Freemasonry and the Internet
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM

"Freemasonry is an ancient order, the Internet is still considered a relative newcomer. Fortunately, the two should be seen as compatible with a great deal of synergism arising between the two; e.g., increased membership, reduced costs from streamlined administrative processing, improved public relations, etc. The Internet fits Freemasonry like a glove and begs the issue of the universality of the Brotherhood. Regrettably, as a relative newcomer, it is still not considered a vital and integral part of Masonic operations. This is due to simple ignorance of its capabilities. Understand this; the Internet is primarily a vehicle for our younger Brothers as well as those considering joining this great institution. It is our future. Beyond this, the Internet has replaced telephone books and other voluminous catalogs and documents as the primary vehicle for reference and research. So much so, many Lodges are eliminating land-line telephones simply because they are no longer being used. Want to find a Masonic Lodge near you? In all likelihood you will be searching Google or Yahoo! before you ever pick up a thick telephone book. Further, candidates for the fraternity will reference the Internet well before they consider visiting a local library or book store. This is the hard truth of the Internet, and the sooner Grand Lodges accept it and adopt a sound course of action to adapt to it, the sooner they will be able to capitalize on its capabilities.

Up to now, most Grand Lodges have a basic presence on the Internet. But the Internet is still evolving and growing in sophistication. And already most Masonic sites are falling behind in looks and functionality.

I'm waiting to see which Grand Lodge is going to be the first to issue routine "web seminars" in this manner in order to communicate to the Craft.

One of the subliminal benefits of marrying Freemasonry and the Internet is that it promotes the universality of the Brotherhood. Masonic web sites can greatly facility communications and understanding not only within a given jurisdiction, but on a worldwide basis. As a byproduct, it promotes critical thinking and the exchange of ideas, all of which is vital to the continued evolution of the fraternity. This is hard for some Grand Lodges to swallow and, as such, often view the Internet and such discourse as a threat to their authority. This is certainly not the intent. Rather, it is intended to think on a global basis, reaffirm the relationships of the Grand jurisdictions, and build for tomorrow. As Masons, we have been given a remarkable tool to help propel us into the 21st century. But are we smart enough to take advantage of it?"

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM
Original Article:
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/bryce/freemasonandtheinternet.htm

Here are some good websites to visit:

http://www.tryfreemasonry.com/video.php

http://www.massfreemasonry.org/

Given the aforementioned, what do members and non-members think of Freemasonry and it position of openness as we adjust to the 21st Century? Your thoughts.

Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

I have been a reader and poster on several internet forums for about 2 years now. I have learned far more about the fraternity than I ever could by attending lodge. I communicate with Brothers all over the world and can a birds eye view of various flavors of Freemasonry.

Before the internet, if you wanted to know how lodge is done in England, you had to go to England. If you wanted to understand the ritual differences in an Italian lodge, save your money and off to Italy you went.

There is plenty of good to come out of the internet merging with Masonry.

However, there is also a plenty of bad things which go along with it.

Originally the Anti-Masons found it is there soap box to shout their viscious diatribes against the Fraternity. For awhile, anyone who typed "Freemasonry" into a search engine was taken directly to the various Anti-Masonic websites.

Then came along blogging. Blogging attracted a different crowd than the Anti-Masons. The internet was quickly inundated by disgruntled Masons and expelled Masons. Here they found their platform to hide behind the cloak of anonymity and spout off about how bad they have been treated by the fraternity. I thorough research of these individuals will reveal that it wasn't the fraternity that was bad to them, but vice-versa. They wanted the fraternity to change to meet their view of it immediately. They were dissatisfied with slow pace any Masonic change takes, so they rebelled. In doing so they ostracised themselves from that which they profess to love so much.

For all the negatives, I am of the opinion that the positives are so much more and can be more still. Grand Lodges do need to make a strong positive presence on the internet. This is the place people go to find things out now. If they fail to modernise, make that strong presence, and send that positive message about the fraternity, the only thing people will find is the negatives.

Br. Arthur Peterson
New River Lodge #736
Jacksonville, NC

Here is the web site of the Grand Lodge of Texas
I can hardly believe that I have not beena able to attend the Grand cummication now for several years.
next year I must schedule to be in Texas in December.
on this site there are many links to functions web rings/ history/ and much more I recomend it for all Masons and non Masons alike
http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/

Frank Surber PM Eugene Green 1441 TX.

I am the individual who originally suggested the establishment of this forum. I have been delighted by the success of it.

What we are seeing, nationally, and world-wide, is that the first knock on the West gate, is an electronic knock!

More and more men, are getting their introduction to masonry via the internet. I have personally helped several individuals to get petitions, through this board.

I participate in a lodge in Virginia, which in March 2005, received 17 (seventeen) new initiates, all through the internet. The Grand Lodge of New York, even has a sample petition that you can download off their website.

EVERY masonic lodge in the USA should have a website. Masonic websites can be obtained for FREE, so there is no excuse, for even the most penny-pinching lodge not to have one!

For better or worse, we live in the internet age. There are anti-masonic websites, and blogs run by disgruntled former masons. This is the reality.

I am personally delighted with the overall changes that have been wrought by the internet with respect to Freemasonry.

So Mote it be.