Comments on The North Eastern Corner: How do you tell a Past Master he's wrong?

Rather than correcting the PM, you could choose to...

2007-12-13T07:03:00.000-05:00

Rather than correcting the PM, you could choose to learn why the rite on your GL website is different than the one performed by your lodge. If you asked with genuine and non-judgmental interest -- as a seeker of light -- I don't know how the PM could refuse to discuss it with you.

(And as a side note: I have given a LOT of thought to your Chamber of Reflection article. Like, where did that come from? Where is the esoteric stuff? I saw all three degrees and two different installation ceremonies over the course of a month and none of mentioned a chamber of reflection. If I've received all my official masonic light, what the hell. But that's a post for another day).

We are told, in nearly every jurisdicition in the ...

2007-12-12T11:49:00.000-05:00

We are told, in nearly every jurisdicition in the US, that we should ... "[t]o your inferiors in rank or office you are to recommend obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are zealously to inculcate; and by the regularity of your own conduct, endeavor to remove every aspersion against this venerable institution."
We are also taught that "we should whisper good counsel in his ear, gently admonishing him of his errors... "

I agree with Tom - there is wrong and then there is WRONG. I think if you approach it gently you can get your point across.

I've struggled with this kind of issue for years, ...

2007-12-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

I've struggled with this kind of issue for years, and have finally (mostly) learned this:

Decide how important it is in the long run. If it's trivial, let it go. You risk hurting someone's feelings and making enemies anytime you correct someone.

But... if it matters a lot, be polite but hold your ground, damn the consequences.

Just make sure you're right.

And that you're not wanting to be right, just to be right.

Again, if it's fairly inconsequential, let it go. But if it's important, hammer it home.

It makes no difference if the guy who is wrong is a PM; titles and honorifics mean nothing. In fact, if it's a man of power who is wrong, and the issue is important, he should all the more be challenged and corrected, because he holds power to sway others to the wrong idea, too.

Widow's Son
BurningTaper.com

print off the material and show him how the mat...

2007-12-12T08:55:00.000-05:00
print off the material and show him how the material differs.

Ah, you are either unfamiliar with Connecticut or with Past Masters ;-)

Seriously, for years, Conn either did not have standardized rituals or was lax about overseeing them. While some states have rituals beyond the degree conferral, in Conn we've only had recommendations.

On one hand it's allowed some lodges to develop some very nice pieces.

On the other, it's allowed some lodges to do things that aren't quite... quite...
[tactful]
um, what they should be doing.
[/tactful]

I can definitely identify with this. Depending on ...

2007-12-11T21:24:00.000-05:00
I can definitely identify with this. Depending on the infraction, print off the material and show him how the material differs. Perhaps his intent is actually good, but if he is really a long ways off you may want another experienced member present to help give the PM in question good council.

I thought it was our duty to correct our brothers ...

2007-12-11T20:31:00.000-05:00
I thought it was our duty to correct our brothers in their legal, masonic undertakings. Just becuase "that's the way we've done it" doesn't make it right. Gently use the facts and the "truth shall set you free."

As always a glimmering light from the East bro. To...

2007-12-11T16:21:00.000-05:00
As always a glimmering light from the East bro. Tom, maybe I'll email you the particulars and see what you think, I dont want to publish them.
N.E.C.

Ugh.

Not sure how to respond to this, bro,...

2007-12-11T16:11:00.000-05:00
Ugh.

Not sure how to respond to this, bro, 'cos there's "wrong" and then there's "wrong".

There is the GL sanctioned memorial service, found on the website. Some lodges, though, have their own service that they've been doing for generations because until recently, there wasn't a sanctioned service.

Friendship has one that is similar, but not exactly the same as the GL. It happens to be the one that I'm versed in, and while I can't recite it from memory, I can scan a paragraph and speak it to the public. Is it wrong? Well, it's certainly different - but it's solemn and moving, which is kind of the point of a memorial service.

A side issue - not necessarily the smallest issue - is that some lodges have a history of doing things a certain way that aren't what you're used to seeing and it's tempting to snark them for doing something wrong. Even I find myself biting my tongue when discussing why a lodge should or shouldnt' be doing some particular thing, and determining if it's just a difference in usage and custom, or if it's something really stoopid.

Not that we Masons would ever do something stoopid.
:-\

Comments on The North Eastern Corner: How do you tell a Past Master he's wrong?

Rather than correcting the PM, you could choose to...

We are told, in nearly every jurisdicition in the ...

I've struggled with this kind of issue for years, ...

print off the material and show him how the mat...

I can definitely identify with this. Depending on ...

I thought it was our duty to correct our brothers ...

As always a glimmering light from the East bro. To...

Ugh. Not sure how to respond to this, bro,...

Ugh.

Not sure how to respond to this, bro,...