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Janus
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Posted 19/11/2009 19:41:56
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I don't think there is any need to panic about what either hollywood nor the papers have to say. This has rarely had any negative effect on the number of new/potential candidates. If a person can't see through the false information/lies about our activities, whatever the source, it is probably not a potential candidate anyway. Our own actions are a million times more important to make people take the step, as already stated above. It's too easy to blame the media for Lodges turning in their warrants. We should put ourselves to question first, because if we do, we know that we can do better, always.
Now that you mentioned it Alan, I did Google "Freemason" for the first time in a few years and I must say that I was positively surprised. Great stuff and very little anti-masonic hits with that nice wikipedia article coming up on top. Thank you Google! (I never thought i'd say that after reading about Evil-Google taking over the world in the news:w00t:)
Advertising is for me totally against the masonic principles of discretion that are fundamental in our philosophy. We do muster up a lot of cash for charity and that is a good thing. But we don't do it to get good press. The reason is, as we know, totally different. To be able to give to the needing without expecting anything in return. We don't have to tell anybody about that. The only important thing is that we do it.
In citing Luke in my post above I wanted to stress the importance of not trying to push people to join. It is of outmost importance that the candidate, out of free will and after his own fruitful search, finds the courage to ask and that it is a free man that knocks on the lodge-door. Advertising is to make people think that they need something that was not relevant to them before.
To me the craft is not for sale.
I would rather have "freemasons without aprons than aprons without freemasons".
"Ce taire et bien faire" (O. Wirth)
Janus
GLSA N°31
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Mike Martin
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Posted 20/11/2009 00:25:58
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Past Master
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I think we've pretty much hit the pay dirt almost straight away, the advertisement for Freemasonry is in fact us, the members of Freemasonry. However, if we hide ourselves away from the rest of the community how will that work exactly?I would ilike to see some softening of the stance toward certain proscribed (by UGLE anyway) activities. Because when I die I intend to have the extra Masonic bits done at my funeral and I'd also like to see Masons appearing in Regalia in public like they used to: 
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Not because they want to be seen by the public but because they are proud to be Freemasons just like our forebears were!
MikeMersey Lodge No. 5434 WebsiteThe Freemasons'''' Grand Charity WebsiteSee my BALLS here
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chestnut
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Posted 20/11/2009 07:48:43
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Mike thank you for those pictures which amply illustrate the place the local FM's played in the community. A FM 100 years ago was a proud man. It was an honour to belong to the Lodge as you were percieved as being an important member of society. I am sure prospective members were sought after within their community much as they are today.
The press both local and national were happy to publicise the stone laying and good works of FM's along with I would suspect a few of their misdemeanors. As in all ages FM have always had members who may have strayed from their alloted task.
More importantly the local populace held the FM's and their lodge in high esteem, if they did not then out of respect nothing was said or done at parades.
Today the press are not interested in any of the charitable causes we subscribe to. Not interested in the millions that FM's have given to various relief efforts and projects. FM and by association FM's are now openly criticised far more than our predecessors due to the internet and global information.
I posted previously that we are the adverts and we are the best examples of what FM can bring and do. I believe it has an important role in modern life. It is down to us all to monitor ourselves and our peers.
I see no harm in advertising our charity or events in the local press. Nationally I can not see this happening. Parades may be good but I would be uncomfortable in todays 'enlightened' environment to step outside and be the possible subject of abuse.
Lets use the free publicity that Dan Brown has provided us with. One of my Lodges is very active in the local community with money being raised and given locally. My suggestion was for an open day at the Masonic Temple, but with a difference. Leaflet drop and advertise in the local paper the event under the heading of, 'You have read about us, now come and see us', or some other ditty. There may well be people who will come along out of curiosity. Great lets dispel the myths. There may be some who are nutters, great make them question what they believe. There may even be some who may want to pursue joining, great bring them to charity events etc. If this goes ahead I will let you know the outcome.
National advertising will be a one size fits all disaster, locally can be more managable.
David
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Alan Campbell
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Posted 20/11/2009 09:10:47
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David you raise a few points, If we are to be the advert then why would you feel uncomfortable being out in public in reglia, this is not a personal attack on you, how many other in your lodge will feel the same, have a look round your lodge the next time your there and ask who would you be happy representing freemasonry in the community, at the moment it is every one who is in the room, and as much as i really do like my fellow lodge members, to most it is not their forte in life to promote the craft. That is why i suggested a professional.As for national advertising being a one size fits all, there is nothing wrong with that, at local level we can continue to do what you suggest but getting a positive national overview has got to be better. Like mikes pictures say, there was a lot of pride in the community for freemasonry, i would be more than happy to go to a devine service in regalia, and maybe leave the lodge and parade to the church.
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chestnut
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Posted 20/11/2009 09:39:23
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Alan, please I did not take it as a personal attack, far from it more of a dialogue. The promotion and advertising for me is more to do with the conduct of FM's on a daily basis with society be they masons or not. Nobody who has taken their obligations should be against such upright behaviour. However public parades are a different matter in these times. Yes I would feel slightly uncomfortable in such a parade as I would feel open to abuse from that vocal minority who also feel it their domain to taunt others for their mode of dress or colour of skin. We have become a very intolerant and disrespectful society.
