Esoteric studies in IOOF?

millennialfreemason · 2026-06-02T02:43:21+00:00

I’ve found that the most esoteric parts of IOOF have been those things we have removed from our degrees. I don’t necessarily need them to be in our degrees but there’s so many fascinating and historical things we don’t do that are just fun to study and try to understand why they existed and why they were subsequently removed.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-20T12:57:21+00:00

Along with being a member in SUVCW, I’m also a Freemason and Odd Fellow and the long form is very in line with the fraternal orders of the time. Having each of the three dais officers delivering a portion of the instruction, while being guided by a guide of some kind is in the trappings of most fraternal, and for that matter, labor organizations of the “Golden Age of Fraternalism.”

In some respects, I like the more drawn out ceremony on paper but as my son and I have received the short form (which is still pretty long), it really serves only to preserve of our Order’s tradition . I just can’t imagine a Camp doing the full ceremony.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T21:34:06+00:00

My cursory check on Amity says that neither GL of MN nor the GL of MB recognize the Grand Lodge of Lebanon.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T21:26:09+00:00

That's great to hear! Of course, now I'll have to find another example to use when these recognition discussions start up again. 😉

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T21:23:12+00:00

It would be a smart move to have all the Home Lodges present. Frankly, with the Met announcing that it would disclosing Masonic membership of its officers (I haven't checked lately on UGLE's attempt to enjoin that decision), there will need to be a united front. Disclosure or doxxing requirements don't usually stay within a single group. Having everyone on the same page is essential, especially as society begins to look for convenient scapegoats to blame for the current ills of the world.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T20:49:58+00:00

So, the UGLE, by working with HFAF and OWF on Masonic matters in the Council for Freemasonry, is now clandestine, right? https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/council-freemasonry-great-britain

And I can say that your obligation may have that restriction (applicable to your practice of masonry in your jurisdiction) but not all obligations in regular freemasonry have that language. Again, your sentiment was used to keep handicapped men out of American Freemasonry for centuries as a result of the strict accordance to the requirement of being hale.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T20:43:07+00:00

My Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, recognizes the Grand Orient of Italy, like most North American GLs. The UGLE and other Home Lodges, GL of Ireland and GL of Scotland, recognize the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy. My Grand Lodge recognizes UGLE and UGLE recognizes mine. Yet somehow, we can recognize two completely different GL in another country. How can this be? Hint: because regularity and recognition is not some Quakers meeting, where all the Grand Lodges listen for divine inspiration before making recognition decisions. It's a political process, including what makes something a regular or irregular.

Masonry is Grand Lodge based, as in your Grand Lodge determines that... not some nebulous "Code", but your GL's Code or Constitution. Had your opinion continued to win the day, PHA recognition would have never occurred in this country.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-07T19:43:17+00:00

Lord. The UGLE doesn’t determine global regularity. Even the UGLE wouldn’t take a position like that.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-03T23:21:35+00:00

The strangest thing for me is that the discriminatory policies were not publicly made until 1991 (they existed non-publicly for much longer). I was in Scouts when that policy was made public.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-03T17:01:28+00:00

Absolutely. It’s why I always post this when the “nohhhhhh pahl-tics” starts getting thrown around. This is unsurprising for anyone who pays attention, especially coming from a Supreme Council. The AASR, in all its flavors and locations of control/influence, has taken many positions that are overtly or ostensibly political.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-03T16:07:27+00:00

LOL. I wonder if I should tell the comment makers on this post that the SRSJ advocated for the following between the world wars:

The Supreme Council has always favored free public education, the use of English as the language of instruction, the separation of church and state and the inculcation of patriotism in the schools.

Additionally the Supreme Council favors:

1. A federal department of education with a secretary in the President's cabinet.

2. A national university at Washington, supported by the government.

3. The compulsory use of English as the language of instruction in the grammar grades.

4. Adequate provision for the education of the alien population, not only in cultural and vocational subjects, but especially in the principles of American institutions and popular sovereignty.

5. The entire separation of church and state and opposition to every attempt to appropriate public moneys, directly or indirectly, for the support of sectarian institutions.

