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Keetron posted:My proposal is to be careful with the hat discussion, lest we not repeat the schism that occurred in Belgium in 1987 when the vote on Top Hat vs Bowler basically ripped the already irregular Grand Lodge apart into three camps. Hey now, I never said despise. I just avoid.
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May 13, 2013 10:04
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Crankit posted:I read the OP, freemasonry is pretty shocking and I'm surprised such an institution is allowed to exist in this day and age. What can the average person do about this? Tell you what. Go post in the NBA thread, the MLB thread, the NHL thread, go scream at the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the WNBA, the YMCA, the YMCA, every former President, Royal Rangers, the Catholic Church, every Nun to ever exist, Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, Roller Derby, and every other of the probably close to 10,000 societies, organizations, clubs, fraternities, sororities, teams, groups, associations, and incorporations that segregate based on gender and then, and only then can you bitch about us. Until that point, 
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May 15, 2013 21:57
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I had dinner like, five times before I turned in my petition. Ask questions, be chill, and enjoy some awesome pancakes.
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May 17, 2013 08:40
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There will always be a lodge that holds traditions that should be forgotten. Ignore them and move on. Most of us are the chillest motherfuckers around.
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May 18, 2013 08:38
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Find out which lodge and have a formal complaint written to the Grand Lodge of Florida. They may he clandestine as well, which complicates matters a wee bit.
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Jun 23, 2013 00:25
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Yeah I'm totally okay with Lodges feeling uncomfrotable with open racism in their lodge. gently caress them. Man, I'm so loving glad you put your name on my petition.
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Jul 1, 2013 08:52
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Hey WAFFLEHOUND! Are the cardinal virtues of an Entered Apprentice secret?
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Jul 2, 2013 03:49
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Paramemetic posted:While the virtues themselves are not secret, I would not put them in that particular context for the reasons that in some jurisdictions, they may be considered ritual rather than monitorial, and because that information given in the lecture would be spoiled if the person knew them in advance, which would be distracting as it would let the mind of a newly initiated brother jump around and not be fully present in the moment. Well, I'm going to get close to that line regarding bad WMs and GMs. Justice is something important to Masons, more especially Entered Apprentice Masons. Law, Order, and Righteousness guide us, and our actions should be as such. In addition, harmony is vital for any organization, more importantly this of ours. Refusing a brother Mason for his job or employment , if he is a good person, is unjust, as is refusing one because of his religious beliefs. That breaks our harmony, leaves Brothers dissatisfied, and that should never happen. In that, it is our duty to call people out, even Brother Masons at the highest levels when they break that oath that we all took, when they deny our own out of personal prejudice, or act unjustly. Tl;dr we should be good men, be honest, and never judge someone by what they believe or do, so long as what they do is lawful. People that refuse to follow that are dicks and should be called out for it, but we must forgive them for their injustice. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually. A grudge held too long breeds hatred and anger. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 07:30 on Jul 2, 2013 |
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Jul 2, 2013 06:14
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Racism is lawful. Give me a few days to look up obscure laws, and I'll get back to you. Basically it is lawful but not just. If a law is not just, I will only break it if it goes against my core beliefs, whereas a lawful and just law I would never break. And something that is unlawful and unjust I will actively fight against. So I guess I'm Neutral good, if my memory of D&D alignments is worth poo poo. Also, a note to any non-masons reading this thread. And I guess Masons as well. So everyone as it were. I would not consider myself a great Mason. I have missed lodge for half a year now, maybe more. I haven't seen the new Worshipful Master, the person responsible for me joining Ashler Lodge and a great friend, in his new role. I am behind on my posting lecture, and I'm pretty sure I've broken my oath at least twice accidentally in this thread. I'm still learning what is secret in my state. I'm also nearing the record for the longest standing first degree in lodge history. But I have remained steadfast in what I know. I have continued to show due restraint upon passions that leave the body tame and governable, kept that steady purpose of mind equally distant from rashness and cowardice, regulated my mind to the dictates of reason, and rendered unto every man his just due. I am working to pay back that which I owe, with interest, and am learning to give to those less fortunate than I, as all mankind be them Masons or not, are brothers in this journey through life. And that brings this rambling back to where it started. I am not a great Mason, and God willing I never will be. There is always more to learn, more to do, and ways to better myself. And that's why I joined in the first place. Hopefully I will be attending lodge regularly again. With any luck I'll prove up to Fellowcraft on the same day I was initiated, one year later. And that's my story so far. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 10:59 on Jul 3, 2013 |
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Jul 2, 2013 20:46
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Because Masonry is literally Skull & Bones and you've got to know the right people to even have a shot. Luckily I had some powerful people vouch for me. The right people indeed.