There is also a geographical divide to some extent. Having married a Scot I have spent time in the Glasgow area. There the Masonic Hall is prevelant and the Scots are more open with regards to membership. In the South East this is not always the case.
I am a traditionalist at heart and would love for a return to the 'gold old days' what ever and when ever they were!
A national advertising campaign would be ok if one size did fit all. But as has been mentioned with FM being divided into Male / Female / Male & Female, how could it possibly suit all parties? Especially as UGLE does not talk to the 'others'.
Perhaps thinking about this further a series based on the development of FM and how this has divided into the various sections could be shown on TV. Similar in fashion to the excellent series on the development and spread of Christianity. Not with a view to gleen members but with a view to reestablishing the foothold and respect which FM once had.
The almost victorian stance UGLE now has with its almost 'spooks' level of secrecy does nothing to detract our critics.
Forgot to add when we can be a little more high profile, rememberance day, we still do not lay a wreath for FM's at the cenotaph which is a public event. Why?
David
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lauderdale
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Posted 20/11/2009 09:56:27
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Those pictures show the way it ought to be. I have to say I always winced when the bit about not taking part in parades clothed in the Badges of the Order was read out at an Installation and thought to myself "Why the hell not! They used to do it in the old days". It would be great to return to such activities and I don't see that any significant trouble would occur. The Police would provide an escort, as they do for other marches, and the benefits would greatly offset the odd insult shouted by a drunken oaf as the Brethren walked by. As for your funeral Mike, compose your own (I have) and ensure that that your wishes are known to someone you can trust to see them implimented. They can hardly call you to a disciplinary meeting once you are dead! (I'd love to see their faces if you turned up!) On another thread some months ago I mentioned the funeral of a very greatly loved Brother in Brighton about 12 years or so ago now. That service had a lot of Masonic parts to it, Opening and Closing Odes, Ecclesiates, a Sprig of Acacia placed on the coffin along with his white gloves, Apron and Collar. There were a couple of "Chains" in attendance and no objection was made by anyone as far as I am aware and the Chapel was packed. The picture of the Royal Berks Hospital strikes a chord as I live in Reading and have been there often as a visitor and twice as a patient.We should throw off the secrecy which was necessary in the dark days of WW2 when invasion was a real and immediate threat but which should have died with Hitler at the end of that war. If people only hear about "The Masons" when one or two are in the papers for some crime or corrupt activity then that will be the sustained public perception of Freemasonry. If instead they saw the PGM and local Brethren laying the foundation stone of a new clinic, school, library etc they would come to realise the good work that The Craft does in their community. For a start it would be a good idea if Local Freemasons , perhaps the PGM or other Chains in the larger towns and cities and the Master of a Lodge and its members in smaller places were to attend in full regalia at the Remembrance Day Services and lay a wreath as the RAOB do. Bro David's (Chestnut) idea of Open Days at Masonic Halls and Centres preceeded by a leaflet drop is a great idea. I remember when the film "Jesus Christ Superstar" was shown in a local cinema. There was a church on the other side of the road and they put up a very effective poster "You've seen the film, now come in and read the book!" It actually worked and they had swollen congregations for a few weeks and some of those new people who attended stayed on as members of that church.
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Mike Martin
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Posted 20/11/2009 10:29:09
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chestnut (20/11/2009)
The press both local and national were happy to publicise the stone laying and good works of FM's along with I would suspect a few of their misdemeanors. As in all ages FM have always had members who may have strayed from their alloted task.This has got to be quick as I am working. It is my firm belief that the Media's present attitude to Freemasonry is a direct result of our withdrawal from "public" events. There is no longer any balance available to the readership for the "horror" stories. Nowadays when the press carries a story about a "bad" Freemason (take Kenny Noye as an example) they have no other evidence to judge us against because the majority of the "public" only know of Freemasonry from such "stories".So what if the local paper might stick pictures of a Masonic Church Parade (as used to happen) or a Corner Stone Laying ceremony in as a "funny" story? It doesn't really matter, as that attitude would only last for a short while and after time such events would become normalised again.
MikeMersey Lodge No. 5434 WebsiteThe Freemasons'''' Grand Charity WebsiteSee my BALLS here
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lauderdale
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Posted 20/11/2009 10:55:59
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On this Mike it would appear that we are in total agreement. As you are in UGLE Head Office why not suggest this to some of the "Rulers in The Craft" when you bump into them?
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Alan Campbell
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Posted 20/11/2009 11:37:59
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Bit unfair putting that onus on Mike. lauderdale but i'm sure that the suggestion that maybe the powers that be should maybe read some forums to find out what the members in the coloumns are thinking would be a good idea.
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chestnut
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Posted 20/11/2009 12:13:35
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You will be surprised some do read them.
David
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