There are some misunderstandings regarding the position of the Grand Orient of the United States regarding freedom of conscience. Of course this idea provides for the admission of atheists which seems to be a bone of contention for some. This also allows for deeply religious people. The Grand Orient in and of itself is a non-dogmatic organization. It promotes neither atheism or deism. It is a secular administrative organization.
That being said there are certain rites of Masonry that lend themselves well to Brothers who are atheist. The "Restored" Modern Rite for example is one of these rites. The Rectified Scottish Rite on the other hand leans a great deal more towards a mystical outlook which an atheist Brother may not be comfortable with.
Within the Grand Orient both hypothetical lodges could exist side by side. The secular nature of the central organization permits a vast diversity within the organization. One lodge could be wholly mystical in practice and outlook while another could be entirely secular in its works. The Grand Orient itself takes no part in that decision.
Freedom of Conscience does not encourage nor permit anti-social or dangerous behavior. The fundamental foundation of Free-Masonry prohibits anti-social and behaviors that are damaging to society in general. Those prohibitions are actually a part of a social contract to which all citizens do (or should) adhere to. Without this understanding and respect for the rights of others society tends to decay. It is necessary for one to be unhampered by dogma in order to explore and grow.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Monday, September 1, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Patent and questions
Brothers,
There have been many questions and rumbling about the patents granted to the Grand Orient of the United States and the Treaty of Amity with the Grand Orient of France. I hope that the following information is of some use to those that are interested.
http://www.grandorientusa.org/news/20080604GOdFPatent.asp
At this page you will see a photo of a dinner with the Brothers, including the Grand Master (now Past Grand Master) of the Grand Orient of France. Below that photo is a scan of the patent granting rights to the symbolic grades of the Scottish Rite and the Modern Rite. Also there is a copy of the Treaty of Amity.
Some noise, and very little Light, has been made about these documents. I have heard people say that the documents must be fake. I have also seen that there seems to be a problem with my signature not being on the document. I was unable, for personal reasons, to make the trip to France. Other Brothers of the Grand Orient were empowered to sign in my place. So that is settled now. I can promise you that it is not fake.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/
Here you will see an article from the General Grand Chapter (Grand Orient of France) Modern Rite discussing the Treaty and Patent as well as the patent for the Order of Wisdom (high grades of the Modern Rite) to the Grand Orient of the United States. For those that don't read French or would just rather read it in English go here.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/spip.php?article296
I hope that this puts to rest any theories of items being fake. If there are any other concerns contact your Grand Secretary and have him contact the Grand Orient of France directly. Or just take it as it is.
Frat.·.
Brandt
There have been many questions and rumbling about the patents granted to the Grand Orient of the United States and the Treaty of Amity with the Grand Orient of France. I hope that the following information is of some use to those that are interested.
http://www.grandorientusa.org/news/20080604GOdFPatent.asp
At this page you will see a photo of a dinner with the Brothers, including the Grand Master (now Past Grand Master) of the Grand Orient of France. Below that photo is a scan of the patent granting rights to the symbolic grades of the Scottish Rite and the Modern Rite. Also there is a copy of the Treaty of Amity.
Some noise, and very little Light, has been made about these documents. I have heard people say that the documents must be fake. I have also seen that there seems to be a problem with my signature not being on the document. I was unable, for personal reasons, to make the trip to France. Other Brothers of the Grand Orient were empowered to sign in my place. So that is settled now. I can promise you that it is not fake.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/
Here you will see an article from the General Grand Chapter (Grand Orient of France) Modern Rite discussing the Treaty and Patent as well as the patent for the Order of Wisdom (high grades of the Modern Rite) to the Grand Orient of the United States. For those that don't read French or would just rather read it in English go here.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/spip.php?article296
I hope that this puts to rest any theories of items being fake. If there are any other concerns contact your Grand Secretary and have him contact the Grand Orient of France directly. Or just take it as it is.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Treaty and Patent
On Friday, the 27th of June at 9:15 AM the Grand Orient of France issued to the Grand Orient of the United States a patent. In addition the two sovereign Masonic powers entered into a formal treaty of amity. The patent and the treaty are effective immediately and express the fraternal bonds and relationship between the Grand Orient of France and the Grand Orient of the United States.
