Freemasonry: Fraternal Organization or Fraternal Initiatic Society?

Freemasonry: Fraternal Organization or

Fraternal Initiatic Society?

Akram R. Elias ,

Deputy Grand Master

Words can be much more than words; they can convey profound messages and reflect our way of thinking. The words we choose to use when we speak of our Fraternity reveal how we really view Freemasonry. So, is Freemasonry a fraternal “organization” or a fraternal “initiatic society?”

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION

An “organization” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: •

Something that has been organized or made into an ordered whole.

Something made up of elements with varied functions that contribute to the whole and to collective functions; an organism.

A group of persons organized for a particular purpose; an association: a benevolent organization.

A fraternal organization, sometimes also known as a “fraternity,” is an organization that represents the relationship between its members as akin to brotherhood. There exists in the United States today, more than one million non-profit organizations that one can choose to

• Esoteric Initiation join. Is Freemasonry among these organizations that a person can simply join? Of course not! So, what are we really about?

FRATERNAL INITIATIC SOCIETY

A “society” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: •

A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture. Freemasonry is indeed a fraternal “society” of men who distinguish themselves from others by mutual interests (to become better men), participation in characteristic relationships (ritualistic ceremonies), shared institutions (the Lodge), and a common culture (Masonic symbolism). Furthermore, one doesn’t “join” Freemasonry; one is “initiated”, “taken and accepted” into Freemasonry. Our words are a force; they are the tool that we use to communicate and create the events in our life. By stressing the fact that we are a fraternal initiatic society, we remind ourselves of the true mission of our Noble Craft and become more vigilant in: •

“Watching the west gate” – is that person worthy of being initiated into our society? • “Loving our ritual” – are we devoting time to learn the ritual, which distinguishes us from the profane and helps each one of us build his internal temple? • “Speaking in symbols” – are we designing Lodge instruction programs that help us decipher the hidden meanings of our symbols, which are naturally invisible to the naked eye? • “Living our Freemasonry” –are we discussing in Lodge meaningful ways to internalize the teachings of Freemasonry in order to truly become better men and make a positive difference in our respective communities?

The time has come for us to orchestrate a serious paradigm shift and bring about a renaissance of Freemasonry. The world needs Freemasonry as it should be, as it was conceived to be – a fraternal initiatic society of men who can change the world. Where else but in a Masonic Lodge, can an Armenian and Turk, a Jew and an Arab, a Christian and a Moslem, come together in a true spirit of brotherhood? These men can socialize with one another over cocktails and at receptions in many other organizations; but only behind the tiled door of a Lodge, in the initiatic society of Freemasonry, do these men take sacred oaths binding themselves to one another as brothers and committing themselves to be builders of a better world. The world today is in desperate need of such “initiated” men who can hasten the dissipation of a thick cloud of darkness that ignorance, fanaticism, and despotism have brought forth and is once again threatening our humanity. ■

More thoughts on words

“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope” – Sir Winston Churchill

“A word and a stone let go cannot be recalled” – Spanish Proverb

“A bad word whispered will echo a hundred miles” – Chinese Proverb

“Be impeccable with your word” – Ancient Toltec Wisdom

Universal Brotherhood Celebration Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH

Universal Lodge Meeting Officers from DC bi-lingual Lodges will occupy the Places and Stations and open the Universal Lodge in their native languages. Location: DC Scottish Rite Center

Twinning Ceremony Twinning of La France No. 93 and Tolerance No. 2 of Gabon followed by a seated Table Lodge Dinner. Location: DC Scottish Rite Center

SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH

National Masonic Trail Commencing from Almas Shrine Temple

Wreath Laying Ceremony The Grand Master will lay a wreath and offer remarks at the Memorial to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Reception and Banquet The Grand Master will award the Medal of Freedom and present scholarships at this event to take place at Almas Shrine Temple

Times and further information will be forthcoming. For times and further information visit: www.dcgrandlodge.org