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'This page has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England’
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[January 2007] [February 2007] [March 2007] [April 2007] [May 2007} [June 2007] [July 2007] [August 2007] [September 2007] [October 2007][November 2007] [December 2007]
October 2007 OF BEING INCLUSIVE AND EXCLUSIVE Human beings, from time immemorial, have formed social groupings which included some and excluded others – for reasons connected with work, culture, beliefs, self-defence and many other reasons. As cultures developed and lost purely locational focus the groups expanded, both in terms of numbers and geographical positioning. Moreover, the inclusiveness of these groupings based on common under-pinnings, led also to a certain exclusivity – keeping others out, for one reason or another. Castes in India are an extreme example, born originally out of a division of Labour, they became bastions of exclusivity – one could not climb from one to the other, at least in our times of recorded history. Craft groups such as the original stone-Masons and other skilled artisans, kept a strict vigil on outsiders, and had in place long apprenticeship periods in which to judge the Craft-skill and character of the aspirant for recognition and inclusion into the Guild. From these operative Masons, our speculative fraternity took it’s cues and symbolic tools, and formed, in turn, an exclusive Brotherhood – only latterly practicing more inclusive practices of seeking public acceptance, for instance. There seems always to be two sides to the coin – of social groupings – the one being to include the like, and the other to exclude the rest, on some ground or the other. The more apparently exclusive the group, the more the ‘outsider’ wishes to breach its battlements – the insatiable thirst for the forbidden ! Moreover, whatever egalitarians may preach, human beings appear to love inequalities – of status, power and possessions – to be able to flaunt the discernible difference – the one-upmanships that we continue to see with increasing regularity, for individuals to somehow stand out from the mob. “All men are equal, but some or more equal than others”! Which brings me to our own fraternity – which emphasizes the Brotherhood of Man and indeed that we are all on the level, being urged to leave behind all the exclusive social ranks and privileges outside the door of our Lodges – and be inclusive in every respect within their walls. Nevertheless, within our fraternity, we have our own visible ranks, but at all times we must remind ourselves that behind the brass and gilt lies a heart that beats in sympathy with that of his fellow-Man. To be exclusive while being inclusive – that’s the secret of being a Freemason. Post Script – On the 1st of this month we celebrate Elders Day everywhere – include them in your thoughts and actions on this day and beyond !
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