I caught wind of that this weekend.

wtf?

how is a group of mason getting together on a zoom call OUTSIDE of lodge any business of the grandlodge in the first place. it's not a meetting or really even a masonic function anymore than inviting them to dinner would be.

Keep in mind that the only account of these events is coming from Hodapp's blog.  He likes to sensationalize things to drive people to his blog.  Neither the SC GM or PGM have publicly stated anything (and it would be inappropriate to do so).  Hodapp's account may be entirely accurate but the best we say at the moment is it is hearsay.

@wswartzendruber I would encourage you to reach out to a local lodge before you commit to a hard "no".  If you need assistance I am good friends with the current GM of ID and a couple PGMs.

Reddit is not reflective of Masonry as a whole.

Our secrets revolve around obligations.  Nothing else is secret.

this x1000

as for our interested member.

masonry is different between states and in many cases between lodges. All lodges in the US report to the state grand lodge who set the "rules" for the organization.

The heart of masonry is it's philosophy and learning to make yourself a better person by studying what  it teaches. As with any organization MEN are the flaw. Men that should not have been admitted, men who believe this is a charity or social club, men who join believing they will get important contacts etc. these men in my experience are the minority but they can be a loud minority that cause dissent in the lodges. Don't let them drive you away, recognize them for what they are and ignore them.

some of the best men i have ever met and associated with were men that believed in masonry and did their best to live by it. i have not been to lodge in several year but i maintain my life membership. I stopped going due to idiots over running lodges i had joined. Buddies or relatives of people that were brought in under the good ole boy method vs a proper vetting. it happens here just like any other organization.

there is an old saying that is very true. You get out of freemasonry what you put into it. If you are here for the right reasons there is a world of opportunity and learning ahead of you. If you are here to gain influence or social standing you will be very disappointed. Focus on what masonry IS and ignore the BS around it.

yes social contacts, charity and a host of other benefits "can" come through membership. but they are a result of associating with good men and the hard work of becoming a master mason. Not just by joining a lodge and memorizing some old words. in most areas becoming a MM is work. it involves commitment and time. it also helps weed out guys not here for the right reasons.

while i am not active i fully believe the things i learned made me a better man, husband and member of the community.

As for technology,

freemasonry is built on centuries of tradition. Things evolve slowly when it comes to technology. To be honest technology really has very little place in freemasonry in general when it comes to routine lodge duties. Covid is likely going to change that but due to our traditions and obligations it has to be done properly and securely. that is currently a challenge even with the best of remote meeting platforms.

I send you contact info via IM.

sounds like bro disher has long forgotten what masonry is about. he should be expelled for his conduct. it also makes me really wonder how a man like that got that far.

good.

men like that have no place here.

We were all at Reunion on Friday when someone saw the news posted on FB by Grand Commander Jim Cole.  Very good news.  Hopefully the healing can begin now.

I've talked with a him a few times.  He seems like a really good man.