Masonic Ebooks on DESPOTISM

"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities

and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready

to do every good work."

Titus 3:1

Freemasonry holds that one of the worst personifications of the principle of evil is despotism. That contention is held so strongly that our Scottish Rite Masons eventually vow eternal hostility to tyranny, which is nothing more than the imposition of the selfish desires of one man upon man’s natural-born spirit of freedom. Masonry defines the despot as a criminal against the laws of nature who reduces the lives of many to his own will, replacing himself for the state and the voice of the people.

Although such vile immorality imposed upon humanity by certain governmental leaders is worthy of hostility, the Craft does not intend that Masons should rise in armed conflict every time a despot emerges. Neither does the fraternity wish to limit a Mason’s understanding about who, or what is, or may become a despot.

Heads of state, religious leaders, proponents of a particular school of philosophical thought, or even the bully down the street may fit the Masonic definition of a despot. The Masonic principles of positive thinking and positive emotion are more often Masonry’s recommended weapons as opposed to guns and bullets.

Though the individual despot may vary from head of state to the bully down the street, it is not difficult to discern the character traits common to all despots. The tyrannical ruler of nations has left his indelible mark upon the pages of history: the people he or she governed suffered repression of freedoms, humiliation, outrage and often became the victims of murderous rages.

The religious despot has also littered the historical landscape with such obscenities as warfare waged against innocent human beings in the name of God.

Philosophical tyrants frequently have resorted to the demeaning tactic of unfairly marginalizing thought that differs in any material respect with the thought promoted by a particular philosophy. Equally agonizing, the bully down the street threatens to physically beat anyone who does not pay him or her the respect he or she demands.