Fear and Loathing on Thanksgiving

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

WB Darin trying to whisper good counsel to a 

 brother - 'Stop being a dick!'

Here we are yet again...another Thanksgiving.  Another day of food and football, and in many cases depending on the level of dysfunction of your family... too much alcohol and a family fight (or more than one).  I'm about to pick a family fight without the alcohol...without the food...without the football.  The fight I am going to pick is based on our behavior. Mostly on social media, but this can also apply in real life. It's probably a good time to discuss this given the real possibility of fear and loathing on this Thanksgiving day. 

No, in fact, what I saw on many brothers social media posts up to and after the election. To be clear...this goes for both supporters of the red and blue...or anyone in between...can we stop: with memes and comments that go against our core values... pretty much those demeaning against certain individuals who are of a different gender, race, religion or sexual preference? Basically, can our membership stop acting like internet troglodytes who look like Walter Sobchak cosplayers?

To paraphrase the late great Dwight Smith: 'Why not try Freemasonry?' What I mean to say is we as members of this Fraternity have an identity crisis. The crisis is this. We need to decide if we're going to act like Masons both outside and inside of our lodges, or only inside of them. I think this decision is the fundamental solution to all of the issues facing us right now and for the foreseeable future. 

Let me explain. If we're acting like Masons both inside and outside of our lodges, then we are: getting outside of our lodge rooms and we're being active in our communities, which gives us more visibility in our communities, which should in theory lead to new members. This also means that we're being respectful of everyone in our communities (online and real world), able to have meaningful discussions between opposing view points that are backed up by verifiable facts or data, able to embrace our differences by finding common ground with each other, and parting in harmony, which should show us as living the tenets of Masonic Philosophy in our daily lives. 

Or we can decide only to act like Masons in the Lodge room. This means: we're not getting out in our communities, so there's no community visibility for the Lodge, which means we're not getting new members. Otherwise, we're acting like assholes outside of the lodge room both virtuality and in reality, we're entertaining conspiracy theories as factual, arguing with everyone who has an opposing viewpoint without having verifiable data or facts, and we don't have to live the tenets of Masonic philosophy because heck nobody even knows we exist in this town.  

Of the two options above, which do you think is the best recipe for future success? Let's just say this, when you're being a Freemason, you're acting like an individual who is a member of a small and selective (in theory) group of men. When you're being an asshole, you're acting like a common denominator... because everyone has one. 

Before you go to wherever you're going for Thanksgiving, you need to ask yourself what type of member you're going to be this year.  Are you going to fear what conspiracy theory Uncle John or Aunt Karen is going to start ranting about to the point that you loathe having to go? Or are you going to be able to go and be able to ask Uncle John or Aunt Karen for verifiable facts and data to back up their assertion of reptilian shape-shifters taking over the world? Are you going to be able to respectfully disagree with your relatives and walk away? Or are you going to feel the tug on your ego when your relatives vomit word salad and so you decide to 'own' them?  Choose wisely.

~DAL

Darin Lahners wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Masonic Soylent Green - Part two of a series

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

Disclaimer: Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

In my last article, I gave a brief summary of the movie, Soylent Green, and how in not requiring background checks for incoming members as well as current membership, we are potentially unsuspectingly eating ourselves, i.e.: in our quest for membership numbers, many Grand Lodges are not requiring lodges to do due diligence in vetting our current or potential membership.  You can find that article here: http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2024/05/masonic-soylent-green-part-one-of-series.html.

I received some criticism for my hardline stance; so I’d like to reply to it here before I get into my next topic. I fully understand that there are some men currently in the fraternity who have committed felonies and turned their life around. However, if you’ve ever sat through Grand Lodge proceedings, you know that the legislation that passes has to be simple in language and easily enforceable. So while I agree with the sentiment regarding the fact that many men who are felons join and give back to their communities through charitable works, I also must balance that with the idea that ranking past criminal offenses in terms of severity automatically makes any amendment dead on arrival in terms of a vote at Grand Lodge communications. So I would err on the side of caution in regards to any felony. It is easier to write legislation which makes a man ineligible for membership if they have a past felony conviction; and/or expelling former felons in one's jurisdiction.  

Now continuing on with the theme of Masonic Soylent Green, I want to discuss another scenario where Freemasonry feeds upon itself.

A “Masonic” podcast propagates false information relating to Freemasonry, spreading conspiratorial garbage connecting Masonic “knowledge” with an upcoming apocalyptic event, while another “Masonic” podcast spreads an idea that one must be a certain race or religion to become a member.  Podcast one host starts a public feud with podcast host two. Host number one enlists black magic to aid him by placing hexes on host number two because host number one believes that host number two conspired to get host number one suspended for unmasonic behavior. Both hosts are popular and have a strong following. Soon battle lines are drawn and a follower of host two threatens host one’s life and/or the life a host one’s family. Host one retaliates against host two by urging his fans to harm host two; and a deranged fan of host one shoots host two when they are speaking at the fan's mother lodge. Host two dies from his wounds.

