Are Masons concerned with the erosion of liberty?

This may be a silly question but are Masons concerned and actively fighting against loses of self liberty? For example, say a bill is introduced that is clearly unconstitutional, is there some sort of effort public or private to combat a bill?

I would imagine you guy have the policy at least publicly of being politically neutral. I'd imagine esp. as an organization that had such a key roll in the formation of this great country, you would be concerned with any erosion of liberty.

Freemasonry per se stays out of politics, so the fraternity has nothing to say about what bills should become laws.

On the other hand, many individual are actively involved in the political process, and the preservation of liberty. I, for example, am a long-time member of the ACLU, which is dedicated to preserving First Amendment liberties.

oh how I wish we really were in a position to do something. We are only capable of acting on things such as you described on a personal level. Masonry is more if a way of life and a way of treating others. If we were to have any political discussions, it would be outside the lodge. I agree 100% that something needs to be done, but as with anything, I am not quite sure what will work. The one thing I can tell you is if you need help with something, anything, a mason is you best bet for help. that is what we do.

Masonry is a group of individuals. As such, their opinions on the government and it's actions will vary.
True, Masons were involved in our countries formation, but there were also Masons involved who were against the founding of the country.

Originally posted by oconnection
This may be a silly question but are Masons concerned and actively fighting against loses of self liberty?

I think an even better question would be; Are United States Citizens concerned and actively fighting against loses of self liberty?

To answer your question, yes I am concerned and yes I am doing what I can to oppose this situation. But I do neither under the guise of Masonry. It is soley as a concerned citizen.

As a Mason I keep politics out of Lodge, but as a citizen I'm very active in politics and yes I am against many of the bills that are trying to be passed.

I understand Freemasonry has a whole history of the masses speaking all types of various speculation about your organization and publicly stating that Masons are a politically neutral organization is in the best interest in self preservation. But knowing what I know now and being a student of history you have to admit that Freemasonry took an active role around many parts of the world to cause change.

It is obvious that if we didn't have Freemason involvement in the formation of this country I doubt that this country would have been the same, with the same Constitution. I mean our Constitution was a revolutionary document for it's day (and still is), if you know anything about Freemasonry you can easily conclude that many of the ideals that formed this nation were Masonic ideals and thus I must thank this organization for there part in it.

I do understand that you guys have to constantly defend against the illogical, ignorant masses but why not promote such people as Ron Paul who are in my opinion pure Constitutionalists?

reply to post by oconnection

It is obvious that if we didn't have Freemason involvement in the formation of this country I doubt that this country would have been the same, with the same Constitution.

Perhaps.. all the ideology comes straight from the Age of Enlightenment movement.. nothing was exclusively Masonic. Masonry perhaps formed at the beginning of this age of thought.

Masonry's major role came about by using lodges as gathering places do to their natural secrecy. Freemasonry it's self never had a set-in-stone political belief as far as loyalist/patriot.

I do understand that you guys have to constantly defend against the illogical, ignorant masses but why not promote such people as Ron Paul who are in my opinion pure Constitutionalists?

It is against Masonic law to organize political movements from a lodge, or a Grand Lodge.

The Constitution is not a pure Masonic document, and is not officially endorsed by the world wide Masonic bodies as such.

Masonry houses men of numerous ideologies. I for one support Ron Paul, and other men like him. I vote Libertarian and am proud to do so. I don't however know the political ideologies of my Lodge Brothers, never asked, don't really care. Back home I believe most where along the lines of Republican, though I cannot be for certain.

I would bet that if all the Masons on ATS told you their beliefs you would see Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Communist, Socialist, Fascist, Monarchist, Anarchist etc etc etc.