Maybe it's not a bad thing for certain debates to be aired publicly. The OES logo is a good example. I've never thought about the OES logo one way or the other. Now I know that there's an way to look at it that, right or wrong, doesn't reflect well on OES. And even if the writer is indeed ignorant about the meaning of the logo he still may be making a good point. That point is that we get one chance to make a first impression, especially publicly.
Why didn't he voice his concern internally with other Masons? Well, one reason is that our greatest weakness tend to talk to ourselves. That makes it pretty hard to get a read on the outside world. If the outside world naively thinks that the OES logo is a satanic symbol aren't we better off knowing that? Maybe we can provide a bit of Masonic education to the unknowing Mason but we're not going to bet a chance to educate a man or woman on the street if they dismiss OES based on their first impression of the logo.
To the broader question of arguing in public, clearly there is a boundary. Making personal arguments public is inappropriate. Other than that we may be looking at various shades of gray.
Years ago, when I was Master of my Lodge, I had a member post a couple things on Facebook that were completely over the top. I asked him to remove them, and he did.
This letter, in my view, was in awfully poor taste, and I don't think that it will influence the people the letter writer needs to influence if he wants to see his proposal considered. But, I don't think it is a Masonic offense that he sent it to the paper.
I've received criticism from Masonic leaders for allowing some comments to be made here on Emeth, and I've received criticism for at least one of the things I have published here. But, while there are a small number of non Masons who read here, certainly this is a Masonic audience.
I suppose that we must all navigate this gray area as best we can.
I think the letter to the editor didn't need to go off on that tangent in the first place. First, it's talking about the closure of an OES chapter, then segues into a small rant about the symbolism of the order. Not sure what one has to do with the other, and second getting the organization to change anything isn't going to happen by writing a letter to a local newspaper thousands of miles away from said organization's headquarters. Fundamental aspect of advocating for change - know thy audience.
But, it's still a (somewhat) free country, and voicing an opinion about anything is still a fundamental freedom we should guard, even if you're shouting at a hurricane. I don't really have an issue what he wrote, just it was a pointless gesture that isn't going to be heard by anyone that matters.
As an aside, I actually like the OES symbol, it provides me with a great whataboutism whenever anyone objects to the more uncomfortable symbolism in freemasonry (IE Skulls).
On the broader subject, hollywood and the media has done a super bang up job of turning quite innocent symbols and turning them into evil. Take the church of satan, for example. They co-opted several masonic and masonic related symbols as their own, and no one would give a shit, except for the media exposure and shock value they represented to an otherwise mostly christian nation.
This anti-masonic crusade may be all related to anti-masonic sentiment and biases in general.
>>>As an aside, I actually like the OES symbol, it provides me with a great whataboutism >>>whenever anyone objects to the more uncomfortable symbolism in freemasonry (IE Skulls).
Now this is a bit of brilliance! Thank you Brother, I shall promptly steal it for my own use.
As you and I have talked in the past, Centralia Lodge has from time to time, received complaints about our Chamber of Reflection from members of the OES, and the Rainbow.
Each year, we open up our Lodge building around Halloween for an annual Ghost Walk organized by our Downtown Association. Generally this brings about 300 members of the public through our building.
Our Lodge Room has a very large, lighted Eastern Star symbol in the East, and a huge one painted on the floor. These always generate questions, questions that we can only sort of answer as we aren't all that involved with the Chapter. This year OES decided to participate along with the Lodge, and that was good, because there was finally someone to answer those questions well.
But, it also gave us an opportunity for the Chapter members to overhear our explanation of the Chamber of Reflection, so hopefully that will reduce complaints in time.
I cringe everytime a Mason airs publicly what clearly should be an internal organizational matter. There have been many times a brother has taken to the virtual airways to expose a situation that depicts the fraternity in a bad light. These situations are ours alone to sort out and provide the necessary solutions. I am always reminded of the passage in the MM lecture about the Book of Constitutions guarded by the the Tyler's sword. We are taught to be watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words and actions and conduct ourselves by the Masonic virtues of silence and circumspection. Doing so preserves the reputation and honor of Masonry. My advice to a brother who needs an audience: go to lodge and talk to your brothers.
Over the decades there has certainly been a move to open up Freemasonry. To make it visible to the community. We talk more about it, publicly, than we did long ago.
And I wonder if that is a good thing, or bad. There is something to be said for maintaining mystique and mystery.
