History is readily quoted by contemporary brethren, reminding us of the famous men and minds, great ideas and noble deeds on which our order is based.
Rather than limiting the number of entrants decades ago doors of lodges were opened wider.
Today, that opening practice appears to be have borne a hidden cost. The intellectual property of freemasonry has been lost and an unpleasant reality has returned to haunt us. Lodge success being measured in the rate of activity has lost sight of the outcome.
That outcome is the point of this discussion paper. Men are moving without understanding where they have been and the meaning of what they have experienced.
When we were boys, most of us knew of one who was unable to do the work but was nevertheless promoted. In those days, little was known of learning disabilities and those boys suffered life defining humiliation, often growing up believing they were inadequate.
In a way, many of us have proceeded from degree to degree by social promotion, realize there are gaps in our understanding of the craft and yet our committment is strong.
Some of us find we are asking questions and are finding self-directed learning is available as well as course work, like the Correspondence Course of the College of Freemasonry.
But can our observations help those who are coming behind us before they are moved too far, too fast?
I think the change has already begun, sponteneously and widespread in pockets and lodges where inquiring masons are voicing those expectations and looking for the change that returns us to the days of the freethinkers.
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