MasonicMinute.com
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Posted at: 1:33 am I was in the J. Edgar Hoover room at the Scottish Rite House of the Temple in Washington DC when my phone rang. I answered it. The voice on the other line asked me if it was true that the Lodge was intending to increase dues from $50 to $150 per year. I said that the vote would be next week, and I thought there would be an interesting discussion. He told me that he has been a Mason for thirty (30) years and has not been to the Lodge. He said he likes to have his dues card as a “place holder” (his words, not mine). He said that he did not think it was worth $150 per year to have and that if the Lodge actually raised the dues he would probably demit and find another Lodge. I was sick to my stomach. I was sick, not because he wanted to leave. I was sick because my good manners didn’t allow me to tell him what I was thinking. I mean, who the hell does this guy think he is? Thirty years and he’s never been to Lodge. Thirty years of paying for a “place holder”. This guy is an idiot, not a Mason. Now, many of you might think that I am being hard on him. Well, tough. This guy feels entitled to special treatment because he pays his dues. Big freaking deal. For all I know, he’s a liar, cheat, swindler and kicks his dog for fun. Why am I supposed to treat this guy with any respect? Masonry is a two way street. If you are old and infirm, as one of our brothers is, and you are physically incapable of attending Lodge, that’s one thing. But to be a member of my Lodge for thirty years and never to even show-up…AND THEN COMPLAIN WHEN WE WANT TO RAISE THE DUES?!?! WTF?!?! Sorry for the vulgarity. But I got sick to my stomach listening to this clown. I have no sympathy or pitty for those so-called “Brothers” who do not attend and participate in their Lodge activities or meetings. Of course, things get in the way…and some guys just get around once or twice a year. Even that’s great (in fact, we have a few guys that never attend, but they contribute in other ways…again, case-by-case analysis). What I cannot stand is that generation of “Mason” who joined the Lodge years ago and never attends, calls, writes, contributes…nothing. I have brotherly love for them…to be sure. I love them enough to tell them the TRUTH about how I feel. The truth is that there are tons of guys out there who carry the card, wear the ring, and probably make ignorant comments about the Lodge just so they can say they belong. These men are pathetic. Harsh? You bet. Without apology. I have seen too many guys go through real hardship, economic and personal, to buy the excuses that some others give. I can judge them because it’s not that hard. I will judge them because it is part of my obligation to be fair…and truthful. If you are a worthless pile of garbage…get lost. If you regularly (insofar as you are capable) participate in Masonry, then you are a man of value, and you are welcome. We may be a charitable organization (I would argue otherwise) but we are not a charity. Membership has responsibilities…not just rewards…we are not American Express. I hope, more than ever, Masons everywhere are assesing the value of Masonry in their lives. I could go on and on about this issue, but not now. It is enough for me to leave you with this little anecdote: As a habit (and this is completely unscientific) I try to ask every potential member how much they expect to pay in annual dues as they walk in the door. Invariably, the number is between $300 and $500 per year (sometimes more, but never less). Think about that. The old idiot is pissed about paying half of what the younger guy WANTS to pay… To the guy who hasn’t been in Lodge for thirty years, I probably should have titled this blog “Stay Lost”. |
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January 5, 2008
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I like the blog alot brother. Let me play the devil’s advocate for a minute. It has been over a year since I attended lodge, and in some ways I can see why a man has quit going altogether. Some lodges don’t always offer what they promise to a prospective candidate. Rote memorization of the lectures, with little actual education, is the norm. Some lodges rush their regular meetings and initiations so nobody actually has inconvenience themselves any more than they have to. Also, the brotherhood is, more often than not, very conditional. Backbiting can abound sometimes, and it seems more damage is done to the craft by people who would speak ill of a brother, or not defend him as they are obligated, than not showing up for lodge in the first place.
Comment by Josh — January 5, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
Great post, Brother. Harsh is sometimes good.
As Bro. Winston Churchill once said, “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time — a tremendous whack.”