Again, while fantastical, I do think that all or some of the above is possible.

In the above case, I think that both hosts are equally wrong in spreading false information in their podcasts.  I have a difficult time with "For Profit" Freemasonry in Social Media.  Don't get me wrong, there's a huge difference between having followers sponsor podcasters or other social media outlets via patreon and those outlets which use their followers as a revenue stream; especially when they are getting followers (and advertisement income) by spreading falsehoods when one of our core tenets is Truth.  

In the above example, both podcast hosts are guilty of spreading blatantly false information.  While I believe in Freedom of Speech; I think in the above scenario, both hosts failed to realize that they are essentially selling Freemasonry as a brand, and as such, they should be held accountable by their Grand Lodges when they are selling a false bill of goods.  Unfortunately, the perpetuation of the myth that the quantity of members matters more than the quality of our membership usually prevails, and if the podcasters in my example are bringing in lots of members; they might be protected by their jurisdictions.   

Let's face it, we live in a society currently where truth is in the eye of the beholder. I can pick any story currently making the rounds in the news media and go to different media outlets and get different versions of the same story which support my bias. Add into the mix conspiracy theories which blur the lines of truth further. Compile this with the large amount of our population who are dealing with undiagnosed mental illness; and it's a recipe for disaster as reflected in how the above scenario plays out.  Gone are the days where Magickal Battles would take place between opposing members in secret societies; and today, violence or threats of violence is unfortunately the answer to disagreements. (https://www.openculture.com/2016/10/aleister-crowley-william-butler-yeats-get-into-an-occult-battle.html).        

Masons aren't going to always agree with each other; which is why we have forums which allow every member a voice and vote in a lodge setting. We also have a tenet of brotherly love; which should allow all Freemasons to respectively disagree with each other when it comes to those topics we forbid discussion of in lodge.  In most dire situations, we have a system of a judiciary resolution in the form of Masonic Trials when the misunderstanding cannot be resolved through the liberal application of the trowel of Brotherly Love.  There should never be any disagreement between brothers which should dissolve into violence between those brothers, which violates one of the clauses of the Master Masons obligation in my jurisdiction.    

It seems that society is siloed to the point where one believes that their beliefs are superior and others beliefs are inferior.  We also must continue to be vigilant to keep these incendiary topics outside of our Fraternity, and we also must be courageous enough to whisper wise counsel when appropriate, especially in cases where the harmony of one's lodge is threatened.  Furthermore, ideas of racial and/or religious superiority have no place in Freemasonry, and if that is something that you truly believe, you should not be a Freemason.  This is also why we must continue to press for Masonic Education in our lodges, so that we can teach the foundation of critical thought, the seven liberal arts and sciences, to all of our membership.

~DAL  

Darin Lahners is a husband, father, and Freemason.

The Policy of Truth

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

Policy of Truth is the third single off Depeche Mode's seminal album, Violator. It was released on May 7, 1990. It reached number 15 on Billboard's US Hot 100, and number 1 on the US Alternative Airplay charts. The song is about living with the consequences of being untruthful. The song begins with the below lyrics:

You had something to hide

Should have hidden it, shouldn't you?

Now you're not satisfied

With what you're being put through

It's just time to pay the price

For not listening to advice

And deciding in your youth

On the policy of truth

In our First Degree, we are taught that the tenets of a Mason's profession are brotherly love, relief and truth. Furthermore, that "Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct.  Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity." 

If truth is so important to us as a Fraternity, then why are we sworn to secrecy when it comes to not revealing our "Secrets"?  Each degree obligation that we take has some part within it where we swear to always hele, ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts. parts, or points of the Hidden Mysteries of Freemasonry.  In most jurisdictions, these "secrets" are our modes of recognition.  However, how can we as Masons be "Good and True" after swearing to never reveal things from our ritual?  Does our obligation supersede our first lesson?

From a very pragmatic point of view, assuming our ritual was heavily influenced by or directly borrowed by the rituals being practiced in the Operative Guilds from which Modern Freemasonry sprung, then the idea of secrecy becomes clear.  During the Middle Ages, while our operative brethren were building the Castles and Cathedrals throughout Europe, someone impersonating a Mason could potentially armed with the knowledge of the modes of recognition might infiltrate a work site.  This person, called a Cowan, would usually be a stonemason who had not served an apprenticeship.  It is possible that others who were completely unfamiliar with Stone Masonry could attempt to infiltrate the work sites as well, however I think that their lack of knowledge would quickly show them to be imposters. A Cowan, however, would be harder to spot because they would be able to perform the work and thereby be entitled to wages.  So, it was imperative for our Operative Brethren to ensure that their livelihood was protected from these individuals, as they would be a direct threat to their incomes.  

