THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MASONIC PRACTICE

Can we find relevance? Freemasonry continues to offer a methodology that in the right hands provides context. We can try to minimize the effect, but at the end of the day masonry requires intelligent thinking. Can we be blamed for refocusing masonry?  Our collective history tells a story of lodges aware and participating in cultural issues of the day. We decide if we will apply modern ethics or consider their actions using ethics of their day. Today, our priviledged lifestyles depend so much on how we navigate social issues. Are we really any different? In fairness to our legacy, I would want to sit in a lodge of capable brethren, who can talk about the contentious issues of the day without referring to approved correctness. I cannot fault uninformed brethren from trying to fit in with popular thinking. It is an affront to critical thought. Is it even a quandr or simply something we haven't yet talked out? Why do we limit ourselfs the way we do? Is it fear of retribution? How can we be relevant and not be aware of the global as well as local issues? Conflict over there has no bearing when children are hungry and women are beaten here because of our indifference. How do we draw the line?  There is no line. There are ethical considerations, held by men who invest attention in philosophical validity.  Historically, lodges risked much to confirm beliefs. They were worth the struggle.  Today, what is worth the struggle? Freedom to think? Equality? Fraternity?  Is the risk in avoiding the conversations or in picking up where the ancients left off.  Where will radical thinking take us? Isn't that worth exploring? If only we could do that without attracting unwanted attention. If only.