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Jul 12, 2013 23:54
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Keetron posted:Well, my first night as a Tyler did not went well. We raised a Brother and after all was over and we were about to close the lodge, I was get nauseous, felt warm, started sweating and became dizzy. Shortly after, my vision started to get dim. Even though the lights were already dimmed, apparently I was white as a sheet and a brother came over, send me to a seat (all were already standing) and took my place. Never lock your knees straight. Keep a slight bend.
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Sep 25, 2013 10:06
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Hey! I can start making it to Lodge again. Because I just got laid off. gently caress.
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Jan 14, 2014 09:02
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Aw, man. One of our brand new EAs just died. David Del La Pena. Been with us just a month. Didn't know him, but I figure it's my duty to appear at the services, right?
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Feb 6, 2014 04:08
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Keetron posted:You are a good man, 7th. Won't be my first rodeo, definitely won't be my last. We are more than likely running the service, or our own separate one. We always do a service for our members. I never met him, but I believe he was in his 60s. That makes him the second this year from my Lodge to pass. And we've been in a Lodge of Sorrow for, by my count, 18 months. It's easier to stay in it than constantly open and close on what is sometimes a moments notice. And we have a Facebook page. Funerals are coordinated there. Anyone here not been to a Masonic funeral? Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 09:30 on Feb 6, 2014 |
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Feb 6, 2014 09:04
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LingcodKilla posted:And us Diest just sit back and rub our hands.... " all according to plans"... So... We worship Tzeench now? But I'm more a Papa Nurgle guy...
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Feb 7, 2014 03:08
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LingcodKilla posted:Can we agree to go Undivided? Ugh. Fine. Harmony being the strength of all institutions, more importantly this of blah blah blah...
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Feb 7, 2014 03:30
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Aureus posted:Well Blue with Gold fringe does tend to be a common theme amongst our aprons... Mine is white with a layer of dust.
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Feb 7, 2014 03:38
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Ah yes, White Powder Lodge #420. I'm still an EA, remember?
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Feb 7, 2014 04:44
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Well, it looks like that tuxedo of mine is going to come in handy after all. I had no dark suits in my closet for the funeral.
Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 05:50 on Feb 14, 2014 |
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Feb 14, 2014 05:27
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Aha. Took some digging in storage, found my old morning jacket. A deep navy blue with a charcoal gray pair of trousers. I'm assuming the WM meant tuxes for the funeral team, which means they forgot I'm not an officer. Or a MM, Whoops. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 20:34 on Feb 14, 2014 |
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Feb 14, 2014 19:23
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Yeah, the funeral team was dressy, and they forgot I'm an EA. And not the other Chris. Who is on the team. All was well.
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Feb 15, 2014 02:13
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Who Dat posted:I think I posted in an older ask/tell thread about freemasonry, so hello again! I'm not a mason, but I'm more curious than anything else. I remember someone likened lodge meetings to spaghetti dinners, probably in this thread. Is it accurate to assume that freemasonry is akin to a nondenominational Knights of Columbus? If this is an oversimplification, I do apologize, I'm just wondering what I'd be getting myself into if I actually pursued becoming a mason. Essentially yes. Depends what state you are in, different jurisdiction, different rules.
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Feb 17, 2014 16:34
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PrinceRandom posted:I know in lodge it is forbidden to discuss religion/politics, but how is it viewed out of lodge? If it's used to increase fellowship or understanding and not as a debate material or whatever is it okay? It's generally all cool, just don't be a dick about it. Individual Lodge practices may vary. And I'm Diest as gently caress, nobody cares. As long as you aren't in Florida or some parts of Texas, you'll do fine. As for us or the KoC, I'd personally say the Freemasons, I'm willing to bet we have better food.
