Secrets? Ritual? Golf Course?

So like many of you who have responded to this blog question, your thoughts concerning ritual is still a mystery..and not mystery in the way of it being a secret and not wanting to share, but mystery in the way that you don't quite know how to put it into words what it means. Well, shockingly enough...I am with ya..

Ever since growing up i've sort of had a preconceived thought about secrets/rituals because every male on my dad's side of the family is a master mason. I've heard stories about how it has evolved over time from only allowing white men, then allowing blacks, and now, even allowing women. I know that in order to become a master mason you have to learn a secret "language" of sorts, there's a secret handshake (like all of us..i think), secret ceremonies and practices and handbooks and gathering places...on and on and on. But, above all else, having dominant men in business, playing golf is just like having a board meeting. Being said, I have grown up playing on York Country Club Golf Course...which is masonically run and operated and only masonic members are allowed to play (and guests). On the hole signs and throughout the club house, masonic designs and symbols can be found. So, in a nut shell...being apart of a secret group = allowed to play York.

Like the masons, rituals for my chapter have evolved over the years and expanded to incorporate more and more women all the while trying to remain faithful. At what point do you say "no" though?? At what point do you want to make sure that your secrets and rituals stay that way...a secret. with each new member, and the development of new technologies comes one more opportunity for someone to take a phone or digital camera into a chapter room/where ever ritual may occur and post it on wikipedia or youtube for all to see.

I think that it is part of our duty as members of secret ritalistic organizations that we should try to expand the publics by acting in a particular manner that emulates our ritual and secrets versus, for example, knowing that you get to play a particular golf course.

Shown below is just an interesting video i found about the Freemason's and how in-depth all of our organizations are/can be/i can't really say because i only know TriDelta...