Comments on Beacon of Masonic Light: Why Regularity

....is justified and warranted

2008-06-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

....is justified and warranted

Oh Brother.....where do I start?Please bear with m...

2008-06-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Oh Brother.....where do I start?

Please bear with me.

Reading this blog has me wondering is this much ado about nothing or is it a legitimate concern? I understand the reasoning behind the term "regularity". The term in its original purpose and intent was probably meant to keep "Cowans and Evesdroppers" away. Our rituals were written during a time when Freemasonry was extremely popular and exclusive. I'm sure that many lodges denied candidates and even expelled a few, probably fueling those to either form lodges that accepted those who were denied or rejected from chartered lodges.

These Lodges not having been chartered by the Grand Lodge of that jurisdiction were more than likely deemed "irregular", justifying the use of the word "Regular", being that the Grand Lodge is one of the immovable pillars.

In our case (American Freemasonry)we reconize 2 bodies of Freemasonry as being "Regular"... PHA and "Mainstream" or GW if you will. These bodies were the first to practice "Regular" Freemasonry here (US and its territories) and established lodges in each state under those original charters received directly from the Grand Mother Lodge (UGLE)which we accept as the foundation of Freemasonry. Because of British occupation throughout the times, other Worldwide Grand Lodges fall under this umbrella as well.

I too will greet and accept Brothers on their proclaimation of being a Mason. When it comes to visitation of lodges and ritual discussions, I don't do it outside the lodge to begin with. If a Mason thats deemed "non regular" wishes to visit my lodge or any other, I'm sure that after proper verification, the recognition issue will be determined then.

The biggest problem that I see in all of this is ammunition given to our detractors. They love to use quotes and sayings from anyone claiming to be a Freemason. This is how many lies have been spread upon us to this day. The one I love is used by a very prominent "Anti-Mason" who cites a Mason who obtained the 90th (given somewhere in the mid east) He then contradicts himself by saying "Most American Freemasons know nothing of this degree"....but he assuems that because another freemason has obtained something as high as the 90th degree and most other masons know knothing of it, somehow this Mason knows more "secrets" than others. I know its ridiculous, but this is what happenes when so many originzations are claiming and doing things thats affecting all. I believe this is when a "Regular" classification of Masons

TBC:You're welcome, no charge.

2008-04-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

TBC:

You're welcome, no charge.

Being Free to travel where I want, is different th...

2008-04-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Being Free to travel where I want, is different than being able to travel where I am allowed to travel only.

Thank you for pointing that out to me.

No justification needed.I know who and what I am I...

2008-04-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

No justification needed.
I know who and what I am
I also know I do not worry about regualrity, you are correct.
So thank you for analyzing me and validating my feelings about systems.
That young brother will only experience brotherhood from me, not any divisional excuses of an inability to travel to his Lodge.

i enjoy the freedom associated with my choice.
Thanks again bro!

TBC;thanks for taking the time to post. of course ...

2008-04-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

TBC;

thanks for taking the time to post. of course you would feel that way, you are a non regular mason these days. I would have absolutely no problem with not attending his passing, and would thank him sincerely for inviting me. I would certainly be doing him no service to tell him otherwise.

Your CLAIM that George Washington would not have observed regularity is stunningly simplistic and self serving. Of COURSE you believe that, you have to. And as for calling Regular Masonry nothing but a charity reveals your true agenda is nothing more than defaming Regular Masonry, which you have given up in your ego blow up over Halcyon. You HAVE to believe that twaddle to salve your own ego and justify your actions.

I am okay with you believing that, but don't try to peddle it to men of intelligence, eh?

You done pretty good over all. I would not have told him he was a member of a non regular masonic body either. I am not even sure I would have told him I could not attend. I PROBABLY would have done what I have always done when invited to attend a tyled meeting of non regular masons... I would have thanked him and told him I would try to make it.

Unlike you, I do not see it necessary to be up in everyone's face over this issue. Its really a non issue for Regular Masons. As I have noted elsewhere, this whole visitation to non regular lodges is ONLY an issue to non regular masons.

For the rest of us, as Jusata Mason noted, its not something we even think about.

Be well, Tom, in YOUR choice. Quit trying to drag us all into your particular quagmire or justify yourself to yourself.

At the Golden Gloves event a few weeks ago, a youn...