Up until the dawn of the internet, there were various exposes which would be written where our secrets were revealed, and we have a Fraternity suffered from the most famous, which was the Morgan Affair.  We suffered not from William Morgan exposing our "secrets" but from the reaction to the mysterious disappearance of Morgan after he had threatened to do so. While many believe that the Morgan Affair was the catalyst for Anti-Masonic rhetoric in the United States, Dr. Thomas S Roy noted in his work: Stalwart Builders: A History of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachussetts, 1733-1970 that there was already a tremendous belief in conspiracy theories regarding Freemasonry.  He noted that in 1820s there was a belief that:

"Every untoward event that disrupted mankind was blamed upon Freemasonry. It was secret, and therefore, men said, must be conspiring against society. The Masons were considered responsible for the French Revolution and its terrors. They were supposed to be in collaboration with a society known as the Illuminati, which was accused of being conspiratorial in its designs…"

Isn't it interesting that almost 200 years after the Morgan Affair that the above is still perpetuated by those who believe that Freemasonry is some nefarious organization?  

Many Grand Lodges will tell you that the best way to combat Conspiracy Theories is to be as public as possible, holding open houses and being involved in your community.  While I do not disagree with such, I think we must understand why we have secrecy.  Since the only real value that having our "secrets" is that it is an exercise in Trust.  We swear secrecy to not reveal the things which are used to identify us "in the dark as well as the light", and we feel that we can trust a stranger because they have taken the same obligations as we have. In most cases, in my own experience, this is an absolute truth.  Unfortunately, there are some cases where men will pretend to be a Freemason and use this for their own material gain by scamming brethren out of money for promises of goods, most often on social media.  

Can Freemasonry be good and true when it purposely hides things from the rest of the population? Let's be honest, the things that we hide can easily be found on the internet.  The thing that makes us Freemasons is not our secrets, but rather our shared initiatic experience.  It is an idea that every other Freemason that we have met has undergone the same experiences in their degrees that you have undergone in yours.  Those that feel that these experiences are transformative and spiritual are those that I have found affinity with.  Those that decide that Freemasonry begins and ends with a gavel are those that I feel are better served by demitting themselves from our Fraternity.  Those that memorize the ritual but don't think about the words and what they mean and who don't try to apply our lessons into their own lives, those are those that I pity.  How can you memorize something but not practice it?  Is not being good and true being someone that not only knows our ritual but tries to exemplify it their daily lives?  

Yet, I can go on social media and see brethren that fit the above category. Raise your hand if you've seen a brother post something ignorant on social media about those women who want to be Freemasons, who dare to practice something that has value for all of humanity, to practice something that is as beneficial for a woman as it is for a man.  I'm counting and I see a lot of hands raised.  Raise your hand again if you have seen a social media discussion regarding the subject of homosexual men being Freemasons, or the idea of a transgender man becoming a Freemason, and the reactions are viler and quite frankly sometimes bordering on unmasonic behavior.  I believe that when we do not act according to Masonic values, when we do not treat those that are not Freemasons with brotherly love or what I would call empathy is when we are not following the policy of truth.

When we do not practice empathy, when we decide to hate others on the basis of their skin color, sexuality or gender, we are not being Good and True.  It is my belief that the Grand Architect has a design on the trestle board for everyone.  My design is different than yours.  At the end of the day, we are regardless of our skin color, sexuality or gender still of the same stock.  We are all human.  Each of us have these inalienable rights as defined by the Declaration of Independence as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but most importantly that all men are born equal.  Do you think that the authors of the Declaration of Independence meant that only men are equal?  That women are inferior?  I do not believe this for a moment.  I believe that it means all of mankind. 

Freemasonry has for over 300 years for better or worse been promoting the belief that all men are equal in the eyes of G-d, that we are all on the level, that we have more in common than that which divides us, that we can operate in a lodge, govern ourselves and sit in harmony with each other without regard to color, religion, political affiliation, and sexuality.  If you are unable to believe this, then I ask you to look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you are following a policy of truth.  If you are a Freemason who is incapable of empathy, if you are incapable of acting upon the square with others who have a different color of skin, sexuality or gender identity than we have, then do us a favor and demit.  We don't want you and we certainly don't need you.  You are the real Cowan.  Freemasonry is at its essence the practice of the Golden Rule.  Treating others as we ourselves want to be treated is the core of being empathetic.  

