any books or do anything to spoil my experience.

Experiencing degrees as a candidate is something that you only do once. And something that I personally feel that you should "remain in the dark" for, so to speak.

I in no way feel that any Masonic information that is protected by our Obligation should be online or shared. I want to make that clear. I do, however, feel that as more interest comes about the Craft, that we need to take initiative to connect candidates with Lodges—Lodges that are proper for them and offer what the candidate wants to experience the most, knowing that might not necessarily be the closest Lodge to them, geographically.

Re: modern tools.

Marcus Turnerhill — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:26:55 -0000

I have to agree with the use of all mediums such as the internet to provide a way for someone with intrest to investigate us. There would have to be a 'referal' site per jurisdiction so that can be forwarded to the nearest lodge. BUT I think the problem will be the fact that there's soooooo much info out there about us, that we'd be a drop in the bucket. I personally would say to have Brothers wear more noticable light so that we are reconized by the masses to incourage people to come and ask. But even that has problems as a solution. I guess there isn't a one right answer, but I agree, soon our numbers will grow and we need to find a good way to reach out so that individuals can do some research to learn about something they want to be apart of.

Re: modern tools.

David Monroe #27 — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:25:37 -0000

I think it a natural for lodges to become more tech savvy but as we move forward from the secretaries use PC to communicate with GL to more lodges having their own websites but we must take first and great care that are podcasts and social networking sites don't go against our obligations and that eavesdroppers don't learn our secrets and that is a hard thing to control outside the inner door.