2008-04-21T04:29:00.000-07:00

At the Golden Gloves event a few weeks ago, a young man comes up to me and greets me as a brother. I had the square and compass pin on my suit coat. He informed me he was an EA in King Solomon #5, the Lodge name and number did not ring a bell to me? He informed me that it was part of the International AF&AM Grand Lodge. This is a predominately black freemasonic grand lodge, that the Prince Halls do not recognise. This young white man, had joined the "non- regular" black grand lodge.

I said nothing about regularity or obedience he belong to, and gave him a tour of the temple. AT the end, he asked if I wanted to attend his FC degree. I said I would be honored if I can be free at that time.

Now, how rude would it be to have brought up petty "regularity" garbage to this young man, who in his eyes, is a regular mason.
In my eyes he is a regular mason. Now, PHA and the american caucasian grand lodges will consider him irregular, and would punish any one of their members if they would attend a Lodge meeting with this young man.

Is that really the message of american freemasonry?

If you are not considered regualr by my GL, I cannot sit with you and keep our brands of freemasonry divided.

The idea of seperate, but not equal is bass-ackwards,
and to only be "recognised" or "regular" is to submit to our authority, is immature and chidlish.

True free men understand that these divisive rules are for the small minded, egotistical control freaks, that do not want Real Freedom exercised by its volunteers(what an american mason is, any one who belongs to any kind of non profit is a volunteer no matter what name you call them, brother, master, etc.., all volunteers)

Petty volunteers drawing lines in the sand..

George washington would never belong to a federally regulated form of masonry. So quit trying to glom onto his fame for your 501c10.
Please already....

George washington Freemasonry would NEVER submit to the UGLE!
Common sense...they risked their lives not to be rules by britian, and YOU are trying to say what you belong to is the same?
ROTFLMFAO

Doesn't this come down to the same argument of who...

2008-04-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this come down to the same argument of whose right?
Right, like "regularity" is a perception of the viewer.

I think as long as there are there is a difference, there will be discussion on the subject, with varying degrees of intensity. Besides the mail fraud and con argument, what, I wonder keeps GL's from just acknowledging a commonality with feminine or mixed masonry and for the GL's who don't already recognize PH masonry to just recognize, ir-regardless if PH does the same.

Perhaps that goes back to the whose right argument, and Right is right in the eye of the beholder, right?

And isn't the name George Washington Masonry already taken under the moniker of George Washington Union masonry?

I admire your position on this, and think that there is a definite position for all masculine masonry, but think that there is a middle way of recognizing that there other groups of people who practice, and live Masonry. To exist and insist that there be such division is silly in the height of modernity.

Bobbydale:Congratulations on being elected to take...

2008-04-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Bobbydale:

Congratulations on being elected to take the degrees. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee is a good Grand Lodge. Take it slowly, give yourself time to absorb the lessons in incorporate them in your life. Do not be in a hurry.

Br. Justa:

I couldn't have said it better myself. The truth is, MOST Regular Masons do not give regularity a second though, unless we encounter an angry brother non regular mason. Its just not an issue for us.

I got this comment from a brother in Greece today:

Regularity is something the ancient Zen Monks called "Balance". Without it; there is chaos. And of course...what do we see plenty of today and a lack of today?

I think you hit the "bullseye" bro.

Trooper Hercules Archontas Takis

Theron, your post has probably taken me longer to ...

2008-04-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

Theron, your post has probably taken me longer to read than it has for me to sit through my entire real-life Masonic career dealing with recognition issues.

Recognition seems to be something that people get worked up on the internet.

In reality, my GL gets an annual report from a committee which deals with fraternal relations, it's approved, and we get on with life.

Lodges have other things to worry about, such as initiating and instructing brethren, caring for sick members and widows, and getting together to share some comradeship. And, if you're a Secretary, chasing people for dues (I have yet to figure out how we supposedly can rule the world but can't get people to pay Lodge dues on time).

Justa Mason

Very well put. While technically still a non-maso...

2008-04-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Very well put. While technically still a non-mason, I understand where you are coming from. I feel that I will face some of the same issues as I join a lodge in Tennessee. We are one of the states that does not acknowledge PHA masons.

When I become a mason, I do not plan on being rude or crude to any PHA mason I come in contact with. On the contrary, I hope that I will be even more polite knowing that the man has learned most or all of the same moral lessons I have. As you stated, this does not mean I need to reveal anything that I will learn from the GL of TN.

As a side note, I have been voted and will receive my first degree in a couple of weeks.