I am of the opinion that during our years of speculative freemasonry, we have lost interest on what are goals are and what we are supposed to be doing as a masonic entity.
I once asked a group of masons what they defined as "work" in the masonic context, many yelled out community service and degree-work. I fail to see how that be defined as masonic since I can join any community organization and serve. Moreover, it makes no sense that we call degree-work actual work when some of our lodges are so sloppy with it and even more importantly, most of the men we initiate are leaving with no goodbye notes, but that's another story.
So what do I think the goals of our organization are? Well frankly they are in the answer to the question stated above, if you are familiar with the Preston-Webb version of the ritual of course.
The question of subduing comes into play when within our organization we have a lash of egocentric, greedy and malicious members who turn our great organization into their political playground or pet project for their own means. Some want to turn the organization into an opportunity to "network" with the females in the auxilliary bodies, some want to turn their lodges and masonic bodies into cliques and mini - biker clubs. Some just want to use it as an excuse to leech away money from their organizations into their own bank accounts, some just want it to exercise a lack of power they suffer in the real world and they desperately need a boost of ego. Our goal in freemasonry is to first start with the individual coming in: what are your vices? what are your goals? how do you exercise temperance and prevent yourself delving into the excesses of what your vices afford? Those are the key questions one has to ask to the candidate on entering the temple, because once he has entered, that's another ball game. I have seen so many men change personalities (or rather reveal themselves and their true intentions) as soon as they become masons. Right off the petition, these men need to be properly examined so we can ensure that their passions are within control of themselves and they don't drag our organization down because of their excesses.
Now what can this organization do to the good man with controllable vices who wishes to become better? Why...with the lessons our craft teaches, any good man can become better. That is the truth. The questions are: are these lessons being taught to the man not only as he tries to enter the temple but while he is in it? is he able to understand and interpret what is being taught to him through the metaphors and allegories of freemasonry? Most importantly, does he have the ability, willingness and desire to apply these lessons he has learned into his own life? Is he a shining example of an imperfect man sieving away his impurities in order to become a more perfect person under the sight of God to his family and his community?
At the end of the day, the goal of our fraternity is far from just being a community service organization ( there are many organizations that do that ). Our goals within this organization are primarily character development and leadership training using the allegories the craft provides and the structure it allows so that its members can be more responsible members of the community.
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