You know I gotta ask for some elaboration.
Order of the Eastern Star?
The Masons in a phrase: Boy Scouts for Big people.
I find that the fraternity is definitely best suited (and indeed mostly attracts) men who have spent most of their lives coloring within the lines, thinking the way they've been taught to think, and not asking too many questions. Its arcane matrix of rules and protocols appeals to people who like rules, and like to see them upheld and followed by all. I was personally not blown away by the lessons taught and the symbolism used, and I found the meetings rather boring. But I can see how they might come off as profound to someone who just was not used to seeing things differently, and rarely ventured out of their comfort zones.
During my initial interview, I was asked if I ever thought about giving back to the community. I thought for a minute, then launched into an explanation of my choice of career paths, due to my compassionate nature. My interviewers were a bit taken aback, then stated bluntly, 'What we meant by what we asked is, were you willing to participate in charity activities?' This should've been a red flag. I later found out that 'charity' involved going to the Masonic Home and pushing wheelchairs for a meeting. I'm more interested in community and charity work that's targeted to real needs, rather than being showy, and in my experience, it's not real 'good work' unless I get my hands dirty. The guys in the Masons were not interested in my broader interpretation of the phrase 'community service'.
I was once told by a guy who's presently the Worshipful Master of my lodge that I ought to be careful not to take too seriously the ideas that liberal arts colleges wanted to put in my head. This came up in passing reference to something to do with feminism (not a cause I'm actively involved with, but one that I definitely side with the Left on.) This was a BIG red flag I was not in good company.
And finally, I disrespect the fact that the Masons have not done what it takes to compete with newer and more attractive modes of fraternal socialization, like the one we're using right now. The utter lack of vibrancy and relevancy to the modern world (even the WALLPAPER in the lodge hadn't been replaced since the 1920s!) made it hard for me to take the group seriously.
Which is a shame, because I think there's a place in our world for respectable Hermetic orders, which seek to help people get a new perspective on their place in this world by integrating and reconciling the lessons from both science and spirituality. It's a pity that one of the only established and respectable ones you can find have let their spiritual side atrophy, and have cast their lot with the American Right Wing (no matter where in the world they are -- no joke!). Because to me, the metaphysical lessons taught by Hermeticism don't lead directly to conservatism in any way whatsoever.
I would get more involved with the Masons again if my local area had a lodge full of dudes who were more my kind of people -- boundary pushers and explorers. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Continuing the theme of this thread:
In theory, friends are those we can count on to motivate us to change. But I find that in practice, we tend to surround ourselves with people who'll make no such demands on us.
