Since the untimely death of Masonic blogger Theron Dunn last week, I’ve noticed a few things on-line regarding irregular Masonry in the United States. Normally, the subject of regularity does not make my radar screen – if someone wishes to join a “Masonic” lodge that allows female members, conducts degree work in pig-latin, thinks the “G” stands for “Che” Guevara, or has specially trained dancing bears performing the ritual, I literally could not care less. They have their priorities and I have mine. I have no problem whatever with it, I enjoy corresponding with some of these folks, despite the fact that my Grand Lodge does not recognize their Grand Lodge, and I generally leave it at that. I can’t sit in Lodge with them, but so what?
Bro. Dunn, as many of you know, did not feel as I do, and I read many of his posts in which he criticized irregular Masonry in no uncertain terms, particularly the fracas in Ohio, calling a trowel a trowel, as it were. But the on-line notices of his illness and eventual death hadn’t time to trigger the screen-saver setting before some purporting to be Masons busied themselves trashing him on anonymous blog posts elsewhere (I won’t dignify them by linking to their shameful posts). That these people appeared to be supporters of the rebel lodge in Ohio struck me as curious, particularly as the writers, by their sheer venomousness, seemed to be rejoicing over Dunn’s misfortunes. Perhaps these misguided trolls are not representative of rebel Masonry here in the US, but they make one hell of an impression. I did not realize that schadenfreude was one of the ancient landmarks, or that silence, circumspection, and four anonymous, bogus Blogger profiles are also required before they hand out dues cards.
To its credit, I read at least one post by an identifiable member of GOUSA, decrying these odious postings, but add to this the recent news about the Grand Orient’s latest Grand Master, and the vitriol that has been thrown at any regular Mason who dares comment about the conflict in obligations – again from rebel Masons – and a pattern begins to emerge. Slifko’s defenders almost to a man – and possibly to a woman, as well -- rationalize this conflict away with eye-for-eye logic: “The Regular Grand Lodges Let Me Down, ergo, my obligation to them is null and void.” Again, allow me to restate: You want Co-masonry? Grand Orient d’ France? Dancing Bears? Whatever? Great. Go get ‘em, Tiger. I hope it is everything you wish for. But let’s be clear: it is the cafeteria plan – I like the peas, just not the potatoes. And that’s ok, too, if that is the measure of one’s obligation, but those Masons who have been faithful will, and I think probably should, view such conduct with opprobrium. Certainly the rebel Masons did not think the Gl of Ohio would send flowers. Equally certainly, they must have known that regular Masons elsewhere would express disapproval. Instead of, as some commentators have requested, they put their money where their mouth is, and show the rest of us how superior the New & Improved Version 2.0 is, all I've seen of them is their incessant, bitter ravings, and ten-a-penny bushwhacking posts. I'm not sure why these people - hopefully just a vocal minority - feel the need to fill the air with their caustic brand of Masonry, but it's a lousy recruiting tactic.
Many a manic, trembling finger has pushed the send button – anonymously of course – launching more hate-filled, acidic remarks to chastise those regular Masons who react adversely to glib announcements of someone else trashing their obligation; and sure, no one wants to be judged. But think about it this way:
Some brothers at the newly constituted Halcyon Lodge get together, vote out the new guys, sell the boxing ring, tear up the charter, and turn the place into the Rotary Club.
Wouldn’t that bother you?
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