by Midnight Freemasons Founder
Todd E. Creason
One of the things I enjoy as a Scottish Rite Mason is a part that I do in the 4th Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. It's the Prologue part of the 4th Degree--an introduction to the Scottish Rite in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. I do it twice a year, at our Valley Spring and Fall Reunions, and have for many years. It's a great honor to do that part, because it's a very important part. It's the first Scottish Rite degree our new candidates see, and I'm the first person they see on stage at the very beginning of their journey. Those words in the prologue, and my delivery of them sets the tone and the expectation for what those candidates can expect as they pursuit their goal of becoming a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. So I make sure that I strive to do it the best I possibly can every single time.
In that Prologue, I tell those candidates a few things they need to know about how the Scottish Rite works, and I talk a little bit about the principles the Scottish Rite holds in high regard. Without giving away any Masonic secrets, amongst those principles are Truth, Love, Charity, and Toleration. They'll learn much more about those principles and many more on their journey through all 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite.
In today's world, I think one of those principles is more important than ever. Toleration. Freemasonry has always been a society that believes in toleration. That's one of the reasons we don't discuss religion and politics in our Lodges. There are few topics that can so quickly escalate into bitter conflict than a conversation on the topics of religion or politics. I lost a good friend and Masonic Brother over politics.
My friend was a very active Mason. He was involved in his Lodge, he served the Grand Lodge, and he was active in many appendant bodies including the Scottish Rite. And like me, he absolutely loved history. He was also a writer. We became very good friends and occasional research and writing partners. We'd have lunch together and get into huge debates over points in history. And we discussed the importance of Freemasonry at great length.
But during a very nasty and contentious national election cycle, contrary to our long standing tradition, some of the members of his Lodge began arguing over politics (outside the Lodge). And these arguments divided these men. In the end, my friend got so angry over the politics of some of his Brothers, he felt he could no longer sit in Lodge with them. He didn't find a new Lodge to attend. He quit. He quit his Lodge. He quit the position he held with our Grand Lodge. He quit every single appendant body he was a member of. Almost overnight he went from being one of the most active and involved Masons I knew, to just being gone. I haven't spoken to him in months, and in our last conversation he said he'd never sit in Lodge again.
One of the great strengths of Freemasonry is that we come together on the things we agree on and do amazing things together. It's our diversity that makes us unique, and it's toleration of our differences that makes that diversity possible. I don't want to sit in Lodge with a bunch of guys exactly like me. That's not why I joined.
It pains me to say it, but I think my friend was right to quit. I still hope one day he'll come back, but I do understand why he left. If I get to the point where I can't sit in Lodge because somebody thinks differently than I do, or believes something differently than I do, I'll quit too. I'll have to, because it would mean that I have totally missed one of the most fundamental principles of Freemasonry.
Toleration.
~TEC
Todd E. Creason is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, and the author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is the Master of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL). You can email him at webmaster@toddcreason.org
That's funny, I don't remember toleration ever being a main talking point in Scottish Rite. Perhaps you could write an article helping us to understand this point?
ReplyDeleteOne important talking point that I do remember in all the Masonic bodies is Morality. Just curious why that was not on your list?
Masons are truly tolerant. However, we don't waste time arguing with "stupid atheists," "madmen," or "fools." It is interesting to research the meanings of these words as they were used in the 1700s, when modern Masonic ritual was codified in the various jurisdictions.
Yes, Masons are tolerant, but not blindly so. That is why another important talking point in Freemasonry is "light."
When we take the time to illuminate the meaning of morality, which is those actions and behaviors that lead to the good health and well-being of individuals and communities, and actually guide our decisions to what will make the healthiest and happiest society, that is when we are truly acting as Masons.
You might be able to tolerate a belligerent view point, but it doesn't mean you have to agree with it, or that it is the true answer. Toleration is a tool, or means, for attaining morality. It is not the end goal of Freemasonry.
I don't believe the article says anywhere that toleration is the end goal of Freemasonry. Toleration is one principle of many--the article does say that very clearly. And that list of principles I ticked off in the article is not my list. It came from the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction. Freemasonry is the study of many principles under a moral and ethical code. I've written literally hundreds of pieces over the last ten+ years and I've discussed many of these points and principles. This piece focused on toleration in particular because I see so many problems that are rooted in intolerance today. Thanks for your comment. ~TEC
ReplyDeleteAs described in the ritual of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb, "Toleration. The will to understand and respect the opinions of others. To no man is given the right to dictate to another in matters of belief and faith. No man is infallible and the sole possessor of truth. A Freemason grants to every man those rights which he claims for himself." This suggests to me that to practice Toleration we must question and restrain our own self-righteousness. I don't know if I've met someone who has mastered that.
ReplyDeleteOdd, isn't it, how politics can divide, when you look at our history. Two Free masons, on the battlefield, in opposing armies could still treat the other as brother. Have we lost the ability to act in such a civil manner?
ReplyDeleteThat really concerns me. I recently visited Gettysburg. Saw the “Friend to Friend” Memorial while there. That commemorates one such example of brotherhood across the lines of battle. I hope we can get back to being more respectful of each other. More civil. More tolerant. Time will tell.
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