Charity ? ! ?

I was under the impression that as Masons, charity was one of our greatest qualities.

Politics seem to be the greatest quality of some men who think they are great Masons, but only seem to be in it for their own interests or for what they support.  I had a project to try an raise a few dollars for a repair to the building in which we have out meetings.  As the representative of the building, I brought it up to the brethren in attendance that I would like to raise a few bucks to help defray the cost of the repair. Just pass the hat and put a buck or so in if you can.

One man, stood up and angrily shot it down as not a priority or in their best interests.  One other stood up and joined in while all the other brothers looked on and shook their heads or laughed about it.  I pointed out that I am not asking the lodge for anything, I am asking the brothers to put a dollar or two into the hat to help the Temple.  He kept it up, no one spoke up until one brother, the one unemployed brother, stood up and pledged fifty dollars to help.  But the damage was done and my request went ignored.

In the year that I have been active, and I am very active, I see politics rear its evil head all too much in the organization.  I see cliques form, I see people stab others in the back, talk about others behind their back and try to manipulate others to suit their needs.  I see people play each other, I see good men leave or lose interest because of it.

It is really taking away from my experience.  I know why, because the guy that did it doesn't really like me, mainly because Im not afraid to challenge him and have, but that is another story.  I just do not feel that there is a place for politics in the lodge, especially not in front of the District Deputy Grand Master.  I feel that if you dont want to contribute, then don't, just let the hat pass you by.  Why publicly make an issue out of someone trying to do something nice for the place we all call home.  It was embarrassing and uncalled for and in my opinion very Un-Masonic.

I thought that this would be one place where that stuff didnt happen, especially in a situation concerning charity.  It takes away from my experience, causes me to lose more respect for that man and question how people look at themselves and call themselves Masons.

The DDGM used a coined phrase earlier and is presenting on it this month.  M.I.N.O.  Mason in Name Only.  I think that this really has merit and I see that it really has meaning.