I wonder if leaving out something so impactful as our lives as politics and religion is doing ourselves and Lodges a disservice.
I’m not talking about advocating or proselytizing one’s personal beliefs or parties. I mean trying to understand perspectives other than our own to better connect with each other. Working towards a more comprehensive view of why things presently appear so divided or incongruent. We certainly can’t seem to discuss them on forums or media platforms, as opposing viewpoints or questions are downvoted to oblivion, or reverberated back ad nauseam.
Today’s Mason is inundated with politically charged media, conversations, and relationships. Then they come to Lodge with questions that they might not understand and are unable to ask or explore them in the refuge of polite company. A place we are taught is one for us to cultivate our higher thoughts, working to temper our passions, and seek enlightenment.
It reminds me of someone with persistent health issues avoiding a Doctors recommendations to eat better, drink less, or smoke less. Instead asking for medication or surgical procedures to mask the issues they are manifesting. Preferring an easier route to avoid the challenges and difficulties it might represent.
I wonder how our forefathers and past Masons dealt with these restrictions or challenges, or if they are more recent changes to the Craft.
Br Chad, I really like your comment!! Maybe a place to start would be to examine both the biographies and motivations of Masons of the past who made a significant contribution to the progress of man through science and medicine, the arts, government, humanities, etc. As an example, almost every Mason knows that many founders of the US were Masons, but many are ignorant of their personal sacrifices and specific contributions to the movement which shaped the new and then-unique form of government. I believe that by doing so, we would see practical examples of the tenets and cardinal virtues of Freemasonry.
Martin Luther King. Jr. was not a Freemason, although both his father and grandfather were. Supposedly, MLK Jr was to be initiated later in 1968. The Lodge is still active, I believe, in the historic Atlanta district along with his boyhood home, the Ebenezer Church, and MLK Museum. The tenets of Freemasonry were strongly communicated through the church and community, and greatly influenced MLK Jr. We should be proud of that. Perhaps we should also be ashamed that J Edgar Hoover, another famous Freemason, kept an extensive dossier on MLK Jr, and effectively neutered or hindered his efforts to spread light towards racial and economic justice. A discussion about the motivations and actions of both might be a very worthy educational endeavor.
Candidly however, I'm not sure that today's Brothers are ready to subdue that portion of their passions to have a fruitful and meaningful discussion. But it will never happen if we are not willing to take the risks that our forefathers did. I'll leave you with a quote from Dr. King: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments od comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
I wholly agree with you Brother! This is one of the things I am hosting through the Travelers A-Chord. I created a summer series for the Lodge's of Seattle called "Seattle Masonic Gold Rush" where we took a historic Mason, Building, and philosophical quote and explored them in small groups 10-15 per meeting. Highlighting their achievements and history. These are available to any Lodge that wants to make use of them.
I wonder what might have happened if Dr. King had been admitted to the Craft, and his life not been cut short. Unfortunately history shows that even the Craft has its share of figures that fell short of their obligations like J. Edgar Hoover. That would be an incredible conversation and series. If you are open to it perhaps we could collaborate on this and set it as a topic for one of our Masonic Education Nights over in Centralia or take it on the road?
I appreciate your candor though the question this brings to mind is, "If not us, then who?" I agree we face many challenges of our own, though if we fail to meet them, how much worse will things have to get before it is no longer avoidable? Excellent quote Brother!
Maybe let's get together in February or March, and discuss. I like the idea, but I appreciate what MW Cameron offers too. If nothing else, I've never lost anything but a little time exploring ideas!
>>>Candidly however, I'm not sure that today's Brothers are ready to subdue that portion >>>of their passions to have a fruitful and meaningful discussion.
I think that spending any amount of time on Social Media will show the truth of this statement. Men, purporting to be Masons, apparently joyfully engaging in the most hateful of rhetoric.
A couple of different thoughts to perhaps keep in mind:
The Prohibition against discussion of politics and religion within the Lodge room is a primary Landmark of Regular Freemasonry as we understand it. Even if we wanted to change it we could not both due to the obligations that so many Freemasons have taken, and because as Mackey wrote, without the Landmarks an organization might still exist, but it would not be Freemasonry.
