Talk:Obligations in Freemasonry/obligations synopsis

Whilst no single obligation is representative of Freemasonry as a whole, a number of common themes appear when considering a range of potential texts. In many cases the first degree obligation is the simplest, with the second repeating much of the content and possibly adding additional material, the third then reiterates similar points and adds more to the content.

The common content includes:


 * The candidate states that the obligation is given in the presence of his Supreme Being, acknowledging that it is being taken in a regular Lodge.
 * The candidate acknowledges that the obligation is taken under his (or her) own free will and without unworthy motive.
 * The candidate acknowledges that the obligation is taken on the appropriate Volume of the Sacred Law.
 * The candidate promises to protect the secrets of Freemasonry (being the signs, tokens and words), assuring that they are not communicated to those not entitled.
 * The candidate promises not to write the secrets in a manner such that they could be found by those not entitled, recognising that the communication of those secrets to those not entitled illuminates his (or her) own unworthiness to have been in receipt of them.
 * The candidate acknowledges that failing to adhere to his obligation renders him open to suspension, expulsion or reprimand. (I think this is what this is -- MSJ)
 * The candidate calls on his Supreme Being to witness this obligation and hold him to it. (rather, the candidate holds himself to the obligation in the presence of the SB?)

Content which may appear in at least one of the three obligations includes:


 * The candidate promises to act in a manner befitting a member of civilized society:
 * The candidate promises to obey the law of his Supreme Being.
 * The candidate promises to obey the law of his sovereign state.
 * The candidate may promise to attend his lodge if he is able.
 * Candidate may promise not to wrong, cheat nor defraud the lodge or the brothers.
 * Candidate may promise aid, or charity, to brethren and their families in times of need if he can do so without causing himself financial harm.

adhere to his obligation

 * The candidate acknowledges that failing to adhere to his obligation renders him open to suspension, expulsion or reprimand.
 * I'd say if "reprimand", that'd go first, ala order of severity:


 * The candidate acknowledges that failing to adhere to his obligation renders him open to reprimand, suspension or expulsion.

GAOTU

 * The candidate calls on his Supreme Being to witness this obligation and hold him to it. (rather, the candidate holds himself to the obligation in the presence of the SB?)
 * I'd call it the "rather". Maybe something about (SHMG =) calling on GAOTU to "help/hold" him to it?


 * The candidate binds himself to his obligation in the presence of his SB, & calls on his Supreme Being to hold him to it.

Summonses

 * The candidate may promise to attend his lodge if he is able.
 * Isn't "or summonsed" (i.e.) also in most?


 * The candidate may promise to attend his lodge if he is able, and especially if summoned.


 * I would leave "summoned" out... including it would require an explanation of the difference between a "summoned" meeting and a regular "stated communication" which would probably just confuse the issue for the average reader. Blueboar 14:02, 10 February 2007 (UTC)


 * Confuses me, it has to be said. We just have meetings.ALR 16:23, 10 February 2007 (UTC)


 * I imagine it works differently in different jurisdictions. In NY, for example, a "Stated" communication is one where the brethren are encouraged to attend but are not required to do so... a "Summoned" communication is one where the brethren are techically required to attend, "health and business permitting".  Most meetings (business meetings, degree nights, social events, etc) are "Stated" communications.  The few "Summoned" meetings are for constitutionally mandated things such as the election of officers, the annual official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master to inspect the books, or voting on changes to the lodge bylaws.  The status is reflected in the wording of the Notice of the meeting, and you are supposed to make every effort to attend if "Summoned".
 * I know it is different in some South American Jurisdictions... where you are expected to attend all the meetings, and personally call the Master to explain why, should you not be able to do so (of course, they also don't meet as often as we do). Different strokes for different folks and all that. Blueboar 19:20, 10 February 2007 (UTC)
 * We just have meetings, we conduct business in every meeting and sometimes work a ritual, sometimes have a lecture or rehearse the ritual. But of the Lodges I belong to, the one in Scotland meets every two weeks throughout the year, my Mother Lodge meets five times a year, my London Londge meets four times a year and the research Lodge three times.  My HRA Chapter four times and my A&AR Chapter twice.
 * Makes life all the more interesting though, and it does leave more time for visiting when we get the opportunity to see things done in many different ways. Of my four Lodges there are three different rituals worked, and the Research Lodge only needs to open and close.  In theory the Research Lodge uses emulation but with the membership as diverse (from all over UK and internationally) as it is we end up working all kinds of different openings and closings, sometimes at the same meeting!
 * ALR 19:31, 10 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Sorry, I meant in relation to: ""Further, that I will acknowledge and obey all due signs and summonses sent to me from a Master Masons' Lodge, or given me by a brother of that Degree, if within the length of my cable-tow.. specifically, in the 1° & 2° the reference, in some jurisdiction(s..;~) is much more to the point of "obey any demand for your presence sent from such-and-such-a Lodge, if within the length of your monetary & phisical ability to journey henceforth, and do please have a very good reason for not being present." I meant it only in relation to the degree's idea of being summoned to Lodge, not to presence at a Lodge Summoned. If it's not universal, &/or significant, &/or too in-depth, then skip it...;~)
 * Grye 05:50, 11 February 2007 (UTC)