For the first part of your article, I have to disagree to a certain extent. Restricting age inappropriate books would be no different than having adult magazines like hustler behind the counter at a 7/11. You are not banning the magazine (although some wanted to) but you do place restrictions on who can access it.
When I was in high school I was in a similar situation as you outlined. I was to write a book report, and the selection of books the teacher offered had an 18+ section. Since I was 17, she wouldn't allow me to read them, instead I had to pick from the other shelves. Now, as a kid growing up, I was reading heavy books like Ivanhoe when I was in the 3rd grade. One of my favorite books growing up was a book written by a guy named Frank Yerby called "the saracen blade". That book was both entertaining and historically educational. I still have the book to this day.
I had gotten the reading bug from my dad, who read voraciously and when he would finish a book, he'd pass it down to my brother and I, and we'd read them ourselves. This included all manner of books and the 18+ shelf had more than a couple of books I had read already. So, to spite her, I picked a book on the shelf I was allowed to choose from a book I had already read. Made writing the paper much easier.
For the second part dealing with Albert Pike and Morals & Dogma, I had a similar situation years ago. A young EA wanted to read it, but his coach told him not to, for the very same reasons a lot of the same Masons mentioned in your article. I agree with you, no one should discourage learning. My only cautions to young or prospective masons (if the topic comes up) is to stay away from the internet and don't find out the rituals and read those because that would definitely spoil the experience, although as you said, it may simply make them want to go out and read them even more.
We as a society have long placed restrictions on access to a number of media we deem inappropriate for underage children. TV shows, TV Channels, Movies, Magazines, Books, Record Albums etc. Did those restrictions ever stop anyone? Rarely. But does that mean we shouldn't? No. At the very least it does alert the parent (if they are around) that what that child wants to watch if it is suited for their maturity level.
"For the first part of your article, I have to disagree to a certain extent. Restricting age inappropriate books would be no different than having adult magazines like hustler behind the counter at a 7/11. You are not banning the magazine (although some wanted to) but you do place restrictions on who can access it."
I don't disagree with you here but the danger occurs when folks use this exact type of censorship as an excuse to ban books that are most assuredly NOT of the same nature.
Much of the attempted (and successful) book banning going on today, at least in my neck of the woods, is centered around books that contain LGBT+ themes or that mention sex (we won't include the bans involving race-related topics) but we're not talking about pornographic language or imagery, here, we're talking about merely expressing relationships and, perhaps, discussing related topics. But the folks trying to ban them are using the excuse that these are adult themes and children shouldn't be exposed because they don't approve of LGBT+ identities, not because loving relationships are inappropriate for children. If the latter were the problem we'd be banning books that have heterosexual relationships as well but I haven't seen anyone move to ban children's books involving mom and dad whereas I've certainly seen folks trying to ban books that have mom and mom or dad and dad.
I'd also respectfully point out that the issues today of inappropriate books not being given to children is *not* banning books. Using the word "ban" connotates the book burnings and removal of books from shelves completely. This is not what the argument is about. It's simply controlling access, not banning it altogether. This is simply one side attempting to control the narrative by overinflating the issue.
If I could've edited my response after hitting Post I would've changed "ban" to "restrict access," alas I still stand behind the points made.
But, in practice, we are in fact discussing banning books because a children's story isn't meant to be read by an adult later in life (though I do enjoy a good Dr. Seuss every now and then) thus if we prevent the child from reading it we've essentially banned it from it's intended audience.
We're getting into semantics here... I'm sure these banned titles could be purchased from somewhere but the goal for many are to be removed from the shelves of libraries and I'd argue that is a ban, especially when you factor in the barrier of cost involved when purchasing is required. Just as an example, I grew up in a household that couldn't afford (or behaved as if it couldn't afford) to buy me books (a tale for another time perhaps) and the libraries at school and in town were my only sources.
The article I linked to previously does make distinctions between restrictions and bans on the titles it lists.
>>>the danger occurs when folks use this exact type of censorship as an excuse to ban >>>books that are most assuredly NOT of the same nature
When it comes to kids, I find this to be spot on and the crux of the matter.
I don't know the people who run the library, or the school, or any other governmental/societal institution like that. I therefore have no reason to trust that they know what is appropriate or not for my kid. That's my job, as a parent. And I sure as heck don't want anyone else's ideologies interfering with it.
>>>My only cautions to young or prospective masons (if the topic comes up) is to stay away from >>>the internet and don't find out the rituals and read those because that would definitely spoil >>>the experience
I give the same advice. I didn't read ahead when I received my Degrees, and it was a very powerful experience. Had I done so, I think they would have lost some, if not all of their power.