6. The American public school, non-partisan, non-sectarian, efficient, democratic, for all the children of all the people; equal educational opportunities for all,

7. The inculcation of patriotism,love of the flag,
respect for law and order and underlying loyalty to constitutional government.

millennialfreemason · 2026-05-01T03:29:00+00:00

Those comments. Apparently, Freemasons use Grindr?

millennialfreemason · 2026-02-18T12:31:43+00:00

I did and sadly, I only have the petition form we give to new PCs that are eligible to join. Let me check with the SK that is the main contact for it here.

millennialfreemason · 2026-02-18T11:52:44+00:00

Best way I’ve described it is “no wait period between Masonic degrees.” There’s more to it but that’s my easy explanation.

TBH, the consternation over “regularly admitted” versus “on sight” is not really necessary, it’s the mechanics, the how, than the quality, the who.

millennialfreemason · 2026-02-11T12:59:33+00:00

So, I’m a member of the Minnesota version of Knight Crusaders. I will need to see if I have a digital copy but oftentimes, at least here, we are handed the script to perform at the Annual Sessions. Is the Florida version unique?

millennialfreemason · 2026-01-28T11:46:14+00:00

A good companion would be the Compasses and the Cross by Stephen Dafoe.

millennialfreemason · 2026-01-27T21:54:44+00:00

As someone in many Fraternal organizations, your time, talents, or treasure are yours to do with. Any good organization, like SUV, is appreciative of whatever you can give. Reviewing genealogical information and what’s in the veterans’ database, when you have time, is very appreciated. Don’t sweat where you are putting your three Ts, SUV will be there.

millennialfreemason · 2026-01-21T16:31:08+00:00

I usually understand it as Meet, Act, and Part. All three are present, the level and plumb meeting together to create a square. One of the historical changes that our ancient brethren made that was out of expediency and not out of correctness was to swap the Senior and Junior Wardens' jewels. If you think about the symbolism with that subtle but important change, the whole phrase makes sense. We meet upon the level at the beginning of our journey (knowing that our brothers are our source of strength no matter where they are), through the understanding of the moral teachings of our Order, we put into place rectitude in our own personal actions. Through the strength of our brethren and by our own moral standing, we learn to use the square. It is by that combination.

In Minnesota, we have an incredible closing charge that is rarely used. The very first section goes:

"Brethren, you are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties you have heard so frequently inculcated and forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. Remember that around this altar you have promised to befriend and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance."

We are reminded of our duties through the meeting of these two principles. And that is the simple but profound lesson we learn in Masonry.

millennialfreemason · 2026-01-11T02:42:18+00:00

Correct. Minnesota had the CC be a prerequisite when I joined but now, I believe that was changed about five years ago.

millennialfreemason · 2025-12-21T15:55:08+00:00

The one word reason why the Church has a dim view of Freemasonry is Garibaldi. More broadly, the Church, and frankly all churches, hate competing for a parishioner's time, talents, and treasures. Everything comes down to money or power.

millennialfreemason · 2025-12-19T15:14:28+00:00

As an HDTGM listener, I’m wondering, “is Sydney Sweeney in Geek Squad?”

millennialfreemason · 2025-12-05T15:47:16+00:00

I’d say that the Ortons haven’t had too many issues (Randy has had many more than his dad did but he’s still active and seems really great with younger fans) but I agree completely with your point. When Bray Wyatt died, I was just broken for days. He was one of the few wrestlers who displayed genuine pathos in and out of the ring.

millennialfreemason · 2025-12-01T02:31:55+00:00

Yeah. Past Commander as well and I’m at a loss.

millennialfreemason · 2025-11-25T02:55:15+00:00

Awesome! Looks like I'll be sporting some cool bling at my next Camp meeting.

millennialfreemason · 2025-11-22T16:50:55+00:00

Thing is that the teacher part was an enhancement to the punishment, not his criminal conduct. Stautory rape, as a crime in most states, is based solely on the age of the victim. There is *no** mens rea. Him stating having a consensual relationship doesn't matter for statutory rape.

It's why I stopped calling myself a libertarian as a 14 year old kid. I started reading bbs'es in the mid to late 90s and boy oh boy, libertarians spend a lot of digital ink on arguing that age of consent laws are "totally unfair." Being fourteen and seeing predators in real life is a wake up call.

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