Not long ago, a friend of mine, who lives at some distance from me, attended the open house of his local lodge. He was genuinely curious about Freemasonry and looking to understand what it is that Freemasonry is and what it does.

When he was done visiting, he said, “I just don’t get it. They kept saying they made good men better, but when I asked how they did that, they were very vague on the details. I don’t know why anyone would join.”

We do a pretty poor job of explaining our institution to non-members. For proof, just read my various attempts to explain what Freemasonry is and is not. But when we have an open house and meet someone who is honestly trrying to understand what we offer, repeating the trite phrase that Freemasonry makes good men better is unlikely to be succcessful in conveying the richness and depth of the fraternity.

As much as anything, I believe Freemasonry to be a school of philosophy where good men can meet and discuss the truly important issues of life and strive towards mutual understanding. It is an instiution devoted to bringing men together in a society that often seems determined to drive men apart. It is, in the end, a place where men may learn to live together in peace so that brotherly love might prevail.

It accomplishes these ends by striving to exemplify certain lessons through its ritual which is filled with symbolism and allagory. But, more importantly, it tries to create a space where the practice of these virtues is as easy as possible so that having some experience with them, we might translate them from the lodge to the wider world.

How’s that for an answer?

What would be your answer as to how Freemasonry makes good men better?

Those who are of the opinion that they possess the only path to truth often object to Freemasonry’s neutral position regarding a man’s choice of religion. In Roman Catholic circles, the fraternity is sometimes accused of syncrenism; that is to say, a belief that all the great religions lead to the same God and may provide a means to salvation. In more fundamentalist protestant circles, the same idea exists but tends to be expressed as a belief that only Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.

In Craft lodges, there is no evidence I can find for syncrenism, other than the idea that discuss of religion, like politics, is forbidden in Lodge. Prayers are offered in such a way that any theist might feel comfortable — but, then, this tends to be true in public institutions from the Boy Scouts to many private university commencement ceremonies.

The question becomes more complex when one joins the Scottish Rite. I am member of the Scottish Rite (Northern Masonic Jurisdiction) and recently viewed one of the degrees which on more than one occasion made seemingly syncrenistic claims. Indeed, it spoke of the truths to which all the world’s great religions point. (Unitarian Universalist theists should flock to the Scottish Rite.)

So, here it is: one of the common religious objects to Freemasonry is, actually, somewhat true… at least in some of the degree work of the Scottish Rite.

But then, if this bothers you, my answer would be that you shouldn’t be a Freemason.

Indeed, the concept of religious tolerance which is a Landmark of the Fraternity (after requiring a belief in a Supreme Being), is enough to make some people uncomfortable. They believe that if there is any space in which they cannot seek to convert individuals to their point of view, there is something wrong with the universe. And they believe that their faith requires them to behave in ways that are at odds with what I would call reasonable standards of courtesy. These individuals, too, need not be Freemasons.

Freemasonry says to every man that he should seek to pay homage to his Creator, but it leaves to each man’s religion the means by which it should be expressed.

Syncrenism is, according to the doctrine of some Christian denominations, a heresy. And I can honestly say that I can see that tendency in the Fraternity. However, I have to also say that I cannot believe that the all-loving God I know would reject my brothers simply because they worship him by a different name. Does that make me a heretic? Possibly. Does it make Freemasonry heretical? Well, that, as usual, is a more complex issue.

I do believe that there are secrets in Freemasonry. I am not one of those who will tell you that we have modes of recognition that we keep as secrets merely for the sake of tradition and that this is the only mystery in the Fraternity. Instead, I am one who believes that our promise to keep those secrets stands as a test of our willingness to keep other secrets.

From across the blogosphere, I can hear you asking, “What other secrets?”

For one thing, I am expected to give good advice, to the extent that I can, to my brothers in Freemasonry. In order for them to avail themselves of this service, such as it may be, they need to  be confident that their business will not become a matter of idle gossip and speculation merely because they have solicited my view on some issue they face. They expect that they can speak to me on a private matter, gain my insight and compassionate understanding, and then have the matter covered by that most circumspect of guardians: Masonic Silence. Some might consider these matters secrets, I guess. I tend to think of it as respecting the privacy of a friend.

Another category of Masonic secret is more difficult to explain. You see, these secrets are not of the sort that can easily be revealed. They are experiences unique to — or at least difficult to find outside — Freemasonry. One example that I can try to put into words is the  interesting experience of finding yourself suddenly close friends with a man  with whom, to the eyes of the outside world, you have nothing in common. You may be of different faiths, different educational experiences, different levels of social refinement, different political views,  and so on. But somehow, the experience of Freemasonry has allowed you to see past all the “what” a man might be and truly see /who/ that man is.  The lesson that is learned thereby can be put into words, but only at the risk of reducing the profound to the trite.

The third category of secrets in Freemasonry are those that require effort to explore. The rituals of the Fraternity are rich with layered meaning. Peeling them apart, piece by piece, and seeking the knowledge to which they point has been a lifetime occupation for some men and an advocation for many. There are entire libraries filled with books on Masonic symbolism, philosophy, history and related topics. To learn where the ritual might be leading you is a lifelong journey. These secrets require work to uncover and a willingness to trust that the ritual preserves within it worthwhile hints, signs, clue and allusions to assist those who wish to undertake the quest to those great storehouses of knowledge where pursuit of Truth may continue. This, to me, is one of the most rewarding and interesting opportunities which Freemasonry provides to a man. Masonic Research, truly, satisfies my inner desire for both a mystical path and detective work. What could be better?

