The quote below was not said about Freemasonry. Rather it is describing a great strength of the Internet. I think it is important however, because I think that it is a strength shared by both the Internet and Freemasonry. It is a strength that has allowed both of these to grow and touch lives beyond any early adopter’s wildest imagination.
“If we can make something decentralized, out of control, and of great simplicity, we must be prepared to be astonished at whatever might grow out of that new medium.”
Freemasonry is decentralized, well outside the control of any man or body of men, perfectly simple in its governance and Landmarks.
And look at what it has accomplished through the Centuries. It has birthed schools, universities, charities, hospitals, revolutions, governments, and so much more.
Based on that, it stands to reason that efforts which seek to increase control or regulation of Lodges or Masons, beyond that which is strictly necessary, are harmful to the institution. Freemasonry thrives because it celebrates individual autonomy, because it is free, because it holds no dogma. We do well by opposing any efforts that would erode those liberties.
Vibrancy within Freemasonry is vital to its future, so I think it important that we consider things that can stifle it.
In the main, Freemasonry *is* a vital force in our societies. In the practice, however, we have collectively lost our focus on that vibrancy. Our lodges may have many members on the rolls, but very few of those members are actively involved. I overheard a discussion last night about why members even show up for meetings. One member said that if "they don't serve a meal, I'm not coming." I had previously witnessed that member piling his plate high with delicious food, enough to feed a small nation. He then popped a dollar bill into the "kitty." It seems to me that we have lost sight of the purpose of our Craft--to make ourselves and our communities better. Yes, our organization is vital, and internal vibrancy and passion are requisite to our survival. I am puzzled as to how I can do my part to reignite that passion. Just my thoughts...
Well, I believe I can change what I can control, every day. There seems to be a "hidden hand" controlling progress within our fraternity. Perhaps this hidden, un-named influence also controls our world as well. Maybe we just need to open our mind to new possibilities, and just like eating an elephant, one bite at a time, create our change similarly, one idea at a time. I hate un-necessary rules as they are a yoke to free thought and actions. Speaking up for new ideas can be frightening but small changes, incrementally approached will usually work. This process is being used through an unannounced agenda on our society today. Our ability to freely function seems to be slipping away and we can use the same process to create a better world. Amazingly, much of the social change in the world happened without much of a written record and researchers discovered it could have come from only one source. I became familiar with the "Vigilante" movement in Montana in the 1800's while I was working in that general area on a power line rehab project a few years ago. Since I became acquainted with that movement, I've studied how powerful it was and how it really created Law and Order in short form, dramatically, leaving no tangible record of the plans and perpetrators. Only Results! That example is minor compared with other changes and projects in our history. So lets start, one idea at a time!
You often use a phrase that makes me stand up and cheer. For example, "... efforts which seek to increase control or regulation of Lodges or Masons, beyond that which is strictly necessary, are harmful to the institution." Of course, this begs the question, what is strictly necessary.
Let's start with an easy one: tax compliance. Our financial model heavily depends on preserving our not-for-profit status so we need to take compliance seriously. Our rules should reflect this.
I also feel strongly that preservation of our ritual is necessary. Our ritual contains timeless lessons, and they're only timeless if they are preserved. Our job is to continually explore and discover how these lessons may shape our lives. Conversely, we should resist any temptation to "update" our ritual to conform to the way we see our lives. Let's make sure our rules are clear about this.
The process of electing officers and specifying their duties is essential to ensuring that there is some common denominator to unite all Lodges. Every Lodge has a different personality and how each officer discharges his duties will and should vary somewhat; the good men that we Brothers are should be trusted to make responsible decisions. They won't always be the absolute best decisions but that's how we learn to be better men. If all Lodge officers conform to a uniform set of duties the essence of Masonry can be available to any Brother in any Lodge.