There are people that want to impose their will, their beliefs and morality upon others and we as Freemasons need to understand that we will be in their crosshairs and continue to be in their crosshairs because we are a threat to them. It is the same reason as to why Freemasonry was targeted by the Nazis and Fascists, because Freemasonry is antithetical to the beliefs of these regimes.  There are those who are going to champion human rights and those who do are a threat to those who do not want all humans to have rights.  Those who do not want all humans to have rights are going to do whatever they can to prevent them from having rights. Freemasonry is and has always been on the side of Truth.  We can either choose to follow the policy of Truth that our ritual lays out for us, and live it, or we can choose not to.  For those that chose not to, I only ask this:  If we are first made a Freemason in our hearts, then is it possible for one that does not have a heart to be a Freemason?  

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is our Managing Editor. He is a host and producer of the "Meet, Act and Part" podcast. He is currently serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as the Area Education Officer for the Eastern Masonic Area. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, Salt Fork Shrine Club under the Ansar Shrine, and a grade one (Zelator) in the S.C.R.I.F. Prairieland College in Illinois. He is also a Fellow of the Illinois Lodge of Research. He was presented with the Torok Award from the Illinois Lodge of Research in 2021. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.

Practicing the Principal Tenets of Freemasonry

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Adam Samuel Roth

The next time you go to Lodge and sit down on the sidelines, take a look at the brother on your right. Do you have his number in your phone? Take a look at the brother on your left. Do you have his number in your phone? How well do you know your brothers? Would you feel comfortable asking your brother for help or advice if needed? Would you help him or give truthful advice if he asked?

The principal tenets of Freemasonry are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. These tenets are intertwined because you can't have one without the other. You cannot be one's brother unless you are willing to be true to them and give them aid. This is how you express love.

In many jurisdictions, a charge is given when a Lodge is closed. In that charge, we are challenged to remember that we have "solemnly bound" ourselves to "relieve every Brother who shall need your assistance." But do we actually do this? Do we use the excuse of our cable tow being too short too often? Being a father of two children not yet in school, I know that I am guilty of this.

Along with giving help to our brothers in need, we need to ensure that a brother is not too proud to ask for help. In many Jewish circles, you are encouraged to ask for help when you need it. When you ask for help, you are giving someone an opportunity to fulfill their obligation to do a mitzvah. A mitzvah is often translated to mean a good deed, but it actually means commandment. In the Jewish faith, there are 613 mitzvot or commandments that need to be observed. A number of them are related to being true while giving aid to those who are in need. The word mitzvah is related to the Aramaic word tzavta, which means to attach or join. By fulfilling the mitzvah and Masonic tenet of Relief, you are creating an attachment to your brother, a connection for Brotherly Love to flourish.

My challenge to you is the next time you need help, ask your brother for it. Do you need advice? Ask your brother for it. The next time you hear the call to help a brother in need, show your brotherly love and heed it.

~ASR

Bro. Adam Samuel Roth was raised in Anacostia Lodge No. 21, now Anacostia-Pentalpha Lodge No. 21, in Washington, DC and is a member of Acacia Lodge No. 16 in Clifton, Virginia. He has held numerous officer positions in both lodges. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite, Valleys of Washington (DC) and Alexandria, and the Kena Shrine in Manassas, VA. Bro. Roth is a devoted husband and father who works for a government agency in the United States of America.

Applying Masonic Values to Covid-19

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

As I write this, the Delta variant of Covid-19 is sweeping the nation. While there is no evidence that the Delta variant makes people more severely sick, it is around twice as contagious as the original SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus.[1]  According to research from Johns Hopkins University, the average number of daily COVID cases in the U.S. has gone up 66% in just the last week and is up 145% from two weeks ago.[2]  The variant is twice as contagious as the original virus, and one study suggested that the amount of virus in unvaccinated people infected with Delta might be a thousand times higher than seen in people infected with the original version of the virus.[3]  In the past few days, the Center for Disease Control has advised that vaccinated individuals begin masking in public spaces again, because they are able to carry tremendous amounts of Delta variant in their nose and throat.[4]  The deadly pandemic has continued because there is a large percentage of people who have refused to wear masks in public while unvaccinated and/or get vaccinated against Covid-19.  About 97 percent of people hospitalized with Covid-19 are unvaccinated.[5]      

This is not a political post, although it most likely may be labeled as one by some. Even though Freemasonry is not supposed to take any position regarding politics, we have seen brethren divided politically more today than at any other time in history apart from the Civil War era, and unfortunately, Covid-19 has been made into a political issue due in part because of this divide. This is unfortunate because this isn’t a political issue. It is at heart a principle that I hold dearer.  That principle is Civic responsibility. Civic responsibility means active participation in the public life of a community in an informed, committed, and constructive manner, with a focus on the common good.  I made the choice to become fully vaccinated to protect myself from Covid-19 and protect myself from allowing me to potentially spread it to others. When I was unvaccinated, I wore a mask in public places where social distancing was impossible because of this principle. I am wearing a mask again in public indoor places based upon the latest CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid -19.  This is my personal decision.  

