Brought to Light: Contemporary Freemasonry, Meaning, and Society

by J. Scott Kenney

Overview

Secret societies are becoming increasingly controversial—thrust into public awareness by popular books, films, the Internet, and a host of recent documentaries. In academia, this exposure finds a parallel in the proliferation of research, institutes, and conferences.

Yet the media depictions tend to be caricatures, a playing to pervasive stereotypes for public consumption, while the academic stress historical and philological matters. Indeed, to the extent a sociological focus exists, it largely emphasizes the roles these groups played in social history. And for the societies’ members themselves, there has been a paucity of work on the contemporary meaning of these groups—a neglect made mystifying by the vast social changes that have taken place over the past century. In this study, and for the first time by any scholar, Kenney moves beyond history and applies the methods and theoretical tools of contemporary sociology to study the lived world of freemasons in today’s society.

To provide a clear portrait of the patterned experiences of contemporary freemasons and the issues faced by “the Craft” today, Kenney draws on qualitative data from three primary sources: (1) extensive interviews with 121 contemporary freemasons in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; (2) video footage shot for a feature film on contemporary freemasonry; and (3) his observations and experiences in nearly fifteen years as a freemason. Brought to Light provides a highly original contribution to sociology, Masonic scholarship, and the social sciences generally.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771121941
Publisher:	Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Publication date:	04/02/2016
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

J. Scott Kenney is an associate professor of sociology at Memorial Universityin St. John’s, Newfoundland. He completed his B.A. and LL.B. at Dalhousie University. After practising law, he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. at McMaster University. He conducted SSHRC Postdoctoral research at Dalhousie and taught at St. Mary’s Universitybefore taking up his current appointment.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xiii

1 Contemporary Freemasonry: A Neglected Field 1

Freemasonry: Background and Context 2

Sociological Research on Freemasonry 5

Theoretical Mechanisms: Explaining the Impact of Ritual 7

Method and Approach 28

Characteristics of the Research Sample 29

Organization of This Book 36

2 Paths to Masonry 41

Predisposing Factors 42

The Social Interplay between Secrecy and Curiosity 44

Organized/Organizing Encounters 49

Attractive/Attracting Aspects of the Craft 53

Unattractive Factors/Hurdles to Get Over 56

Overcoming the Hurdles 59

Discussion and Conclusion 63

3 Taking the Degrees 67

Before the Candidate Arrives at the Lodge Hall 67

Preparing Candidates for the Degrees 70

Initiation: The First Degree 77

Working toward Understanding 85

The Second Degree 94

The Third Degree 97

After the Degrees Are Done 103

How Degrees Were Done 106

Conclusion 111

4 Social Atmosphere and Member Involvement 115

Masonic Literature 116

Social Science Literature 117

Findings 121

Conclusion 148

5 Organizational Factors and Member Involvement 151

Membership Focus: Getting New Members or Retaining Existing Ones 151

Dues/Fees Structure 158

The Right to Participate in Lodge Activities-and When 159

Issues Surrounding Masonic Offices and Tasks in the Lodge 160

Mow Lodge Meetings Are Organized and Run 165

Interactions with the Wider Community 171

Conflict and Contentious Dynamics 172

Relationship with the Grand Lodge 174

Relationship with the Shrine 177

Demographic/Generational Issues 178

Conclusion 181

6 Further Factors in Member Involvement and an Overall Explanatory Framework 183

Educational Issues 183

The Impact of Members' Other Commitments and Activities; Thoughts on Gender 195

Moral and Ethical Benefits 204

Motivational Issues 206

Discussion: Analytical Typology 208

7 Claimed Life Changes Since Becoming a Freemason 217

Overall Changes (if Any) 217

Claimed Social Changes in Respondents' Lives 218

Claimed Changes in Respondents' Character and Abilities 225

Conclusion 241

8 Contemporary Freemasonry: The Direction Forward? 243

Social Demographics: The Craft versus Contemporary Society 244

Class and Status Issues: Complementary Evolution or Devolution? 247

Ritual Issues: Theoretical Expansion and Integrative Complications 250

Analytic Model: Convergence of Demographics, Social Stratification, and Ritual 253

Future Research and Implications 257

Notes 261

Glossary 267

Works Cited 277

Index 287

Editorial Reviews

‘‘Since the eighteenth century, Freemasonry has been an important part of civil society in Canada and the United States. Today, the number of lodge members is rapidly diminishing, but there are still young men who wish to adhere. Surprisingly, there is little sociological research on current forms of Masonic life. In this unique book, sociologist Kenney, a Mason himself, investigates how men become Freemasons, why they stay or leave, and what membership of an old ritualistic society means for them. His account ends with an insightful analysis of the order's decline and the ways lodges try to cope with it.''

Jeffrey Tyssens

‘‘Freemasonry has provoked reactions varying from fascination and curiosity to shock and anxiety ever since it became popular in the early eighteenth century. While there have been many historical studies, Scott Kenney's enthralling and groundbreaking book offers for the first time a detailed sociological analysis of contemporary Freemasonry. The book is packed with memorable first-hand insights into the reaction of individual Freemasons to the craft. Kenney's clearly written and accessible study is not only a major contribution to sociological discussion of the role and significance of associational culture but also lifts the curtain on a frequently overlooked aspect of contemporary society.''

Andrew Prescott