Top 10 Reasons I Do Not Talk About Masonry – Outside The Lodge

Paper 11/2007 Title Top 10 Reasons I Do Not Talk About Masonry – Outside The Lodge Author Bro Scott Warner – Canada 10 No one is interested in Masonry anymore How can this be true? In fact interest in Masonry is actually at a very high level, with thousands of internet sources, documentaries and pop culture movies about our craft. I would say indeed there is great interest, if not an even greater need. 9 I do not want to reveal any secrets With a lodge in almost every town, village an d city in Canada and the USA it is unusual to associate anything secret with our craft. If there is a secret it is why those l odges are almost always located on the main street of thos e places. Unless you are giving away pass grips or passwords there is very little that cannot be discussed with a suitably interested party. 8 People might think I am silly or something The problem most people have today is they hav e nothing to belong to, no immediate and reliable moral compass. On the contrary, it is my experienc e that people who have or belong to something they hold close and respect greatly are most often to be admired, respected and not easily dismissed.
7 I am not recruiting for the craft Which is good since recruiting is what you do when people do not want to join or belong voluntarily; our craft seeks willing entrants free of persuasion and places the more important criteria on the candidates as men as opposed to the sheer numbers of membership. 6 I do not feel comfortable speaking about the craft It is odd to hear that one might have trouble shari ng information or the excitement of a craft they hold so dear. Perhaps we might think of it not as “speaking” per se, but rather simply sharing your experience and passion for Free Masonry. 5 I do not know anyone who would be a good candidate As you are not recruiting, talking about the cr aft is not about seeki ng candidates. Appropriate candidates will find themselves to the craft in their own good time. 4 What candidate would have the time for this these days We hear this almost every time we talk of anyth ing beyond home or work. Some folks think this is an easy out provided for those who simply would not par ticipate in activity that did not directly benefit them, others may cite this as a poi nt of consideration for modern or ganizations, encouraging them to be more flexible in their time demands on the family today. If you were speaking to a potential candidate be honest about the time commitment, but not so arrogant as to assume the decision for them. 3 Lodge is one thing, but all the concordant bodies make it seem like a never ending maze This is perhaps somewhat true, without an explanation it may seem as though there are endless bodies and other aspects of the craft. This is just an appearance and is no reason not to share your passion for Freemasonry. 2 I never talk about it in front of women, why would they be interested Thus far I personally have encountered no less than 3 different stories about women or partners, who, once exposed to Freemasonry encouraged membership of thei r husbands, who then subsequently joined the lodge. Freemasonry is a benefit to the family, not just the man, all of the family.
1 I never think about it once I leave the lodge For all the memory work done on behalf of the cra ft it seems odd that we would forget the craft once we leave the lodge. Still we all do and only our continued effort w ill assist us to become more open, more visible and of continued value to our society.