What do you think of the Open Bible requirement for Grange Meetings?

[Richard Roth]

Understanding that our members come from all faiths and nationalities and are Christian, Buddhists, Jewish, Muslim, Islamic Agnostic, Pagan, or Athiests . 

What is the role or importance of having an open Christian Bible at all our Grange Meetings? There has been much discussion among Grangers that it should or could be rotated with other religious texts, or simply a "book of wisdom" - say Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" as each Grange Organization wishes. Others find the ritual that is should be eliminated all together. Other hold such traditions as sacred or nearly sacred and dear to their hearts.

I know that many Christians find the mixing the Bible with the Grange rituals of the Graces as satanic, or nearly so, and therefore will not join the Grange. Others find it deeply satisfying.

How do you feel? What is the place does an open Christian Bible have in the conduct of the Grange future? 

[Ann Waters]

We at LLG#670 in Willits, CA have recently voted to add a small globe of the Earth to our altar next to the open bible, although the Steward invariably forgets, maybe in time we will be habituated to it.  Although I am not a Christian, the bible does not bother me, and I have not heard of any others in our Grange who will not come if it is there.  The oldest member of LLG#670 insists that a meeting may not begin without the bible, flag & pledge (although we sub the song- "America the Beautiful" sometimes.  I think that NG will have to make a statement or pass a resolution to make the Bible optional, so that local Granges can make a choice without seeming to violate oath.  Perhaps someone can study what is the actual bylaw wording?  I did attend a State Grange Convention where there was a terrible negative energy created by a divisive speech in 2011.  After the lunch break, the opening of the Bible caused an energetic sigh of relief to go through the room.  Ritual has its purposes when agreed upon, and a morphic field of resonance has been created.

[MASinPT]

I'm all for the Book of Wisdom idea because at present there seems to be a conflict in policy. On one hand we are admonished to not use our position to promote any religion or partisan politiacl stance, on the other hand those of faiths who do not believe in an "Almighty Father, maker of the Heaven and the Earth" will find a Christian Bible open at a meeting alienating and will find much, if not all, thiestic religious language off putting.On the other hand I have friends who will not join the Grange although they support the hall because thier Christian faith is offended by the way religion is incorporated into Grange ritual. It is not their brand of Christianity that  is imbued in ritual language.

MASinPT

On Monday, November 12, 2012 3:33:23 PM UTC-8, Richard Roth wrote: