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Post by Torence on Nov 12, 2012 20:39:05 GMT 10
Well they did it again to us here in Illinois USA. Our Grand Lodge formed up a committee of someone other than the lawful representatives of our individual Lodges in order to invent a “Vision and Mission Statement” for Illinois FreeMasonry and then impose it upon us to denote our purpose. And, you cannot get past the first six words of it without the Grand Lodge introducing in it the issue of Race which is abhorrent to Masonic discussion.
Twenty-first Century Masonry is not an Integrationist Society anymore then our nineteenth century fraternity was an Abolishionist Society, nor was the twentieth century fraternity a society to promote Civil Rights for the Negro. What other Race is there, anyway, for Men to belong to other then the Human one? When will the old Grandfathers quit dumping the collective guilt of past generations onto the new ones entering the fraternity? Race, sexual orientation, etc. are not issues for us. If they were concerned about it at all, then they should have dealt with it in their time. Now, just when the trouble is poised to fade away with them, they raise it again. Grand Lodges have absolutely No Right to concern itself with the complexion of the membership in our Lodges. We, the Officers of our Individual Lodges decide what material to introduce into the fraternity. And, they need to write their programs to make provide the tools for them to use.
Here is the new ‘Vision and Mission” Statement for Illinois masonry released on September 5th, 2012. What do you think of it? Does your jurisdiction need or use such a thing?
FRATERNITY
Accepting men of all races and walks of life who demonstrate upright conduct and acknowledge a belief in God, Illinois Freemasonry is a fraternal order inculcating harmony, fellowship and brotherly love among its members.
ENLIGHTENMENT
Lodges provide enlightenment through Masonic symbols, allegorical lessons, and education endeavoring to strengthen and improve the character of the individual man; enhancing his moral and spiritual outlook, so he may adapt a life exemplifying the principles of personal responsibility and righteous living.
BENEVOLENCE
Thus Masons strive to promote community and human welfare and inspire acts promoting benevolence, charity and good will toward all mankind; translating Masonic principle and conviction into personal actions ultimately making the world in which they live a better place.
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
Chaplain – Triluminar Lodge No. 767 – Lansing, Illinois
MIGS – Illinois Lodge of Research
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois
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Post by Tamrin on Nov 22, 2012 5:20:20 GMT 10
FRATERNITY
Accepting men of all races... Words to live by. Although any society or group of men in which it even needs to be said has already departed far from the principles of Freemasonry.  The Lessons of Masonry, mid-19th century.
Colour lithograph, Musé de la Franc-Maçonnerie. Paris. Photo12.com
The painting ... presents the universal nature of Freemasonry,
represented here as a woman to reflect the Order's charitable and humanitarian qualities.
Beside her stand personifications of Silence and Truth,
while all around are Masons of many cultures and faiths,
identified by national or ethnic dress, including Scots, Chinese and Arabs
W. Kirk MacNulty, Freemasonry: Symbols, Secrets, Significance,
Thames & Hudson Ltd., London, 2006, pp.216/7 |
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Post by Torence on Nov 28, 2012 6:52:39 GMT 10
The Concept of developing a Mission Statement for FreeMasonry is not exactly new. Back when The Masonic Forum on America Online was in operation, we had a member who was both a Canadian Brother and an Arch Bishop of the Anglican Church who summed up the Craft in this way for his jurisdiction. Let us compare the two statements, his and the more recent one drafted by our Illinois Long Range Planning Committee, and then see how the details compare:
In 2012 Our Illinois LRPC wrote:
FRATERNITY Accepting men of all Races and walks of life who demonstrate upright conduct and acknowledge a belief in God, Illinois Freemasonry is a fraternal order inculcating harmony, fellowship and brotherly love among its members.
In 1995 R.W. Brother Wright wrote:
BROTHERHOOD. Freemasonry is a Declaration that Mankind is indivisible and that we must learn to live together if we are going to live at all. We live in a global village. Nothing can happen in another that won’t have an effect on you and me. We belong together. The Race that is on today, is not a Race exclusively between Totalitarianism and Democracy; it is a Race between Brotherhood and Destruction. The World must learn the Secrets of Life that will establish Brotherhood if it would find its Life. This can be Freemasonry’s Major Contribution to today’s world.
My how the word “Race” changed! As we already agreed, this has been a tremendous step backward in the validity of Masonic thought; but, fortunately it is one with an easy correction. We already have it that Race is an issue which is abhorrent to Masonic discussion. And, as long as we remember ourselves as Free Thinking FreeMasons and stand by our Local Lodge against the Leviathans, then we should have no more trouble with it.
In 2012 Our LRPC wrote:
ENLIGHTENMENT Lodges provide enlightenment through Masonic symbols, allegorical lessons, and education endeavoring to strengthen and improve the character of the individual man; enhancing his moral and spiritual outlook, so he may adapt a life exemplifying the principles of personal responsibility and righteous living.
In 1995 R.W. Bro. Wright wrote:
MORALITY—Integrity of the individual—runs through all our philosophy. The man who does his duty, the man who respects his family and his friends, the man whose dealings are marked by Uprightness of Intent, the man who is just to his employees, honest with his employer, the man whose word is his bond—that is what Freemasonry teaches. Today’s world needs the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
It seems that our use of “Enlightenment” expresses something better about our Vision. Let me make myself perfectly clear, I like the Illinois LRPC version better than R.W. Brother Wright’s because we seem to have been always plagued by Brothers who wish to serve the fraternity in the capacity of some sort of Special Deputy Prosecutor. And, each time that we mistake the wolves wearing sheep’s clothing, we permit them to mistake their Mandate to Respect that a Brother must determine for himself what makes for a just and upright life. What is one man’s crime has always been and will always be another man’s form of protest.
We keep one another’s secrets, we do not perpetuate another Brother’s falsehoods. And, we are ordinary American Men and Masons far removed from Altar Boys. All we have to do now is to stop telling New Masons to go google for their answers and to provide education that will tell them not only, who, and what, where, when or how to do something, but also “Why.”
In 2012 Our Illinois LRPC wrote:
BENEVOLENCE Thus Masons strive to promote community and human welfare and inspire acts promoting benevolence, charity and good will toward all mankind; translating Masonic principle and conviction into personal actions ultimately making the world in which they live a better place.
In 1995, R.W. Br. Wright wrote:
COMPASSION The entire Masonic ritual stresses compassion. How today’s world needs compassion!!! To strengthen the ties of compassion for those in need is to strengthen the ties of International Brotherhood. Historically, Freemasonry has survived the vicissitudes of time and circumstances irrespective of the size of its membership and its institutional characteristics. It has survived because of its focus on the individual.
Here I have it that both things must be taken together, Benevolence and Compassion. Without Benevolence, no Lodge, no individual Mason will act to improve the conditions which surround every place where Masons meet. And I shriek in horror when I look at the state of the twenty-first century world around me and what it has done to our families. I see only that every warning given to us by Science Fiction has indeed come true.
But, I also see a dire warning in R.W. Bro. Wright’s use of the word “Compassion.” He said to us that if we were to cease to credit the individual Mason for his work and identify it in association with in his specific, Local Lodge; then, our best work will be credited to “the State” alone; and FreeMasonry is then reduced to one of those National Charities, always collecting for one cause or another, never finding a cure.
So when you go wondering where it is that you can find Masonry. Do not look to “the net,” or a book, or some distant administrator. You need only look as far as the nearest mirror. FreeMasonry is You.
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
Chaplian - Triluminar Lodge No. 767 - Lansing, Illinois
MIGS - Illinois Lodge of Research
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
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Post by Tamrin on Nov 28, 2012 8:18:32 GMT 10
My how the word “Race” changed! As we already agreed, this has been a tremendous step backward in the validity of Masonic thought; but, fortunately it is one with an easy correction. We already have it that Race is an issue which is abhorrent to Masonic discussion. And, as long as we remember ourselves as Free Thinking FreeMasons and stand by our Local Lodge against the Leviathans, then we should have no more trouble with it. Please show where "we already agreed" or where "we already have it that Race is an issue which is abhorrent to Masonic discussion." Where "Race" is, as it were, the elephant in the room, it needs to be discussed. Not to do so is contrary to free thought. ***
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; and he that dares not reason is a slave
William Drummond |
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Post by Smithee on Nov 29, 2012 12:43:54 GMT 10
If there is anything in the universe that can't stand discussion, let it crack Wendell Phillips (Born this day 1811) |
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Post by Torence on Dec 1, 2012 22:58:15 GMT 10
I was going to quote from our Illinois Book of Constitution and By-laws and then make comment. But to answer your question regarding limited discussion, in open lodge anyway not here, it dawned on me that in this discussion that it might be better to quote our Illinois Declaration of Principles in their entirety in order to solicit a broader discussion. I broke out the text so that each line can be examined on its own in hopes that you will consider them on their own merits. Regarding Race, I will bring your attention to Lines 25 and 29, and also mention that these Declarations are not new but were incorporated into our Book in 1931.
FreeMasonry is a Charitable, Benevolent, Educational and Religious Society.
FreeMasonry’s Principals are Proclaimed as widely as Men will hear.
FreeMasonry only Secrets are in its Methods of Recognition and of Symbolic Instruction.
FreeMasonry is Charitable in that it is Not Organized for Profit and None of Its Income Inures to the Benefit of Any Individual; but All is Devoted to the Promotion of the Welfare and Happiness of Mankind.
FreeMasonry is Benevolent in that It Teaches and Exemplifies Altruism as a Duty.
FreeMasonry is Educational in that It Teaches by Prescribed Ceremonials a System of Morality and Brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law.
FreeMasonry is Religious in that it Teaches Monotheism.
The Volume of the Sacred Law is Open Upon Its Altars Whenever a Lodge is In Session.
Reverence for God is Ever Present in Its Ceremonial,
And, To Its Brethren are Constantly Addressed Lessons of Morality,
Yet, It is Not Theological.
FreeMasonry is a Social Organization only so far as FreeMasonry furnishes additional inducement that Men May Forgather in Numbers
Thereby, Providing More Material for FreeMasonry’s Primary Work
Of Education, Of Worship, and Of Charity.
Through the Improvement and Strengthening of the Character of The Individual Man,
FreeMasonry seeks to Improve the Community
Thus, FreeMasonry seeks to Impresses Upon Its Members the Principals of Personal Righteousness and Personal Responsibility, Enlightens Them as to Those Things which make for Human Welfare
And, Inspires Them as to Those Things which Make for Human Welfare
And, Inspires Them with That Feeling of Charity, Good Will, Toward All Mankind
Which will Move Them to Translate Principle and Conviction into Action.
To That End, FreeMasonry Teaches and Stands for the Worship of God
Truth and Justice, Fraternity and Philanthropy; and Enlightenment
And, Orderly Liberty, Civil, Religious and Intellectual.
FreeMasonry Charges Each of Its Members to Be True and Loyal to the Government of the Country to Which He Owes Allegiance
And, to Be Obedient to the Law of Any State in Which He May Be.
FreeMasonry believes that the Attainment of These Objectives is Best Accomplished by Laying a Broad Basis of Principle upon which Men of Every Race, Country, Sect and Opinion May Unite rather than by Setting Up a Restricted Platform upon Which only those of Certain Races, Creeds and Opinions can Assemble.
Believing These Things, this Grand Lodge affirms it Continued Adherence to that Ancient and Approved Rule of FreeMasonry which forbids the discussion in Masonic Meetings of Creeds, Politics or other topics likely to Excite Personal Animosities.
FreeMasonry further affirms Its Conviction that it is not only contrary to the Fundamental Principles of FreeMasonry; but Dangerous to Its Unity, Strength, Usefulness and Welfare, for Masonic Bodies to Take Action or Attempt to Exercise pressure or Influence for or Against Any Legislation
Or in Any Way to Attempt to procure the Election or Appointment of Government Officials, Or to Influence Them Whether or Not Members of This Fraternity in the Performance of Their Official Duties
The True FreeMason will Act in Civil Life According to his Individual Judgment and Dictates of His Conscience.