While it is unknown what percentage of the population would need to be vaccinated for herd immunity, what we do know is that is most likely the high 80 or low 90 percent of the population of the United States and that we are nowhere close to that happening.   For example, measles is a highly contagious illness. It's estimated that 94% of the population must be immune to interrupt the chain of transmission. [6]  As of today, 49.4% of the population of the United States is vaccinated against Covid-19.[7]   As of writing this, there have been 609,441 deaths in the United States due to Covid-19.[8]  95% of the deaths due to Covid-19 are in patients that are older than 50 years old.[9]  We know that the majority of our membership falls into this demographic category. 

The good news is that the vaccination rates increase as we get into this demographic group.  57.5% of the total United States population aged 40-49 are fully vaccinated, 67.0% of the United States population aged 50-64 years are fully vaccinated, 81.6% of the United States population aged 64-74 years are fully vaccinated, and 77.6% of the United States population aged 75+ are vaccinated.[10]  The bad news is that rates are under 50% for the population aged 18-39.  We know that the vaccines are not 100% effective.   There are going to be cases of breakthrough infection.  A breakthrough infection occurs when someone who has been fully vaccinated tests positive for Covid-19. The good news is that breakthrough infections are rare, and the vast majority of the cases are mild. More than 161 million people in the U.S. have been fully vaccinated, and fewer than 6,000 fully vaccinated people have been hospitalized or died from breakthrough infections. The CDC has stopped collecting data on asymptomatic breakthrough infections, meaning people who have tested positive but don’t have any symptoms. “The fact that people are getting breakthroughs with the Delta variant and not having symptoms is something to celebrate,” says Dr. Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. “That means our vaccines are robust against the Delta variant.” People who do get more severe breakthrough infections are likely to be elderly or immunocompromised. Of the people who had severe breakthrough infections, 75% were over the age of 65. It is still extremely rare to get severe Covid-19 after being vaccinated, especially if you are young and healthy.[11]

The current COVID surge fueled by the Delta variant will likely continue throughout the summer and fall, peaking in mid-October.  At the peak, there will be around 60,000 new cases and 850 deaths each day, Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist from the University of North Carolina who helps run the data hub, told NPR. “By the time you get to October, these resurgent epidemics have burned through a lot of the people who are susceptible.”  Lessler explained. He added that, at that point, “herd immunity starts kicking in a little more aggressively and we start to see things going down again.”  By Jan. 2022, the data bub projects that the number of deaths will come back down around the current level of about 300 each day.”[12]

The longer the pandemic continues, the greater the chance that the virus continues to mutate.  If you let the virus replicate itself 900,000 times, odds are that the advantageous mutation will occur. But if you limit the overall replication of the virus to 1000 times, then it’s much less likely that the random advantageous mutation is going to occur. And that’s where public health interventions really help us a lot during this pandemic – by reducing the total amount of virus replication and therefore reducing the chances that the virus can improve or adapt.[13]   

I believe that the three great tenets of our Fraternity are simple rules to follow to help one live as an upright Mason. 

In the First Degree, Freemasons are taught that the first great tenet of our Fraternity is Brotherly Love. The tenet teaches us “to regard the whole human species as one family; the high and the low, the rich and the poor, who, as created by one Almighty Parent and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other. On this principle, masonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at perpetual distance.”  

The second tenet taught in the First Degree, Relief, teaches us: “To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent upon all men; but particularly on Masons, who profess to be linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection.  To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate with their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the grand aim we have in view.”  

The final tenet taught in the First Degree, Truth, tells us that: “Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue.  To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry.  On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct.  Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each other’s welfare and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity.”  

In the First Degree Charge, when we are told: “As a citizen, you are enjoined to be exemplary in the discharge of your civic duties, by never proposing or countenancing any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society; by paying due obedience to the laws under whose protection you live, and by never losing sight of the allegiance due to your country.”  The importance of the Tenets and Virtues are emphasized directly after the above, as the Charge states: “As an individual, you are charged to practice the domestic and public virtues.  Let temperance chasten, fortitude support, prudence direct you, and justice be the guide to all your actions.  Be especially careful to maintain, in their fullest splendor, those true Masonic ornaments – brotherly love, relief and truth.”         