That said, there are Masonic institutions, in the tradition many call Continental Freemasonry where this Prohibition does not exist. Some of these organizations, such as the Grand Orient of France have honorable histories just as long and distinguished as our own. So options do exist for those seeking a different experience.
But, secondly:
We need to look clearly at what the Prohibition is I think. First of all, it prohibits these discussions within an Open Lodge. It certainly does not mean that friends and Brothers can't discuss these topics at all. It simply precludes them from the Lodge itself.
Additionally, it would be much more accurate to say that the Prohibition is against discussions of partisan politics and sectarian religion within the Lodge. There is nothing to prevent the discussion of broad principles of just and proper governance of society. There is nothing to prevent the discussion of spiritual beliefs across cultures. Indeed, as I see it, without these two topics, there wouldn't be much at all to the Scottish Rite SJ Degrees, for just governance and spiritual traditions are woven throughout them. As I see and understand them anyway. Indeed, even our Craft Degrees touch upon these things.
So, as I see the Prohibition, within a Lodge Room we can't be holding a discussion as to if we should all vote for Trump or Harris, vote Republican or Democrat. Nor can we hold a discussion at which we argue if Roman Catholicism, or the Latter Day Saints are the one true religion. But we can talk about the importance of integrity within those who seek to lead others, we can talk about the importance of justice within society and what it means to live in a just society. We can talk about how various traditions of faith have informed the world in which we live, we can talk about how faith can enrich lives.
But, I say all of this with a massive caveat:
If one spends very much time at all on Facebook, one will see countless examples of men claiming to be Freemasons yet engaging in horribly vitriolic discussions about both religion and politics. Men claiming to be Masons who are clearly not interested in pursuit of Truth. Men claiming to be Freemasons who have plainly lost all control of their passions. This, in my view, points out the wisdom of the Prohibition that has existed within our Craft for centuries.
I can appreciate and understand the need to keep the sanctity of a Tiled Lodge. I wonder if perhaps an over-application of this landmark to areas surrounding a Tiled Lodge, and perhaps a misunderstanding of its intent.
Though I wonder how our Brethren who helped found our country reconciled these matters and this prohibition in their times. I see where Brother James Anderson was quoted here, https://forthright.space/2020/02/11/no-religion-and-politics-in-lodge-an-early-look/ addressing piques or quarrels in 1721 preceding the formal acceptance of the Declaration of Independence. Before this citation it did not appear it was a landmark of Craft Masonry as far as I can tell, I am curious where and when this introduction occurred from an academic/research standpoint. As it is intriguing to see how things have changed in the Craft over time.
I do agree with the need to keep conversations non-partisan/sectarian to promote an open environment respecting our various beliefs and perspectives. That is an interesting point you make regarding the Scottish Rite and the Degrees, I look forward to someday experiencing them. Perhaps we might explore the integration of these concepts in SR / Craft Degree Work where appropriate in a future Rummer and Grapes call?
I wish the broad discussions you highlight as permissible were more widely accepted as I think we at times miss opportunities to address things that substantially affect us all, in and out of Lodge due to differences of interpretation. I wonder how we might find common ground and reduce the division we regularly experience.
I wholly agree with your massive caveat of the displays seen on various platforms and forums. I can't help but to wonder if the issue lies with the individuals responsible for these reprehensible displays of behavior. If we fail to offer, or receive, sound council perhaps we have another issue entirely that we should consider addressing within the Craft. If the purpose is to permit us all to meet on the level, I find it hard to consider omitting things that are so deeply intertwined in our lives.
Consider the late 1700s in the continental US. Patriots versus loyalists. Ancients versus moderns. Why those rifts within the country may be part of the answers you are questioning.
Excellent point, thank you. I do think that we tend to forget just how many loyalists there were before and during the Revolution. Of course, the victors got to write the history.
I wonder if leaving out something so impactful as our lives as politics and religion is doing ourselves and Lodges a disservice.
