Disciples of Light

Since becoming a Mason, my thirst for truth and knowledge has been unquenchable. Masonry made me realize how little I understood about the universe and created the desire within me to seek out information and attempt to gain an understanding in many varied subjects. To me, this is the very purpose of Freemasonry and is the noblest of endeavors. However, many people, even some within the wall's of our fraternity, do not desire to seek this light.

I was recently a witness to a most ignorant conversation between two members of our fraternity. The subject of the conversation ranged from global warming to Christianity to the current state of Masonry. It wasn't the opinions of the two men that upset me, it was the complete lack of knowledge on each of the subjects. I learned that global warming was caused by God's disdain for space exploration, I learned that the Iraq war was fought partly to secure the Christian holy land, and that the only thing still bringing members into lodge is the Shrine. Of course, I quickly checked to make sure that is really was tobacco in my pipe and not some sort of narcotic weed when I heard all of this. Could Masons really accept these conclusions?

I am not here to tell you to vote Democrat or Republican or to be for or against the war in Iraq. I will tell you that the members of my generation are joining to practice Masonry and are quite uninterested in some old man's drinking club. However, I'm not going to obsess over opinion, I am obsessing over ignorance. Ignorance has no place in Masonry and we have to fight it from becoming an integral part of our society. We should create conversations that challenge man's understanding of the world because through different views we made find more knowledge. But we cannot afford to let those Brothers who are willing to spread their seed of darkness continue to do so without resistance.

When at the altar, I gave an answer to a question I was asked. My answer was not "Further ignorance."