Post by Tamrin on Aug 30, 2013 8:52:37 GMT 10
The three great principles or pillars upon which Freemasonry is founded are Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. For now I wish to focus on Relief, perhaps the most revolutionary or evolutionary term in our masonic lexicon.
Sometimes it is explained that by “relief” we mean “charity.” footnote However, that is not what is said in the ritual and, if “charity” were the intended meaning, it is a surprising substitution as we are most familiar with references to “charity” in the V.S.L. (e.g., I Corinthians 13:1/13), from which we derive much of our ritual.
“Relief” and “charity” are not strictly synonymous terms. Relief is commonly an object of charity (which may or may not be effective). Relief refers to improvements in the condition of those who are disadvantaged or underprivileged; whereas charity refers either to one's personal intent or more commonly to the outward behaviour of those in a position of relative advantage or privilege, who choose to act for whatever reason (including self-aggrandisement, appeasement of guilty consciences and tax breaks).
As Mary Shelley (born this day 1797) said, “It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.”
Sometimes socialites who attend charity banquets to raise funds for the starving exacerbate the problem by appearing to address a problem that desperately needs to be tackled by structural societal change, driven by a commitment to social equity (equality being another quality prized among Freemasons). Bearing in mind that equal treatment of all, failing to take account of present and ongoing inequalities, simply perpetuates social injustice rather than providing relief.
While well directed charity may contribute to relief, it is not the whole answer. Freemasonry recognises this fact.
Charity ought always to be the distinguishing characteristic of a freemason's heart but, if charity alone does not suffice to provide relief, it is not enough.
Footnote: “Charity is one of the three core tenets of Freemasonry, along with “Brotherly Love” and “Truth”. But charity, or “relief” as it’s called in Masonic terms, is considered the greatest.” ABC, Compass Program, “Whatever Happened to...The Freemasons,” 25 August 2013 (repeat).
Sometimes it is explained that by “relief” we mean “charity.” footnote However, that is not what is said in the ritual and, if “charity” were the intended meaning, it is a surprising substitution as we are most familiar with references to “charity” in the V.S.L. (e.g., I Corinthians 13:1/13), from which we derive much of our ritual.
“Relief” and “charity” are not strictly synonymous terms. Relief is commonly an object of charity (which may or may not be effective). Relief refers to improvements in the condition of those who are disadvantaged or underprivileged; whereas charity refers either to one's personal intent or more commonly to the outward behaviour of those in a position of relative advantage or privilege, who choose to act for whatever reason (including self-aggrandisement, appeasement of guilty consciences and tax breaks).
As Mary Shelley (born this day 1797) said, “It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.”
Sometimes socialites who attend charity banquets to raise funds for the starving exacerbate the problem by appearing to address a problem that desperately needs to be tackled by structural societal change, driven by a commitment to social equity (equality being another quality prized among Freemasons). Bearing in mind that equal treatment of all, failing to take account of present and ongoing inequalities, simply perpetuates social injustice rather than providing relief.
There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
While well directed charity may contribute to relief, it is not the whole answer. Freemasonry recognises this fact.
Society struggles to make charity less necessary,
by discovering the causes of penury and means of its relief
Georg Wilhelm F Hegel
by discovering the causes of penury and means of its relief
Georg Wilhelm F Hegel
Charity ought always to be the distinguishing characteristic of a freemason's heart but, if charity alone does not suffice to provide relief, it is not enough.
Footnote: “Charity is one of the three core tenets of Freemasonry, along with “Brotherly Love” and “Truth”. But charity, or “relief” as it’s called in Masonic terms, is considered the greatest.” ABC, Compass Program, “Whatever Happened to...The Freemasons,” 25 August 2013 (repeat).