The Rhetoric and Death of U.S. Freemasonry In this essay I argue ...

Death of Freemasonry 31
observation is certainly true, however, it is made in the absence of any explanation of
Pike's commitment to the Ancient Mysteries and the central function of Masonic
symbolism, which comprised Pike's fundamental teaching in Morals and Dogma.
Despite the fact that each is hundreds of pages long, similar publications like Morris'
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry and The Everything Freemasonry Book (the
latter by non-Masons) also downplay the occult origins of the fraternity and as well as
the dramatic and mysterious aspects. Although the tone of these books is much more
respectful of Masonic tradition and philosophy than Hodapp's, they join Freemasonry
for Dummies in presenting the fraternity as the antithesis of the mystery-effect of the
strange symbol. As Walter Benjamin might say, each book attempts to evaporate the
aura of mystery that surrounds the Craft in the language of transparency and
contemporary argot. 73
Given the Anti-Masonic movements of the past, it is
understandable why this third strategy of publicity was adopted. And yet, when viewed
from the perspective of ritual drama and mystery-effect, this rhetorical trend is
ironically deceptive: not only does it seem to divest the fraternity--at least for the
outsider--of one of its two major practices (no one disowns charity, of course), the
strategy is more commonly known as "lying." In our age of surveillance and publicity,
lying may prove to be the absolute worst strategy of all.
Concluding Remarks: Is There No Help for the Widow's Son?
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a school of instruction [and] its
subjects are morality and philosophy. The moral domain is composed of
both precept and example . . . knowledge and action. . . . The
accomplishment of the second half of the educational mission of the Rite,
however, has received little emphasis . . . . like a river seeking the