EXTREMISM VERSUS FREEDOM A MASONIC CALL TO ACTION
FOREWORD
Once again Freemasonry has come under attack from a fundamentalist religious
group. In this particular instance a powerful group of fundamentalists within
the Southern Baptist Convention demanded an "investigation" of Freemasonry by
its Interfaith Witness Department.
One of the proponents of this "inquiry" has already stated publicly that
unless the report condemns Freemasonry it is to be ignored and a resolution
condemning Freemasonry is to be acted upon immediately. In fact proponents of
this action have already developed a "purification ritual" which they will
demand of all Baptist Churches who have had cornerstones laid by the Masonic
Fraternity in the past.
Religious intolerance is not new to the Masonic Fraternity, and the intent of
this Short Talk Bulletin is twofold. first, to help the Mason concerned about
this particular situation to respond if he so chooses and, secondly, to address
all religious attacks on Freemasonry by showing how Masons can respond.
This Short Talk Bulletin is only one of the responses by the Masonic
Fraternity. Another response that is being prepared and we would strongly urge
you to look for and read as soon as it becomes available, is the February 1993
issue of The Scottish Rite Journal, Southern Jurisdiction. The entire issue will
be devoted to the discussion of religious freedom and the vital role Freemasonry
has played, not only in its development but also in its continuation.
The Masonic Service Association has been asked to serve as a clearing house
for information concerning how we can respond to these attacks, and we will be
attempting to gain information from all of the Grand Lodges, as well as other
Masonic sources, as to what actions they may be taking.
If you have any questions or comments on this subject, please don't hesitate
to let us know. The address where you may reach us is: 8120 Fenton Street,
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
Editor
EXTREMISM VERSUS FREEDOM A MASONIC CALL TO ACTION
Judge James B. Wilkinson, 33ø Senior Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of
Virginia Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Virginia 4202 Hermitage Road,
Richmond, Virginia 23227-0136
Freemasonry today again faces an age-old antagonist-religious extremism. In
the past, our Craft has always defended its basic commitment to freedom of
conscience. Masonry's dedication is to each person's right to decide matters of
faith for himself. Freemasonry leaves each person to embrace the creed of his
choice and teaches toleration. All men of good character who believe in a
Supreme Being are welcome in Freemasonry. There they are encouraged to live
according to the tenets of their own faith.
Our Masonic position is simple: all men and women have the right to be free.
They have a right to think for themselves in all matters civil, political, and
religious.
Today, however, divisive sectarianism is gaining strength. Within some
denominations extremists are demanding new rules which would force many Masons
to choose between his church, synagogue, or other religious membership and his
fraternal membership. The most recent instance is the creation by the June 1992
Southern Baptist Convention of a special "investigation" of Freemasonry by its
Interfaith Witness Department. The one-year study is to determine if Freemasonry
is compatible with the Christian faith.
That, in itself, is not a concern. All thinking Masons know Freemasonry is
compatible with all the great faiths of the world, including the Christian
faith. We also know any objective, unbiased study on the subject will prove this
to be true.
Freemasonry's main concern is that, whatever the report to the Convention may
be, it will be twisted to condemn Freemasonry. Headlines such as "America's
Largest Protestant Denomination Expels Masons" can benefit no one. Also, local
Baptist churches, if forced to oust Freemasons, will lose their traditional
autonomy in addition to membership. Worse yet for our fraternity, we can expect
several other mainline denominations to consider similar condemnations, however
ludicrous, of Freemasonry.
The result could be a devastating blow to Freemasonry. Minimally, it is
estimated, we could lose 20% of our present members, not to mention the loss of
prospective members. We should not forget that the anti-Masonic furor of the
1826-56 period resulted in Masonic lodges losing as many as 75% of their
members.
Clearly, all caring and thoughtful Masons today must take the threat of
religious extremism seriously. We must get back to our Masonic roots and again
become outspoken champions of toleration and religious freedom. We must let the
world know that Masonry is not the enemy of any church, but its servant and
ally. Religion and Freemasonry; both feed the spirit in different ways.