The Worshipful Master is under an obligation to ensure that Masonic Education is part of every meeting. We need to adhere to this rule, without exception
Beyond what I've written I'm having trouble coming up with any other useful rules. And the frustrating thing is that our Washington Masonic Code has pages and pages of additional rules. This deludes some into thinking that mastery of the WMC and inflexible enforcement somehow makes them a better man. Worse, it causes our Worshipful Masters, since they are denied the ability to make many reasonable judgments, to be in the humiliating position of asking "Mother may I?" to our Grand Master, who then is forced into minimizing his potential by spending any time approving such requests. Capping it all off, it takes a bureaucracy to keep track of the rules, the requests, the approvals, and the denials ... a bunch of busy work that stands in the way of optimizing the pursuit of our mission.
In weak cultures rules don't work. In strong cultures rules aren't necessary.
In the main, Freemasonry *is* a vital force in our societies. In the practice, however, we have collectively lost our focus on that vibrancy. Our lodges may have many members on the rolls, but very few of those members are actively involved. I overheard a discussion last night about why members even show up for meetings. One member said that if "they don't serve a meal, I'm not coming." I had previously witnessed that member piling his plate high with delicious food, enough to feed a small nation. He then popped a dollar bill into the "kitty." It seems to me that we have lost sight of the purpose of our Craft--to make ourselves and our communities better. Yes, our organization is vital, and internal vibrancy and passion are requisite to our survival. I am puzzled as to how I can do my part to reignite that passion. Just my thoughts...
Great unit=ntentional quote for Freemasonry
Well, I believe I can change what I can control, every day. There seems to be a "hidden hand" controlling progress within our fraternity. Perhaps this hidden, un-named influence also controls our world as well. Maybe we just need to open our mind to new possibilities, and just like eating an elephant, one bite at a time, create our change similarly, one idea at a time. I hate un-necessary rules as they are a yoke to free thought and actions. Speaking up for new ideas can be frightening but small changes, incrementally approached will usually work. This process is being used through an unannounced agenda on our society today. Our ability to freely function seems to be slipping away and we can use the same process to create a better world. Amazingly, much of the social change in the world happened without much of a written record and researchers discovered it could have come from only one source. I became familiar with the "Vigilante" movement in Montana in the 1800's while I was working in that general area on a power line rehab project a few years ago. Since I became acquainted with that movement, I've studied how powerful it was and how it really created Law and Order in short form, dramatically, leaving no tangible record of the plans and perpetrators. Only Results! That example is minor compared with other changes and projects in our history. So lets start, one idea at a time!
Grand Master,
You often use a phrase that makes me stand up and cheer. For example, "... efforts which seek to increase control or regulation of Lodges or Masons, beyond that which is strictly necessary, are harmful to the institution." Of course, this begs the question, what is strictly necessary.
Let's start with an easy one: tax compliance. Our financial model heavily depends on preserving our not-for-profit status so we need to take compliance seriously. Our rules should reflect this.
I also feel strongly that preservation of our ritual is necessary. Our ritual contains timeless lessons, and they're only timeless if they are preserved. Our job is to continually explore and discover how these lessons may shape our lives. Conversely, we should resist any temptation to "update" our ritual to conform to the way we see our lives. Let's make sure our rules are clear about this.
The process of electing officers and specifying their duties is essential to ensuring that there is some common denominator to unite all Lodges. Every Lodge has a different personality and how each officer discharges his duties will and should vary somewhat; the good men that we Brothers are should be trusted to make responsible decisions. They won't always be the absolute best decisions but that's how we learn to be better men. If all Lodge officers conform to a uniform set of duties the essence of Masonry can be available to any Brother in any Lodge.
The Worshipful Master is under an obligation to ensure that Masonic Education is part of every meeting. We need to adhere to this rule, without exception
Beyond what I've written I'm having trouble coming up with any other useful rules. And the frustrating thing is that our Washington Masonic Code has pages and pages of additional rules. This deludes some into thinking that mastery of the WMC and inflexible enforcement somehow makes them a better man. Worse, it causes our Worshipful Masters, since they are denied the ability to make many reasonable judgments, to be in the humiliating position of asking "Mother may I?" to our Grand Master, who then is forced into minimizing his potential by spending any time approving such requests. Capping it all off, it takes a bureaucracy to keep track of the rules, the requests, the approvals, and the denials ... a bunch of busy work that stands in the way of optimizing the pursuit of our mission.
In weak cultures rules don't work. In strong cultures rules aren't necessary.