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Feb 17, 2014 21:01
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Who Dat posted:The KoC in my church parish always gently caress up the catfish at the Lenten fish fry so on that basis alone I'm willing to give it a go when I'm at a point in my life I can mete out time and money for something like Freemasonry. Go to a Lodge anyways. Find when dinner is, get in touch with one of the Officers, head over, eat food, ask questions, then repeat like, three more times. Meet different lodges, one may not be that good for your particular interests, while another one a town over may be friggin' perfect. I want to two lodges before I settled on Ashler, the food at Ashler wasn't as good as Kirkland, but the people were ten times cooler. Kicking members of the lodge out of meetings for wearing opposing team jerseys on game nights just to make them have to sign in multiple times, rocking out at beer festivals, basically running the Bothell 4th of July parade, setting up concerts in the local park, running a Bikes for Education program, running, hosting, and owning the State Masonic Chili Cook-off for the past 4 years, making bets during meetings where the stakes are shaving your beard into horrible patterns, nearly weekly family game nights where the lodge members, guests, and family come down and play classic board games, and near mandatory summer weekend cigar parties at the WMs place. BYOB. I saw the schedule and basically fell in love. tl;dr Eat, drink, and be merry. Edit: I'm just gonna quote this anytime someone asks what Lodge to join or if it's right for them. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 21:36 on Feb 17, 2014 |
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Feb 17, 2014 21:24
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Also, certain lodges have different nights and times meetings are at. They are typically once a month, held at night, and on what I've seen to be Thursdays. Your mileage may vary. That also plays heavily into which Lodge you join. Meetings are the heart of what we do. It's basically procedure (it's p. cool) and voting on budgets and events. The opening and closing procedure is frigging awesome and I wish I could link you to a video of what it's like. But spoilers. There's a lot that plays in, but what matters is that you like the lodge, both location and members, and can make it to meetings. Get that down and you're set. Oh, initiation fees. The $200 varies, and most of it goes to operating fees. Buildings aren't cheap, and that's not to mention that you basically get a mentor to bring you through the ranks. There's quite a bit of memorization that goes into it, but a Lodge Officer will be assigned to you to teach you the ropes. You also get a snazzy leather apron that you eventually get buried with. I've seen it twice now. It doesn't hit you until you see the apron on a coffin and the first person sets an evergeeen sprig on it. The initiation fee covers you from well, initiation to death.  READ MENow I'd also recommend you check out the KoC and any other groups you may be thinking of joining. Don't be afraid to test the waters elsewhere, and don't join on a whim. This is a lifetime commitment and if your heart isn't in it, it's not worth it for you. We aren't the only fraternal organization out there, there's ones that make us look informal and there's ones that are basically a bar that gives to charity constantly. It's not my job to tell you to join. It's just my job to explain every friggin' thing to anyone that's interested. I'd be glad to point you towards other groups like us if you want. I'm gonna edit this as I think of new things. There's a lot to say. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 22:07 on Feb 17, 2014 |
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Feb 17, 2014 21:43
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Whee! Back in Lodge for the first time in over a year. Man, I missed these guys. I'll post some pics of the lodge room when the the Very Worshipful Richard Beers II, District Secretary to the Grand Lodge of Washington, Free and Accepted Masons gets out of his meeting. P.S. I love his title. Welcome to Ashler Lodge #121, F&AM http://i.imgur.com/OAJH86t.jpg (sorry, on app. Can't see sizes.) Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 18:11 on Feb 21, 2014 |
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Feb 21, 2014 02:50
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legsarerequired posted:
I'd talk to the WM of the lodge. Might be able to help clarify things for the ladies at the Eastern Star. Or whoever it is that works with them. I'm not familiar with the Eastern Star, so forgive my lack of knowledge. I can't get involved til I'm 3rd Degree. Alternately, If you are really off put, don't be afraid of asking another chapter for advice. I went to a few lodges finding my way. No harm in asking for outside help. jrgnsn_tjf posted:General question then for any Buddhists who can help me, what do you consider your sacred text? I've seen differing views amongst some, but does anybody have any direction for me? You can't go wrong with the Morals and Dogma of Jesus of Nazareth. All the morals with none of the miracles or supernatural. It's great for Deists, should work for you. If that's not your style the Tipitaka would work fine, as would Dhammapadra for the Mahay-ana. Personally I'd put the laws of thermodynamics and physical laws of the universe. But that's just me. I got other ideas, but I got to check if it's in plain text or not. Can't give away too many secrets. (it's in plain text, AFAIK I'm all good.) Look to the furniture of the lodge. Think of the Square as Buddha, teaching wisdom and compassion as should the Master. Think of the Bible as The Dharma, truth. The nature of Dharma works well with The Bible, much less any Holy book, you don't have to believe it to know what it means to people. That's how I use the Bible. Think of the Compass as the craft as a whole, or Sangha as it were. It's us working towards awakening and spiritual enlightenment. P.S. If anyone complains about your choice of book, they can suck it. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 05:17 on Feb 23, 2014 |
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Feb 23, 2014 04:57
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Mr. Belding posted:When I was a youngster, maybe 8 or 9, I ended up at a Masonic meeting with a family friend who was looking after me for a week. It was mixed gender and the titles of Grand Matron and Grand Patron thrown around. There was lots of ritualistic minutiae. Nobody could cross the room when the Bible was open. Yeah, that's totally Eastern Star. drat good people. I think our Secretary is the Grand Patron. And they are hardly pretend Masons. If anyone thinks them less than a Mason, they are failing miserably at what they came here to do. Eastern Star at my Lodge has as many, If not more events than we do, and a larger presence. You get Job's Daughters and Rainbows in the mix and the women outnumber us five to one at our Lodge. And that's including DeMolay. The Jobies just initiated five people last meeting. They are growing faster than most any Lodge in the state. We've had to remodel near constantly to accommodate their sheer numbers.
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Feb 23, 2014 05:24
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Mr. Belding posted:Maybe not less than, but the OP goes to great lengths to say that Masonry is craft Masonry and that women aren't accepted. In fact to be a member of these appendant bodies women must apparently be married to or related to Masons (so it is only because of their relationship to a male craft mason that they are masons at all). This is for Eastern Star. I'll look up what the Jobies need to join. These affiliations include: * Affiliated Master Masons in good standing, * the wives * daughters * legally adopted daughters * mothers * widows * sisters * half sisters * granddaughters * stepmothers * stepdaughters * stepsisters * daughters-in-law * grandmothers * great granddaughters * nieces * great nieces * mothers-in-law * sisters-in-law and daughters of sisters or brothers of affiliated Master Masons in good standing, or if deceased were in good standing at the time of their death" As well as Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls of age and in good standing to join. Here's what you need to be a Jobie. 1. To be known as Job's Daughters. 2. Membership to be composed of developing girls who believe in God and bear a Masonic relationship. 3. The meeting place to be called a Bethel. 4. The teachings based on the "Book of Job" (with special reference to the 42nd Chapter: 15th Verse). 5. To be taught in three epochs (not degrees). 6. Motto: "Virtue is a quality which highly adorns woman." 7. Requiring all members, guardians and visitors to assume a pledge based on honor. 8. To be a democratic organization with the right of appeal to a supreme authority. with all members and guardians amenable to the laws. 9. A Supreme Guardian Council with Constitution and Bylaws in conformity with landmarks governing Supreme Guardian. Subordinate Guardians and Bethel Members. There are no relation requirements for Rainbow Girls or Job's Daughters. Think of Eastern Star as an extension of these two groups rather than the other way around. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 05:56 on Feb 23, 2014 |
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Feb 23, 2014 05:45
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Mr. Maltose posted:Take a look at the second Jobie req. Job's Daughters need to have a Masonic relative of some stripe, Rainbows do not. Pretty loose either way. It goes through marriage two generation back*. And most fraternal organizations have strict requirements. Ours is no different. If the lodge dedicates time and effort to support the girls and women's groups, helps fund, though our own reserves, their trips and events, and treats them no different than we treat each other, does it matter in the end? *requirements for membership include girls between the ages of 10 and 20 who are direct descendants of a Master Mason, adopted daughters by law, step-daughters, step-granddaughters, sisters, half-sisters, step-sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, grandnieces, or first or second cousins of a Master Mason or so related to his wife or widow, or who are daughters, step-daughters, granddaughters, or step-granddaughters or Majority Members of Job's Daughters International P.S. I'm still pretty early on in my work, I've read through my workbooks and had many, many discussions with various goings on with the guys at Lodge. I'm by no means an expert, just giving my 2ยข Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 07:08 on Feb 23, 2014 |
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Feb 23, 2014 07:05
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Mr. Belding posted:You're rationalizing as hard as you possibly can. Nah, I read your post. You got good points. And I misread point 2. I'm loving tired and hungry, which is no excuse for poor reading comprehension so I'll take the blame. That's on me. We've had so many new people join in I assumed it was open. That's what I get for making assumptions. But it just makes an rear end out of me. Again, I misread. It actually irks me a bit. I thought the ones for the kids was somewhat more open. It doesn't get new blood interested, just bloodlines. I suppose it makes sense in context, but still. It's not like DeMolay where it's basically a straight shot into full on Masonry. That one makes sense at least. But I'm sure someone will come in the morning and correct the living hell out of me. I don't doubt it. Oh, and I'd rather copy/paste than retype. It's easier when I'm already writing a wall of text. (and some of that "rationalizing" was quick last second edits to respond to your post. I edit all the time. Hell, I've edited this post over half a dozen times already. It's better than making a ton of posts and making GBS threads up a thread more than I already do.) I'd love to see a way to open up the auxiliaries to non-masonic families, at least now that I know the rules correctly. It would be nice to have the ranks open. Again, it's not like it's a straight shot into