Ignorance=Judgement

ok, now, this is just my opinion and my gathering and understanding from any amount of research i've done about the history of fraternities and free masonry, which is little. I'll admit i don't know everything and that some of these things i say may be incorrect.

i feel as if the difference between modern day greeks "doing good" and free mason "doing good" and making a difference in the world or whatever you want to call it is great. I'm in a sorority and we do a lot of philanthropy and community service, and I do think we do good and make a difference. But the free masons were founded on a whole different level. One of their major goals was the shape men into leaders, make them educated and eventually they wanted those men to become leaders in their community, state the country whatever and promote the values they were founded on and push for the well being of free mason members and what the free masons believed was good for the community.

I don't think it's our fault we can't produce the same results as the free masons. So, i'm not saying you should feel bad that you're not doing enough or whatever your friend thinks. But we, on the collegiate level, are limited by many things. If you think your chapter is doing all it can then so be it. Yes, we could devote all of our time to community service but other things in our lives would be hurt like friendship, family and academics which is why we're in college in the first place.

And also, when i think of social greeks i feel as if the social term was used just to describe the setting in which the founding principles would be encouraged. If a founding principle is the betterment of oneself, to me that would mean that among friends and peers you will be encouraged by those friends and peers to become better at whatever you do. Your daily life would be challenged in a friendly setting to make sure you are living up to the values your founding fathers set before you.

[MysticCat]

I'm just trying to figure out where people are getting the idea that Freemasons do so much for their communities or try to make a difference in the world. I've certainly never seen it. Shriners (an auxilliary body to Freemasonry) yes, but not Freemasons per se.

Granted, historically Freemasonry has been at the heart of democratic and even revolutionary movements. But in America, it lost any political facet long ago.

Freemasonry exists to make men better men and to provide mutual support to its members. That, of course, should translate into men who are involved in and give of themselves to their communities. But I've never seen a Masonic lodge that does anything more than meet, have some social events and turn out for funerals or stone-layings.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by jessicaelaine

ok, now, this is just my opinion and my gathering and understanding from any amount of research i've done about the history of fraternities and free masonry, which is little. I'll admit i don't know everything and that some of these things i say may be incorrect.

i feel as if the difference between modern day greeks "doing good" and free mason "doing good" and making a difference in the world or whatever you want to call it is great. I'm in a sorority and we do a lot of philanthropy and community service, and I do think we do good and make a difference. But the free masons were founded on a whole different level. One of their major goals was the shape men into leaders, make them educated and eventually they wanted those men to become leaders in their community, state the country whatever and promote the values they were founded on and push for the well being of free mason members and what the free masons believed was good for the community.

I don't think it's our fault we can't produce the same results as the free masons. So, i'm not saying you should feel bad that you're not doing enough or whatever your friend thinks. But we, on the collegiate level, are limited by many things. If you think your chapter is doing all it can then so be it. Yes, we could devote all of our time to community service but other things in our lives would be hurt like friendship, family and academics which is why we're in college in the first place.

And also, when i think of social greeks i feel as if the social term was used just to describe the setting in which the founding principles would be encouraged. If a founding principle is the betterment of oneself, to me that would mean that among friends and peers you will be encouraged by those friends and peers to become better at whatever you do. Your daily life would be challenged in a friendly setting to make sure you are living up to the values your founding fathers set before you.

There are greek fraternities/sororities (NPHC especially) that would describe their orgs in this way as well and reach beyond college.

The bottom line is that no matter the differences/similarities, the arrogance and elitism coming from some Masons and OES members is unnecessary and a turn off...especially the idea that EVERYONE wants to be a member or would seek membership if they were eligible. But then I'm sure some non-greeks could say the same about some GLO members also.