More information to follow and I am sure that pictures will be available soon.
Fraternally,
Brandt
More information to follow and I am sure that pictures will be available soon.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Monday, June 2, 2008
What it is not
Brothers,
I just had a long talk with a Brother from another Lodge. He is not a member of a Grand Orient lodge. He is a member of a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. We discussed why some of the venom is being spewed and he suggested that I could perhaps clear the air a bit. That is the purpose of this blog post.
It does no good to describe what Euclid Lodge is. I will endeavor to describe what it is not. I hope that is good enough.
Euclid Lodge is not meant as a negation of the Grand Lodge or Grand Lodges which so many of my Brothers love. It is an entirely different approach to our Gentle Craft. Hypothetically if one of my Brothers from my former lodge were to visit they would not be entirely lost. They may have to adjust to a slight difference in ritual but that just adds spice. Different is sometimes good.
Many moons ago when I was teaching martial arts I was often asked about similarities between different martial arts. I think that view missed the point. Yes, there are similarities. That is the part that one already possesses. It is the differences that matter. I used the analogy of chicken. Most cultures in the world cook chicken. Thai cooking is great but it is substantially different from good decent fried chicken from the South. Yet, it is still chicken. Enjoy the spice.
Euclid Lodge is not a rejection of the Anglo-Saxon/American manifestation of Masonry. Far from it, we open our doors to our Brothers. Free-Masonry is most important when it works in the life of the individual Brother. The lodge is just a classroom.
Though I may be "forgotten" I promise that my Brothers are not forgotten. I remember you all clearly and fondly.
Frat.·.
Brandt
I just had a long talk with a Brother from another Lodge. He is not a member of a Grand Orient lodge. He is a member of a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. We discussed why some of the venom is being spewed and he suggested that I could perhaps clear the air a bit. That is the purpose of this blog post.
It does no good to describe what Euclid Lodge is. I will endeavor to describe what it is not. I hope that is good enough.
Euclid Lodge is not meant as a negation of the Grand Lodge or Grand Lodges which so many of my Brothers love. It is an entirely different approach to our Gentle Craft. Hypothetically if one of my Brothers from my former lodge were to visit they would not be entirely lost. They may have to adjust to a slight difference in ritual but that just adds spice. Different is sometimes good.
Many moons ago when I was teaching martial arts I was often asked about similarities between different martial arts. I think that view missed the point. Yes, there are similarities. That is the part that one already possesses. It is the differences that matter. I used the analogy of chicken. Most cultures in the world cook chicken. Thai cooking is great but it is substantially different from good decent fried chicken from the South. Yet, it is still chicken. Enjoy the spice.
Euclid Lodge is not a rejection of the Anglo-Saxon/American manifestation of Masonry. Far from it, we open our doors to our Brothers. Free-Masonry is most important when it works in the life of the individual Brother. The lodge is just a classroom.
Though I may be "forgotten" I promise that my Brothers are not forgotten. I remember you all clearly and fondly.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Grand Master John Slifko
It is with great pleasure that we announce the election of the new Grand Master of the Grand Orient of the United States. Most Worshipful Brother John Slifko of Lodge Intrepid. Brother John is a fine Mason and a scholar par excellence.
Euclid Lodge #3 sends our congratulations and support to the new Grand Master.
.......more news to follow in a relatively short time.
Frat:.
Brandt Smith
VM Euclid Lodge #3
Euclid Lodge #3 sends our congratulations and support to the new Grand Master.
.......more news to follow in a relatively short time.
Frat:.
Brandt Smith
VM Euclid Lodge #3
Friday, April 4, 2008
Halcyon Lodge
For those that are not aware please go to http://www.halcyontemple.org/ and check the place out. There is more to the story thought. These Brothers, by their own efforts and no assistance from any Grand Lodge, renovated this building and developed a community center that is doing a great deal more than writing a check to charity. They have gone so far as to develop a Boxing Club in part of the building to provide a positive place for the young men in the area.
