It seems the latest fad in Masonry's continuing quest to self-destruct is to bash ritualists. To derogate those of our Fraternity who actively attempt to practice the highest standards of our teachings and to present the work in a professional manner is not only wrong, it is also damaging. Any or all of Masonry's alleged faults have been blamed on this group of Brethren, and the very term ritualist has become anathema in some Masonic settings.

Freemasonry's history, philosophy, and mission are all inextricably tied to our ritual. Ritual, our esoteric and our exoteric work, sets us apart from other fraternal organizations. Without it we have little. We would even be unable to recognize each other without it. We certainly would have nothing extraordinary to offer a potential Brother in the areas of initiation and specialized training. We would lose our bond. Because of the central importance of the ritual to Freemasonry, this generalized derogation of ritualists is confusing and destructive. We are not true to our Fraternity or ourselves if we allow this type of thinking to succeed.

As a result of this situation in Oklahoma, I conducted a study for the Southwestern Masonic Conference in 1996. The crux of my findings was that the so-called "ritualists" were very close to other select groups within our Masonic framework. Differences were slight and not considered critical by the participants in the conference. Thus, I discovered no provable relationship between Masonic ultra-conservative thinking and ritualists or ritualism.

At the heart of this matter is the fact that members are being victimized for expressing points of view. This condition is contrary to the essence of Freemasonry which extols freedom of thought and conscience as fundamental principles of life. Can we afford to allow such an attitude to prevail? I believe not.

Thinking that traditional values are passé and have no rightful place within a 21st-century framework is unreasonable and unproductive. We, as Brethren, are naturally bonded to the old ways. Our laws, landmarks, and charges clarify our parameters, and we must act accordingly. Anything less is contrary to the basic nature of our Masonic Fraternity. Should opposing views be heard? Of course. Should Brethren be criticized for harboring differing thoughts? Never. Should issues be dropped after lawful elections? Always. Brethren should never be negatively categorized for thinking freely. We misuse Masonry when we do so, and we abuse our stations when we conduct personal, heated arguments.

In an age of unparalleled decadence, mankind is seeking to find relevance. It is seldom available in society. Unfortunately, even some of our churches and temples have acquiesced to pressures and abandoned their religious missions. The Masonic Fraternity may truly be the last bastion of traditional values. These values are taught by ritual by Brethren who have devoted their lives to this mode of study. While giving the term a clearly negative spin, some members are now calling anybody with whom they disagree and who can put a Masonic sentence together a ritualist. Such behavior, if allowed to continue, could permeate our Fraternity and eventually cause the extinction of the ritual as we know it.

I do not fear disparagement from without. It does not matter that some view us negatively. In the past, our Fraternity has dealt with these situations and come out stronger and better. However, I see nothing in the Masonic record that compares with the current crisis. I do fear internal decay. I do fear receding moral values creeping into our Fraternity. I shudder at the notion that our ritual and those who perform it could come to be viewed as only a necessary evil not to be taken seriously.

I hope I am wrong, but I have an uneasy feeling that today's indiscriminate criticism of ritualists may be a crucial, blind step by our Fraternity toward oblivion. Let us step back from the abyss.