New York points their star upward. One of the versions of the story behind it was the complaints of a preacher back in the 1930s who was a member. (We're not part of the General Grand Chapter, btw.)
As for public versus private, there was a time Masonic notices were in local papers as an outright substitute for a bulletin. But AFAIK, those times are gone be over a century, so I have no idea why someone would editorialize hat way today.
And then we have all the mudslinging aired on Masonic blogs, even by leaders high up who want to "set the record straight". Or even just reporting on edicts from this or that jurisdiction that cause controversy. We even hear of these things before our own Grand Masters know about them. But without at least SOME such channels, the whole story can be hidden or swept under the rug.
I think it will take another generation to untangle many of our issues regarding ubiquitous platforms of free speech.
BTW, it's hard to find emblems in the "New York" style, i.e. star pointing up. It isn't a pet peeve of mine, though, and gladly display the general version on my car bumper.
Our Past Master emblem is the Quadrant and Compasses WITHOUT a Square. The version with the square is used here to designate District Grand Masters. But I believe AF&AM uses Euclid's 47th Problem
That's the emblem we use as well, Quadrant and Compasses without Square. The Quadrant, Compasses, and Square is the Past Grand Master's emblem. But, it seems that what we use as the PGM's emblem is used by most Jurisdictions to designate PM's. I was only aware of Pennsylvania using the 47th Problem, but I haven't done a lot of traveling east of the Mississippi to see.
Also, Mackey saw to it that OES was recognized officially as a Masonic body by Grand Lodges after it was handed to him by Morris. The concept itself is originally derived from the Adoptive Right in 1777 France, basically Co-Masonry. It's irregular to us, but most certainly is a form of Freemasonry. Or is this an argument for another time? :^}
I had no idea that New York inverted the symbol. Very cool! I've often wondered if some of the issues OES faces in my Jurisdiction are the result of them being governed by a national organization. It seems that making any change is virtually impossible.
In the years since I've been a Mason, I've followed the controversies that have shaken our Craft on Masonic blogs, one in particular. The Jesters and their hookers some years ago. West Virginia and South Carolina taking absurd disciplinary actions. Fights between Grand Lodges (including mine) and the Knights Templar. The recent happenings in Texas. All the fights about Prince Hall recognition.
While it is, in a way, sad to see these things published, on the whole I think it is very good that they are. Because if they weren't published, I don't think that they would be resolved for the good. Evil lurks in the shadows, but quickly retreats under the light of day.
I think that it was a good PR message to inform the public that in the unfortunate dissolution of one of our Masonic family organization that some money would be contributed to good local public programs.
That being said, I don't believe that the personal complaints that one has about any of our Masonic bodies needs to be taken to the public. We have enough negative public misunderstandings that we don't need to air any more ourselves. Also, one person's opinion may be tainted and based on impressions and misunderstandings and not based on fact.
If he has such an issue with OES. why didn't he or doesn't he contact a local chapter and discuss it with them. If unhappy with the answers then go to a higher office of the organization. Get the facts before you spread your opinions internally, not externally in the public arena.
As an example, would you take your complaints about your boss to the public? If you had an issue, wouldn't you discuss it with the boss or go up the chain of command internally?
I know that the example is not totally the same, but, the concept applies to both.
>>>I think that it was a good PR message to inform the public that in the unfortunate dissolution >>>of one of our Masonic family organization that some money would be contributed to good >>>local public programs.
I agree with that, and the Chapter did get some really good PR out of their donations. I know that there were multiple articles about their donation to the Sheriff's Office, and mentions of their other donations. If nothing else, that is good PR for the remaining OES Chapter in our little City.
a) Except the secrets (which also differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction) everything else can be discussed publicly.
b) We don't need enemies as long as we have enough uneducated Masons... [he is airing his frustration for not being able to give an educated answer to that dumb clergyman]
c) We all know how it works when a Mason tries to talk to his "superiors" about contentious issues... Best case scenario: they ignore it/him.
d) We can try educating parts of the public regarding our symbols, tenets, philosophy etc. but leave the conspiracy nuts alone - they are like religious zealots, nothing can change their preconceptions.
>>>Except the secrets (which also differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction) everything else can be >>>discussed publicly.
Agreed, and in my Jurisdiction there are very few such 'secrets.'
>>>We don't need enemies as long as we have enough uneducated Masons... [he is airing his >>>frustration for not being able to give an educated answer to that dumb clergyman]
Well said. Thank you.
