What Do You Think About "American Freemasonry"?

[MASON]

Tell me what do you think about "American" Freemasonry.
Do you think this is the way it is suppose to be? or
Do you think American Freemasonry is just going down? or
Do you think American Freemasonry is a shame on all of us?

[fbracer]

I think it's in good shape, and lately participation is increasing with new, younger members. Appendant orders like De Molay are helping too.

[naval]

ı think American Freemasonry,they are big,special and free.

[aboden]

I think it's going downhill and there might be little pockets that might be seeing a increase but active masons I bet are still dropping. Plenty of card carriers but are they supporting the lodge? Also will the old guard let us new younger masons take the reigns from them? That's what I'm seeing is the basic hurdle. The old guard not wanting to loose control and the "When I was Master..." speeches pop up. I have read plenty of articles what masonry was and I think masonry in the States is losing a battle. The baby boomers rejected what their fathers activities where and now our generations is trying to pick it back up. We need to bring back the education that lodge was supposed to provide.

I'll try to find it but found a article written where freemasonry was and were it is today, of course the today that he was referring too was about 1970 or a little bit later. But very well written and outlined things that I believe most American lodges might want to reconsider.

[Free and Accepted]

Most of brothers in my lodge envy the lodges and their members in Europe. Especially after a group of brothers visited a lodge in London, England and spent some quality time with the newly elected WM there (he is a former member of our lodge in the US) they were totally convinced that there was a lot of room for improvement in our lodge. 2 brothers in my lodge are also dual citizens and in summer time they attend the Italian lodges regularly (Well unlike us they don't close for entire Summer either. Imagine that!). Personally I couldn't believe how masons operate in Italy. They way they do things is extremely serious, professional and sophisticated by all means. I was told that it takes about 5 years to become a Master mason in most lodges. Now compare that to some current discussions in some southern jurisdictions here in the US. Some of them are considering a one day "Man to Mason" program. Basically what's going to happen is that you would have no idea what you're doing or what the craft is about but you'd be able to become an EA then FC and finally a MM all in one day !!!! Talk about fast food!!!! It's like a MM on hormones. I strongly disagree with that and consider myself lucky that I'm in a jurisdiction where things are done in an old fashioned and appropriate manner. Quality comes before the quantity and so should it be. I was also shocked when I saw that some jurisdictions didn't have a dress code. I don't think a MM meeting is a gathering that you could attend to when wearing some  jeans and t-shirt and casually wear an apron which in that case doesn't mean  much. In my lodge if you come to the meeting without a full suit, tie and clean dress shoes you are going back home. No excuses. And I agree with that wholeheartedly.

[Lux_e_Tenebris]

Most of brothers in my lodge envy the lodges and their members in Europe. Especially after a group of brothers visited a lodge in London, England and spent some quality time with the newly elected WM there (he is a former member of our lodge in the US) they were totally convinced that there was a lot of room for improvement in our lodge. 2 brothers in my lodge are also dual citizens and in summer time they attend the Italian lodges regularly (Well unlike us they don't close for entire Summer either. Imagine that!). Personally I couldn't believe how masons operate in Italy. They way they do things is extremely serious, professional and sophisticated by all means. I was told that it takes about 5 years to become a Master mason in most lodges. Now compare that to some current discussions in some southern jurisdictions here in the US. Some of them are considering a one day "Man to Mason" program. Basically what's going to happen is that you would have no idea what you're doing or what the craft is about but you'd be able to become an EA then FC and finally a MM all in one day !!!! Talk about fast food!!!! It's like a MM on hormones. I strongly disagree with that and consider myself lucky that I'm in a jurisdiction where things are done in an old fashioned and appropriate manner. Quality comes before the quantity and so should it be. I was also shocked when I saw that some jurisdictions didn't have a dress code. I don't think a MM meeting is a gathering that you could attend to when wearing some  jeans and t-shirt and casually wear an apron which in that case doesn't mean  much. In my lodge if you come to the meeting without a full suit, tie and clean dress shoes you are going back home. No excuses. And I agree with that wholeheartedly.

Well, I for one am one of those who oppose to one day classes for the mere reason -IMHO-that I feel that the newly made brethren are being cheated out of the beauty of the full ritual.
On the other hand, it gives the opportunity to "better" more people and join them in our ranks sooner than expected. The earlier they start their masonic careers, the more they can contribute.

I do agree with you on the importance of proper attire and respect towards the lodge, but this is United States, and culture and perception towards gatherings here are a little different than usual.

I have my own ideas of how the culture, and "privacy" issues effect all walks of life -including the fraternity-in the United States.
If any one is interested, we can start a topic to discuss it.

[Free and Accepted]

What's great about American Freemasonry is the number of  cases in the Masonic Courts of Law (or lack thereof). Compared to some other countries Brothers seem to get along just fine here in the US which is always great .

[maka]

I think,new government better than Bush government for Free Masonry

[VStar9]

In my humble opinion, from what I see, Masonry in the US has become dangerously public and commercial.

There is an element of curiosity in regards to masonry among the common crowd. This has lead to the emergence of all sorts of websites that offer so called "membership" and sale of masonic material.

The negative aspect to this is that it leads to the wrong kind of people being drawn to Masonry. People who have no clue in the world what the whole thing is about.

I also agree with the comment earlier about there being a lot of  "cardholders" and not enough people who are actively involved in the craft.

On the other hand I can not speak of the internal structure and the state of the Lodges in US as I have never visited one there.


Respectfully

[T.o.t.b.l]

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