Post by stepnwolf on Oct 13, 2012 21:57:39 GMT 9.5
With the emphasis on brotherhood and group dynamics in our LL today, we sometimes forget that some of the old landmarks betrayed the assumption of exclusivity in several parts of the system.
First, no women, fools or felons. Strange company for the hand that rocks the cradle, isn't it? One author suggested that the prohibition of women is based on the “fact” that they are notorious for their gossip and would be unable to keep the secrets of Masonry. Fools wouldn't understand secrecy and felons would sell the secrets for a price. Mixed Masonic LL are on the vanguard not to remove the old landmarks, but to reinterpret them. I suspect that some of the BB oppose female membership only because the L. is the last refuge away from the little woman.
There are Scottish Rite chapters in some parts of the world, where they exclude all but Christians from membership. The original workings of these degrees were probably Christian; that was the reason (read excuse) for excluding Jews and members of other religious groups. Today in many parts of the world the national consistories have opted to follow the the lead of the Blue Lodges and are open to receiving applicants from any religion. Some grand bodies have voted to accept atheists.
The question now is “to what extent are the old landmarks valuable guides to today's Masonry.” Are they immutable or are they subject to change, depending on time and place?
Masonic Exclusivity is an oxymoron isn't it? Though some might agree to disagree on that statement
I have always thought of Freemasonry in the light of Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of mankind. It seems I am in the minority with regards to that thought.
But hey its Monday and I am feeling cheeky.
With the emphasis on brotherhood and group dynamics in our LL today, we sometimes forget that some of the old landmarks betrayed the assumption of exclusivity in several parts of the system.
...no women, fools or felons ..
They let all three govern powerful countries ... are we out of step?
Strange company for the hand that rocks the cradle
I am reminded of Jesus calming the stormy seas. Maybe more attention should be paid to the 'stormy seas' and not the Bro sailors. Nothing like a catastrophe to bring people together.
Women.. would be unable to keep the secrets of Masonry.
Most men think the secrets are the s..t..w.. s
Fools wouldn't understand secrecy
... or the 'secrets'
Felons would sell the secrets for a price.
(Freemasonry) is the last refuge (away from the little woman.)
Freemasonry is anything but a refuge - when put into practice.
There are Scottish Rite chapters in some parts of the world, where they exclude all but Christians from membership. The original workings of these degrees were probably Christian; that was the reason (read excuse) for excluding Jews and members of other religious groups.
Ironic considering that Freemasonry, so far as I can see, is a thinly veiled version of the Qabbalah.
Chokmah, Binah, Tipareth = Wisdom, Strength and Beauty.
NOTE: This isn't the secret, only a pathway with signposts - (for those that are earnest seekers)
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
I wonder if being exclusive is a substitute for being able to measure who is true. If Masonry were a science we could use the working tools in a moral sense and measure directly the worth of the applicant. Since few can do that we use rules about admission. Thus the reformed criminal may be rejected.
On the subject of Masonic science I am reminded of an account of the early days of the Golden Dawn - a fringe Masonic group in the London in the late 19th century. The candidate for Adeptus Minor (ritual with tomb and raising), as part of the prior testing was required to visualise the temple with all the officers in place with their complex regalia. The examiner examined the visualisation to see if it was accurate and complete.
Apparently after a few years the GD ran out of examiners competent to inspect the visual processes of the candidate. Likewise in Masonry.
I hypothesize therefore that exclusivity is a compensation for loss of Masonic science.
Paul posted this image on another thread.. I found it most useful for reflecting upon.
For example... you will note that the symbol of the point within the circle represents the Sun (at its meridian?).
The symbol of the circle with the cross is where Beauty stands, better known as Tipareth and in Christian Cabbala, represents Jesus.
I couldn't help but note that if one printed this diagram out and folded it in the centre, one might get a slightly better understand the words "I and my Father are One". Implicate and explicate order.