>>>We all know how it works when a Mason tries to talk to his "superiors" about contentious >>>issues... Best case scenario: they ignore it/him.
I agree. Taking a concern up the line generally results in nothing substantive.
At an Annual Communication here we had a resolution proposed that was poorly written, poorly conceived, and designed to alter the Code in an improper way. I published about those problems here on Emeth and it was withdrawn from consideration. Had I, instead of publishing about it, taken those concerns to the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, or appropriate Committee no action would have been taken because it would have been deemed 'too late to change things now' and the assembly may well have accidentally voted to approve fundamentally flawed legislation.
Unless and until all our Masonic leadership is willing to listen to, and when necessary address legitimate concerns, we will have this conundrum.
>>>We can try educating parts of the public regarding our symbols, tenets, philosophy etc. but >>>leave the conspiracy nuts alone - they are like religious zealots, nothing can change their >>>preconceptions.
I can’t think of an internal Masonic platform in which we could have had this discussion.
Maybe - maybe - a closed zoom meeting, but who would have known in advance that it was about this, or worth attending?
It’s healthy when “internal” topics spill into the public from time to time.
It gets more of us involved, as here. It gives whistleblowers a venue if something improper isn’t being addressed effectively. It allows for more dynamic, less structured (or managed) discussions.
This helps communicate that we’re a more normal outfit with normal tensions and tussles.
Speaking of which, I have greater respect for organizations that say “we fired x people for y and z reasons.” That is, they clean house rather than cover up problems.
Why don’t we say, “in 2024, x Masons were expelled for criminal convictions and y for Masonic offenses”?
>>>It gives whistleblowers a venue if something improper isn’t being addressed effectively.
I do think that this is really important, and Chris Hodapp has done a really solid job of exposing poor behavior among leadership of the Craft for a lot of years now. He wrote about that a couple of days ago:
Maybe it's not a bad thing for certain debates to be aired publicly. The OES logo is a good example. I've never thought about the OES logo one way or the other. Now I know that there's an way to look at it that, right or wrong, doesn't reflect well on OES. And even if the writer is indeed ignorant about the meaning of the logo he still may be making a good point. That point is that we get one chance to make a first impression, especially publicly.
Why didn't he voice his concern internally with other Masons? Well, one reason is that our greatest weakness tend to talk to ourselves. That makes it pretty hard to get a read on the outside world. If the outside world naively thinks that the OES logo is a satanic symbol aren't we better off knowing that? Maybe we can provide a bit of Masonic education to the unknowing Mason but we're not going to bet a chance to educate a man or woman on the street if they dismiss OES based on their first impression of the logo.
To the broader question of arguing in public, clearly there is a boundary. Making personal arguments public is inappropriate. Other than that we may be looking at various shades of gray.
I agree, this is all a shade of gray.
Years ago, when I was Master of my Lodge, I had a member post a couple things on Facebook that were completely over the top. I asked him to remove them, and he did.
This letter, in my view, was in awfully poor taste, and I don't think that it will influence the people the letter writer needs to influence if he wants to see his proposal considered. But, I don't think it is a Masonic offense that he sent it to the paper.
I've received criticism from Masonic leaders for allowing some comments to be made here on Emeth, and I've received criticism for at least one of the things I have published here. But, while there are a small number of non Masons who read here, certainly this is a Masonic audience.
I suppose that we must all navigate this gray area as best we can.
I think the letter to the editor didn't need to go off on that tangent in the first place. First, it's talking about the closure of an OES chapter, then segues into a small rant about the symbolism of the order. Not sure what one has to do with the other, and second getting the organization to change anything isn't going to happen by writing a letter to a local newspaper thousands of miles away from said organization's headquarters. Fundamental aspect of advocating for change - know thy audience.
But, it's still a (somewhat) free country, and voicing an opinion about anything is still a fundamental freedom we should guard, even if you're shouting at a hurricane. I don't really have an issue what he wrote, just it was a pointless gesture that isn't going to be heard by anyone that matters.
As an aside, I actually like the OES symbol, it provides me with a great whataboutism whenever anyone objects to the more uncomfortable symbolism in freemasonry (IE Skulls).
On the broader subject, hollywood and the media has done a super bang up job of turning quite innocent symbols and turning them into evil. Take the church of satan, for example. They co-opted several masonic and masonic related symbols as their own, and no one would give a shit, except for the media exposure and shock value they represented to an otherwise mostly christian nation.
