sonry on a world level today in general threat to mainstream and regular Freeand disregarding the Anglican speaking masonry. It also is appearing in jurisdicjurisdictions, we find a thriving organiza- tions that have been occupied by regular tion continuing to exert influence in the Freemasonry for years. It has become a evolving society. There does seem to be major obstacle in stabilizing Freemagreater problems in some Anglican speak- sonry in Eastern Europe and is making ing Grand Lodges, especially in number its appearance felt in northwest Africa. loss. Perhaps it has been a willingness in This is an issue that we cannot choose these Grand Lodges to lower standards to ignore, because it presents a differand to adopt a more charitable style of ent face of the craft to society, one not the craft that has resulted in the decline bound by the protocols that define the and loss of influence in society. This is un- Freemasonry we know. questionably true in North America. What is of an even greater concern I have been greatly impressed almost and is something totally new to our noeverywhere I travel, not only with the ble craft is the impact that is being felt quality of the men I have found compris- via the use of the World Wide Web. The ing the craft but also in the positions of Internet has created a new atmosphere influence that they hold in their societ- that is causing considerable problems ies. Now however, Freemasonry is being for us and is one that is not going to go confronted with challenges unlike any away or one that we can eliminate. of those we have faced in the past and Grand Lodges today are being bywill require a continuing re-examination passed by ignorant Freemasons, and of our methods of operation. The great- ignorant Freemasons constitute the vast est enemies threatening us today lie majority of our membership. Please not in the leadership of governments or note that I said ignorant, not stupid, alreligious institutions, although some re- though today from what I read on the main enemies of the craft. Our greatest net, I am not sure anymore. enemy today is ourselves. I never cease to be amazed at how The three greatest challenges that I much misinformation is placed on the see confronting Freemasonry today are web by some of our members who bethe expansion of irregular Freemasonry, come impressed with what they think the development of modern technology, they know. I now spend a considerable and the ignorance of our membership. amount of time responding to brothers Of course, irregular Freemasonry is who have become “instant experts� on nothing new in the Masonic world. It the craft. It is amazing how one can have has been around almost as long as has all the answers without ever hearing the regular Freemasonry, and it has never questions. The lack of Masonic knowlbeen a major obstacle to us. The con- edge by our own membership is one of cern regarding it today is the rapidity of the greatest threats to our survival. For its growth and expansion and the ten- an institution that impresses upon its dency to become more organized than membership the need for the acquisiit has been in the past. What was once a tion of knowledge, the Internet reveals quiescent separate style of Freemason- a considerable dearth of success on our ry is now developing into a competitive part. It reminds me of a quotation I once 30
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