Kansas Mason - Winter 2019

By Mikel Stoops

WHAT MASONRY “IS” VS WHAT MASONRY “DOES”

Many people believe that Freemasonry is a service organization social charity, indistinguishable from the Rotary or Lions clubs. But, that is NOT what freemasonry is. Masonry is an initiatic fraternity based on a system of self-knowledge, with lessons in philosophy, spirituality, and morality. If this system is followed, a transformation of the Mason will occur. That is what Masonry “IS.”

Through study and understanding, the Mason will become a better man, Mason, husband, father, and citizen. He should gain a deeper understanding of how humans should interact with each other and with their creator. Out of this growth, he might well become more spiritually aware, charitable, civically minded, and he might be better able to enjoy peaceful fellowship with his Brothers. At the individual level, that is what Masonry “DOES.”

So as a group, Masons should become active in their Lodges and/or communities in spiritual, charitable, and civically-minded ways. And of course, we enjoy peaceful fellowship with like-minded individuals. But, these are not the definition of Masonry. They should be the outcomes of learning and understanding the philosophical, spiritual, and moral lessons of our Fraternity. At the Lodge or community level, that is what Masonry “DOES.”Unfortunately, too many are oblivious to what Masonry is and only know what Masonry does. To them, Masonry is a civic organization, a social charity, or a fellowship club. They have lost basic knowledge and understanding of what masonry is. When asked to talk about the problems within our Fraternity and what can be done to fix them, they will recite stories of child identification programs, working with children in high-risk situations because of violence or drug abuse, bikes for kids, books for kids, bears for babies, miles of food, scholarships, and many other charitable or service-minded programs. Though these are all good and honorable programs that can have a place in our organization, they have nothing to do with the problems within our fraternity, and they are certainly not a fix for those internal problems.

To fix the internal problems, we must go back to that system of self-knowledge, with lessons in philosophy, spirituality, and morality. We must make sure that we are all, individually and as a group, preparing ourselves and our new Masons in the knowledge of what Masonry is. Out of that knowledge and understanding will naturally spring forth those spiritual, charitable, and service-minded things that Masons do.

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