This anti-masonic crusade may be all related to anti-masonic sentiment and biases in general.
>>>As an aside, I actually like the OES symbol, it provides me with a great whataboutism >>>whenever anyone objects to the more uncomfortable symbolism in freemasonry (IE Skulls).
Now this is a bit of brilliance! Thank you Brother, I shall promptly steal it for my own use.
As you and I have talked in the past, Centralia Lodge has from time to time, received complaints about our Chamber of Reflection from members of the OES, and the Rainbow.
Each year, we open up our Lodge building around Halloween for an annual Ghost Walk organized by our Downtown Association. Generally this brings about 300 members of the public through our building.
Our Lodge Room has a very large, lighted Eastern Star symbol in the East, and a huge one painted on the floor. These always generate questions, questions that we can only sort of answer as we aren't all that involved with the Chapter. This year OES decided to participate along with the Lodge, and that was good, because there was finally someone to answer those questions well.
But, it also gave us an opportunity for the Chapter members to overhear our explanation of the Chamber of Reflection, so hopefully that will reduce complaints in time.
Use it well! Got a post lined up for publishing tomorrow to dive further into that subject.
Excellent! I look forward to reading it!
I cringe everytime a Mason airs publicly what clearly should be an internal organizational matter. There have been many times a brother has taken to the virtual airways to expose a situation that depicts the fraternity in a bad light. These situations are ours alone to sort out and provide the necessary solutions. I am always reminded of the passage in the MM lecture about the Book of Constitutions guarded by the the Tyler's sword. We are taught to be watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words and actions and conduct ourselves by the Masonic virtues of silence and circumspection. Doing so preserves the reputation and honor of Masonry. My advice to a brother who needs an audience: go to lodge and talk to your brothers.
Over the decades there has certainly been a move to open up Freemasonry. To make it visible to the community. We talk more about it, publicly, than we did long ago.
And I wonder if that is a good thing, or bad. There is something to be said for maintaining mystique and mystery.
New York points their star upward. One of the versions of the story behind it was the complaints of a preacher back in the 1930s who was a member. (We're not part of the General Grand Chapter, btw.)
As for public versus private, there was a time Masonic notices were in local papers as an outright substitute for a bulletin. But AFAIK, those times are gone be over a century, so I have no idea why someone would editorialize hat way today.
And then we have all the mudslinging aired on Masonic blogs, even by leaders high up who want to "set the record straight". Or even just reporting on edicts from this or that jurisdiction that cause controversy. We even hear of these things before our own Grand Masters know about them. But without at least SOME such channels, the whole story can be hidden or swept under the rug.
I think it will take another generation to untangle many of our issues regarding ubiquitous platforms of free speech.
BTW, it's hard to find emblems in the "New York" style, i.e. star pointing up. It isn't a pet peeve of mine, though, and gladly display the general version on my car bumper.
My Jurisdiction has an odd Past Master emblem. So looking for cool PM bling is a challenge. I feel your pain! 😉
Our Past Master emblem is the Quadrant and Compasses WITHOUT a Square. The version with the square is used here to designate District Grand Masters. But I believe AF&AM uses Euclid's 47th Problem
That's the emblem we use as well, Quadrant and Compasses without Square. The Quadrant, Compasses, and Square is the Past Grand Master's emblem. But, it seems that what we use as the PGM's emblem is used by most Jurisdictions to designate PM's. I was only aware of Pennsylvania using the 47th Problem, but I haven't done a lot of traveling east of the Mississippi to see.
Also, Mackey saw to it that OES was recognized officially as a Masonic body by Grand Lodges after it was handed to him by Morris. The concept itself is originally derived from the Adoptive Right in 1777 France, basically Co-Masonry. It's irregular to us, but most certainly is a form of Freemasonry. Or is this an argument for another time? :^}
>>>Co-Masonry. It's irregular to us, but most certainly is a form of Freemasonry.
I wouldn't argue with you. 😈
I had no idea that New York inverted the symbol. Very cool! I've often wondered if some of the issues OES faces in my Jurisdiction are the result of them being governed by a national organization. It seems that making any change is virtually impossible.
In the years since I've been a Mason, I've followed the controversies that have shaken our Craft on Masonic blogs, one in particular. The Jesters and their hookers some years ago. West Virginia and South Carolina taking absurd disciplinary actions. Fights between Grand Lodges (including mine) and the Knights Templar. The recent happenings in Texas. All the fights about Prince Hall recognition.
