tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post4405196221656402847..comments2024-01-25T07:48:25.888-08:00Comments on Beacon of Masonic Light: On tolerance and IntoleranceTheron Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08071430921547904160noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-89454681853692109982011-10-08T16:29:39.858-07:002011-10-08T16:29:39.858-07:00So, how should a lodge react when a petitioner wit...So, how should a lodge react when a petitioner with exceptional credentials and references is denied (black-balled) simply due to the petitioner's sexual orientation (gay))?<br /><br />Sure, when someone is in the closet, it can be easier for someone to gain access into the lodge, but what about openly gay individuals?<br /><br />Sure, when it came down to an issue of religion, there is a lot of literature on being tolerant of one's religious beliefs... but not when it comes to sexual orientation.<br /><br />How do and/or should a lodge (and freemasonry in general) deal with intolerance of homosexuality?<br /><br />As here is my rub... if a lodge is intolerant of a minority group (as homosexuality is also defined as one)... when it becomes known that a lodge is intolerant, then it means that the same lodge is then no longer eligible for grants, as most grant-giving organization do not tolerate intolerant organizations.<br /><br />So, how does one deal with intolerance of homosexuality?MasonatLargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07274746183721898300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-64349801725442608752007-09-22T13:46:00.000-07:002007-09-22T13:46:00.000-07:00I completely understand where you are coming from ...I completely understand where you are coming from and by in large agree.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it was my years in the clergy, or perhaps it is my years with Homeland security, or perhaps, I really am intolerant, but there are some things, even opinions and ideas, that I do not tolerate, and believe to be dangerous.<BR/><BR/>One such idea is those individuals that are into having sex with small children. Even Yahoo chat baned (or has attempted to curb) the chat and discussion groups focused on such things. Also, federal agents are informed of such groups for the purpose of rounding those individuals up.<BR/><BR/>Free speech? Maybe, but such speech is a symptom of a behavior that is predator towards the helpless. And discussion groups fuel the individuals to act out.<BR/><BR/>I would like to see the lodge be more intolerant of that kind of thing.<BR/><BR/>For a while, the world changed drastically because the masons stood up and said, these ideas and what comes from them are crap. And we fought a revolution over it.<BR/><BR/>In the west, it was the masons who often brought order to western camps and frontier towns.<BR/><BR/>I am getting long winded, but my point is that tolerance works well for a respectful civilized society, but to those who do not value such things, your just easy pickings.<BR/><BR/>I would say that not all things should be tolerated.Eisbärhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532372400577364952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-13195423522284739712007-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:002007-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:00Tolerance is about ideas, not behaviours.Tolerance is about ideas, not behaviours.giovanni lombardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15179925654879157443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-70342457121396389972007-09-22T07:22:00.000-07:002007-09-22T07:22:00.000-07:00Br. Eisbär;No, to be tolerant means to accept that...Br. Eisbär;<BR/><BR/>No, to be tolerant means to accept that we have differences, and that each is entitled to their differences. It does not change that we make value judgments. It does not mean that we allow anyone to join. That is not being tolerant, that is being foolish.<BR/><BR/>You ask a good question, do all things deserve tolerance? That is a hard one to answer, but on a certain level, the answer is yes... and no.<BR/><BR/>Do we tolerate hatemongers? Well, as long as they aren't physically injuring anyone, I would have to argue yes. If the hatemongers were injuring someone, beyond their feelings, then no, we do not have to tolerate that.<BR/><BR/>We can be tolerant, we as masons are called to be tolerant of others, their opinions, their religious beliefs etc., until and unless they start injuring someone. In a sense, tolerance is like free speech.<BR/><BR/>You don't truly favor free speech unless you would defend to the death the right of someone else to advocate that which you would give your last dying breath to oppose. Anyone can tolerate that which they agree with. It takes a special man to tolerate that which you oppose.<BR/><BR/>And of course, tolerate does not mean accept. In the instant case here, I am talking about, and Wr. Pike is talking about opinions, not actions.<BR/><BR/>There are intolerable actions, of which we should always stand in opposition... but opinions? Opinions are like the breeze, they do no harm.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion.Theron Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071430921547904160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-32789051640294548472007-09-21T13:07:00.000-07:002007-09-21T13:07:00.000-07:00So does that mean that we let anyone join, regardl...So does that mean that we let anyone join, regardless of their beliefs or actions, in the name of tolerance?<BR/><BR/>Some say yes. <BR/><BR/>Also, do all things truly deserve tolerance, let alone acceptance?<BR/><BR/>Some say yes.<BR/><BR/>I say no to both personally, but then maybe I am intolerant?Eisbärhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532372400577364952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-21183149264542512112007-09-21T08:54:00.000-07:002007-09-21T08:54:00.000-07:00I quit attending a lodge after being ganged up on ...I quit attending a lodge after being ganged up on and proseletized by a few of its members. There is no room for such in Masonry and their intolerance forced me to leave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-10233979574499485112007-09-21T05:28:00.000-07:002007-09-21T05:28:00.000-07:00Offered Definition:Toleration - To experience disc...Offered Definition:<BR/><BR/>Toleration - To experience discomfort in any manner or form and not respond negatively toward it.<BR/><BR/>Best of Intention Comment - these people do not have the best of intentions. They have an intent that they think is best. These are not founded in the same spirit. Should that same intent be exercised by others in their direction, they would be highly intolerant.<BR/><BR/>Masonry is too about winning! It's not about one person winning over another; it's about everyone winning at the same time. This is what it teaches; this is what it creates; this is what it holds fast to; this is what toleration affords us.<BR/><BR/>Prometheus<BR/>(NOS Admin)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com