Sunday, January 22, 2012
Odersfelt No. 35 OSM
On Friday I was delighted to attend Odersfelt OSM No. 35 in Heckmondwike where I proposed the health of two of the candidates I had proposed into the Conclave. This was an Emergency Meeting so we could bring the candidates in before the Installation meeting. We have brought in six candidates this year, with an Induction at each of the three meetings of the Conclave throughout the year, next year. A bright future is ahead for Odersfelt Conclave No. 35.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Installation meeting of Scarborough Lodge 1214
Yesterday I was delighted to attend the Installation meeting of Scarborough Lodge 1214, which meets in Bradford. The representative was the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Stuart Cummins.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Conversation with a taxi driver about Freemasonry
Wearing a dinner jacket with brief case in hand the conversation with a taxi driver went on to Freemasonry. Clearly he knew how to spot a Freemasonry, but the give away was usually when you asked for the masonic hall at .......................
He was clearly troubled by something. Some people had told him that Freemasons worshiped the devil. However, he found this difficult to believe as he had met quite a number of Freemasons and, in his words, found them all to be nice people. I explained to the taxi driver that sometimes stories are more compelling than that truth, and that people believe things because they want to believe in them. I explained Freemasonry was a secular organisation and was not a religion. Rather it was a system of ethical self-reflection that is aimed at self-development.
The reason we are called Masons is a metaphor. We are not operative masons, but rather speculative. The ashlar represents each individual; the building represents society. Therefore our Masonry is how we can fit 'better' in society. To use a phrase sometimes used in Freemasonry, we are 'living stones'.
The five steps to tyranny are given below:
1. ‘Us’ and ‘them’: use prejudice to foster the (fictional) notion of the existence of superior and dominant in-groups and inferior and powerless out-groups.
2. Obey orders: insist that all people under your wing are to obey your orders.
3. Dehumanize the enemy: emphasize on making inimical factions look less than human.
4. ‘Stand up’ or ’stand by’: suppress dissenting or opposing opinions to your own.
5. Suppress Individuality: foster the development of group identities while suppressing the individual.
Clearly the anti-masonic propaganda is using step 1.
We had quite a long time in the taxi. Huddersfield Town were playing at home, and this had created something of a traffic jam. By the time we parted the taxi driver seemed to have resolved the apparent incompatibility between the stories he had heard, and the pleasant people he had met.
Freemasons 1, Anti-masons 0.
He was clearly troubled by something. Some people had told him that Freemasons worshiped the devil. However, he found this difficult to believe as he had met quite a number of Freemasons and, in his words, found them all to be nice people. I explained to the taxi driver that sometimes stories are more compelling than that truth, and that people believe things because they want to believe in them. I explained Freemasonry was a secular organisation and was not a religion. Rather it was a system of ethical self-reflection that is aimed at self-development.
The reason we are called Masons is a metaphor. We are not operative masons, but rather speculative. The ashlar represents each individual; the building represents society. Therefore our Masonry is how we can fit 'better' in society. To use a phrase sometimes used in Freemasonry, we are 'living stones'.
The five steps to tyranny are given below:
1. ‘Us’ and ‘them’: use prejudice to foster the (fictional) notion of the existence of superior and dominant in-groups and inferior and powerless out-groups.
2. Obey orders: insist that all people under your wing are to obey your orders.
3. Dehumanize the enemy: emphasize on making inimical factions look less than human.
4. ‘Stand up’ or ’stand by’: suppress dissenting or opposing opinions to your own.
5. Suppress Individuality: foster the development of group identities while suppressing the individual.
Clearly the anti-masonic propaganda is using step 1.
We had quite a long time in the taxi. Huddersfield Town were playing at home, and this had created something of a traffic jam. By the time we parted the taxi driver seemed to have resolved the apparent incompatibility between the stories he had heard, and the pleasant people he had met.
Freemasons 1, Anti-masons 0.
Installation Meeting of the Lodge of Peace No.149
Yesterday I was privileged to attend the installation meeting of the Lodge of Peace No. 149 at Meltham. There were 138 visitors present, along with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Jack Piggott and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro Colin Dent. The raffle raise over £600 for charities, and a cheque was presented to the Provincial Grand Master's Fund.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Mirfield Lodge No. 1102
Last night I attended Mirfield Lodge No. 1102 for their regular January meeting. The ceremony was an initiation and I was delighted to respond on behalf of the visitors.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Mirfield Chapter
Last Friday (Friday 6th January) I was treated to an Exhalation at Mirfield Chapter No. 1102, my first masonic visit of 2012. Happy New Year to you!
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