What kind of “place” was this guy’s place-card holder holding, if he was neither active online or in his community lodge? Was he reserving a place in heaven by expecting a Masonic funeral?
–Widow’s Son
Comment by Widow's Son — January 5, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
Are we sure the problem is with the Brother who hasn’t been to Lodge for 30 years? What did the members of the Lodge do or not do that may have exacerbated this situation. Back biting, harsh criticism, poor ritual, and no real attempts at education, lack of Brotherly Love, and on and on….. We have all seen this in our Lodges.
Who is to blame? We all are.
Comment by Mr. Ed — January 6, 2008 @ 12:32 am
My good Brother, two words; Amen & Amen!
Comment by Makers Mark — January 6, 2008 @ 5:44 am
Great blog, Brother! For some strange reason I am glad that he contacted you as WM instead of me, you know how the handle flys.
Comment by emeraldi42 — January 6, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
It seems although intending to raise fees you have inadvertently woke up some people in your lodge. This brother demoonstrates the quintessential example of taking from freemasonry and not giving to it.
Comment by David — January 6, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
There is Just a few things I would like to point out about this situation. It is written that this brother expected special treatment just because he paid his dues. I may be missing something that wasn’t written down, but what kind of special treatment did he say he expected? If he has paid his dues then isn’t he entitled to come and go as he pleases?
“For all I know, he’s a liar, cheat, swindler and kicks his dog for fun. Why am I supposed to treat this guy with any respect?”
You treat the man with respect, because he is your brother. It’s never necessary to assume the worst about a brother when the opposite may be true.
You also mention that you regularly ask new members how much they expect to pay for the privilege of being a Mason, and they answer anywhere from $300 to $500. I actually agree with that amount, but you have to make sure that their experience really is worth that to them. Above all a lodge needs to be a warm, welcoming, and friendly place so that if someone like this brother ever does want to come back he will. It’s like a family you may go away for years but they are always glad to see you when you get back. Peace.
Comment by Josh — January 8, 2008 @ 2:30 am
Josh,
Your comments are well taken, but I differ in this regard alone…
Masonry is about that brother AND about all HIS brothers. Where has he been for them? What has he done for his Lodge? Where is his obligation?
He is absent. He is only paying for the respect that you say he deserves. This, my brother, is never enough.
-AEdifico
Comment by aedifico42 — January 8, 2008 @ 11:48 am
AEdifico,
I share your frustrations and I know of alot of people who feel the same way. There was a point where I was getting fed up with the state of Masonry today, but had the good fortune to read a few things that made me see things in a different light. I think that all of us should take the high ground on issues that specifically regard the craft, and not be too quick to judge or dismiss each other. Please don’t take my comments as anything other than gentle critisism and a helpful hand. Peace.
Comment by Josh — January 8, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Josh,
I am a bit of a fanatic (like you can’t tell from my writings), so I will continue to reserve the rights that I have taken.
As a former US Marine, I am a firm believer in the axiom: our chain is only as strong as our weakest link. That having been said, I take seriously the responsibility I have to the brothers that DO try to be good Masons.
We do not hesitate Masonic Trials when one has committed a crime (in fact, in Arizona a trial is required when the Lodge becomes aware of a brother’s conviction), we do not hesitate to “whisper gentle counsel” and, in fact, we are obliged to do so.
What I am getting at is that we must take responsibility for our own Craft. This sometimes means that we must pass judgment on our brothers. If we do so with thoughtful and reasoned maturity…and after looking to the lessons of our Craft for guideance, we will probably come to the same conclusions as any of our other brothers would almost every time.
I am not perfect. I will continue to learn and grow as I apply those lessons and live the experiences that Masons should.
But I will also admit that I love my Craft enough to protect it jealously from the mediocrity that this “brother” imposes on our collective reputation.
Josh, you and I are of the same mind. We just have different approaches.
Safe travels…and thanks for the conversation. …and a big fat PEACE right back at you!
Comment by AEdifico — January 8, 2008 @ 5:41 pm