Masonry. And while I would have no problem with coed Masonry the rules will probably never change in my lifetime. For either. I'd have to rise up the ranks to a position I neither desire or want and change the minds of every single Master in the state that radically changing the rules and risking the loss of recognition from the rest of the nation and the world is in their best interest. Which would be drat near impossible. In the meantime I'll (over a week or so. New job and training takes my days up. Plus general laziness) I'll look up some fraternal orgs that fit the criteria you're thinking of. If you find one before me, just PM me. I'd love to look over their info. I've made it something of a side quest to talk to members of the Elks and Eagles and picked up some literature and contact numbers for the local Knights of Columbus (not a Catholic, just curious) and the Sons of Norway. I figure it's good to know options and be able to tell someone what might fit them best. I'm not afraid of telling someone that maybe there's something that will fit them better. Old customer service habits die hard. And you're not attacking Masonry. You are pointing out old rules that could, at least in my mind, go for a bit of an update. Hearing dissenting opinions is something no one should be afraid of, and a good discussion is always welcome. If you want to run things by me, feel free to PM me. I'm always game for a good chat. That goes for everyone in the thread. And as I always say, I'm still early on in my path. There may be things later on in my degrees that explains things or skews my opinions. There's a hell of a lot I'm not privy to. Take what I see as a fresh face that's still learning, but not afraid to ask questions. Hey, Waffle? Was anything I've said in this thread accurate at all? Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 09:17 on Feb 23, 2014 |
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Feb 23, 2014 09:08
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SaNChEzZ posted:SoCal #529 strives to let initiates bring in whatever the heck they want Same with Ashler 121. But you have to ask the right questions first.
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Feb 26, 2014 01:01
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Right, but I've been a Mason for 6 years so I need one of the side orgs to mess with. Hey, you'll have kids someday, right?
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Feb 26, 2014 01:30
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:And if I end up living where I'm planning on living they'll never be Masons. The Moon?
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Feb 26, 2014 02:55
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Sweden. Christians only. The Moon would have been cooler.
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Feb 26, 2014 04:42
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Paramemetic posted:The Moon is under the jurisdiction of the GL of Texas, though. There are Moon Masons. Don't Thank me. I missed a years worth of meetings, who knows what I missed.
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Feb 26, 2014 05:03
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Sweet! Got an initiation tomorrow for a Mr J. Bossert. Our own Brother Dan Southerland will be conferring with the first Mason I met at Ashler, Brother Dale Miller giving the the Masters Lecture. Any Masons in the greater Seattle area that want to stop by my neck of the woods are more than welcome. There's a teriyaki joint across the street, we're hitting that up beforehand. What? We got a musician now? Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 23:37 on Feb 26, 2014 |
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Feb 26, 2014 23:33
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Keetron posted:I have no idea what an igneous geologist does, but I know Shell has it's head office in The Hague, Netherlands and I am pretty sure there is work in Oil&Gas for geologists and other higher education engineers over here. PM if you care to continue this conversation. Keetron? What's up? I still owe you. Unless you wanted me to pay it forward. In which case I'll do that when I have the bucks.
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Feb 27, 2014 08:36
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Keetron posted:As far as I recall, we agreed you'd pay me back when it would be possible without putting you into hardship or putting paying your lodge dues at danger. That was it. Just making sure you know I didn't forget. Also, that was an awesome initiation. Smoothest one I've seen. Kilo147 fucked around with this message at 07:40 on Feb 28, 2014 |
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Feb 27, 2014 20:59
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WAFFLEHOUND posted:Oh my god I need to talk someone into doing this. Oh, man. That would be perfect.
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Mar 1, 2014 01:12
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