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What would you change?

hanzosbm

Premium Member
I was recently sitting around discussing Masonry with some brothers, and inevitably, the topic came up of "you know what's wrong with Freemasonry?"

It seems that everyone I talk to has a different idea about what Freemasonry should be, and in most cases, it is based on an idea of going back to some previous idea about how it used to be (whether that is true or not is a discussion for another time). Some felt that we should operate more as an aide society to the brothers, not only financial, but also in terms of networking. Others felt it was more about charity and doing good in the community. Some preferred a more reflective and intellectual gathering.
Regardless, it seems that everyone has a different idea on what it should be, and I'd like to hear the thoughts of the brothers here.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
We're all thinking about how glamorous it was before we were raised and why we're experiencing it the wrong way.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
Not arguing, but when do you think the glamourous time was?
I am happy as a Mason. My lodge does a good job in keeping busy. I just keep reading that the fraternity was different before the influx after ww2. "Join a TO lodge if you want to experience what masonry was," was another counter to the stagnant mason complaining about his experience.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I am happy as a Mason. My lodge does a good job in keeping busy. I just keep reading that the fraternity was different before the influx after ww2. "Join a TO lodge if you want to experience what masonry was," was another counter to the stagnant mason complaining about his experience.
Now was it different before the WWII influx?
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I think the Victorian Era style Masonry is what a lot of guys imagined hence the TO lodge argument. Specifically here in the U.S. vs. Euro. I think everyone that would read this particular forum would say or at least be aware of the argument about the post WWII era in the U.S., Masonry became watered down maybe? I don' know why Masonry exploded after WWII exactly but I know whatever it was that increased nembership to all time highs but then the aftermath was the inability to retain those membership numbers. 4M in late 50s to now about 1M. To me, something we did after allowing that sort of "liberal" entry ultimately caused a drastic disinterest and unsustainabity in membership. Idont know, million different opinions and a million different arguments.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I think the Victorian Era style Masonry is what a lot of guys imagined hence the TO lodge argument. Specifically here in the U.S. vs. Euro. I think everyone that would read this particular forum would say or at least be aware of the argument about the post WWII era in the U.S., Masonry became watered down maybe? I don' know why Masonry exploded after WWII exactly but I know whatever it was that increased nembership to all time highs but then the aftermath was the inability to retain those membership numbers. 4M in late 50s to now about 1M. To me, something we did after allowing that sort of "liberal" entry ultimately caused a drastic disinterest and unsustainabity in membership. Idont know, million different opinions and a million different arguments.
And others will say it didn’t become watered down until the 90’s.
I would have thought the glorious time was post WWII
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Very possibly so. To have that many numbers they were doing something right back then it seems. However, I guess my point was the immediate post WWII era was the beginning of the end with such a huge influx and Masonry MAYBE not guarding the west too well. That eventually became the standard the next 60 or 70 years. Then ultimately the 90s being a "lowpoint" in quality and being watered down. I know my dad stopped participating as much about 20-25 years ago. Our numbers are still dropping but I'm not sure if that's necessarily a bad thing. Again it's tough pinpoint or say. We have some decent ideas on improving Masonry but the hard part is implementing any sort of change. "Thats hows it has always been" etc.
 

Raymond Walters

Premium Member
I was recently sitting around discussing Masonry with some brothers, and inevitably, the topic came up of "you know what's wrong with Freemasonry?"

It seems that everyone I talk to has a different idea about what Freemasonry should be, and in most cases, it is based on an idea of going back to some previous idea about how it used to be (whether that is true or not is a discussion for another time). Some felt that we should operate more as an aide society to the brothers, not only financial, but also in terms of networking. Others felt it was more about charity and doing good in the community. Some preferred a more reflective and intellectual gathering.
Regardless, it seems that everyone has a different idea on what it should be, and I'd like to hear the thoughts of the brothers here.


Something to ponder that relates to your posted comment

http://raymondswalters.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-ideal-masonic-lodge-essay.html

https://gnostique.academia.edu/RaymondSeanWalters
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member

EXCELLENT articles. Thank you brother.

Going back to some of the previous replies, I think it touches on my original question, but tangentially. As has been mentioned, everyone talks about the glory days of Masonry and how we should go back to that. But I think that we need to dig deeper than that. Why are/were those the glory days of Masonry? (whatever timeframe that might be from that person's point of view) Unless you're really big into esoteric numerology, I doubt that the year was the important aspect of what we feel we should 'go back to'. Rather, it is some ideal, whether real or perceived, about the state of Masonry that we long for. The first thing that I feel is important to recognize is that we don't all agree on the ideal state of Masonry; we all want it to be something different. I personally think that one of our biggest flaws in this endeavor is that we don't state our wants plainly. We say things like "I wish it was like it was back in blah blah blah". Okay, so, what does that really mean? You want more members? You want more visibility? You want more charity work? You want LESS visibility? You want more discussion? What does it mean?

Brother Walters in the paper he has linked has discussed specifics about what he wants, and I think that's the first step. The purpose of me creating this thread was two-fold. First, I wanted people to give different ideas purely for the purpose of shining a spotlight on the fact that we all have different ideas; none more correct than another. Secondly, I wanted to start a dialogue about them.

As I previously stated, it seems like everyone wants to see some kind of change in Masonry, and it also seems like everyone has some kind of idea about what that change should be. But I think the problem is that most people hold these ideas in a vacuum. They know in their minds what it looks like, but I think that we need to open up and express to each other what these ideas are to find out what the common themes are, because those are the areas where real change can actually occur.
 

JJones

Moderator
Posting to track this thread, I have a lot to say about this when I have time!

I have a whole blog dedicated to this topic for the most part, btw. See it in my signature.
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
What would I change? Having to give everyone recognition for everything that someone does, hey ! John Paul changed the sign out front of the lodge, let' give him a round of applause, we donated to a local charity, let' get the ones who motioned and agreed the vote together and get get our picture in the local paper, or just going to see a I'll brother gets a mention of the person or persons in open lodge. If your looking for a pat on the back , or recognized for something you did, then I think masonry is not for you. I think to just do something for someone or your community should be rewarding in itself. But, this is just my opinion.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I have thought about this topic frequently, and even started discussions on this board. I believe sincerely, that we can keep true to our ancient landmarks, and still make Masonry relevant to the 21st century man. We can upgrade and modernize some of our administrative procedures, and streamline the process. We can publish our minutes on line. We can enable members to pay dues online. We can revive some of our practices, which were very popular decades ago. I would love to see the lodges revive the Masonic Employment bureaus. I have suffered the scourge of unemployment, and I can tell you, the state employment agencies just AIN'T CUTTIN' IT!
 
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