Civility in Practice

Is Masonry still a safe harbor for free speech?

Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash

I read an article recently which reminded me of how fortunate we are to be part of a group of men where we can explore new ideas, even unpopular, or contentious ones.  With cancel culture being what it is and numerous keyboard warriors on social media, is the Masonic Lodge the last bastion of free speech and free ideas?  Do you think Masonry is that safe harbor? 

There are so many topics that are too toxic and controversial to even mention in mixed company.  What about comedy?  There are so many jokes that would not be allowed today for fear someone may be offended.  There is ample evidence that some are offended on behalf of others even though these others may not be offended themselves!   
Make that single ill-considered comment on social media (or maybe you made it ten years ago) and it’s common for someone to be outraged to the point that they affect your livelihood, interfere with your education, and damage your relationships.  This is cancel culture.

I liken this practice to shunning, or banishment.  Shunning has biblical roots and typically resulted from a deliberate decision made by religious leaders.  Banishment was essentially a death sentence for some and was used by the penal system as punishment for some crimes.

In its extreme, the strategies surrounding the cancellation of a person are not far from either of these antiquated practices.

I recently read a book that defines what cancel culture is and provides examples of some of the reasons for cancellation.  What surprised me the most is that there is no immunity for anyone from this practice.  No matter who you are, what you look like, who you’re attracted to, or how you vote, there are people who espouse exact your viewpoints who have been subjected to this practice. No matter how diverse or under-represented a person or a group may be, there’s stories of how the cancel culture has impacted them.  It is not a partisan practice; this epidemic afflicts equally.  This also means that those who have had these experiences may have just as likely been on the other side of the issue and previously perpetrated this horrendous strategy themselves.   

I consider the Masonic Fraternity to be the one place where I can speak freely without fear of reprisal.  However, we have rules restricting speech pertaining to religion and politics in the Lodge Room. some of us carry that restriction further and may believe that these topics are forbidden with other Masons whether in the Lodge room or not.  By restricting certain speech are we not ourselves, causing the all-important skill of discourse to atrophy or waste away?

Personally, find it healthy to engage in such discussion and I do not agree that we should refrain from any topic of discussion in any format or location, but with the following caveats:
1. These conversations must never be divisive and must, without exception, remain civil.

2. These conversations must only be done from the spirit and place of seeking to understand and never for the purpose of being understood.

3. Be quick to disengage with dignity when your ability to adhere to these tenets ceases.

Consistently and without fail, upholding these guidelines is a true manifestation of spreading the cement of Brotherly love and affection-that cement that unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and Brothers…

As a society, we have lost the ability to speak with each other and peaceably disagree.  Until we can rediscover that lost art, we will remain divided.  Remember, Brothers, every human being has a claim upon our kind offices.  We need to master the art of civil conversation and practice it in all our affairs.  We can be the difference which we are meant to be.