Never heard of this. Can you elaborate?
"Blue Lightning" is the term employed by Illinois Lodges. Not all Grand Lodges identify it the same way.
Many jurisdictions have done something similar. It works similarly to how I received my York Rite Orders; and how the Scottish Rite confers its degrees: a Festival or similar all-day, or multi-day event in which the group of participants are passed to Fellowcraft and raised to Master Mason, with a minimum of memory work or other study.
After I was initiated, quite some time elapsed before I was able to pursue the Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees. I was actually extended the opportunity to participate in a Blue Lightning event and declined.
Like many, I was concerned that my status as a Master Mason might be questioned because I had accepted this shortcut.
There is a thread on the topic, now long dormant. The arguments for a Blue Lightning option are:
1) Grand Lodges have always had the ability to make a Mason "on sight". This has traditionally been a rare occurrence, but it is a long-standing option. Quick-Mason programs are just a variant on this age old custom.
2) The activity and retention levels of quick-made Masons are about the same as with those raised traditionally: rather than have men languish as EA's or FC's and perhaps eventually lose interest, it is better to bring them on board more quickly, and replenish our demographic decline.
3). A certain number of candidates want ONLY to become Shriners. Once they have been raised they will pay their dues regularly, but they will never darken the door of a Blue Lodge again. All they represent to the Symbolic Lodge is a revenue source. Just as well not to invest waning manpower and energies on folks who see the Blue Lodge as a means to an end.
Like it or not, these are the reasons for programs like Blue Lightning. Hopefully this doesn't derail this thread overmuch, but there you have it.