Joseph George Caldwell, PhD
2042 Australia Way W #30
Clearwater, FL 33763 USA
Tel (727)723-7133, E-mail jcaldwell9@yahoo.com
27 December 2001
To: Mr. Roy Connor Sheppard, Grand Secretary
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Florida
Dear Mr. Sheppard:
I am writing to you to present a proposal for your consideration. Before doing
so, however, I will present some background information. For a number of
years, I have been very concerned with the major world changes that are about
to occur as the planet's fossil fuel supplies exhaust (petroleum and natural
gas within 50 years, coal somewhat later). When that happens, the human
population will decline from its current six billion to a few hundred million
or less, since that is all that the recurrent solar energy resources of the
planet will support. Solar energy cannot support the massive human population
and global industrial society we know today. The future -- just around the
corner -- is one of global war and mass starvation. The political structure of
the world will be totally changed. If action is not taken quickly, there will
soon be no large animal species remaining on the planet, including man.
I have written a book on this subject, called Can America Survive? This book is available on the Internet, at web site www.foundationwebsite.org . It discusses in detail the current situation and the arguments underlying my conclusions. Recently, a number of other people are starting to take serious note of the situation. You may read much material related to the "energy crisis" at the web site www.dieoff.com and the Energy Resources discussion group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/energyresources/messages/ or http://solutions.synearth.net (the "CommUnity of Minds" tab).
The one thing that really amazes people concerned with the energy and environmental crises is that practically nothing is being done about them that is significant in the long run. The energy crisis gets much more attention from governments than the environmental crisis, since energy is the key to industrial production. Attention focuses primarily on exploring for more oil, when virtually all oil geologists agree that all commercially recoverable oil will be gone in a few decades. No progress has been made on finding alternative energy sources that can replace petroleum, and no progress has been made at all in stopping the world environmental crisis (the "sixth extinction" -- the loss of approximately 30,000 species each year caused by large human numbers and industrial activity).
My book, Can America Survive?, addresses not just the current energy and environmental crises; it also analyzes the likely social and political developments that will follow the exhaustion of fossil fuels. One of the items that I address is the issue of what groups might play a significant role in the world after the "free energy" of fossil fuels is gone, and the global industrial world has ceased to exist. I believe that Freemasonry might play a significant role in the post-industrial world, and that is why I am writing to you today.
My uncle, Bob Barter, is a Mason, but that single fact was about as much as I knew about Masonry while writing my book. Recently, however, I have become much more knowledgeable about Masonry, from the writings of John J. Robinson (Born in Blood and A Pilgrim's Path). My belief is that Masonry can provide the basis and the leadership for a new and better world, when the current one "crashes." It has the heritage for good works, strong moral character, and discipline that will be required in the perilous times ahead of us. Furthermore, it is a worldwide organization. It has a history of playing crucial roles in setting up governments, such as our own United States of America. Finally, and most importantly, it recognizes the essential role of God in man's existence and activity.
In recent years, however, it appears (from what I read) that Masonry has to some degree lost its sense of purpose, or perhaps more correctly, the world has changed so much that its original purposes (e.g., survival of members in the face of religious and political persecution) are of diminished relevance. It remains a fraternal order that is committed to many good works, but membership is declining both absolutely and as a proportion of the population, and many people do not see its relevance in today's world. The need for a secret fraternal order to survive, and the need to assist widows and orphans of fellow members, is gone. There is in the world of today, however, a great deal that needs to be done, and I believe that Masonry -- perhaps only Masonry -- can do it.
Since I am not a Mason, you may wonder about my motivation and character. You may see my concern for the current world crisis by reading my book and visiting my website.
What I propose to you is a new lodge, here in my hometown of Clearwater, that is dedicated to working toward building a better world, in the context of the major world changes that are taking place as the biosphere is destroyed, and will take place as fossil fuels deplete. The mission of the lodge will be to develop means for solving the world's catastrophic environmental problem. It will attempt to divert the course of civilization from its current destructive path to one in which the planet is managed in a long-term sustainable fashion. The objective of the lodge will be to take steps to reduce the likelihood that the biosphere will be destroyed, and mankind made extinct in the process.