In our Third Degree obligation, we promise that each of us individually: "Will not cheat, wrong, nor defraud a Master Mason's Lodge, nor a brother of this Degree, knowingly, nor supplant him in any of his laudable undertakings, but give him due and timely notice, that he may ward off all danger."  

There is most likely a percentage of our membership that has not been vaccinated.  There are also those of you that are vaccinated who are not wearing a mask indoors after the new CDC guidance to do so.  I’m writing this article to try to appeal to you. This is my attempt to whisper good counsel to you to consider vaccination if unvaccinated. It is my attempt to whisper good counsel to you to consider wearing a mask while around others in public spaces regardless of your vaccination status.  I'm asking you to remember the above lessons and to contemplate them as they apply to Covid-19.  

My hope is that by appealing to you as a Brother, you will let Brotherly Love fill your heart and you will decide to change your mind.  My hope is that you will see such a decision as a way to give relief to others.  My hope is that you will let Truth guide your decision to promote each other's welfare.  My hope is that you will see this decision as one of civic duty.  As a favor, from one brother to another, I would ask you to contemplate my last point. The danger that Covid poses is unseen.  Are you able to give a brother due and timely notice to ward it off if you are potentially transmitting it to him? Please remember the obligations that you promised and swore to. My hope is that if I can change one mind, and in doing so potentially save you, another brother, or another person from catching this virus and/or dying from it, then I believe the article has done what it was designed to do.  May Brotherly Love prevail and every moral and social virtue cement us.  

~DAL

---

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2021/07/27/how-good-are-covid-19-vaccines-at-protecting-against-the-delta-variant/?sh=25dcfe1b1a6f

[2] https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/illinois-coronavirus-updates-latest-state-data-lollapalooza-to-return-as-covid-cases-rise/2565424/

[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/health/cdc-masks-vaccinated-transmission.html

[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/health/cdc-masks-vaccinated-transmission.html

[5] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/health/cdc-masks-vaccinated-transmission.html

[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/herd-immunity-and-coronavirus/art-20486808

[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine-tracker

[8] https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

[9] https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#demographics

[10] https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-demographics-trends

[11] https://www.forbes.com/sites/leahrosenbaum/2021/07/27/how-good-are-covid-19-vaccines-at-protecting-against-the-delta-variant/?sh=25dcfe1b1a6f

[12] https://bestlifeonline.com/news-delta-variant-surge/

[13] https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/07/19/andrew-pekosz-delta-variants/

WB Darin A. Lahners is our co-managing Editor.  He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.  

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Or is it?)

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners  

The "Controversial" promotional picture

It started innocently enough.  In order to promote our latest episode of the “Meet, Act and Part” podcast (shameless plug).  Bill Hosler, Greg Knott, Todd Creason and I host the podcast.  In addition to hosting the podcast, I do the production work, and Bill does all of the social media promotion. This episode, our 30th, was about Lodge Culture. Bill selected an image showing men of different ethnicities wearing Masonic rings touching the standard blue Masonic Bible that most candidates receive upon the completion of their third degree. It appears to be resting on an altar, as there is a white cloth under the bible.  Bill posted the picture on one of the most populous Freemason groups on Facebook (The Winding Stairs) in order to garner some new listeners.  Then the comments started.

Not all of the comments were negative. In fact, very few of them were. However, instead of them being about the episode, they were about the picture.  Most of the comments could be separated into one of the below three categories:

1. A majority of the comments, because the men were wearing Masonic Rings, the “points in” versus “points out” debate.

2. A few comments mistook the picture for someone being obligated (or they were just being facetious).

3. A few comments were regarding the title of the podcast, because it “revealed ritual”.

While I read the comments and shook my head in disbelief at them, I chuckled to myself, Sartre was right, “Hell is other people.”  I then chastised myself for saying that about my brothers. I opened my heart and filled it with brotherly love.  Yet at this moment, I realized that maybe Sartre could explain why it is so difficult for us to practice the tenet of brotherly love while on social media, or even in the lodge room. 

Who is Sartre? For those of you who don’t know, Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French philosopher, author, playwright, and literary critic who is best known for his opus: “Being and Nothingness”, which was published in 1943.  Sartre also wrote a play in 1943 entitled “No Exit”.  No Exit (Huis Clos), is about three characters – Garcin, Estelle, and Inez who have died and gone to hell, which happens to be a drawing-room. 