We must be absolutely certain our own membership is well informed. There is a
real danger that some of our brethren who are subjected to anti-Masonic
influences or personally harassed by anti-Masons in their own church will feel
torn between two seemingly absolute alternatives and, consequently, anguished
enough to consider demitting as an escape from the dilemma.
To maintain a strong and committed membership, Masonic leadership in all
branches of the family of Freemasonry should help create an awareness campaign
about Freemasonry and religious extremism, including the present situation in
the Southern Baptist Convention.
So what can be done? Where to start? How to make a difference?
Consider the following suggestions:
1. Awareness seminars could be conducted at the Grand Lodge, Masonic
District, and Valley levels. Invite all, Masons and non Masons alike. Have a
knowledgeable speaker or panel to provide information on religious extremism and
to offer answers to the commonly raised anti-Masonic claims.
2. Distribute relevant brochures to all Masons. Suggestions are "Conscience
and the Craft" (Guthrie Valley, PO Box 70, Guthrie, OK 73044); "Freemasonry and
Religion" and the February 1993 issue of The Scottish Rite Journal (The Supreme
Council, 33ø, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009); or other resource
materials available from the Masonic Service Association (8120 Fenton Street,
Silver Spring, MD 20910).
3. Hold open houses at local Masonic Lodges and Scottish Rite Temples. Invite
pastors, ministers, rabbis, and priests. Have a qualified Mason present to
respond to questions.
4. Arrange meetings with the parents and members of DeMolay, Rainbow Girls,
and Job's Daughters. Young people are among the most vulnerable targets for
anti-Masonic propaganda.
5. Local Masonic Organizations should make every effort to increase their
visibility and to make the general public aware of the good work done by
Freemasonry's many philanthropic.
6. To the extent possible, each Grand Lodge should appoint a spokesman to
respond to all media and public inquiries and, whenever possible, to appear on
radio talk shows and other public occasions to explain the Fraternity's position
on the issues raised by any anti-Masonic group.
7 . Every Mason should write a simple statement that he has never found any
conflict between Freemasonry and his faith. Letters should be mailed to the
leaders of his own church or, given the present instance of the Southern Baptist
Convention 's "investigation" of Freemasonry, to the following:
Dr. Ed Young, President Southern Baptist Convention 6400 Woodway Houston, TX
77057
Dr. Morris Chapman, Exec. Sec./Treas. Executive Committee 901 Commerce St.,
Suite 750 Nashville, TN 37203
Dr. Mark Coppenger SBC, Public Relations Office 901 Commerce St., Suite 750
Nashville, TN 37203
8. Every Mason who has both his faith and his Masonry in his heart, and who
is confident that both bring substance to his spiritual nature in a no competing
way, should strive to become a representative to the governing body, local
and/or national, of his denomination. Baptist Masons concerned about the
Southern Baptist Convention, for instance, should consult their conscience and,
possibly, become messenger-delegates to their church's meeting in Houston,
Texas, at the Astrodome, June 14-17, 1993.
Unless Masons make a concerted effort to be represented in their
denominations, certain fundamentalists will continue to attempt to dominate
church decisions and work toward such extremism as condemnation of Freemasonry.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Take practical steps, as outlined above, to bring
Freemasonry to the forefront in a positive way. Most of all, become even more
active in your denomination and stand tall for Freemasonry!
In the charge given to a newly raised Mason, he is told to be faithful and
active in his church, synagogue, or other place of worship and that he should
always practice good citizenship. God, country, and honor should always be our
cornerstones.
Our Masonic forefathers struggled to establish the great American principle
of religious toleration. Now all Freemasons are called upon to live actively and
publicly for this same great tradition.
Bro. James Bernard Wilkmson, 33ø, is Senior Judge in Virginia 's Thirteenth
Judicial Circuit and a member of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.
He has taught Sunday School for forty years and served as Clerk of his former
church for thirty consecutive years. Bro. Wilkinson is a member of the Lodge of
Strict Observance, No. 207, Richmond, VA, and this year, 1992, he is the Grand
Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and he serves the Scottish Rite of
Freemasonry as Orient Personal Representative in Virginia and as Secretary of
the Childhood Language Center in Richmond .
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