Harbison: An Ethics Blueprint for Elected Officials

Jim Harbison

This column is based on an article written by Jeff Carlton, Grand Lodge of Arizona and originally titled “How can Freemasonry be like a candle burning in the darkness dispelling ignorance?” It is not meant to be an endorsement of Freemasonry but serves as an example of how the moral and ethical principles taught by the various fraternal organizations within our community could contribute to better local, state, and national government attitudes, conduct and policies. Freemasonry has often been misunderstood and criticized because it is a “secret society”. It is not a secret society because its meeting places, times and members are public knowledge. While there may be some secret passwords or handshakes it has a well established code of ethics. This code is developed and expanded as each degree is taught to the new Mason in the Masonic lodge. By the time a brother has completed the degrees to become a Master Mason, he has been instructed in an ethical code of behavior that includes morality, equality and rectitude of conduct.

Masonry teaches that these principles are to be equally applied to all mankind and emphasizes its tents and the cardinal virtues of temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice. Perhaps this is a code that should be adopted by our elected officials.

Freemasonry is moral philosophy that educates men in these principles in nearly every country around the world. Over the course of world history, these Masonic principles have been, at times, contradictory to societal norms. When this occurred, Freemasonry became a vehicle to create reform and correct injustices. It does this very quietly by convincing all who become brothers to struggle against tyranny and strive for the higher ideals of justice and equality.
Currently, in our society large portions of our citizens depend on the government for everything from cradle to grave. They have been taught that they are entitled to free benefits, not as a result of honest labor, but just because they are citizens. Freemasonry teaches that work has value to the individual doing it as well as to the society. The idea that work is honorable and should be pursued as its own reward is not unique to Freemasonry, but it is a major platform used to teach men that it is their duty to themselves, their families and to their country that is the most important. Masons are instructed to provide for their families and that it is their duty to help the less fortunate. This duty is not a government responsibility but is the duty incumbent on all men. Wouldn’t it be amazing if this simple concept that benefits of society are earned by honest work was adopted by society as a whole instead of it being the expectation that it’s the role of government to provide them?

Freemasons hold justice as the foundation of all societies. The Lodge, being a microcosm of the society at large, is an example of how society could and should function when its members share a commonality of beliefs and goals. It also teaches that Masons should take all the moral and ethical lessons they learn in the Lodge and use them in their daily lives. If we, as a society, could treat each other with integrity and honesty and practice the principles tenets of brother love, relief, and truth in our daily lives, we would enjoy a much more rewarding life experience. Isn’t it time for our politicians to go about their daily lives with the same level of commitment to ethical, moral and compassionate conduct?

Harbison: An Ethics Blueprint for Elected Officials