Freemasonry and the Internet

Brethren, who has given any thought to joining one of the on line forums that abound on the Internet?
“Well”, you may think, “these things are not for me.” You may also ask how anything like that could benefit Freemasonry, especially in your little corner of the world.
The power of the Internet for good or bad is unquestioned. There is a lot of rubbish on line. Probably more rubbish that actual fact. Everyone is free to pass an opinion on everything from the current state of the world economy to the fact that Freemasons are really devil worshippers and that Islam is the embodiment of terror for the whole world. Any right thinking person would know that most of this is errant nonsense.
There are a lot of good things though. This paper has been submitted to the Internet Lodge. The existence of the Internet Lodge was unknown to this author and would have remained so but for my participation in an internet forum. Whether this is a good or bad thing is for others to judge.
Let us concentrate on some of these “good” aspects.
Nearly every forum has sub groups and you can bet your life, where there is a sub-group, there will be a Freemasonic sub-group. And often there is sub-sub-group with connections in your particular area. It is this which gives us the opportunity to offer opinions on subjects as diverse as displaying a Masonic logo or drumming up donations for a particular cause. More to the point, it has that local flavour. Being from Australia it is difficult for me to empathise with a brother from USA. This is not because I don’t value his contribution. I simply have not had the same experiences as him.
These forums help us to understand the diversity of opinions that are held by our brethren. That which we hold dear may be totally dismissed by our brothers across town. They allow us to interact with each other. They offer us the chance to meet and network with others with a similar viewpoint to our own. And we have shared experiences. We have common ground.
Brethren let me conclude by encouraging you to go online and join a forum which mirrors your interests in life, whether you be a doctor, a fireman or a debt collector. If it is large enough, the sub groups will be there; and there will be a Masonic group. You will get to participate on a professional level as well as a Masonic one.

Kerry L LeBoutillier