I’m not talking about advocating or proselytizing one’s personal beliefs or parties. I mean trying to understand perspectives other than our own to better connect with each other. Working towards a more comprehensive view of why things presently appear so divided or incongruent. We certainly can’t seem to discuss them on forums or media platforms, as opposing viewpoints or questions are downvoted to oblivion, or reverberated back ad nauseam.
Today’s Mason is inundated with politically charged media, conversations, and relationships. Then they come to Lodge with questions that they might not understand and are unable to ask or explore them in the refuge of polite company. A place we are taught is one for us to cultivate our higher thoughts, working to temper our passions, and seek enlightenment.
It reminds me of someone with persistent health issues avoiding a Doctors recommendations to eat better, drink less, or smoke less. Instead asking for medication or surgical procedures to mask the issues they are manifesting. Preferring an easier route to avoid the challenges and difficulties it might represent.
I wonder how our forefathers and past Masons dealt with these restrictions or challenges, or if they are more recent changes to the Craft.
Great topic!
Br Chad, I really like your comment!! Maybe a place to start would be to examine both the biographies and motivations of Masons of the past who made a significant contribution to the progress of man through science and medicine, the arts, government, humanities, etc. As an example, almost every Mason knows that many founders of the US were Masons, but many are ignorant of their personal sacrifices and specific contributions to the movement which shaped the new and then-unique form of government. I believe that by doing so, we would see practical examples of the tenets and cardinal virtues of Freemasonry.
Martin Luther King. Jr. was not a Freemason, although both his father and grandfather were. Supposedly, MLK Jr was to be initiated later in 1968. The Lodge is still active, I believe, in the historic Atlanta district along with his boyhood home, the Ebenezer Church, and MLK Museum. The tenets of Freemasonry were strongly communicated through the church and community, and greatly influenced MLK Jr. We should be proud of that. Perhaps we should also be ashamed that J Edgar Hoover, another famous Freemason, kept an extensive dossier on MLK Jr, and effectively neutered or hindered his efforts to spread light towards racial and economic justice. A discussion about the motivations and actions of both might be a very worthy educational endeavor.
Candidly however, I'm not sure that today's Brothers are ready to subdue that portion of their passions to have a fruitful and meaningful discussion. But it will never happen if we are not willing to take the risks that our forefathers did. I'll leave you with a quote from Dr. King: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments od comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
I wholly agree with you Brother! This is one of the things I am hosting through the Travelers A-Chord. I created a summer series for the Lodge's of Seattle called "Seattle Masonic Gold Rush" where we took a historic Mason, Building, and philosophical quote and explored them in small groups 10-15 per meeting. Highlighting their achievements and history. These are available to any Lodge that wants to make use of them.
I wonder what might have happened if Dr. King had been admitted to the Craft, and his life not been cut short. Unfortunately history shows that even the Craft has its share of figures that fell short of their obligations like J. Edgar Hoover. That would be an incredible conversation and series. If you are open to it perhaps we could collaborate on this and set it as a topic for one of our Masonic Education Nights over in Centralia or take it on the road?
I appreciate your candor though the question this brings to mind is, "If not us, then who?" I agree we face many challenges of our own, though if we fail to meet them, how much worse will things have to get before it is no longer avoidable? Excellent quote Brother!
Maybe let's get together in February or March, and discuss. I like the idea, but I appreciate what MW Cameron offers too. If nothing else, I've never lost anything but a little time exploring ideas!
Sounds good to me Brother. I look forward to seeing you around!
>>>Candidly however, I'm not sure that today's Brothers are ready to subdue that portion >>>of their passions to have a fruitful and meaningful discussion.
I think that spending any amount of time on Social Media will show the truth of this statement. Men, purporting to be Masons, apparently joyfully engaging in the most hateful of rhetoric.
A couple of different thoughts to perhaps keep in mind:
The Prohibition against discussion of politics and religion within the Lodge room is a primary Landmark of Regular Freemasonry as we understand it. Even if we wanted to change it we could not both due to the obligations that so many Freemasons have taken, and because as Mackey wrote, without the Landmarks an organization might still exist, but it would not be Freemasonry.
