Post by Tamrin on Sept 23, 2008 6:56:42 GMT 10
Brother (or Sister)
This is a not a rule but a personal preference or guideline.
Anyone uncomfortable with the usage is welcome to disregard it.
This is a not a rule but a personal preference or guideline.
Anyone uncomfortable with the usage is welcome to disregard it.
Obviously, as Masonic affiliation is not a requirement of membership here, some members may not be Freemasons: Indeed, some are not. For myself, I choose to address everyone here, both men and women as “Brother,” unless and until they say either that they prefer “Sister” or some other honorific (or none).
In a masonic context, I personally prefer “Brother” even with respect to women because, for me, “Sister” implies a separate category and, for me, Freemasonry teaches unity: Albeit, I can appreciate the argument that “Brother” is commonly perceived to be gender laden (I am not comfortable with “Sibling,” feeling it to be somewhat contrived).
For me, Life is the true initiator and at several levels Freemasonry serves as a model of Life, providing retrospection, insight and anticipation. Thus:
It also demonstrates that we are all sprung from the same stock, are partakers of the same Nature and sharers of the same hope,...The Brotherhood of Freemasonry thereby emulates the Brotherhood of the human condition (and, indeed, that of all sentient beings). In addressing non-masons here or elsewhere as “Brother” I am simply acknowledging this wider and more important Brotherhood, of which the Craft is but an idealised allegory.
Similarly, I choose not to add additional honours to the already ample honorific of “Brother.” Thus, I will not ordinarily use “‘Very Worshipful’ Brother,” or whatever, in salutation, unless specifically referring to someone’s Office or citing the usage from elsewhere. BTW, I prefer the Scottish custom whereby the further honours are attached to the Officer rather than the person (Bro. Joe Blow, Most Worshipful Grand Master, rather than M.W. Bro. J.B., G.M.). As the same noble charge cited above goes on to say:
...and, although distinctions in rank are necessary among men to preserve due order and authority, and as a reward of merit and ability, yet no eminence of station should lead us to forget that we all are Brethren, and that he who has but placed his foot on the lowest step of Fortune’s ladder is as fully entitled to our regard as he who has attained the summit; for a time will most assuredly come, and the best and wisest of us know not how soon, when all distinctions, save those of goodness and virtue, shall cease, and Death, that great leveller of human greatness, shall reduce us all to the same state.
Death, that great leveller of human greatness
Mosaic from the ruins of Pompeii