What else might you consider a Masonic Secret? (Aside from the secret combination to the Denver Airport.)

Recently the Grand Orient of France announced that they would be seeking to open an office attached to the European Parliament with the goal of countering the sectarian religious influence on the institutions of Europe. Some news reporting presented the story as Freemasons trying to take back Europe.

The complicating factor is that the vast majority of Masons on the planet belong to Grand Lodges that do not recognize the Grand Orient. In Masonic terms, it is an irregular and clandestine body. If I were to visit France, I would not be permitted, under the rules of my Grand Lodge, to visit a Lodge of the Grand Orient.

There are many reasons why the Grand Orient is broadly considered irregular and my purpose here isn’t to explore theories of regularity in Masonic jurisprudence. But it is worth mentioning that the willingness of the Grand Orient to take positions on political matters and intervene in the political discourse is one of those reasons.

So, if the Grand Orient can’t speak for Freemasonry, who can?

The truth is that there is no one who is empowered to speak for Freemasonry. Even the Grand Master of a particular jurisdiction can only speak for his own jurisdiction and his own Grand Lodge. Other people with impressive titles, live the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite, only can speak for their own, small part of the Fraternity.

Freemasonry doesn’t have a single leader. Nor does it want one. When the United States was first formed, George Washington was approached about the possibility of becoming the national Grand Master of the Fraternity. He said that the idea seemed spectacularly bad to him and refused. As a result, mainstream Masonry in the United States consists of 51 Grand Lodges (fifty states plus the District of Columbia).

Freemasonry is truly an international institution. Where men are allowed to meet privately, there Freemasonry is likely to be found. Where the government is oppressive and forbids such privacy, it is likely that there are small groups of men who continue to keep the traditions of Freemasonry alive in secret.

As a result, no one speaks for all of Freemasonry. And “the Freemasons” can’t open an office anywhere. At best (or worst), one particular part of this huge, complex fraternity might do such a thing.

Ritual. Prayer. Altars. To some, these things make Freemasonry seem like a religion. And yet, the Fraternity has always held that it isn’t a religion but rather a an ally of religion. It’s members, all of whom must agree that there is a Supreme Being, are drawn from many faith. The Fraternity encourages each to practice his faith as he understands it.

There is, however, a more important reason why Freemasonry is not a religion. Freemasonry has no dogma. Every Master Mason has to come to his own understanding of the meaning of the rituals of the Craft. No one, not the Worshipful Master nor the Grand Master nor any other man, has the right to tell a Master Mason what to think. In this important regard, Freemasonry parts from religion, leaving it to each man to understand its lessons on his own.

Freemasonry presents no plan of salvation. It has no divine revelation to offer, instead pointing each member to the Divine Law as it is seen in his own faith. In this respect, it would fair to say that Freemasonry is more a school of philosophy than a r religion.

What, then, is Freemasonry? It is a unique institution and, therefore, difficult to pin down. It is a fraternity — the world’s oldest and largest. It is a sort of school of philosophy. It certainly is a charitable institution, supporting a number of non-profit endeavors that, for the most part, benefit people who are not members.

An old definition says that Freemasonry is a particular system of morality, illustrated by symbols and veiled by allegory.  Certainly, Freemasonry teaches lessons about morality. It encourages men to adhere to a system of morality, thereby bettering themselves. And it has become famous for its symbols and allegories.

In the end, perhaps, it is easier to say what Freemasonry is not than what it actually is. Freemasonry is not a religion.

Secrecy.

It is, probably, one of the first words that comes to mind when Freemasonry is mentioned. Why are Freemasons so interested in secrecy and what is it, exactly, that they keep secret?

You will hear a variety of answers to these questions even from within the Fraternity. Some members will laughingly say that the great secret of Freemasonry is that there is no secret. Others will insist that the Fraternity simply maintains a tradition of keeping the modes of recognition (the so-called “secret handshakes”) private, despite the fact that an intelligent and resourceful person can probably discover these supposed secrets within an hour of decent research.

My answer is slightly different. My reply is that Freemasons meet in private because they are free men. The essence of freedom is the right to conduct business that concerns no one else in private. By its very nature, what happens in a Masonic lodge is a matter of concern only to the members of that lodge. Consider, if you will, the private affairs of your family. There is no reason why these should be published to the world nor any reason why you  should welcome me to the private conversations of your family — even if I think it would be very interesting to know what you and your family members have to say to one another.

There is, however, another reason Freemasons value secrecy. It’s because we value the ability of a man to maintain a confidence and to observe circumspection. In the modern world, it seems an odd idea that silence would be viewed as a virtue, but Freemasonry teaches that silence is often the best reply. The Fraternity teaches the value of being able to keep private that which should be private. Pragmatically, this means that members of the Fraternity may seek advice and counsel from one another without worrying that the information they share will suddenly be published.

Keeping secrets has, somehow, come to be seen as something sneaky or suspect by many people.However, the ability to keep a secret is, in fact, an excellent measure of the value of a man’s promise. If you can’t keep your mouth shut when you say you will, I can’t be sure you will act in good faith in any other matter.

Secrecy. Silence. Circumspection. In a world in which non-disclosure agreements have become commonplace simply because it doesn’t seem people can tell when they shouldn’t share information, these Masonic values suddenly seem, well, more valuable.