While it is, in a way, sad to see these things published, on the whole I think it is very good that they are. Because if they weren't published, I don't think that they would be resolved for the good. Evil lurks in the shadows, but quickly retreats under the light of day.
I think that it was a good PR message to inform the public that in the unfortunate dissolution of one of our Masonic family organization that some money would be contributed to good local public programs.
That being said, I don't believe that the personal complaints that one has about any of our Masonic bodies needs to be taken to the public. We have enough negative public misunderstandings that we don't need to air any more ourselves. Also, one person's opinion may be tainted and based on impressions and misunderstandings and not based on fact.
If he has such an issue with OES. why didn't he or doesn't he contact a local chapter and discuss it with them. If unhappy with the answers then go to a higher office of the organization. Get the facts before you spread your opinions internally, not externally in the public arena.
As an example, would you take your complaints about your boss to the public? If you had an issue, wouldn't you discuss it with the boss or go up the chain of command internally?
I know that the example is not totally the same, but, the concept applies to both.
>>>I think that it was a good PR message to inform the public that in the unfortunate dissolution >>>of one of our Masonic family organization that some money would be contributed to good >>>local public programs.
I agree with that, and the Chapter did get some really good PR out of their donations. I know that there were multiple articles about their donation to the Sheriff's Office, and mentions of their other donations. If nothing else, that is good PR for the remaining OES Chapter in our little City.
Not in any particular order...
a) Except the secrets (which also differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction) everything else can be discussed publicly.
b) We don't need enemies as long as we have enough uneducated Masons... [he is airing his frustration for not being able to give an educated answer to that dumb clergyman]
c) We all know how it works when a Mason tries to talk to his "superiors" about contentious issues... Best case scenario: they ignore it/him.
d) We can try educating parts of the public regarding our symbols, tenets, philosophy etc. but leave the conspiracy nuts alone - they are like religious zealots, nothing can change their preconceptions.
>>>Except the secrets (which also differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction) everything else can be >>>discussed publicly.
Agreed, and in my Jurisdiction there are very few such 'secrets.'
>>>We don't need enemies as long as we have enough uneducated Masons... [he is airing his >>>frustration for not being able to give an educated answer to that dumb clergyman]
Well said. Thank you.
>>>We all know how it works when a Mason tries to talk to his "superiors" about contentious >>>issues... Best case scenario: they ignore it/him.
I agree. Taking a concern up the line generally results in nothing substantive.
At an Annual Communication here we had a resolution proposed that was poorly written, poorly conceived, and designed to alter the Code in an improper way. I published about those problems here on Emeth and it was withdrawn from consideration. Had I, instead of publishing about it, taken those concerns to the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, or appropriate Committee no action would have been taken because it would have been deemed 'too late to change things now' and the assembly may well have accidentally voted to approve fundamentally flawed legislation.
Unless and until all our Masonic leadership is willing to listen to, and when necessary address legitimate concerns, we will have this conundrum.
>>>We can try educating parts of the public regarding our symbols, tenets, philosophy etc. but >>>leave the conspiracy nuts alone - they are like religious zealots, nothing can change their >>>preconceptions.
Agreed. The conspiracy nuts are best ignored.
Many good comments here, Brothers, thank you.
I can’t think of an internal Masonic platform in which we could have had this discussion.
Maybe - maybe - a closed zoom meeting, but who would have known in advance that it was about this, or worth attending?
It’s healthy when “internal” topics spill into the public from time to time.
It gets more of us involved, as here. It gives whistleblowers a venue if something improper isn’t being addressed effectively. It allows for more dynamic, less structured (or managed) discussions.
This helps communicate that we’re a more normal outfit with normal tensions and tussles.
Speaking of which, I have greater respect for organizations that say “we fired x people for y and z reasons.” That is, they clean house rather than cover up problems.
Why don’t we say, “in 2024, x Masons were expelled for criminal convictions and y for Masonic offenses”?
>>>It gives whistleblowers a venue if something improper isn’t being addressed effectively.
I do think that this is really important, and Chris Hodapp has done a really solid job of exposing poor behavior among leadership of the Craft for a lot of years now. He wrote about that a couple of days ago:
https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2024/10/gm-of-florida-renders-decision-over.html