This can be a very contentious topic among many people around the world. But as a Freemason, I was taught from the very first degree about Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. I am not saying that each and every mason will learn this respect alone by the ritual, but that they will need to be taught throughout life by the actions and inclusion by other members. We are not all perfect, but as a Mason we strive to become better men.
In the first degree lecture, we are taught to regard the “whole human species as one family”, and that we are “all created by the same parent”. This admonishes us that we should treat everyone with the same respect that we would want others to treat us. You do not have to support the ideas and faiths of another person, but you can find it in your heart to treat another with full respect.
We all do not have a belief in the same God by name, we do not all agree politically, and we may not agree at all how someone chooses to live their life. But in each of these situations, how does any other persons thoughts on life directly effect our own thoughts? Why must we force our thoughts upon others? Who are we to judge, lest we be judged as well?
I have many friends in the LGBT community. I trust each and every one as I do my own family. The lifestyle anyone chooses is not of my concern, nor should it be the concern of anyone. No matter what you believe in, no matter how you live your life, you are a friend until you prove to be an enemy. This is no different whether you are straight, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, non-sexual or non-binary. We are “All God’s Creatures!”
Freemasons call for end to 'discrimination' of members
I know we have men of various political beliefs in Lodge. I know we have men in Lodge that may live very alternative lifestyles. But does that make any of us unworthy of respect? We are Masons and should ever “Act and Walk as such.” We should be more accepting of others. We should be the ones showing the world how Men of every country, sect and opinion can work together to make a better world. And it starts with acceptance of other beliefs than our own!
We only have a couple rules as it is to become a member of a Lodge, which are you must be free born to enter into contract, of lawful age (in Ohio, 19 or older), of good rapport and properly vouched for. You cannot be an Atheist because you must swear an obligation upon a holy book of your choosing. You cannot be a madman or a fool. You cannot be a female (in which non-binary has never been discussed). And you can’t be an old man in dotage (this comes from the old stone masons, as you would not be able to work). But apart from these, there should be no other qualifications.
I know it is difficult for some members to accept new ideas. It has only been truly recently that more and more lodges have accepted non-whites in the United States. As a matter of fact, it has been determined to be un-masonic to discriminate based upon “Race”. And now we are seeing that it will be soon un-masonic to discriminate against the LGBT community. As the younger generation is now starting to take over the lodges, you are starting to see more progressive thought.
I welcome the change! I support my LGBT community and look forward to calling you my Brother within the Lodge.