Tempered radicals

A cynic has been defined as somebody who has given up trying, but hasn't given up talking about it. I would prefer to call my position as a 'tempered radical' from the work of Debra E Meyerson. Tempered radicals work within the organisation, balancing radicalism with constraint.

Freemasonry as a normative organisation

Freemasonry can be best described as a 'normative' organisation. Albert and Whetten who did some of the ground-breaking research into organizational identity referred to the concept of the 'claimed central character'. Writers on organisational culture, meanwhile, refer to a strong culture but were unclear about how this would be operationalised in an organisation.

Freemasonry has a strong culture, because it has a defined central character - a clear credo that members are expected to adhere to. This manifests itself in expectations the behaviour on members. In this way Freemasonry is similar (but not the same as) many of the great religions of the world. These are based on the normative standards of good citizenship behaviour. Church is a good example of a normative organisation.

Saint Jude - Patron Saint of Lost Causes

Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, would feel well at home within Freemasonry. Any organisation struggles with the two extremes of regulation and innovation. Over the years Freemasonry has become increasingly regulated to the point where its culture is based upon one of compliance. Unfortunately this has created an ultra-conservative organisation (with a small 'c') where members value the 'dull security of tradition' as Robert Putnam put it. Significant change, therefore, is next to impossible as it attracts people who are conservative in nature.

In the meantime membership is falling at an annual rate of approximately 2-3%. It would appear the organisation would rather decline than change.

Governance and transparency

Whilst Freemasonry has made good progress in terms of its relationship with its environment, I have to confess I am somewhat bemused by the Craft's attitude toward governance and transparency. In particular, with a status-conscious organisation such as Freemasonry, appointments to Provincial and Grand Rank seem open to accusations of patronage and nepotism.

It is extraordinary that of the various organisations that I am involved in Freemasonry is the one that least resembles a meritocracy. Whilst other organisations bombard me with correspondence from the Electoral Commission (for which I am most grateful) no such thing emanates from Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge.

Installation of Mirfield Lodge No. 1102

Yesterday I spent a very pleasant evening at the Installation of Mirfield Lodge No. 1102 where a friend of mine, Bro. Chris Oldfield, was installed in the Chair of King Solomon. There were over 100 brethren present, including Bro Jason Shettler and Bro Grant Saunders from my own Lodge. Bro Martyn Bolt responded for the visitors.

Craftaphobia

I have invented a new word - I have called it craftaphobia. Okay, it's a bit cumbersome. A little bit unwieldy. But I think it encapsulates the unjustified fear and paranoia of Freemasonry. Examples of craftaphobic literature include Stephen Knight's 'The Brotherhood' and Martin Short's 'Inside the Brotherhood'. Unfortunately their writing is far more compelling than reality, and has therefore taken on the mantle of 'urban myth'.

Masonry is Free

One of the first things we are told during the initiation ceremony is that 'Masonry is Free'. This is, I believe, a profound statement. Unfortunately this message is lost amongst the frivolity of punning this statement with an activity that costs nothing.

Masonry is Free, to me, means we are open to interpret the Craft in a way that suits us. It is during such discussions that I get a deeper meaning of Freemasonry, yet the Lodge of Instruction is dedicated to what amounts to little more than a celebration of memory. Where is the forum to discuss the deeper side of Freemasonry?

Installation - Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521

Yesterday it was Installation, and a marvellous occasion it was too. With over 120 brethren present Bro John Daniel installed his son Bro. Graham Daniel into the chair of King Solomon.

Masonic Funeral

Today I went to the funeral of my proposer into Freemasonry, W. Bro Ken Thornton, PPGReg. Ken would have been 82 today. The service was conducted along a secular, masonic theme that I hope non-masons would not have found too intrusive.

Ken was a perfect gentleman. Someone who definitely adhered to the principal to 'live respected and die regretted' as it says in the installation ceremony. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends and brethren.

The Loss of an Important Metaphor

In these days of advanced civil engineering, where some buildings approach 1km in height I believe one of the metaphors of Freemasonry has diminished. Imagine a landscape of a small, medieval population where the majority of the population live in primitive housing, and then one of the 14th century cathedrals comes into view. It must have been an awe-inspiring contrast.

The operative masons were the people who built these inspirational buildings. However, the metaphor seems to have been lost. In Freemasonry we talk about the building of King Solomon's Temple - the emphasis is on the building metaphors. Freemasonry is about building a better society in which we, as individuals, are the building blocks. We start off, metaphorically speaking, as rough and unhewn ashlar. By a reflection of our position in society we aspire to the perfect ashlar, "Better suited for the intended structure" (to misquote the ritual slightly). Thus the 'building' in Freemasonry is a metaphor for building a better, ethically-based society. The perfect ashlar is a metaphor for how we can all fit into society, irrespective of our associations.

Have you ever wondered why we 'square' the Lodge? This action, I believe, traces the foundations of our metaphorical and incorporeal structure: society. Unfortunately the metaphor has diminished for two reasons.

First of all, the craftsmanship of the operative masons is slightly less magical than it would have been to a medieval way of thinking. Secondly, Freemasonry has become more dogmatic in its interpretation of its history and its semiotics. We seldom take the time to explore how Freemasonry is interpreted by us as individuals. Consequently this kind of interpretation becomes lost in the rote recitals of our ceremonies.

Animal Farm and Freemasonry

Animal Farm is one of the great political allegories. One of the most memorable lines from it is 'All animals are created equal, but some more equal than others'. As a new Mason a provincial officer once said this to me. I don't this rank-conscious brother quite realised the irony.

One of the values that Freemasonry espouses is that all brethren are equal, however when it comes to Provincial rank, there are (last time I counter) twenty one or twenty two of them. The theory in use for Freemasonry seems to be, that some are more equal than others.

Personally I find it difficult to square the paradox of egalitarianism with the obsequious deference shown to seniority - both in terms rank and length of service.

Jeans and T-shirt Lodge

I cannot understand why we have such a strict (and oppressive) dress code in Freemasonry. I wear a suit and tie to work all day. The last thing I want to do is wear a suit in the evening when I want to relax. I associate it too much with work. There is a Dutch saying: 'Freedom rarely comes wearing a tie.' Whilst I recognise some people's desire to dress smart, is anybody interested in starting a 'jeans and T-shirt' Lodge? ;-)

Liberal traditions

One of my regrets about Freemasonry is that it seems to have forgotten the liberal traditions on which it was founded. This is part of what originally attracted me to Freemasonry - the values espoused in the ritual.

The use of the phrase 'liberal tradition' is a deliberate oxymoron. Traditions are usually associated with normative organisations such as the armed forces schools and churches. Liberal thought is associated with independent thought. A liberal tradition evolves. Freemasonry is not evolving. Rather it is obssessed with its past.

Is Freemasonry a Universal Truth?

Is Freemasonry a Universal Truth?

When it comes to public opinion I find Freemasonry is one of those subjects like fox hunting, the smoking ban or that state of England football team. Most people seem to have an opinion of it, and most people have varying degrees of informed thought on the matter.

Indeed the only Universal Truth is, there is no Universal Truth. Views are strongly polarised between anti-masonic paranoia and well, people like me trying to persuade people like you that Freemasonry is a force for good in society.

Having accepted that there is no such thing as a Universal Truth, I have to accept that some people are going to disagree. The question then is, how many?