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Is Freemasonry
Still Viable?
by Allen E. Roberts, FPS


[Note: What follows has been written in
answer to this question asked by a non-Mason
who appeared to be interested in the Craft. A
condensed form was giuen in a meeting open to
the general public in the District of Columbia
on February 15, 1993.]

Is Freemasonry still viable in this age of
"Hurrah for me--to heck with you"?

A simple question but indeed difficult
to answer simply.

Of course the simple answer is "Yes!"
But I fear there are few, even within the
Craft who would accept that truism with-
out a more comprehensive explanation.

Let me emphasize, as I always try to do,
that anything I have to say is my opin-
ion--no more, no less. No one man, no
matter what his rank in Freemasonry or
station in life is, or can be, a sole spokes-
man for this organization. And to this
question one can receive as many expla-
nations as spokesmen. Let me ask a cou-
ple of questions: Is God in His Heaven?
Does Truth still exist? Is Truth some-
thing we should continually seek? Is
being a patriot--having a love of our
country-still acceptable? Are children
still taught to love their parents, and
parents still to love, protect, clothe, feed,
and educate their children? Is justice still
practiced? Do we still help the unfortun-
ate?

If we can answer "Yes" to these ques-
tions, then Freemasonry- the fraternity
of men that believes in the Brotherhood
of Man under the Fatherhood of God--is
indeed still viable.

There will be attempts by self-centered,
self-seeking, self- glorifying, selfish, ego-
tistical men to destroy Freemasonry--
the oldest, largest and finest fraternal
organization ever to exist. Their at-
tempts have hurt Masonry for a time,
but as with anything supported by God,
it will not die.

Strange, isn't it? Freemasonry isn't a
charity, yet it contributes daily more
money for the unfortunate than any
other private organization. Masonry is
not a religion, yet its teachings are ac-
ceptable to men of any and all religions.
It asks not what a man believes about
God, only that he believe in God. As its
ritual states, it thereby can help all men
meet about one altar to express their
religious beliefs as they profess.

So it unites men of every country, sect,
and opinion.

This Freemasonry that is called a secret
by its enemies and critics is far from
secret. More books have been written
about it than about any other fraternity.
Its members proudly wear pins, rings,
jewelry of all sorts, clothing, and any-
thing else you can dream up proclaiming
they are Freemasons, or members of one
of the bodies which depends on the Sym-
bolic Lodge for its existence. Principal
among these is the Shrine whose mem-
bers call themselves "Nobles" or
" Shriners. "

Freemasonry is viable because it is dif-
ferent. How?

It doesn't seek new members. There
was a time when a man had to request a
petition to seek membership in a Lodge.
This is still true, but to a lesser extent. In
most places, a Freemason may openly
discuss the benefits a man will find in
Freemasonry. We can even discuss the
attributes found in Freemasonry: Relief,
Justice, the Search for Truth, and per-
haps most important of all--Brother-
hood, which in a manner of speaking is
the love of man for his God.

You will note we speak of his God.
Unlike those who profess love of certain
religions, we never claim any particular
religious belief is an absolute necessity to
attaining a place in the hereafter with
God. Freemasonry welcomes good men
of every country, sect, and opinion.

It's different because it teaches its les-
sons in much the same manner as did the
Master Teacher of all--Jesus Christ. He
made extensive use of parables--a form
of ritual. So does Masonry. His ritual
and that of Freemasonry imprint wise
and serious truths on the minds of their
adherents. Few, if any other fraternal or
service organizations do this.

Do you know that unlike the Mason-
haters who claim to be Christians, Free-
masonry teaches exactly what Jesus
taught?

And what did the Man from Galilee
teach? Exactly what Freemasonry has
taught for centuries--and still teaches
today--love of man for his fellowman.

Witness the Pharisees who continually
tried to entrap Jesus (just as do the anti-
Masons of today). Jesus parried their
traps in every case. "Haha!" said one
who was a lawyer. "I've got him!" He
turned to the Carpenter and asked:
"Master, which is the great command-
ment in the law?"

Jesus looked at him and answered:
"Thou shalt love thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On
these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets. "

Now, please note, the Master Teacher
didn't say "my God" or " my neighbor. "
He said "Thy God and thy Neighbor."
There's no qualification there. Unlike
the hypocrites who claim they speak for
God and that their version of religion is
the only religion that will get one to
Heaven.

But it's Christ's answer to Peter that I
find most interesting of all. "Lord," said
Peter, "how oft shall my brother sin
against me and I forgive him? Till seven
times seven?" No, sir! "Jesus saith unto
him. 'I say not unto thee, Until seven
times seven; but, Until seventy times
seven! "' Wow! what saith the con artists
in much of the electronic church who
continuously plead for money to support
their high-living life-styles?

An anti-Masonic charlatan attempted
for months to get me on his television
program. I finally told him I'd appear on
it provided (1) it be a live one-time tele-
cast, or (2) I be given editorial control
over the tape. Being a film producer, I
know well how editing a film can make
those appearing in it look good or foolish.
Neither was acceptable to the charlatan
or his cohorts. But he continued haunt-
ing me to appear. I finally stopped the
calls. How? I suggested he and his in-
quisitors re-read (if they ever have read)
the Sermon on the Mount. Never again
did I hear from them.

Is Freemasonry still viable? The an-
swer is a resounding YES. And as it has
always been--it's as modern in its con-
cept as is tomorrow.

The Philalethes  October 1993
