A thought

Well said. I too think that there is alot of "Brethren" who do not take their obligations as serious as they should. I think they forgot that they have forgotten that they swore before there God.

I have been talking with several in my lodge and several of us feel that some but not the majority don't take the words they promised seriously.

I agree Steve Knowledge is gained through Dialogue, getting that dialogue is sometimes harder than it appears.

I personally think that an action such as this would be unforgiveable. A mans oath is part of his soul and should be kept as such. It is part of him that should only be divulged to one that is truly worthy and knowing of our steadfast beliefs and knowledge. It is easy enough to lose everything in this world but when it comes to your inner being, that is something one can never lose or let go of. As far as the actions taken against such a brother, is truly that which is known and has been pre-warned to all that have taken this solemn oath. It would be a sad day for whomever did such a deed!

In the olden days it would have been curtains for him. Now I just dont regaurd them as brother, we had a guy who took us all for fools and thought it all a joke, we just turned our backs to him untill he demitted to another lodge. anyone who makes a mockery of the rituals and the vows is not a brother in my eyes. just a cowen.

That is my way of thinking as well. If we can't keep secrets from the Profanes and need to spill them then you are lacking integrity and honor. There should be a way to police something like this if we are going to be an organization that holds ourselves to a higher standard than say the Rotary club.

ooh, was this a rhetorical question... or otherwise....

Reference your obligations. I support the old penalties too. :)

Seriously though, there are penalties in place for unmasonic conduct and this falls in that category. You ("you" referencing whomever we are speaking of) have professed before a lodge of your peers to hold certain moral and ethical standards as well as keep what few secrets our Non-secret society holds. You have also agreed that there will be a penalty for breaking that oath. Why wouldn't the promise be kept on either end?

then there are, shall we say, inside jokes and things that only masons would know...
hey steve, have you been to Centennial Lodge and met Bro. Carl Todd? if you have an seen his car you would know what im referencing....

silver/blue BMW z4 roadster, you CANT miss it... lol

Should action be taken?...I have a seven and a half year old son, with whom I "rehearsed" the part of the JW in the FC degree one afternoon. I spoke my parts, while he read some of the dialogue from my ritual book, which included the pass. Guarantee, he didnt remember it the next day and couldnt remember it now if his life depended on it. The only thing he remembers is "a craftsman...chamber". He is very interested in Masonry and cannot wait to get into DeMolay. By letting him read the tiny bit that he did probably just added to that wanting. Have I done a bad thing? Is that breaking my obligation?

*Technically* it is a breach of the Obligation(s) you have taken. And I would ask that when we "whisper remonstrance in the ears of a brother" we remember that it is not remonstrance, it is counsel.

To Jason I would say give you son a "Lesters" and allow him to read the parts from there and you read your own *with him*. Those masonic teachings that are public, such as the basic tenents which can be found in any number of organizations, are subjects of potential discourse and can be used as methods to find and gauge a potential brother (or sister for the OES even). They are also ways that can be used as publicly available tools, or representations thereof, which we can all use as methods to help us all keep within not only our own due bounds but within the bounds of all of greater humanity.

In regards to this brother who it is confirmed has breached his Obligation(s) to the Lodge(s). Were it me and were it here in the Lodge I call home now, I would try to take him aside and find out in solemn conversation away from others what caused him to do this? If he is attempting to entice a would-be brother, remind him that while interest and curiosity in the masonic order is a healthy pursuit, leading a child with a candy treat while initially helpful only does the child more harm in the long run. If however he is doing it to "show off" ... then even I would be forced to consider further (re)action within my lodge.

Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to have the brother reiterate his obligation before the lodge and use it as an Educational Tool by pointing out/highlighting specific passages of importance. Doing this might remind the brother of what he has done and while he may not have taken it seriously, others do and those others are depending upon him to uphold his Obligation just as they do for him as well. Also doing this would not initially be punishment for the brother in a directed manner, but would serve as reinforcement and a reminder to all present.

IMO ... it would be my goal to correct the situation if possible. The Masonic Orders as a whole need good men, but even the best of us stray from time to time and those of us seeking conservation of our Obligations need to remember that they should always strive for such, but never at the cost of a Good Man.

My six pence worth.