Frater Cliff Porter
Premium Member
My bumper sticker says: "Freedom of Thought, Religion and Conscience. Freemasonry its not for Everyone."
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Elitism & Freemasonry
- Thread starter Ronald D. Martin
- Start date
JohnnyFlotsam
Premium Member
Yes, to all three questions. Those qualities are what set us apart. At least they are supposed to be. If one group of Masons chooses to pursue those goals and another does not, it is the choices of the respective groups that should be weighed, not the clothing they wear or the libations they prefer. For example, the Mason who chooses to don his finest suit of clothes for a meeting of his Lodge is choosing to treat himself, his brethren, and the work with the respect that they all deserve. "On the Level" is not supposed to be a place that anyone steps down to. Nor is it a place that can be approached by wealth, education, or other status. It is an elevated place that we reach by choosing to be there and by demonstrating, in every way possible, our respect for, and devotion to the work that we do there.
chadwalker67
Registered User
We are elite in the sense that we are composed of basically good moral men with high ideals and it doesn't matter whether that man is a carpenter, a doctor, lawyer, or auto mechanic. I am proud to be a member of an organization that looks at the internal and not the external an organization where the King of England has sat in lodge with his gardener as an equal. I've heard some members bemoan the fact that we don't have more Doctors, Lawyers, and Community leaders within our ranks, to me that smacks of elitism.
Traveling Man
Premium Member
I’m of a different opinion; that statement indicates that we have very little to offer to these individuals.
Between that issue and some of the candidates that have passed through the west gate these are all indicators that we have problems…that need addressing?
chadwalker67
Registered User
Leave the elitism to the Country Club, they can have the doctors and lawyers and all of their money and prestige, Masonry is about taking good men and making them better whether they be a corporate executive or a street sweeper. I don't believe that a high powered college degree or a big bank account makes a man a better candidate for Freemasonry and it is very unmasonic to think that way.
jwhoff
Premium Member
I think this sums up the topic quite well. Absolutely anyone uncomfortable with this statement should take a very long look at their place in masonry.
Frater Cliff Porter
Premium Member
It can be for doctors and lawyers to
I have learned that Masonry is a philosophical pursuit that has many different approaches even though we might have an approach we prefer. So if a group of guys want to get gussied up like a country club and practice Masonry...good. If a group of Brothers want to get down to labor in a pair of jeans, fine too. So long as we don't exclude one or the other.We, likewise, need to be honest about what is "Masonry." Just because our lodge only ever did minutes, bills, and fund raising, doesn't mean that its Masonry. Business is business. Because it occurs in a lodge doesn't necessarily make something Masonry. We should work hard to have a balance and ensure that charity, philosophy, education, and administration can have a place in the lodge as needed.
Traveling Man
Premium Member
No one here suggested anything different; but to exclude these individuals suggests some very un-Masonic thought processes.
From time in memorial this fraternity has included men from all stations in life; the question arises as to why these individuals are now being summarily rejected by the above statements. I suggest that the quality of candidates has been compromised by the fear of loss of membership.
Permit me to use an example:
I was recently told by a Lutheran pastor after him observing my Masonic lapel pin… (while I was looking for a church to attend).
“You know you cannot become a member here until you renounce your Masonic membership”?
I said, “Really”? It would appear that there seems you have bigger problems than that as your church has so few members. His church soon had to merge with another as he lost his position as the pastor.
chadwalker67
Registered User
Travelling Man, my last post came across too harsh and for that I do apologize, after reading your last response I fully understand what you were driving at. Great job of standing up to that misguided Pastor.
Traveling Man
Premium Member
No foul, no harm. It's all in the art of conversation!
jwhoff
Premium Member
Not so fast brother! I thought we caught the paster "hand checking a little too closely."
Traveling Man
Premium Member
No foul, no harm by chadwalker67, not the Pastor, he received his comeuppance!
jwhoff
Premium Member
So Mote it Be!