We're sorry, but this discussion has just been closed to further replies.
I was raised a year ago and was very moved by the riual. It left me anticipating further teachings of each degree but there is nothing more than the process of bringing new cadidates through the degrees every time I go to lodge. I've been waiting for my "Masonic Education" to begin. I became a Maqson because of great thinkers like Washiington, and Franklin hoping that tradition was still there. Instead, I feel like I've joined a private drinking/poker club. Is this what Masonry is all about now? I read old books aboout Masonry and it describes something completly different than what I'm seeing. I'm seeing an organization so desperate for members that it will take anybody with a pulse, It seems the craft has been dumbed-down just because they need the money. Is any one else out there having the same experince? Also, Is there an issue between Scottish Rite and York Rite? Where I live there seems to be. When I ask anybody about this, they stammer and give me a lame answer to my questions as if to avoid the question. All in all, I've learned more on my own about Masonry from reading books than I've learned in the lodge.
Ok, don't loose your faith. I think some of the older members get, lets say tired. My lodge was the same way for some time. However we have gotten quite a few young member with great ideas and drive. It is really coming around. I guess what I am trying to say is you lodge will become what you make of it. If you have ideas voice them, we did. Now we have instuction on off nights, mentoring programs for new members, dinners at the lodge, and outside things that we do. It does take time but you will see that the older guys in lodge come around.
Brother, I hear where you are coming from....I was entered, passed and raised in April of this year. In my opinion, it was MUCH too quick to go through the degrees, but that is for another thread, another day...The rituals are fantastic, however, as I am just now beginning to learn, there is so much more. I transfered into another lodge because I felt that the lodge I was in, was concerned with primarily learning ritual and memorization and not much else. Not that there is anything wrong with that if that is your thing, it's just that for me, those things are just the tip of the iceberg. They are a good way to really begin to learn. My whole outlook on the fraternity changed just by changing lodges because my new lodge really encourages being active. No one sits on the sidelines and its obvious that the members that regularly attend meetings truly get a great deal out of it. I was told coming in that you get out of it what you put into it. If you just go through the rituals and memorization, well, there aint a whole lot to pull out after a while. It just becomes routine. Reading about the craft is a great way to begin to get more out of it. I was never one to just "hang out with the guys" until I joined my current lodge. Knowing that they truly are my brothers is awesome. It does good for a man to sit around on occasion with his brothers, play cards, shoot the shit...But that is one small part of Masonry, one of the many benefits.
Do I think that the craft has been "dumbed down" as you say? Generally, Yes. Masonry in my opinion is looking for quantity, not quality these days. Having said that however, I do not think that it is that way everywhere. I have read so many horror stories of lodges being "good ol boys" clubs, and look at the idiocy of the one day workshops or whatever they are called where a brother becomes a MM in an afternoon. I could REALLY go off here, but I will reserve myself.
I guess what it boils down to, for me anywaya, is this. If you feel like your lodge isnt what you are looking for, find another. Continue to read all you can, not just on the craft, but on anything which stimulates your brain. ACT like a mason. There is a saying in AA which goes "fake it til you make it". I believe this also applies to our organization. If you keep bettering yourself and living the masonic way, sooner than later, you will be a true mason.
Brother - I'm fairly new myself but I have already heard many of our new brothers say similar things to those you have said. I have also noticed a number of new brethern making up what I refer to as a growing number who want to learn, discuss the philosophy with like-minded brothers, and take the Fraternity in a very different direction. There are many others who desire only the brotherhood of good men, or the opportunity to be involved in good works and charity. These are worthy desires too. I've been fortunate, in that, the brotherhood of my Lodge was a real surprise to me - I suddenly found that I had 160 new brothers and friends - and I have plenty of opportunities for charity and good works in my life, but wanted the philosophy and life-long learning. Perhaps our Lodges are more focused on the first of those two, but I have found a small but growing group of like-minded men who wish to learn and progress in some other way than "up the line" and they formed a Book of the Month Club (Masonic reading in the form of both articles and books) which has filled some of that need, and I find myself spending time outside of Lodge with those men discussing philosophy. I'd suggest finding those in your Lodge (and if none exist - in another Lodge) who have similar thoughts, and you may find that they are already doing something - formal or informal. If they aren't, then find them and initiate something. Not every good thing a Mason does is suggested or initiated by an officer of a Lodge. If you are a Master Mason, you have all the right you need to begin meeting monthly with others to discuss readings, philosophy, and Masonic learning. Additionally, where I live we have a well established Scottish Rite Valley --- the learning there gives you a lifetime of material. I'd encourage you to join that and take the degrees and return to every reunion for further learning. I recently completed the 32nd degree with a class of 16 in our semi-annual reunion and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. And I can't tell you what is up with York and Scottish Rites ... I've been through a Mark Mason degree and found most of the active cast members to be involved as active cast members in Scottish Rite --- so I think the problem you mention may be different jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Perhaps I am just terribly fortunate. The Grand Lodge, AASR, York Rite and Lodges of my State are very active and offer something for all of us - and where it is not working quite the way some would like, they have dived in to add Book Clubs and discussion groups. I've benefited greatly. Perhaps you will have to join with others to do the same for your jurisdiction. Oh, and can I add --- continual performance of the degrees brings a type of learning that can also go on for a life-time! Good luck, my brother ... and if you are even in Salt Lake City, look us up!
I'm not a 'new' Mason but ,being 30, I'm not an 'old' Mason either. I was Raised 11/19/2001 and in 2005 was installed as Master of my Lodge.
Having carefully examined this problem over the years I have come to the following conclusions.The way it is now is not how it always has been.
