A Paper
for…
Sequoia Council No. 228 (AMD)
… to better serve the Craft
through the medium of study and research…
Exclusive or Not
Exclusive
By Rudy
Olano
27Jan06
“If our fraternity began to get as
exclusive as you suggest, I might just demit.
If I want exclusive, I'll join a country club.” --- a
brother in response to Not 4 Everybody.
The Fraternity accepts
only men, of certain age bracket, “not a madman or a fool” in addition to other
requirements. There are Lodges for
language specific speaking Lodges i.e German,
Spanish, French and no need to mention race and color specific Lodges. Even within the Lodges in this side of the
world, only Master Mason can attend regular meeting to vote and have a voice in
the affairs of the Lodge. The point is
being “exclusive” also meant a presence of set standard(s). A man who desires to receive Degrees in
Freemasonry must his name be read to the membership, investigated by three
Master Masons and if recommended, be elected by the Lodge. A single nay overrules the majority. That process was concocted for a reason. To select, choose, restricts, limit, and that
e-word---exclusive.
Let us call a spade for
what it is--- a spade and dispel the political correctness. The men who govern and care to belong to the
Order are far from being perfect. The
rules and requirements were debated, compromised and set. To advance to the next degree,” certain parts
of the lectures must be committed to memories,” --- mental ability, being “able
to support my family,”--- financial requirement, to our neighbor---“relieving
his distresses and soothing his affliction,”--- time/financial requirements,
“To regard the Volume of Sacred Law…” spiritual requirements. Potential members are expected to possess a
fully developed “mental and corporeal faculties” to understand the complex
lessons presented in” veiled in allegories and illustrated in symbols.” Those necessities must be present to
appreciate what they are joining for.
Majority of today’s men are more interested in other worldly
interest. The Craft offers a place and
opportunity to like-minded men to gather and enjoy each other company. If this gathering is described as “exclusive”
then it is exclusive. Same rule could
then apply to Catholics, Methodist, Muslims, race car fans, cigarette smokers,
police associations, and not to forget ---golfers. There is nothing wrong in joining such groups
however, one should not expect a fireman to join a police association, nor
expect to see homeless person to join golfers club. There is nothing wrong for rejecting
candidates who do not possess the standard agreed upon by the members. It is wrong to disregard the rule in favor of
few who can not clear the bar against the majority who where subjected to the same
rule. Either the rule should be imposed
or be replaced. One should wonder the
motive and mental condition of a person without medical degree wanting to join
a professional medical doctor association.
And a more pointed question of the credibility of the group and its
members if they allowed the said person to join.
Watering down the set
standards to cater for those who obviously shown inability to meet such
requirement is one of the reason why the Fraternity is not retaining and
attracting those who should be.
Freemasonry is not about community buil