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
Chaplain - Triluminar Lodge No. 767 - Lansing, Illinois
MIGS - Illinois Lodge of Research
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
City and Country Steward
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Post by Tamrin on Dec 2, 2012 18:59:15 GMT 10
This is a fair compilation of the "motherhood statements" or safe platitudes, which are all Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry now appears to stand for (our Enlightenment predecessors would be rolling in their graves). By the way, some of our Turkish Brethren refer to ours as "Freemasonry Lite," meanwhile, they manage to avoid involvement in party politics or in issues of contemporary social debate (remember too, there are many Freemasonries, some of which are secular). Beyond avoiding involvement in the politics of its wider community, establishing internal, organizational policies for each obedience is unavoidable, including that of addressing its membership criteria. That said, even these bland principles seem consistent with the reference to race to which you object in the opening post, so what is your point? If you have a case to make, please do so. |
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Post by Torence on Dec 3, 2012 0:15:53 GMT 10
> That said, even these bland principles seem consistent with the reference to race to which you object in the opening post, so what is your point?
My point is to ask this group whether or not these public pronouncements by Grand Lodges have any place in our twenty-first century fraternity, or if we can do better, at least here anyway, to state Who We are as FreeMasons and What it is that FreeMasons come to Lodge to do than our twentieth century predecessors?
The thoughts reflected in this “new” Illinois “Vision and Mission Statement,” and other like items popping up in other jurisdictions, have been written for us in a large part by Eisenhower Era Men, or Men clinging to the old Eisenhower Era thinking and who have lived out their lives and are now thankfully retired, in large part owing their allegiance to subservient to notions of Loyalties to Mankind’s very worst tendencies.
Statements written “to patriotism,” “to law and order,” or “to love the police and to love our troops” are unMasonic in My Book because FreeMasonry is designed at least in its heart to transcend such clichés. I hear far too many of them when I go each night to Lodge. And, all too often these inanities are employed by fly by night careerists in Masonry whose only wish seems to be to bully the fearful sort of Brother into compliance. And, these “Brothers,” being lovers of uniforms, are often in office conducting a military style operation to “win hearts and minds” with the use of the sort of propaganda that would cause Joseph Goebbels to blush.
In my humble opinion, Discussions about Race or phrases to elicit such conversations are not worthy of Us. And, if you thought that I agreed with the use of the subject in the 1931 statement, let me clarify that I do not, anymore then, say, the use of Mackey’s Landmarks in some Books of Constitutions such as ours here in Illinois. Mackey’s List do not constitute the Landmarks of FreeMasonry.
Is there anything in either the new Illinois Vision and Mission Statement or the 29 points that you think are worth holding on to? And, if so, which ones?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
Chaplain - Triluminar Lodge No. 767 - Lansing, Illinois
MIGS - Illinois Lodge of Research
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
City and Country Steward
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Post by Tamrin on Dec 3, 2012 6:18:31 GMT 10
My apologies if I have misunderstood you. To clarify matters, please say whether or not your lodges already have a fairly proportional, racially diverse membership and whether or not your GL recognises its local Prince Hall GL.
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Post by Torence on Dec 3, 2012 10:34:31 GMT 10
No and Yes...to a degree.
There are five Lodges in my area where I regularly participate. The majority of the active membership has not changed much in the 27 years that I have been a Master Mason and the Lodges remain "Mainstream" a/k/a Caucasian. However, though I too am White, my wife of 27 years is Black. We were married four weeks after I was raised. I was Master of one Lodge in 1993 and have always served as an Officer in the various lodges that I have participated in over the years including Norfolk Lodge No. 1 -Virginia Beach Va, Acacia Lodge No. 20 - Dover NJ, and Vaux Lodge (No Number) Hamburg PA.
Recently, we have begun to receive men of Color in 1 Lodge out of the 5 where I regularly do work. In Triluminar No. 767, where I am Chaplain, two thirds of the active participants including half of the Officers are Hispanic, a recent change during the last three years.
Illinois recognized Prince Hall..."for visitation purposes only"...in 1996, hence the "yes." I do not think it appropriate for the Grand Lodge to concern itself with the complexion of any lodge. We provide the material. they provide the program with which our material may use.
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
Chaplain - Triluminar Lodge No. 767 - Lansing, Illinois
MIGS - Illinois Lodge of Research
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
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