Barry A. Rickman, 32°
814 Jefferson Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169–3531
barickman@juno.com

Living up to our Masonic teachings in our everyday lives and educating the public as to who we are and what we stand for will determine the survival of Freemasonry.

Perception—the age-old question of "Is the glass half full or half empty?"—is the classic example of this word and its meaning.

Perception, the dictionary explains, is how we become aware of something, especially through the sense of sight. In other words, we watch, and then we make a decision. Sometimes the perception is correct because accurate information has been seen and understood. Sometimes, the perception is incorrect because false or misunderstood information is perceived as in the example of a fellow who thought Masons are, to quote his response, "independent bricklayers."

Regarding the public perception of Freemasonry, it must first be admitted that Freemasons themselves contribute heavily to how the Fraternity is perceived. Our lives are walking, talking, personal billboards for Freemasonry. The next group affecting the general public's perception is made up of those I describe as the "Friends of Freemasonry," our wives, family, and close friends. These further the image of Freemasonry in the community. The third factor determining the public's perception is the anti-Masonic group. Through ignorance, error, or gullibility they inform the public with false or biased information.

Until recently, little was said or done to respond to Masonry's detractors. We seem to have been guided by the advice of the late Lee Atwater, a political strategist, who once said, "You don't interfere with your opponent when he's making a fool of himself." True, but there are times when you must defend the integrity of the Fraternity, just as you would that of your family. In responding, however, we should be cautious not to get into arguments but to calmly, accurately, and thoroughly correct any errors.

Some time ago, the Barton-Gillet Company of Baltimore, Maryland, was asked by the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America to survey American men nationwide by telephone to determine why men were or were not joining Freemasonry. Their findings were reported to the annual Conference of Grand Masters in North America in 1989. The survey was taken from across the United States with 850 men participating. There were questions concerning age, education, income, marital status, region of country, membership in other organizations, and feelings toward Freemasonry. All participants in the survey had to be non-Masons.

The survey revealed, among other things, that 51% of the men questioned were not interested in joining the Fraternity. A group of 43% said they may or may not want to join. Only 2% of the men surveyed said they would like to join. Fully 70% of the men polled knew little to nothing about Freemasonry. Freemasonry is reaching a point of not just having a negative public image but of having no public image at all!

Clearly, we must educate the public as to who we are and what we do. In the survey's conclusion, two facts stand out. First, Freemasonry is not alone in its membership problems. Apathy is choking our nation. Second, the majority of potential members are unfamiliar with the Fraternity. Simply, they do not know who we are. The challenge is to educate the public without spoiling or cheapening the integrity of the Fraternity or ourselves. Living up to our Masonic teachings in our everyday lives and educating the public as to who we are and what we stand for will help determine the survival of Freemasonry in America. Each of us must present a favorable perception of ourselves and the Fraternity to the public. The future public perception—and existence—of Freemasonry is in our hands.

Barry A. Rickman is a member and Past Master of Cayce Lodge No. 384, Cayce, S.C., and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Columbia, S.C. A Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, he is employed as a GIS Technician by South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. in Columbia, S.C.