As the characters struggle to understand how they have ended up in hell, and what their punishment for all eternity will be, they come to an understanding that there is no torturer, no flames, or punishment. It’s just the three of them, trapped in a room forever.  The other characters in the room are the punishment.  Towards the end of the play, Garcin states: 

“All those eyes intent on me. Devouring me. What? Only two of you? I thought there were more; many more. So this is hell. I’d never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the “burning marl.” Old wives’ tales! There’s no need for red-hot pokers. HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE!”

What Sartre’s philosophy illustrates is that it is difficult to co-exist with other people.  According to Sartre, Other people, and their perception of me (what Sartre called the gaze), disturbs me on a subconscious level. This feeling is disturbing because it locks me into a particular kind of object,  which deprives me of my freedom.  The other defines me as a being having attributes (attractive, smart, proud, shy, crazy, etc.); even if I am not any of these things.  The only defense left for me is to try to transform others into an object having traits that I assign to it. My subconscious projects my own perception of how I view them back onto them.  I am so disturbed subconsciously by their projection of me, that I have to rid myself of them by doing the same to them.  This activity continues ad infinitum.   

Freedom is being defined here as the freedom to exist. Sartre writes “no limits to my freedom can be found except freedom itself or if you prefer, that we are not free to cease being free”.  Unfortunately, we are born into the world or into a ‘situation’ which Sartre calls facticity. The facticity of our human condition is the limits imposed upon the individual by the world.  I can make any choice I want to make, but I will have to deal with the consequences of my actions.  Sartre writes that freedom means “by oneself to determine oneself to wish. In other words, success is not important to freedom.” Sartre would say it is important to note the difference between choice, wish and dream.  

For example, I can wish that I can fly, but that brings me no closer to flight as I know that flight isn’t something that I’m physically capable of because I do not have wings nor a pilot’s license.  I can also dream that I can fly, but once again it’s futile due to the above limitations.  However, Sartre would say that an individual is always free to choose to fly.  I can run off the top of a building and believe that I will fly and deal with the consequences of gravity, or I can go to school to learn how to become a pilot.  I am free to choose.

In essence, what social media facilitates is a perfect distillation of Satre’s observations about the other, and how we react to the other. Sure, I might have someone not agree with what I express and they can argue back and forth ad infinitum about why their position is correct and mine is incorrect. In essence, it is me trying to project my “truth” upon someone else.  However, my “truth” may not really be true.  We often shape our own opinions on information that we have not taken the time to research, given to us by other individuals on social media, or in the media. Many of us accept this information to be true even if it isn’t. Worse yet, social media gives me the freedom to choose to express myself without consequence.  At the very worst, I might end up banned from the social media platform and I can create a new profile under a pseudonym or end up in “Facebook” jail for some time.  Many Grand Lodges have Social Media policies, but have you ever seen them enforced?  I have not. 

How do we as Freemasons combat this? In the Fellowcraft degree, we are taught that the jewels of a Fellowcraft are an attentive ear, an instructive tongue, and a faithful breast.  I would ask that we start using them as a tool to help us subdue our passions, to help guide our actions despite our inherent desire to express ourselves freely, to help us act with civility towards each other.  

The attentive ear reminds us of the need to listen carefully and with attention to detail.  I would argue that having an attentive ear also means that we must have a keen eye.  For many of us, the internet as our primary source of information, we must not only listen in order for the work to be properly received and the instruction understood, we also must make sure to read attentively as well.  Without a keen eye, how can we as Freemasons read the designs on the trestle board? The ear can only listen.  It is important for us to be able to use our eyes in unison with our ears.      

 

An instructive tongue allows knowledge to be conveyed accurately. The tongue does more than communicate, it also teaches. Not only does it teach, but it informs us of the truth, meaning and the application of the lessons of not only Freemasonry but of life itself. With most of our information coming from the internet, we are also using communication tools like e-mail, text messages, or messengers built into social media to relay information.  It is important then to use your fingers as much as it is your tongue.  When you use the instructive tongue either by speaking or by typing, the intention is to impart knowledge or information to others. With the instructive tongue/fingers, we give others the tools and the information on how to use them in order to grow themselves so they may pass that knowledge onto more people.  It is important to let our instructive tongues work in unison with our fingers to pass this knowledge onto others.

The faithful breast is the place where we keep the lessons and secrets that are entrusted to us as we progress through the degrees of Freemasonry. The faithful breast is called such because as we first become Freemasons in our hearts, it is within our hearts where we keep and treasure these lessons and secrets. Because our hearts reside within our breast, the idea of the faithful breast came to pass.  It is of course impossible for our hearts within our breasts to retain these lessons and secrets.  The faithful breast resides in our brain. It is in our brain, where we keep the ideals of Freemasonry.  It is here where we need to think about the application of these jewels. 