In this new lodge, I propose that the format and content of the degrees be modified slightly from their traditional format and content to something along the lines of the format and content proposed by John Robinson in his two books (referenced previously). My reason for this is in part that many people do not see the relevance of the lengthy memorization of Masonic history and legend in today's world. It was Robinson's view that, while it is very important to recognize the importance of history in providing insight and perspective, it is more important to stress the "Basic Masonic Principles" (page 146 of A Pilgrim's Path). My primary motivation for changing the memorization requirements is to enable spending more time on discussion of the current world situation and the mission of the new lodge in that context.
The initiate would be required to accept and recite the Principles of Masonry (e.g., Robinson's suggestion, or other similar). While some of the initiate's efforts would be oriented toward learning something of the history and legend of Masonry, the bulk of his efforts would be directed toward learning and understanding what is happening in the world today (energy crisis, environmental crisis, "sixth extinction") and the lodge's program for working toward doing something constructive and effective about it.
The purpose and mission of the new lodge -- to build a better world -- fits perfectly in the tradition of Masonry (the stonemason craft / building things, personal development, survival, fellowship/brotherhood/working together, good works).
I recognize that what I am proposing is a shift in emphasis from the traditional good works of Masonry (e.g., children's hospitals, help for those in distress) to addressing a major world problem (the destruction of the environment). I am not proposing that Masonry drop its attention to its current humanitarian activities, which mean so much to many people, and generate much goodwill. What I am asserting is that, as fossil fuels disappear, the industrial world will disappear as well, along with most of the world's population; and if the environmental crisis is not solved soon, there will not be a human civilization remaining on the planet at all. In either case the focus of Masonry's current program of good works will be irrelevant, since the object of its focus (hospitals, medically needy children) will have passed into oblivion. I am proposing that some portion of Masonry's efforts be shifted from current humanitarian concerns and directed toward saving the planet's biosphere and mankind from total annihilation.
Over the last century, the government has taken over a function that was once a primary concern to Freemasons -- care for widows and orphans, particularly of fellow Masons. In an era in which governments did not assume this role, Masonry stepped into the breach and served well. But the needs and challenges of today are different. Government by and large takes care of widows and orphans. What has really changed is that the world is being destroyed by industrial activity, and all governments are powerless or unwilling to stop this. The situation has changed. Other agencies have now largely assumed the traditional humanitarian role that once was a key Masonic domain. There is now a different mission that Masonry can accomplish -- one that is of planetary significance, and that Masonry is uniquely able to address. What I am proposing is that some portion of Masonic effort be directed toward that mission.
In view of the strength of tradition in Masonry, you may be surprised at my proposals for change, and why I consider them desirable. Yet, as John Robinson noted (in A Pilgrim's Path), many changes are already taking place in Masonry, and more will be necessary if the organization is to survive as a meaningful force in a changing world. I propose to give the new lodge a mission that is relevant in today's world. The challenge is very ambitious. No other organization (government or nongovernmental organization) has been able to address it at all. I am not at all proposing changes to the essence of Masonry (belief in God; duty to family, nation, religion and the Craft; personal development; fraternity; good works; its very private nature) -- it is that essence that convinces me that Masonry can be a significant force for positive change in the world today. What I am proposing is a new, additional mission for the Craft.
This challenge will require a strong organization and some significant funding. By profession, I am a consulting scientist, and I do not have the financial wherewithal to underwrite this effort alone. I have worked long and hard to understand what is happening in the world today, and I can play an active leadership role in the proposed undertaking, but I do not have the personal funds to make it happen. Nor do I have the organizational resources that this significant undertaking will require.
And that leads to my specific proposal: Would you (i.e., the Grand Lodge of Florida) be willing to sponsor (i.e., fund the opening and initial development of) a new lodge, in Clearwater, with the proposed objectives?
Because of Florida's large population, and the increasing relevance of the environmental and energy crises, there is every reason to believe that this effort will soon draw sufficient support to make itself self-supporting. No other organization in the world is making a difference in stopping the "sixth extinction" or preparing in a meaningful way for a drastically different post-industrial age. I believe that the Masons can make a difference. Until now, my concern has been reflected in my writings and Internet web sites. Working alone, in my spare time, has not made a difference. I believe that, working through Masonry, with its long heritage of survival, good works, strength of character, God-based morality -- and its significant resources -- we can make a difference.