When I mentor new Masons, I get any book they might want into their hands, or if they express an interest in some facet of Masonry, get them pointed towards a good book dealing with it or two. But I do always warn them about reading into the Degrees they haven't yet received, if the book in question contains that sort of information.
Regarding your piece on banned books, I can't agree more. There are plenty of books that I disagree with on a personal level and I'm happy to share my opinions on those books if asked about them but it should ALWAYS ultimately be up to the person considering the book to decide whether or not s/he wants to read it (or in the case of children, their caregivers). If a book is truly terrible it will find itself relegated to the stacks and forgotten outside of history in due time.
Regarding your essay on Morals & Dogma, this hits very close to home on multiple levels. First off, I spent a lot of time before petitioning (and after) in a large, online space for Freemasons and candidates (it was the middle of the pandemic so I wasn't rushing out to meet folks in person) and had quite a few interactions that probably would've dissuaded many candidates from ever becoming brothers in our wonderful fraternity but, fortunately, I did not let those interactions dissuade me; and to be fair, responsibility for some of those interactions rests on my shoulders even if unintentionally, but I believe it's important to note that some of these spaces get these same types of negative advice being given to people who are interested but haven't yet taken the plunge and if we're concerned about driving young Masons away consider what's being done to people who haven't yet taken an obligation and have no knowledge other than these types of interactions!
Secondly, in that space and in the space to which you refer in your essay, I too received this advice on Pike either directly or from the discussions of others like the one you quote. Fortunately again, and likely due to some of those interactions, I decided I'd have to "hold my nose" and read Esoterika and M&D at some point even though Pike is obviously terrible just to check them off of my Masonic todo list and "show" some of these brothers that I am as as dedicated to the Craft as they are. Mind you I'm an NMJ guy so clearly they would have no value to me.... So, one of the first things I did as a Master Mason was enrolling in the SJ's Master Craftsman® Symbolic Lodge course, fully expecting it to be a slog but determined to complete it because "I'm a good Mason!" and, lo and behold, I found Pike to be extremely well-written and obviously extremely knowledgeable. It's sad that the only reason I found this out was, basically, obstinance against brothers who thought me unworthy to be a member of our fraternity.
As an aside, I'm now enrolled in the Master Craftsman® Philosophy course and I am EXCITED to delve deeply into M&D.
It has been a long time since I took the Master Craftsman course, but it still ranks as one of the very best Masonic experiences of my life. We owe, I think, a tremendous debt of gratitude to the SJ for its creation and making it available.
My advice to any novice or EA? Read anything and everything. There is not a single masonic reading that exposed any secret. Curiosity cannot be discouraged.
The exception I make to that is to not read into the Degrees not yet received.
My Jurisdiction publishes its work in cipher form, and generally a copy of this is given to each newly Initiated Mason. As a result, an EA could read the full ritual of the FC and MM Degrees. I always advise those I'm mentoring to not do so, because I do believe that if they read the ritual in advance, it would badly harm their experience.
I think SOME of ther Brothers discouraging reading M&D have their heart in the right place but would make a terrible mentor. It's not what they know of the book, but what they don't know of the Brother asking. The appropriateness or usefulness of the work to that particular reader will depend on their interests, literacy, and aptitude for metaphysics.
For some, the book would absolutely turn them off the Freemasonry. For some, they will misunderstand it until they are farther along their personal path. There's a reason it's a staple of anti-Masonic arguments. However, we must recognize many new Masons are much farther down the esoteric path than Aprons with 75-year certificates.
It's like scripture. Some translations are much better for the new believer, or the scholar, or the literary enthusiast. I would never discourage someone from reading any of them, but would absolutely recommend at times some far more over others. The same is true for books on Masonry. It makes no sense for some to read M&D at all, let alone as a new Brother. For others, heck, they already read it by the time they got raised!
Having said that, I do agree with your admonishments of the commentors you quoted.
Indeed, I think that your point is well taken. The brand new Mason asking about M&D is really likely asking for information about some esoteric aspect of the Craft. And there are much easier, clearer, introductory texts. But I fear that the experienced Mason who will steer the new Mason away from M&D, without ever actually having read it himself, will certainly not point that new Mason towards those other texts that might be better for him at that point in his journey.
Just sent this to my Lodge 7941
Thank you W. Brother! I really appreciate it!
I hope that they don't tar and feather you though. I know that lots of Masons in your corner of the world take a very dim view of Morals & Dogma.
For the first part of your article, I have to disagree to a certain extent. Restricting age inappropriate books would be no different than having adult magazines like hustler behind the counter at a 7/11. You are not banning the magazine (although some wanted to) but you do place restrictions on who can access it.
