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Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Selfish? Or uncaring?
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -- Stephen Colbert
Masons | Masonic Blog | Small Town Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Georgia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
Masons | Masonic Blog | Small Town Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Georgia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
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Often times, I think the manner of assistance is in question. There is a group that would rather redistribute tax money to help the poor through government aid programs as a primary means of charity, and then there's a group that would rather donate of our own volition to charities of the individuals choice to help the poor.
ReplyDeleteWhen some characterize the latter as selfish or uncaring, I think it's often times blatantly wrong. They simply would rather spread their wealth as they see fit. Oh, I agree, not everyone does. Some people are just greedy. But to say that, in order to help the poor, we must tax and redistribute isn't entirely accurate. (Not sure what your view on the issue is, just speaking in generalities.)
We're actually the fifth most charitable nation on Earth in terms of private donations.
ReplyDeleteWhether tax-funded social programs are the best help for the poor is a worthy debate--indeed, it's the political issue of the century. Claiming that America' a "selfish" nation because its people buy into the affirmative less than other nations has no place in it.
As with any aspect of humanity, the US is complicated. I read your use of this quote to remind us that we need to be always guarding against self deception. That's good advice. Those who have no need to fear criticism usually take no offense; those who do, well...
ReplyDeleteEoghan
While not always the case, I know that many of my 'donations' never show up on any records. I send in cash, and give out cash. Unless the recipient somehow makes a record, it is unrecorded. I think this is very common. Now, for 'charitable donations', I am assuming they are talking about money governments send to other countries? China gives the most money to many countries, yet a return is expected, and mercenaries profits are the motivating factor; not charity.
ReplyDeleteBrethren, do not forward this e-mail. It could get you kicked out of Masonry. I have already been kicked out for this so they cannot hurt me anymore. If you will send me the e-mail addresses of all the Masons in your address book, I will include them in the information I am sending to you. The only way to reverse the activities and un-masonic actions of the Grand Lodge is to let the Masons around the State know what is going on so that the voting members of each Lodge can make an intelligent decision on how to vote when these decisions by the Grand Master are brought before them at the next Grand Lodge meeting in February.
ReplyDeleteBrethren, the Grand Lodge has pulled the Charter of Rogers Lodge. This is a Lodge that is over 100 years old. It seems that someone in their Lodge wrote down the Questions and Answers of the first Degree in Masonry and gave it to a new E.A. A disgruntled, past Secretary complained to the Grand Lodge and Accused the whole Lodge, not just the person who did it, and the Grand Lodge slay them all. What ever happened to Friendship, Morality, Brotherly Love, Compassion, and reminding them of their errors and aid their reformations? This is a serious charge and it needs to be investigated and that Lodge needs to put the brother responsible upon his trial. A real trial, in Open Lodge, and the membership decide his fate not a Dictator and a Tyrant from the Grand Lodge.
We do not have a Democratic Grand Lodge a Grand Lodge where the people rule. We have a Dictatorship where one man can do anything he wants and everyone is afraid to say anything for fear of losing their membership. What have we become? We are Weak, Oppressed, Whipped, and Beaten Subjects of our own Grand Lodge with no backbone and no courage to stand up to them.
Brethren, your Grand Lodge has become to Powerful and to Evil. They cannot see past their Egos and Title. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary are three of the Most Evil men I have ever met. They are expelling good Masons for the most frivolous charges you have ever heard of. Using bad language, sending e-mails and anything else they can think of. Of course their own un-masonic conduct is ok. Breaking the Laws in the digest, holding closed trials, keeping their subjects (Masonic Lodge membership) in the dark as to their activities is a good indication of a well-organized Dictatorship. They are intent on removing the Shrine as a part of Masonry, they are going after the Jesters of the Shrine and they seem to be intent on removing as many Masons as they can. It seems sort of a competition between Grand Masters to see who can remove more Masons. I cannot believe that this activity is good for Masonry. Arkansas has become the low man on the totem pole of Grand Lodges. This is so shameful.
One good bit of information is that the Imperial Potentate of the Shrine has reinstated Floyd Buffington as Potentate of the Little Rock Shrine. He may no longer be a Mason in Arkansas but he is a Mason in Iowa and his rightful position as elected Potentate has been upheld. There are some good Masons in Powerful positions (just not in Arkansas) that do have the Qualities that Masonry teaches. It is refreshing to see them in action. It is great when a good Mason steps up to the plate and hit a home run. Thank you Imperial Potentate.
If only we had this kind of leadership in our Grand Lodge.
It is a pleasure going through your post. I have bookmarked you to check out new stuff from your side.
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