I've been finding some fascinating Masonic blogs the past few days. It seems there are many intelligent Freemasons out there, eager to learn, study and teach the esoterics of Freemasonry, but who have been as stymied and rejected in their lodges as I was in my own.
There comes a time when "peace and harmony" must take a backseat to "truth and morality." That time is Now.
The blog Reform Freemasonry rails against the Ohio Grand Master, and the "insane refrain" of "Freemasonry is not a secret society, but a society with secrets." He makes no bones about what he sees as the cause of his state's problems with loss of membership and interest — the managerial ignorance of the Ohio Grand Master and Grand Lodge.
He writes: "Our fraternity is dying because our leaders have failed us, and they continue to fail us utterly! Grand Lodges mandate this and that and send out minions of deputies to inspect and punish any nonconformity with official dictates. Woe to any lodge that dares to try something new!"
The Masonic blogger from Alabama at Seeker's Observation touches on an issue that strikes a chord with me — the "takeover" of Masonic lodges and Grand Lodges by "nearsighted and dogmatized leaders" who are "destroy[ing] the meanings behind our ritual by systematically whitewashing it with vague religious references." Or in my lodge's case, not so vague. The Seeker discusses "corruption and bureaucracy" in his state's Grand Lodge as well.
Another Alabama brother writes in Free-Masonry-Alert that there is a "coming storm" in Freemasonry. He describes what he calls "the Unfit," the men who are being allowed to become Masons un-tested and un-investigated.
"Trooping through the doors of our preparation rooms we find an ever increasing company composed of those from whose faces is missing the stamp of high intelligence, in whose eyes the torch of education has lighted no fires, and whose halting steps are led by friendly suggestion or quickened by the hope of gain. Have committees forgotten to report whether these have sufficent education and intelligence to understand and value the doctrines and tenets of Freemasonry? Was it demanded of them if they came unbiased by improper solicitation and uninfluenced by mercenary motives? When they answered the inquiry did they know that truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue? Has not bitter experience yet taught us that it is better that no workman be added to the roll than ever one unworthy foot allowed to cross the threshold?"
The blogs Ars Marsonica and the Masonic Traveler have provided exceptional information about what's been called the Masonic Massacre, where the Grand Master of Florida demanded that W. Bro. Tim Bryce take down dozens of Masonic websites he had created, some as informational sites, some as sites for individual lodges.
Spartacus hasn't even completed his Three Degrees yet, but is already blogging about his adventures and discoveries in Freemasonry. It's wonderful watching his eagerness unfold.
The courage of expression in these Masonic bloggers is great to see. The Fraternity needs more men of honor like these men, who are unafraid to say the Emperor has no clothes.
Masonic Traveler | Reform Freemasonry | Tim Bryce
0 comments:
Post a Comment