When I was in high school I was in a similar situation as you outlined. I was to write a book report, and the selection of books the teacher offered had an 18+ section. Since I was 17, she wouldn't allow me to read them, instead I had to pick from the other shelves. Now, as a kid growing up, I was reading heavy books like Ivanhoe when I was in the 3rd grade. One of my favorite books growing up was a book written by a guy named Frank Yerby called "the saracen blade". That book was both entertaining and historically educational. I still have the book to this day.
I had gotten the reading bug from my dad, who read voraciously and when he would finish a book, he'd pass it down to my brother and I, and we'd read them ourselves. This included all manner of books and the 18+ shelf had more than a couple of books I had read already. So, to spite her, I picked a book on the shelf I was allowed to choose from a book I had already read. Made writing the paper much easier.
For the second part dealing with Albert Pike and Morals & Dogma, I had a similar situation years ago. A young EA wanted to read it, but his coach told him not to, for the very same reasons a lot of the same Masons mentioned in your article. I agree with you, no one should discourage learning. My only cautions to young or prospective masons (if the topic comes up) is to stay away from the internet and don't find out the rituals and read those because that would definitely spoil the experience, although as you said, it may simply make them want to go out and read them even more.
We as a society have long placed restrictions on access to a number of media we deem inappropriate for underage children. TV shows, TV Channels, Movies, Magazines, Books, Record Albums etc. Did those restrictions ever stop anyone? Rarely. But does that mean we shouldn't? No. At the very least it does alert the parent (if they are around) that what that child wants to watch if it is suited for their maturity level.
"For the first part of your article, I have to disagree to a certain extent. Restricting age inappropriate books would be no different than having adult magazines like hustler behind the counter at a 7/11. You are not banning the magazine (although some wanted to) but you do place restrictions on who can access it."
I don't disagree with you here but the danger occurs when folks use this exact type of censorship as an excuse to ban books that are most assuredly NOT of the same nature.
Much of the attempted (and successful) book banning going on today, at least in my neck of the woods, is centered around books that contain LGBT+ themes or that mention sex (we won't include the bans involving race-related topics) but we're not talking about pornographic language or imagery, here, we're talking about merely expressing relationships and, perhaps, discussing related topics. But the folks trying to ban them are using the excuse that these are adult themes and children shouldn't be exposed because they don't approve of LGBT+ identities, not because loving relationships are inappropriate for children. If the latter were the problem we'd be banning books that have heterosexual relationships as well but I haven't seen anyone move to ban children's books involving mom and dad whereas I've certainly seen folks trying to ban books that have mom and mom or dad and dad.
As a closing, I'll leave this article: https://www.epl.org/booklist/shhhh-these-kids-books-have-been-banned-or-challenged/
I'd also respectfully point out that the issues today of inappropriate books not being given to children is *not* banning books. Using the word "ban" connotates the book burnings and removal of books from shelves completely. This is not what the argument is about. It's simply controlling access, not banning it altogether. This is simply one side attempting to control the narrative by overinflating the issue.
If I could've edited my response after hitting Post I would've changed "ban" to "restrict access," alas I still stand behind the points made.
But, in practice, we are in fact discussing banning books because a children's story isn't meant to be read by an adult later in life (though I do enjoy a good Dr. Seuss every now and then) thus if we prevent the child from reading it we've essentially banned it from it's intended audience.
Can an adult go in and buy or check out the book for their kid? Buy it on amazon? If they can, then it's not banned.
We're getting into semantics here... I'm sure these banned titles could be purchased from somewhere but the goal for many are to be removed from the shelves of libraries and I'd argue that is a ban, especially when you factor in the barrier of cost involved when purchasing is required. Just as an example, I grew up in a household that couldn't afford (or behaved as if it couldn't afford) to buy me books (a tale for another time perhaps) and the libraries at school and in town were my only sources.
The article I linked to previously does make distinctions between restrictions and bans on the titles it lists.
>>>the danger occurs when folks use this exact type of censorship as an excuse to ban >>>books that are most assuredly NOT of the same nature
When it comes to kids, I find this to be spot on and the crux of the matter.
I don't know the people who run the library, or the school, or any other governmental/societal institution like that. I therefore have no reason to trust that they know what is appropriate or not for my kid. That's my job, as a parent. And I sure as heck don't want anyone else's ideologies interfering with it.
>>>My only cautions to young or prospective masons (if the topic comes up) is to stay away from >>>the internet and don't find out the rituals and read those because that would definitely spoil >>>the experience
I give the same advice. I didn't read ahead when I received my Degrees, and it was a very powerful experience. Had I done so, I think they would have lost some, if not all of their power.
