MW Cameron M. Bailey

From time to time I run across complaints from Freemasons about the fact that many Grand Lodges have implemented Social Media Policies. It seems that the concerns usually revolve around some kind of belief that the Grand Lodges are trying to limit the freedoms of their members to publish whatever on earth they want to publish.

It seems to me that is an invalid argument. Every Freemason, of his own free will and accord, took certain obligations upon himself to act in a certain manner. These policies simply serve to remind a Brother of what he agreed to do.

To be clear, no Mason has a right to behave in such a way as to bring disrepute to the Fraternity.

Related to that, even more often, I run across complaints from Freemasons about what they see some of their Brothers posting to Social Media.

For whatever reason, but most likely because of the game like features designed into Social Media platforms, it seems that in the political sphere at least these platforms are filled with little to nothing but polarizing hate and discontent.

It is sad, and deeply troubling, to see men who are clearly Masons posting things that they know will be hurtful to others. It is even more troubling when it is obvious from the context of their pages that they are doing so on purpose.

Alas, policies from Grand Lodges will never be effective in addressing this issue, no matter how positive the intention behind them might be.

Instead, we must all work to change the hearts of the men who call themselves Masons.

As our ritual reminds us:

“You have been enjoined to remind a Brother in the most friendly manner of his fault, to endeavor to aid his reformation...”

Additionally we all need to remember that our words will live on long after we are dead and gone.

We should ask ourselves if we will be remembered for the good things we did in the world, or for the hateful things we published online.

We are Freemasons. Our Fraternity has accomplished truly amazing and world changing things throughout our long history. Things that have benefited the lives of countless millions of people.

We should ask ourselves, do we want to be remembered for that? Or do we want to be remembered for the fact that we frequently called one political leader or another an idiot online?

Our Shrine Hospitals are a perfect example. Do we want to be remembered for all the children who are helped every year, or do we want to be remembered by the fact that we consistently used profanity when referring to President Obama, or President Trump?

I suggest that the former is much better than the later.

I further suggest that posting hateful things about public figures will do nothing whatsoever to harm that public figure, or to sway public opinion one little tick.

By posting hateful things, we harm only ourselves, and we have zero chance of changing anyone's mind.

What can change hearts and minds is reasoned argument. For all of its myriad of faults, Social Media does allow an amplification of our individual voice. If we use that tool properly, if we make reasoned argument instead of stupid attacks, well, then we can have a positive influence on those around us.

If we are wise, we will ask ourselves, before we post, if the post we are contemplating is something that will reflect well upon us and what we represent. We should remember that long after we are gone, we will still be judged by what we wrote.

“These generous principals extend further, for every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good unto all.”

As Freemasons in Washington we have all heard the above quote far too many times to forget it.

#SocialMedia #Obligations #ClosingCharge

-Cameron

Cameron M. Bailey Past Grand Master The MW Grand Lodge F&AM of Washington

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