Our brain is where we ultimately decide how to act in life. It is here where we process the information obtained by the attentive ear/keen eye, and we ultimately need to think about whether that information is true.  Freemasons should think about truth in context to it being a tenet of Freemasonry.  Truth “is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be a good man and true is the first lesson taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct; hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us, and heart and tongue join in promoting each other’s welfare and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity.” 

It is in our brain, where we decide how we should relay truth using our instructive tongue. It is here where we decide whether to subdue our passions or to let them guide us to be true in our actions. It is here where we struggle with our innate desire to express ourselves against the influence of the subconscious perceptions of others.  If we listen with an attentive ear and live by our lessons, we remember that we need to exercise caution and restraint and that we need to be guided by wisdom and prudence in our endeavors with each other.

Whether or not you agree with Sartre, it is clear to me that he realizes that humanity is its own worst enemy.  Freemasons are not exempt from that.   However, we are an organization that promotes “Brotherly Love” as one of its key tenets. We are told in the Entered Apprentice degree that: “By the exercise of Brotherly Love, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family; the high and low, the rich and poor, who, as created by one Almighty Parent and inhabitants of the same planet are to aid, support, and protect each other.  On this principle Freemasonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion and conciliates true friendship among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.” Yet, we have let the divisiveness of the profane world divide us online, and it has infiltrated our lodge rooms.  Luckily, we have the tools to fight the divisiveness that is creeping into the Craft, and we need to use them.  By practicing the use of the attentive ear, the instructive tongue, and the faithful breast, along with the application of our definition of Truth, and spreading the cement of Brotherly Love with the trowel, we can combat this divisiveness. It just requires us to apply our lessons to everyday life.

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is our co-managing Editor.  He is a Past Master of and Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com

Gratitude

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin Lahners

"Good times gone, and you missed them
What's gone wrong in your system?
Things they bounce like a Spaulding
What'd you think, did you miss your calling?
It's so free, this kind of feeling
It's like life, it's so appealing
When you've got so much to say it's called gratitude
And that's right

Good times gone but you feed it
Hate's grown strong, you feel you need it
Just one thing, do you know you?
What you think, that the world owes you?
What's gonna set you free?
Look inside and you'll see
When you've got so much to say it's called gratitude
And that's right" 

Written by: ADAM HOROVITZ, ADAM NATHANIEL YAUCH, MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND, TOM CUSHMAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group - 
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
As of tomorrow, we are a week away from our Thanksgiving Holiday in the United States, and I'm sure many of you feel like there's not much to be thankful for.  2020 has impacted all of us, many of us for the worst.  When I communicate with Emeritus Midnight Freemason contributor Erik Marks, often over text, but sometimes over the phone, he often uses a word to describe how he is feeling that probably hasn't crossed many of our lips this year, Gratitude.

There is a saying attributed to Bro. George Washington that states: "Freemasonry is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward the wicked, help for the weak, trust in the strong, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another, and above all, reverence and love for God."  Whether or not George said this is up for debate, but I think that Freemasonry is more than just kindness in the home.  I think Freemasonry is the practice of Gratitude.  Gratitude is not only the quality of being thankful, but it's also a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

The Three principle tenets of Freemasonry are: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. 
To practice Brotherly Love, we need to show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, and behave with kindness and empathy towards our fellow creatures.  To practice Relief, we need to practice charity and care not only for our own family, but for our community as a whole not only through charitable giving, but also through our own individual voluntary efforts.  To practice Truth, we need to be true in our actions as well as our word.  We need to promote each other's welfare, and rejoice in each others prosperity.  

In order to exercise Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, Freemasons need to practice Gratitude.  Anyone can be kind.  It's easy to hold a door open for a stranger.  But is holding a door open for a stranger really practicing Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth?  What makes our actions impactful as Freemasons is our Gratitude.  In order to practice Gratitude, we need to be Thankful.  Can you really love someone without being thankful for them? I don't think so, as a huge part of love is appreciation of that person. Can you really show compassion in your relief without being thankful for your own blessings? Compassion is love in action.  Can you be truthful without being thankful for the one truth we all know as Freemasons, which is the Great Architect of the Universe?  Truth is a divine attribute. 

So as we approach Thanksgiving, I ask each of you to not only practice Gratitude on that day, but to practice it everyday. To use it as another working tool, to help us as we work in our quarries to transform ourselves from the rough ashlar to the perfect one.  Let us reflect upon the indented tessel, which represents the manifold blessings and comforts we have in our life, and practice gratitude. Let us apply gratitude to practicing our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.  But most importantly, let us practice Gratitude for every day that the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day, and for the Great Architect by whose providence this occurs.

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is our co-managing Editor.  He is a Past Master of and Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com