When I mentor new Masons, I get any book they might want into their hands, or if they express an interest in some facet of Masonry, get them pointed towards a good book dealing with it or two. But I do always warn them about reading into the Degrees they haven't yet received, if the book in question contains that sort of information.
Regarding your piece on banned books, I can't agree more. There are plenty of books that I disagree with on a personal level and I'm happy to share my opinions on those books if asked about them but it should ALWAYS ultimately be up to the person considering the book to decide whether or not s/he wants to read it (or in the case of children, their caregivers). If a book is truly terrible it will find itself relegated to the stacks and forgotten outside of history in due time.
Regarding your essay on Morals & Dogma, this hits very close to home on multiple levels. First off, I spent a lot of time before petitioning (and after) in a large, online space for Freemasons and candidates (it was the middle of the pandemic so I wasn't rushing out to meet folks in person) and had quite a few interactions that probably would've dissuaded many candidates from ever becoming brothers in our wonderful fraternity but, fortunately, I did not let those interactions dissuade me; and to be fair, responsibility for some of those interactions rests on my shoulders even if unintentionally, but I believe it's important to note that some of these spaces get these same types of negative advice being given to people who are interested but haven't yet taken the plunge and if we're concerned about driving young Masons away consider what's being done to people who haven't yet taken an obligation and have no knowledge other than these types of interactions!
Secondly, in that space and in the space to which you refer in your essay, I too received this advice on Pike either directly or from the discussions of others like the one you quote. Fortunately again, and likely due to some of those interactions, I decided I'd have to "hold my nose" and read Esoterika and M&D at some point even though Pike is obviously terrible just to check them off of my Masonic todo list and "show" some of these brothers that I am as as dedicated to the Craft as they are. Mind you I'm an NMJ guy so clearly they would have no value to me.... So, one of the first things I did as a Master Mason was enrolling in the SJ's Master Craftsman® Symbolic Lodge course, fully expecting it to be a slog but determined to complete it because "I'm a good Mason!" and, lo and behold, I found Pike to be extremely well-written and obviously extremely knowledgeable. It's sad that the only reason I found this out was, basically, obstinance against brothers who thought me unworthy to be a member of our fraternity.
As an aside, I'm now enrolled in the Master Craftsman® Philosophy course and I am EXCITED to delve deeply into M&D.
It has been a long time since I took the Master Craftsman course, but it still ranks as one of the very best Masonic experiences of my life. We owe, I think, a tremendous debt of gratitude to the SJ for its creation and making it available.
My advice to any novice or EA? Read anything and everything. There is not a single masonic reading that exposed any secret. Curiosity cannot be discouraged.
Agreed. Almost 100%.
The exception I make to that is to not read into the Degrees not yet received.
My Jurisdiction publishes its work in cipher form, and generally a copy of this is given to each newly Initiated Mason. As a result, an EA could read the full ritual of the FC and MM Degrees. I always advise those I'm mentoring to not do so, because I do believe that if they read the ritual in advance, it would badly harm their experience.
That is right my Dear WB. The advise is the right one.
On the other hand we has to be aware of the questions our EA and FC Brothers ask us and try to answer them the best way we can.
"When a person ask a questions, is because is ready for the answer."
I agree. In far too many cases, questions from new Masons are met with indifference.
I think SOME of ther Brothers discouraging reading M&D have their heart in the right place but would make a terrible mentor. It's not what they know of the book, but what they don't know of the Brother asking. The appropriateness or usefulness of the work to that particular reader will depend on their interests, literacy, and aptitude for metaphysics.
For some, the book would absolutely turn them off the Freemasonry. For some, they will misunderstand it until they are farther along their personal path. There's a reason it's a staple of anti-Masonic arguments. However, we must recognize many new Masons are much farther down the esoteric path than Aprons with 75-year certificates.
It's like scripture. Some translations are much better for the new believer, or the scholar, or the literary enthusiast. I would never discourage someone from reading any of them, but would absolutely recommend at times some far more over others. The same is true for books on Masonry. It makes no sense for some to read M&D at all, let alone as a new Brother. For others, heck, they already read it by the time they got raised!
Having said that, I do agree with your admonishments of the commentors you quoted.
Indeed, I think that your point is well taken. The brand new Mason asking about M&D is really likely asking for information about some esoteric aspect of the Craft. And there are much easier, clearer, introductory texts. But I fear that the experienced Mason who will steer the new Mason away from M&D, without ever actually having read it himself, will certainly not point that new Mason towards those other texts that might be better for him at that point in his journey.