Considering that I am from a similar background you may understand why I am sympathetic to the work done at Halcyon.
Fast forward a bit and we have the Grand Lodge of Ohio filing suit against the charity that runs the historic building and boxing club. They have targeted specifically the Brothers least able to defend themselves (meaning they targeted the Brothers with smaller bank accounts primarily) in an attempt to force a resolution in their favor without the full exposure of the facts. Let's allow truth to be truth and place the facts on the level to be judged by their merits. Not money but merits. I for one would love to see this resolved sooner rather than later.
This historic building is in jeopardy. More importantly the work that is being conducted in this building is in jeopardy. I request that you go to http://www.halcyoncharities.org/ and read what is being accomplished there. I also ask that you click on that donate button on the left side of their screen and support the good work of that charity. This is a real charity 501c3 that is doing remarkable work in their community. It is appropriate to support this cause. 5, 10, 20, 100 any amount will be appreicated.
I have had the pleasure of knowing several of the Brothers involved in this work. They are honest and strong Brothers that would drop everything to extend to you Masonic charity. They are in need now. They have given greatly and are now in need.
I just finished donating myself, I ask that you stand with me and support this.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Considering that I am from a similar background you may understand why I am sympathetic to the work done at Halcyon.
Fast forward a bit and we have the Grand Lodge of Ohio filing suit against the charity that runs the historic building and boxing club. They have targeted specifically the Brothers least able to defend themselves (meaning they targeted the Brothers with smaller bank accounts primarily) in an attempt to force a resolution in their favor without the full exposure of the facts. Let's allow truth to be truth and place the facts on the level to be judged by their merits. Not money but merits. I for one would love to see this resolved sooner rather than later.
This historic building is in jeopardy. More importantly the work that is being conducted in this building is in jeopardy. I request that you go to http://www.halcyoncharities.org/ and read what is being accomplished there. I also ask that you click on that donate button on the left side of their screen and support the good work of that charity. This is a real charity 501c3 that is doing remarkable work in their community. It is appropriate to support this cause. 5, 10, 20, 100 any amount will be appreicated.
I have had the pleasure of knowing several of the Brothers involved in this work. They are honest and strong Brothers that would drop everything to extend to you Masonic charity. They are in need now. They have given greatly and are now in need.
I just finished donating myself, I ask that you stand with me and support this.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Monday, March 17, 2008
Grand Lodge of West Virginia
Recently the Most Worshipful Brother Haas has been summarily expelled without trial by his lodge from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. MW Bro Haas did nothing but attempt to improve the lot of Masons in West Virginia. A lot of heat has been stoked back channel with powered interests leveling their smoke filled room politics against this worthy Brother.
To the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, shame on you sir. You have brought shame upon the entire Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Stand up, be a true Mason and correct you clearly wrong actions. I offer you an example on how a Grand Master should act. PGM Walt Wheeler of the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Though he may not have always agreed he always tried to find a way for matters to work between Brethren with different ideals. You on the other hand have struck out with your brief little authority. Right Worshipful Brother Lewis, all eyes are upon you now. Do the right thing. Soon, you will be “elected” to the grand east of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. I hope that you will do what is right and reinstate Brother Haas and all those that have been victimized by the current so called Grand Master. I call on you Brothers to do what is right, fulfill your proclaimed devotion to Freemasonry.
Fraternally,
Brandt
To the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, shame on you sir. You have brought shame upon the entire Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Stand up, be a true Mason and correct you clearly wrong actions. I offer you an example on how a Grand Master should act. PGM Walt Wheeler of the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Though he may not have always agreed he always tried to find a way for matters to work between Brethren with different ideals. You on the other hand have struck out with your brief little authority. Right Worshipful Brother Lewis, all eyes are upon you now. Do the right thing. Soon, you will be “elected” to the grand east of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. I hope that you will do what is right and reinstate Brother Haas and all those that have been victimized by the current so called Grand Master. I call on you Brothers to do what is right, fulfill your proclaimed devotion to Freemasonry.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)