We know that this is true, at the Lodge level and the Grand Lodge level.
I think about it a bit every time I hear a complaint about something someone has said here on Emeth from someone within a Masonic leadership position. Luckily I hear those complaints only on rare occasion, probably because my default is to not act on them. Masons should be free, and feel free, to complain about their Masonic experience, and Masonry in general.
Because if people don’t feel free to complain, to voice dissent, then Freemasonry can never improve.
When does a difference of opinion become dissent? Does discussion include dissent, or is dissent only disagreement following discussion?
I often find myself questioning my own beliefs following a discussion when new facts have been presented, or confronted with a different perspective. But I do tend to guard my opinions more vociferously than is probably necessary. Is that dissent?
On a Lodge level, you can appeal upward or vote with your feet if something is wrong and not being addressed. And you can always find another Lodge if you can't best work or best agree.
On the Grand Lodge level, it's not so easy, and very different in nature. That's where rifts in recognition and historical schisms occur.
I think it's important to remind ourselves, and our Brothers, that if things aren't working out with one Lodge for some reason, there is another one not too far away. The sad thing to my mind is when a man leaves Freemasonry when he could have simply changed Lodges.
But yeah, that won't generally work when it comes to Grand Lodges.
Simply put, my GL and Lodge both allow and are tolerant of dissenting opinions, as institutions. I think the civil discourse around dissent is fairly good in most cases at the group level, but could use some polishing at the brother to brother level.
I will confess to being one of the fellows who could use a little polish from time to time. But, I try to use that polish on myself, and it seems to have helped through the years. Ultimately, none of us can be perfect, for we are human, but we should always strive for that, despite the fact that it is ultimately unattainable.
The issue is when people take dissent personally. You can be passionate about a subject, but don't let that passion turn to anger. It's something I struggle with daily and a character flaw I recognize that I need to address.
That's a question that I would answer much differently today than I would have 30 years ago. I left the lodge about 28 years ago... Oh I paid my dues, I wore my ring, but I didn't attend lodge. It was a combination of things: Young children in the house, which needed more attention, an officer position in another organization I belonged to that is completely unrelated to Masonry and had meetings on the same day of the week... But those were excuses. The truth was that there was a small clique that ran the lodge, and they rotated through the chairs, worse, the meetings had become BORING, drape the altar, pay the bills, go home, and this was in the 'dry lodge days' so there wasn't even any fellowship downstairs. One of them in particular had his last original idea in about December of 1941, carved that sucker into stone, and hadn't changed his opinions on anything since, to include his racism. All of this pissed me off to the point that I walked away.
I would have stayed away too, and been one of those guys carried on the roster that no one remembered when he died, where it not for the Worshipful Master at the end of Covid reaching out specifically to me, and asking me if I could come back and consider taking a chair.
There is a lesson to be learned here, actually two of them.
One, just because something wasn't working before, don't assume that it's irredeemable, and write it off. That was on me.
Two, the personal touch, and not just "come back to the lodge" but "We have work for you, can you answer the call?" is invaluable. You would be amazed what asking for help will get you.
>>>I would have stayed away too, and been one of those guys carried on the roster that no one >>>remembered when he died, where it not for the Worshipful Master at the end of Covid >>>reaching out specifically to me, and asking me if I could come back and consider taking a >>>chair.
This is a great reminder about why we should reach out to Brothers who might not have stepped foot in Lodge for a very long time. Thank you Brother!
When does a difference of opinion become dissent? Does discussion include dissent, or is dissent only disagreement following discussion?
I often find myself questioning my own beliefs following a discussion when new facts have been presented, or confronted with a different perspective. But I do tend to guard my opinions more vociferously than is probably necessary. Is that dissent?
A good question to begin the day!
Thank you VW Brother! I'm glad you found it thought provoking.
On a Lodge level, you can appeal upward or vote with your feet if something is wrong and not being addressed. And you can always find another Lodge if you can't best work or best agree.
On the Grand Lodge level, it's not so easy, and very different in nature. That's where rifts in recognition and historical schisms occur.
I think it's important to remind ourselves, and our Brothers, that if things aren't working out with one Lodge for some reason, there is another one not too far away. The sad thing to my mind is when a man leaves Freemasonry when he could have simply changed Lodges.
But yeah, that won't generally work when it comes to Grand Lodges.
In one of my Lodges, a couple of us dissented from the prevailing orthodoxy and yes we are pariahs because of it.
I see this as proof of Lodge weakness. If a Lodge can’t handle members with differing opinions - well how is that Masonic?
You are undoubtedly correct. When dissent isn't tolerated, that is a clear sign of a failing organization.
Simply put, my GL and Lodge both allow and are tolerant of dissenting opinions, as institutions. I think the civil discourse around dissent is fairly good in most cases at the group level, but could use some polishing at the brother to brother level.
I will confess to being one of the fellows who could use a little polish from time to time. But, I try to use that polish on myself, and it seems to have helped through the years. Ultimately, none of us can be perfect, for we are human, but we should always strive for that, despite the fact that it is ultimately unattainable.
You and me both brother.
The issue is when people take dissent personally. You can be passionate about a subject, but don't let that passion turn to anger. It's something I struggle with daily and a character flaw I recognize that I need to address.
Yeah, we are all happier when we can let criticism roll off our backs like rain. But, it is mighty hard to do sometimes.
That's a question that I would answer much differently today than I would have 30 years ago. I left the lodge about 28 years ago... Oh I paid my dues, I wore my ring, but I didn't attend lodge. It was a combination of things: Young children in the house, which needed more attention, an officer position in another organization I belonged to that is completely unrelated to Masonry and had meetings on the same day of the week... But those were excuses. The truth was that there was a small clique that ran the lodge, and they rotated through the chairs, worse, the meetings had become BORING, drape the altar, pay the bills, go home, and this was in the 'dry lodge days' so there wasn't even any fellowship downstairs. One of them in particular had his last original idea in about December of 1941, carved that sucker into stone, and hadn't changed his opinions on anything since, to include his racism. All of this pissed me off to the point that I walked away.
I would have stayed away too, and been one of those guys carried on the roster that no one remembered when he died, where it not for the Worshipful Master at the end of Covid reaching out specifically to me, and asking me if I could come back and consider taking a chair.
There is a lesson to be learned here, actually two of them.
One, just because something wasn't working before, don't assume that it's irredeemable, and write it off. That was on me.
Two, the personal touch, and not just "come back to the lodge" but "We have work for you, can you answer the call?" is invaluable. You would be amazed what asking for help will get you.
>>>I would have stayed away too, and been one of those guys carried on the roster that no one >>>remembered when he died, where it not for the Worshipful Master at the end of Covid >>>reaching out specifically to me, and asking me if I could come back and consider taking a >>>chair.
This is a great reminder about why we should reach out to Brothers who might not have stepped foot in Lodge for a very long time. Thank you Brother!
I have lots of experience on this…
All I can say, is things are getting better. lol.
And things will keep getting better RW Brother!