This is a cross post from the main site at FreemasonInformation.com from Br. Bryce. I'm curious to know what you think.
When you enter the Masonic fraternity you tend to take a lot for granted. For example, that your Lodge will operate like other nonprofit institutions you are familiar with or the general laws and rules of the country and state where you reside. Interestingly, it doesn't and, instead, marches to its own unique drummer. Aside from the obligations you take as a Mason, you are really not cognizant of the mechanisms of the fraternity or what you are entitled to. This caused me a couple of years ago to start seeking a "Bill of Rights" for the individual Mason. Remarkably, you don't find very much in this regards. There is of course the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry, but this is more geared towards the administration of the Grand Lodge system. Masonic law differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but it too primarily addresses the workings of the Grand Lodge. But finding a listing of the fundamental rights we should all enjoy as individual Master Masons is another matter altogether. To this end, I have assembled an initial list of rights. I began by examining the U.S. Bill of Rights as well as other comparable documents. I then reviewed drafts of my proposed rights with other Masons whom I respect.
Below is my final draft of the rights all Master Masons in good standing should enjoy.
1. Freedom of speech - the right for recognized Master Masons to assemble and discuss subjects pertaining to the fraternity in general, and the right of recognized Master Masons belonging to a specific jurisdiction to assemble and discuss subjects pertaining to their governing Masonic body. This includes the drafting and debating of legislation pertaining to the Master Mason's Craft Lodge and governing Masonic body. Such discourse should be done respectfully and not violate Masonic obligations.I have been over this list numerous times and have been very sensitive to the wording. Nonetheless, I am sure there is an omission I have undoubtedly overlooked or something requiring clarification or improvement. Consequently, I see this "Masonic Bill of Rights" as a work in progress and would welcome your suggestions for improving it.
2. Universal treatment - the right to be treated with equal courtesy and dignity as other members of the Lodge, whether at home or as a visitor, with friendship, morality, and brotherly love. This includes being treated fairly, honestly, respectfully, and helpfully by Masonic brothers and act as such in return; to offer wise counsel to Brothers when needed, and accept such in return; and to promote trust and cooperation between brothers. To avoid discussions in Lodge regarding religion and politics which may disrupt the harmony of the Lodge. Master Masons respect the opinions and dignity of the individual.
3. Freedom of information - the right to be made aware of the actions and activities of the governing Masonic body of which the Master Mason belongs. This includes full disclosure of financial accounting, the rules and regulations under which the Masonic body operates, all records pertaining to the individual Mason (his own records), the names and contact information of Lodge brothers, and a report on the general administration of the Masonic body.
4. Freedom to participate - the right to attend all recognized Masonic meetings and related functions while adhering to proper Masonic decorum. To volunteer time and service in support of the Lodge, the community, and the world at large.
5. Fair trial - In all Masonic prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy, fair and impartial trial, open to all recognized Master Masons, and judged by a jury of his Masonic peers. The accused will be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
6. Right to vote - the right to vote and ballot on all pertinent issues related to the Master Mason's Craft Lodge and governing Masonic body.
7. Right to representation - the right to expect the elected officers of the Craft Lodge to represent the collective interests of its membership, and that the elected officers of the governing Masonic body to represent the collective interests of the Craft Lodges. In no event are the elected officers of the Craft Lodge to usurp the rights or misrepresent the Master Mason, and in no event are the elected officers of the governing Masonic body to usurp the rights or misrepresent the Craft Lodges.
8. Right to seek further light - the right for a Master Mason to seek out and investigate the secrets, history, and workings of the Masonic Order and to share such knowledge with recognized Master Masons.
This list alone should make for some interesting food for thought, particularly for our younger Brethren as they embark on their Masonic career.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
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8 comments:
Though there is nothing fundamentally wrong with Bryce's "Bill of Rights," one has to realize that the Fraternity is not a universal democracy or republic. Each GJ has its own "Bill of Rights" and they can be found in the code/constitution of each GJ.
key word is "should" enjoy,
sounds like freemasonry in a vaccuum..
that will never happen in america
the leaders enjoy control too much to think about the individual masons rights,,,
No Bill of Rights is really present in any individual GL code/constitution.
What is needed is a National Bill of Rights so that every Mason in the USA is treated fairly and the same.
AND I HAVE BEEN SAYING SO FOR YEARS NOW.
On December 27th, 2005, the United Grand Lodge of America (now the Grand Orient of the United States) presented the first Masonic Bill of Rights.
This has survived and been reinforced by the Grand Orient of the United States. All Grand Orient Members in North America are covered by this Masonic Bill of Rights.
To learn more visit http://www.grandorientUSA.org
Voting to me should be a choice whether a person wants to vote or not....... That is what I see with voting....
Would like to see the all references to, "recognized" replaced by "where ever accepted"
Recognized by who? every G.L. is different and always changing.
Every seeker of light knows that truth and right are not exclusive to the boundaries of recognition!
I actually think that the idea of a Bill of Rights is frankly unnecessary. The Ancient Landmarks spell out many rights that a Mason has in Lodge. The 12th gives the "right of every Freemason to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft, and to instruct his representatives." The 13th involves "right of every Freemason to appeal from the decision of his Brethren, in Lodge convened, to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Freemasons, is a Landmark highly essential to the preservation of justice, and the prevention of oppression."
The 14th gives "the right of every Freemason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge."
The 22nd involves the "equality of all Freemasons." "The monarch, the nobleman and the common laborer are all equal within Freemasonry."
Also, many codes and constitutions contain rights that are afforded to Masons.
I agree with Palmetto that this Fraternity is not a universal democracy. In fact, the Ancient Landmarks have some contradictions such as all Masons being equal but having one more equal. Freemasonry is run very much like how a Union is organized with a Union President and a series Locals that decide who will lead the Union and perform local activities. I know this is a very gray suit vision of our Craft but although the inculcated beliefs in the Fraternity transcend our world, the structure of the Grand Lodge is very much man-made.
Nick
Nick Claims:"The 22nd involves the "equality of all Freemasons." "The monarch, the nobleman and the common laborer are all equal within Freemasonry."
Yeah, but a MM is not equal to a 33rd or KYCH....just watch the priveledges they receive compared to a Master Mason..... playing in made up ritual for titles creates an unequal/unlevel environment.
Especially having one day classes, letting in men who did not work their way into a lodge. That creates equality?
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