Reform Freemasonry

Has anyone read Richard Graeter's essay "Reform Freemasonry"? (accessed here: http://reformfreemasonry.com/)

His description of freemasonry's core purpose as, "Freemasonry is an elite brotherhood dedicated to fostering civic virtue," which I thought was an interesting summation.

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Note: I did do a search of the forum, but didn't find anything discussing this already... unless someone can guide me to the thread.

jamie.guinn said:

Has anyone read Richard Graeter's essay "Reform Freemasonry"? (accessed here: http://reformfreemasonry.com/)

His description of freemasonry's core purpose as, "Freemasonry is an elite brotherhood dedicated to fostering civic virtue," which I thought was an interesting summation.

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Doubtless, many will latch onto the "civic virtue" phrase, equate it with philanthropy, and observe how wonderfully charitable Masons are. Nothing wrong with charity, but that's not it (civic virtue), Brothers. The contributions made to society by our most outstanding Brethren (some famous, some virtually unknown) often had nothing to do with charity. They were the kinds of things that come from those who have distinguished themselves in some way. You know, good men who have been made even better, through their own labors and through the assistance and guidance of other like-minded men. Let's think on just what such labors look like...

Civic virtue: Virtue as applied to the community. Charity is only one of the many virtues. Equating civic virtue with charity is like equating parenting with paying child support. Yes, you supply money, but what of it?

I thought Richard Graeter's essay was well written and relevant.If freemasonry is to flourish, it has to become more open, subject itself to dissection and accept new ideas.In my own country with 1.3 billion people we have no more than 20000 members! The Grand Lodge of India which owes allegiance to the United Grand Lodge of England is too centralised and there is not much transparency in its activities. Unless there are more lodges I do not see any big difference in the future. I am okay with the comment: Fostering civic virtues should be the foremost aim of freemasonry and i believe charity is an essential component of civic virtue.In our city freemasons are involved with medical professionals and Rotarians in running a blood bank which is a huge draw.Atleast in India there is lot of scope in spreading the tenets of freemasonry through charitable activities since we have all the ills of a developing country.

BryanMaloney said:

Civic virtue: Virtue as applied to the community. Charity is only one of the many virtues. Equating civic virtue with charity is like equating parenting with paying child support. Yes, you supply money, but what of it?

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I think this is a terrific illustration.

I wonder if we would not be better served to have a discussion here on what the definition of "civic virtue" actually is.

TU

The one point brought up is the most obvious one. If we are to survive we have to take steps to make Masonry more attractive to young people, both in joining and then staying.

Well, what did Masonry do in its great days? I am not talking about the 1950s, by the way. Any population adjustment of Masonic membership numbers shows that the 1950s was a false "growth" that never made up for losses starting in the 1930s. I know the standard refrain will be "We were more selective!", but selectivity isn't a cause, it's an effect. What made Masons more selective? They were more selective because they were more sought after. What made them sought after?

I prefer overly lit to overlighted. Feels better to say

Check out podcast called X- oriente listen to manifesto podcast

brojoseph said:

Check out podcast called X- oriente listen to manifesto podcast

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Thank you. I has been a long time since I heard a talk on Freemasonry that gave me chills. A lot of Masons won't like what he has to say, but this guy is now officially one of my heroes.

brojoseph said:

Check out podcast called X- oriente listen to manifesto podcast

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Very worthwhile podcast.

brojoseph said:

Check out podcast called X- oriente listen to manifesto podcast

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I wanted to come back to this podcast just to emphasize how spot on Bro Diamond is with his thoughts on millennial era men. Every one of the Millennial I've met that has shown interest in Freemasonry (I just missed that age category ) has stated they are looking for what is being stated. Yearning for something greater with a clear vision and mission. I think if you are considered as a leader of our Fraternity then give this a second play through. I truly believe the Millennial men can be the craft's greatest generation ever. The world is only getting more difficult and people are looking for answers.

Ok! I'll get off the podium now!

All great points. Really good point about alluding it could be a problem with the soul. That's worth taking a look into. I believe i comes down to lack of large scale laboring.

JamestheJust said:

If we consider that Freemasonry has a body, a soul and a spirit, which of those is in trouble?

When the body declines, is it a problem of the soul?

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Question: It snowed at my house last week and I did not want to shovel my driveway. Was it my body, my spirit, or my soul that did not want to do the work?

For me the word spirit points toward the intellectual/planning/thinking part of the self, the word soul points toward the emotional/experiencing/feeling part of the self, and the word body points toward the doing/building/expressing part of the self. I see these as almost like the Three Pillars of Masonry. However, while I can treat them as separate, I do not believe that it is possible to affect one without affecting the others. When I am "soul sick" I do not feel my way out of that feeling, I think and act my way out of it. I use the same formula for the soul, spirit, and body. When one is ready to give up I appeal to the other two for support. But truly, I feel that it is only when all three parts of the self are giving their best effort I achieve the best results.