holmer said:
Personally, Freemasonry is not remotely a religion to me. It is a way of life. I do not ever feel like I am going to church while conducting lodge business. I tell non-masons that the lodge is very similar to other service clubs such as the Optimistic Club or the Lions Club. We discuss community activities and how we can help/donate. We talk about donating blood to blood donor clinics. We talk about volunteering at soup kitchens and community care programs and many other things. And at the end of every lodge meeting, we have a meal and a few drinks...just like the Optimist Club my father-in-law is a member at. Sounds pretty scary doesn't it? But at the end of every meeting, I always ask myself what I can do to make me a better person in my life and those around me.
Hey Holmer,
I like everything you're saying except, if you'll indulge me, there's one point that I think needs tweakin'. It's when you mention the "service club" part. Now, don't take me the wrong way. We do alot of good community stuff and that's absolutely wonderful - no doubt about it. Far more stuff than the average citizen realizes (especially when you add in the amazing work done by our concordant bodies not the least of which is the Shrine). It's just that we're misleading people when we present ourselves as a service club. Again, please, do not take this as negative toward the "service" stuff we do - or any other service club for that matter... Service clubs are amazing places for people to meet and better their community. Absolutely.
However, in Freemasonry - before all the other things that we are - we must remember that first and foremost we are the pre-eminent fraternity in the world dedicated to taking in good men and making them better. (If you're reading this and want to jump up and say "no way! Club XYZ is better at baking cookies, or building hockey rinks or supporting orphans in Kalamazoo!" then I need you to stop and take it the way I specifically intend it to be taken - altogether in one phrase. We are the;
- pre-eminent,
- fraternity,
- making good men better.
To this end, we use a diverse set of stonemason's tools as allegorical tools to build a better man (the plumb - to walk upright in all your dealings, the square - to square your actions, the level, etc.) No other group or association provides a man with that amazing history and foundation. Freemasonry has such a long, proud tradition of teaching men to be better fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, workers, leaders, followers, church-goers, synagogue-goes, mosque-goers... (what did I miss? ... oh, soldiers, sailors, airmen... and on and on.) It's all about making good men better. Then, and only then, do we carry on with some service stuff.
I know to some people this may seem like a small distinction (service club vs. ancient fraternity dedicated to making men better at everything they do)... but it isn't a small thing. It's a major, major difference that sets us apart. Again, Holmer, I support what you're saying about the service stuff. I just needed to make that distinction for any gentlemen out there wondering "hmm, why would I choose Freemasonry over any other group?" If that guy wants to go with service stuff, he can certainly join us or any other of the many fine groups out there. But, if he wants the one thing that makes us special, then he needs to know that that's what we do.
fraternally and respectfully,
Mark
