Sinister Cult?

By: Bro. David Israel, Junior Steward, St. John's Lodge No. 9

"If it's not a sinister cult then why call it a craft?" said my sister in law adding; "Like witchcraft." Many Masons have been faced with similar questions, I am sure I was not the first to meet such ignorance with a puzzled response. I initially was shocked and displayed my uncanny debating skills with a confused, "HUH?" Let's not cast negativity on the use of the word ignorance, it doesn't imply disrespect, arrogance, or insult on any one but simply illustrates the very real fact that few people understand the fraternity, what it means, and what we do, or don't do.

I took this as a positive challenge for myself, a relatively new Mason, and attempted to shed some light on the subject for a less than well informed person.

My sister in law was fed a lot of nonsense about Masonry by other people who have been regurgitating the same negative crud for centuries. I tried to explain to her that the simple word "craft" is descriptive of many things, some good, some not so good. Building a model airplane, macaroni art done by children are also a craft, practicing a line for a play is a craft, and the simple use of that word does not alone explain anything.

She had been told by her "friends" that Masonry is evil and dark. It is a world of secrets, devil worship, witchcraft, cartoonish stereotypes (no less) created by people claiming to be experts on the subject, but really no more experts on Masonry than they were rocket scientists. It's all hear say and scary fantasy created by people who fear what they do not understand. I suppose that's just human nature to fear the unknown, but it is also human nature to seek knowledge and information. To explore. To aid our fellow man and woman, lend a caring ear or hand, and (try to) keep egos from influencing decisions. Practicing the craft of self improvement. Without tubthumping.

I make no claim to understand it all, nor do I consider myself qualified to teach anyone all of Masonry. I have a ton to learn and I look forward to all of life's lessons. I submit this experience to simply share a lesson of my own.

So I explained to her simply that we do have some secrets mostly relating to ceremonies, but certainly nothing that involves witchcraft, animal sacrifice, devil worship or the destruction of anyone's personal religious beliefs. In fact if any man expresses or is discovered to have selfish motives, a disbelief in God, or a desire to practice any evil, then he is not accepted into the fraternity.

No one person, or organization is perfect and sometimes an unsavory individual does gain entrance. We have all heard of bad people involved in an otherwise good cause, position, craft, or fraternity and by their negative actions cause those good people, or organizations they associated with, to carry a black eye just for being associated with them. Many have been found guilty by association unjustly. It's a sad truth, but is very real.

I further explained that she was grossly misinformed albeit possibly by well intentioned people, but misinformed nonetheless.

We do charity work, scholarships, and support countless community events.

Little is ever recognized publicly and what the fraternity does is done quietly for the satisfaction of just giving something back to the community.

We are not all business, or serious and grumpy old men. We like to have some fun as well, and we do.

We are a diverse mix of race, religions, age, and social standing.

We are fathers, uncles, foster parents, teachers, Priests and Rabbis, carpenters, and actors. Some are famous, some are in politics, and sadly some are even lawyers (just kidding).

We even have a sense of humor.

We are neighbors and friends. We are ordinary men that come together hopefully to do some little bit of extraordinary good for others.

I will conclude as I did in my conversation with my sister in law.

I never killed a goat, I couldn't even draw a pentagram, I have never met a devil worshipper anywhere, I never met a witch or warlock or whatever, and I don't know who killed JFK.

I just want to keep my mind open and learn as much as I can objectively while being hopefully an upstanding part of the community and a better husband, father, friend and even brother in law.

That's the craft to me at least in part and there is always more to learn. Does that in anyway suggest something sinister or dark? She answered with a simple, "Nope".

 

Freemasons of Washington will be recognized as a relevant and respected Fraternity, committed to attracting and retaining all men of high quality who strive for self improvement and the opportunity to make a positive difference in their community