That said, there are Masonic institutions, in the tradition many call Continental Freemasonry where this Prohibition does not exist. Some of these organizations, such as the Grand Orient of France have honorable histories just as long and distinguished as our own. So options do exist for those seeking a different experience.
But, secondly:
We need to look clearly at what the Prohibition is I think. First of all, it prohibits these discussions within an Open Lodge. It certainly does not mean that friends and Brothers can't discuss these topics at all. It simply precludes them from the Lodge itself.
Additionally, it would be much more accurate to say that the Prohibition is against discussions of partisan politics and sectarian religion within the Lodge. There is nothing to prevent the discussion of broad principles of just and proper governance of society. There is nothing to prevent the discussion of spiritual beliefs across cultures. Indeed, as I see it, without these two topics, there wouldn't be much at all to the Scottish Rite SJ Degrees, for just governance and spiritual traditions are woven throughout them. As I see and understand them anyway. Indeed, even our Craft Degrees touch upon these things.
So, as I see the Prohibition, within a Lodge Room we can't be holding a discussion as to if we should all vote for Trump or Harris, vote Republican or Democrat. Nor can we hold a discussion at which we argue if Roman Catholicism, or the Latter Day Saints are the one true religion. But we can talk about the importance of integrity within those who seek to lead others, we can talk about the importance of justice within society and what it means to live in a just society. We can talk about how various traditions of faith have informed the world in which we live, we can talk about how faith can enrich lives.
But, I say all of this with a massive caveat:
If one spends very much time at all on Facebook, one will see countless examples of men claiming to be Freemasons yet engaging in horribly vitriolic discussions about both religion and politics. Men claiming to be Masons who are clearly not interested in pursuit of Truth. Men claiming to be Freemasons who have plainly lost all control of their passions. This, in my view, points out the wisdom of the Prohibition that has existed within our Craft for centuries.
I can appreciate and understand the need to keep the sanctity of a Tiled Lodge. I wonder if perhaps an over-application of this landmark to areas surrounding a Tiled Lodge, and perhaps a misunderstanding of its intent.
Though I wonder how our Brethren who helped found our country reconciled these matters and this prohibition in their times. I see where Brother James Anderson was quoted here, https://forthright.space/2020/02/11/no-religion-and-politics-in-lodge-an-early-look/ addressing piques or quarrels in 1721 preceding the formal acceptance of the Declaration of Independence. Before this citation it did not appear it was a landmark of Craft Masonry as far as I can tell, I am curious where and when this introduction occurred from an academic/research standpoint. As it is intriguing to see how things have changed in the Craft over time.
I do agree with the need to keep conversations non-partisan/sectarian to promote an open environment respecting our various beliefs and perspectives. That is an interesting point you make regarding the Scottish Rite and the Degrees, I look forward to someday experiencing them. Perhaps we might explore the integration of these concepts in SR / Craft Degree Work where appropriate in a future Rummer and Grapes call?
I wish the broad discussions you highlight as permissible were more widely accepted as I think we at times miss opportunities to address things that substantially affect us all, in and out of Lodge due to differences of interpretation. I wonder how we might find common ground and reduce the division we regularly experience.
I wholly agree with your massive caveat of the displays seen on various platforms and forums. I can't help but to wonder if the issue lies with the individuals responsible for these reprehensible displays of behavior. If we fail to offer, or receive, sound council perhaps we have another issue entirely that we should consider addressing within the Craft. If the purpose is to permit us all to meet on the level, I find it hard to consider omitting things that are so deeply intertwined in our lives.
Consider the late 1700s in the continental US. Patriots versus loyalists. Ancients versus moderns. Why those rifts within the country may be part of the answers you are questioning.
Excellent point, thank you. I do think that we tend to forget just how many loyalists there were before and during the Revolution. Of course, the victors got to write the history.
I think this is pertinent ... http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2021/10/in-which-all-men-agree.html
It is, and it is important. Thank you for sharing it here, I enjoyed reading it.
I also enjoyed reading.