I would like to know what you personally recommend a person in each degree EA, FC and MM do in a situation like this:
You are at some church or any other function and somewhere in the speech / sermon the speaker / preacher starts to talk about the "evils" of freemasonry. Some of your friends at the event know you are a mason - what do you do?
Freemason Connect HD
I have on occasion had people address fears of Masonry to me while we were doing District Child ID events.
My first question to them is: Have you ever heard of Shriner's Hospitals? Most every time the answer is.yes.
Then I ask them if they think those facilities are evil or good? Without exception, they respond they do great things for kids.
I then inform them that they are Masonic Hospitals funded by Masons / Shriners. Most don't know they are Masonic.
I will ask them if they know any Shriners personally? Usually the answer is yes, their relative, neighbor, or friend is one.
I then follow up with what kind of person are they? Their overwhelming response has always been very positive as well; saying how they notice how much they do to raise money for the Hospitals, and of course those big men in those little cars with the funny hats at parades. Generally they associate these Brothers as good people doing a lot for the Hospitals and the communities.
With that being done, I then inform them that in order to be a Shriner, those men must first become Masons, and that ALL Shriners are Masons! At this point I see the walls come down and their attitudes usually change for the positive.
This has done two major things for these people, and Masonry.
1). They now realize Masonry is associated with a specific thing they can relate to in a positive manor (REAL WORLD, NOT INTERNET).
2). I have just educated them ( in a non argumentative, non threatening manor) that they might not want to make uneducated assumptions about Masons without knowing a few facts.
I am very careful not to get into a debate scenario with them, I just give them something positive to think about. While sharing some knowledge with them that is non- offensive to their prejudices of Masonry.
Not to mention why and who we do the Child ID Events for; to help them protect their children with the ID DVD and more educational material in the flyers/forms they can look over about the Masonic Child ID Program and how to protect the most precious thing in their lives, the children.
By the end of the exchange we've turned their frowns upside - down, and they will thank us for what we are doing for them and the kids.
We have even had some of the men ( fathers ) ask us how they can join the Masons, at which point we will direct them to the closest Lodge, with all the contact information and if they want we will even call the Worshipful Master to start the process. Some have followed through and become Brother Masons.
Before they leave I suggest they check out the website famousmasons.com to see how many great men have been Masons and the positive effect they had on mankind in general.
We can't be afraid to educate those who are ignorant, but we need to be careful not to antagonize them while doing it. You sew the seeds, and with some watering and TLC the plant will begin to grow, but alas, if we don't sew the seeds, we will never get the fields to grow and blossom.
Knowledge, when shared with the ignorant can sometimes
Help them to find a path to the "Light" switch.
The same process works with personal friends and family, especially family. I was able to use the facts about my grandfather, and great uncles all being Masons and Shriners. You will find most people know someone or someone's dad that is a Shriner or Mason.
I hope this helps you Brother.
Yours, in His service.
God Bless