I should point out that, in the long term, there is no energy crisis at all. Mankind will soon consume all of the planet's fossil fuels, and will or will not adapt to a new energy environment. Nothing essential will have changed. What is significant and of lasting effect is the environmental crisis. Mankind's large numbers and industrial activity are causing the mass extinction of other species, and perhaps itself (e.g., if global warming continues unabated). Within just a few more decades, if nothing changes, all of the world's large animal species will have been made extinct. This bleak future can be changed only by concerted action now. If no significant change occurs very soon, the environmental diversity of the Earth's biosphere will be changed forever. If man survives at all, it will be on a planet devoid of other large animals. This future can be avoided, and Masonry can be the force that makes the difference. Most of the human population are in total denial over the seriousness of the situation. If significant action is not taken by a capable group that perceives what is happening, nothing will happen and disaster will occur.
The Masonic tradition of secrecy may once more play a very significant role -- as important as it played in the Middle Ages when Masons (Knights Templar) suffered political and religious persecution to an extreme degree. That new role is the following. To a large extent, it will be able to accomplish some of the actions and activities necessary for the mission that I am proposing in a very public arena -- e.g., announcement of the new (additional) mission for Masonry; encouragement for new members who share this vision to apply for membership; actions to conserve wildlife and reduce the severe environmental impact of global industrialization. In other areas, however, there may be a need for secrecy, e.g., planning for a new world government after a global nuclear war. All organizations have secrets -- trade secrets, customer lists, financial data, personnel information, strategic plans, and the like. There is nothing immoral or illegal in this. It would be impossible for most organizations to function effectively and to survive if everything were made public, and that is why privacy and confidentiality and secrecy are respected in custom and in law.
Masonry is no different from
any other organization in this respect. But it should be recognized that as
the sensitivity and importance of the mission increases, the need for secrecy
also increases. If Masonry's primary works are staffing and operating
children's hospitals, the need for secrecy may not be very great. In the
Middle Ages, the very lives of fellow Masons were crucially dependent on
secrecy. In planning for a new world order to follow the destroyed nations of
the world, it will once again be crucially important to maintain secrecy about
certain things. World governments do not like for anyone to plan for after
their demise, and many religions are against any effort to coordinate planetary
management. Masonry has a tradition of secrecy, and will be able to accomplish
this important function. Once again, secrecy will be a life-or-death matter --
in this case, the life or death of the biosphere!
If you desire additional information, such as more details on any topic, I shall be pleased to provide it. I should let you know, however, that I am presently engaged in discussions of a consulting contract that would take me to Africa for two years. If you are interested in discussing this proposal further, I would appreciate hearing from you soon. If you cannot respond quickly, but you are favorably disposed to my proposal, perhaps we could continue to work together in some form while I am in Africa.
One final note. This is the first proposal of this sort that I have made, to any organization. Normally, I would have submitted this proposal to a national or international headquarters of some sort. Since the Grand Lodges are all autonomous bodies, however, and since Florida is my home, I am submitting this proposal to you. Many other organizations have attempted to address the global environmental crisis in the past, and all have failed. They have failed, in my view, because they are not willing or able to make the difficult choices that will be required in the years ahead. Also, most of them are dependent on funding from the industrial world, and that world will not permit them to do anything that is against its vested interests. Masonry is not tied to any single nation or religion. Masonry has proved that it can survive in a hostile world. Masonry has proved that it can stand on principle. Masonry has proved that it can keep secrets. Masonry transcends the industrialized world -- it existed long before it, and it will endure long after it has passed. Masonry can accomplish the goal of saving the biosphere from annihilation. I do not believe that there is any other organization in the world that can accomplish this. I entreat you to accept this challenge. The world is truly crying out, "Oh, Lord my God, is there no help for a Son of the Widow." Please hear this plea for help.
Sincerely,
J. George Caldwell
Clearwater, Florida
FndID(15)
FndTitle(A Proposal to Transform Freemasonry)
FndDescription(To increase the relevance of Freemasonry in today's world, it is proposed that the format and content of the degrees be modified slightly from their traditional format and content to something along the lines of the format and content proposed by John Robinson in his two books.)
FndKeywords(Freemasonry; Masons; Masonic ritual; tranform Freemasonry; relevance of Freemasonry)