Modern Masonry Education

Ritual is ritual, I will state that first. What we do to open Lodge, confer degrees, that should NEVER change, in my opinion. Now, how we educate Masons is it’s own subject. Some may agree, some may disagree with what I have to say. When I use the word ‘education’ I mean the catechism that must be learned in order for the Mason to prove his proficiency in order to get his next degree.

Most commonly, it’s been via spoken word. A mentor, and the mentee, back and forth, handed down information until it’s committed to memory. This does work, it takes time. In todays society with varying schedules, jobs, families, and so on, it’s harder and harder for Masons to meet up and learn this way.

Next there is a cipher, all of the important things coded for those not ‘in the know’ to not know. This allows the information to be mobile, accessible whenever the Mason has the chance to read it. To some, this might be better for them because it’s how they learn. Still have to default back to spoken word however, because that’s how we know that the Mason knows.

Digital education, this is where it gets hairy for some. I’m talking about those that use some form of digital tool to help in the education of the Mason. I believe in it. I think it works, and I think it should be accepted more broadly than it is currently. The trick with this is making sure that you are the only one to view the information if it’s ritual work that you are viewing, and using for education.

“But it violates our obligations!” True, to a point, however, anyone in the WORLD can look up what we do, and look at all the magic words, but they will still miss out on what it truly means to be a Mason. Using digital education is not harmful, it’s simply another form of communication and being able to possibly make an impact on that Brother that needs to learn.

In addition to Masonic Education, I believe that all new Masons, should have an ‘enhanced’ proficiency requirement. Anyone with half a brain can parrot the words we are supposed to learn, but that doesn’t TEACH WHAT THEY MEAN. I’ll give a small example, my Lodge has Masons of all ages, of all service ages, backgrounds, educational backgrounds, etc. Our second newest EA, is going through the enhanced proficiency that our Lodge has adopted. This man gave a presentation that would make you think he hopped in a time machine, drove it 88 MPH, and found Albert Pike, or Manly P. Hall themselves and got his presentation material from them! It was so profound, and moving, that I will most certainly remember that moment for a long time.

My firm foundation in the belief of this enhanced education is that it will produce stronger Masons, with a better understanding of the Degrees, and their meanings than many Masons before them. I also believe that it will make for ‘sticky-er’ Masons. Sure, you can have 35 new Masons in a year, but if they aren’t learning, and aren’t getting out of the Masonry, what they think they should, the Lodge might retain four of those 35. Even within those four, what do they know compared to the Brother that HAD to educated themselves. Lastly, it teaches the Mason to research, and what to research, and produce their own material to give back to Masonry. As much as we take from Masonry, in order for it to continue it’s reign, we must give back more than our time.

Now, my foundation might be a little bias, not because I’m seeing this enhanced education in my Lodge, but because I’m also going through it as well. I can tell you, it has really helped. It has helped deepen the meaning of each degree, and has allowed me to apply it in my life and in my conduct as well.

It’s your turn, throw some spears at this article, and let’s help create a better place for Masons everywhere, in every Lodge, state, and country. Through your input, it will help those that read this later on.