Once Masonry was singularly focused on the philosophical and spiritual. But, it turned into a numbers game and that was shoved aside for other newer priorities.Now, a whole new generation is joining for these very reasons and only finding old dusty books and Masonry a relic of it's former self. It's hard to find Masons like Jewel Lightfoot, Manly Hall, and AE Waite.(if any of these names are not familiar Google them and you will find More Light). I have even heard it said by various Masonic 'leaders' that there simply are no more Masons like this.
But, I submit to you that such is no longer the case. We are those men. We are the askers of questions and the seekers of Light. As it is now is not how it will be because we are here to take up the challenge. Truly we are the next generation of this fraternity.
So, my bother have faith and hope. The Grand Architect has brought us together here and now for a purpose. I encourage you to have courage and step out. If your Lodge doesn't have an education program - start one. If there is no educational program at your stated meeting get with the Master and plan on giving one.
Last year I began a program in my own Lodge. At every Stated Meeting ,if weren't doing a degree, I gave a talk on some part of Masonic symbolism or ritual. At first I got some blank stares, but now the moment I step in the Lodge I'm greeted with 'what are you talking about tonight?' So don't be afraid and don't think you don't know enough. None of us will ever know it all and we should all be continuing to learn and grow and in this process sharing our light with our Brothers.
At one point I thought innovation is what Freemasonry needed. But I have concluded that what it truly needs is young leaders who will ask the questions and seek always ,More Light.
Brothers, Thank you so much for your replies. You don't know how much it means to me to hear your opinions on my post. That's because I haven't brought this up to anybody in my lodge. They all seem to be having a great time drinking and breaking each other balls all night. They don't seem like the types to discuss anything intellectual so I keep my mouth shut. No since trying to change something that most are happy with. You Brothers are the voice I need to hear and I can't thank you enough for your input, it means a lot to know that I'm not the only one. I just found out about the Masonic Restoation Fund. http://www.masonicrestoration.com/home.html
I've just started looking into it. Sounds like you guys might be interested also
Thanks,
Oldtyme
It's hard to find Masons like Jewel Lightfoot, Manly Hall, and AE Waite.(if any of these names are not familiar Google them and you will find More Light). I have even heard it said by various Masonic 'leaders' that there simply are no more Masons like this.
But, I submit to you that such is no longer the case. We are those men. We are the askers of questions and the seekers of Light. As it is now is not how it will be because we are here to take up the challenge. Truly we are the next generation of this fraternity.
Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!
I had exactly the same questions a few years ago when I joined. I now ask myself "If the next Manly Hall or Al Pike sat down next to me, would I recognize him?" I asked myself what I was really expecting to happen - to have a kindly old gentleman or a provocative orator in my lodge who at every meeting would expound upon the beehive or the anchor or the sprig of acacia? Geez, wouldn't anybody get tired of that after a few months?
Bro. Sonny is absolutely correct: those of us who are wandering around in search of something? We're the new Halls and Pikes and Mackeys and Waites. We have to stop waiting for someone to give us light, and start making some of our own.
Just a real quick scan of the responses seems to be a general consensus. I think new(er) younger brothers expect more than just a business meeting, as did I. Freemasonry IS more than degree work and donuts. Masonic Ed is the key to bringing people back to lodge. There are so many ideas out there as far as lectures, presentations and such. Grab one you feel comfortable with and run with it. Make one easy. Drop 25 bucks on one of the Disc. Channel/Hist. Ch/Nt. Geo. Ch videos and watch it with the brethren. Separate fact from fiction. Watch it ahead of time and type up some sort of worksheet to hand out. Give 'em a test, whatever. I think it'll grow from there. I plan on starting nights like this at my lodge as well. We need a jump start kids!
If you're into Washington and Franklin, read "The Freemasons In America" by H. Paul Jeffers and "Solomon's Builders" by Chris Hodapp. These books will make you fall in love all over again with your country and your Craft. Give a small talk on these titles and you might become "infectious!"
I think there are three overiding difficulties here.
The first is our system itself. Masonry, at least in the United States, guides a new candidate through his Masonic Education, but as soon as he is raised, he is cast adrift. His Masonic Education is now left to him alone. the quick raising through degrees as practiced in the United States only increases the problem. This often comes as a shock to the new MM. My lodges' mostly recent past master, always made a point of telling each newly made mason this fact. One so he wouldn't feel lost or neglected, but also as an opportunity to mentioned some of the options available to him.
Second, every lodge is different from one another. It is quite possible that one lodge may be nothing more than knife and fork masons. This is fine as well. After I read Wilmhurst's book, it entirely changed my impression of that old stanby phrase, 'you get out of Masonry what you put into it". I used to think that meant if you are active you will gain more. I now see it as meaning that masonry will be for you what you want it to be. If you are looking for a social club, it is that. if you are looking for a charitable organization, it is that. If you want life lessons to make you a more perfect ashlar, suitable for the temple not made with hands, well it is that too. If there are other lodges in your area, they might be just what you are looking for.
Thirdly, and I think this might be the reason you can't get answers regarding appendent bodies, you can not teach if you yourself don't know. On of my masonic mentors believes strongly, that many masons have very little masonic education. It why so many of us have fathers or grandfathers who were masons, but could tell us nothing. Sometimes it was a mistaken understanding of what is secret and what is not, but often it was simply because they didn't know..
I consider myself very fortunate, that I have joined an active lodge, with several like minded people. We have a book club, where we read and discuss masonic books. This club has spawned a Research Lodge.. Even out side of this however, we are engaged in discussion about various topics when we are dining or cleaning or about any other time we get together. Some of the greatest education I have received has been in these informal sessions.
Cory Sigler
created this social network on Ning. 