When Zeal Becomes Unmasonic: Courtesy, Brotherhood, and the Treatment of “Irregular” Masons

 Freemasonry is a fraternity founded upon brotherly love, relief, and truth. These are not ornamental phrases recited in ritual and forgotten afterward; they are meant to be lived. And yet, one of the most persistent contradictions within modern Masonry is the aggressive, rude, and sometimes outright cruel treatment directed at Masons who are labeled irregular or clandestine according to the standards of a particular Grand Lodge.

This behavior is not just unfortunate—it is profoundly unmasonic.

Regularity Is Jurisdictional, Not Moral

Regularity is an administrative and jurisdictional concept. It is a system of recognition between governing bodies, not a divine pronouncement on the worth, sincerity, or moral character of individual Masons. A Brother—or Sister—initiated outside the boundaries of one Grand Lodge’s recognition has not committed a moral offense. They have simply entered Masonry through a different lineage, interpretation, or tradition.

To confuse jurisdictional disagreement with moral failure is a category error. And when that confusion turns into hostility, mockery, or dehumanization, it becomes a betrayal of the Craft’s own teachings.

Aggression Is the Language of Insecurity, Not Strength

When Masons respond to “irregular” bodies with hostility, insults, or public shaming, it rarely reflects confidence in their own tradition. Rather, it reveals fear—fear that legitimacy must be defended by force of tone rather than strength of practice.

True regularity does not need cruelty to sustain it. Truth does not require bullying. A Mason confident in their obligations, landmarks, and lineage does not need to demean others to affirm their own standing.

Brotherhood Is Not Conditional on Recognition

Freemasonry teaches us to regard the whole human species as one family. That principle does not suddenly evaporate when encountering someone whose lodge charter we do not recognize.

Courtesy costs nothing. Kindness requires no recognition treaty. Brotherhood, at its most basic level, is a posture of respect toward another human being striving for light, virtue, and self-improvement.

You may be bound by your obligations not to sit in lodge, not to share ritual, or not to recognize Masonic status across certain lines. Those obligations do not require you to be rude, dismissive, or cruel. In fact, they require the opposite.

The West Is Watching

Freemasonry already struggles with public misunderstanding. When outsiders observe Masons attacking other Masons—arguing legitimacy on social media, hurling insults, or engaging in character assassination—they do not see guardians of ancient wisdom. They see petty sectarianism.

If we wish the world to believe that Masonry produces better men and women, then our conduct must reflect that claim—especially in disagreement.

Disagreement Without Degradation

It is entirely possible to say:

• “My Grand Lodge does not recognize that body,”
  without saying:

• “You are fake, stupid, deluded, or a disgrace.”

It is possible to uphold your standards without abandoning your values.

In fact, that is the true test of Masonic character.

A Return to Masonic Virtue

Freemasonry is initiatic, symbolic, and moral. Its real work happens not in recognition lists, but in the heart of the Mason. The square we are taught to use is not for measuring other people—it is for correcting ourselves.

If our behavior toward those we disagree with is aggressive, contemptuous, or cruel, then the problem is not irregular Masonry.

The problem is irregular conduct.

Let us return to the old virtues: dignity, restraint, charity, and humility. Let us remember that courtesy is not weakness, and brotherhood is not a club—it is a calling.

And let us never forget that how we treat others matters far more than who we recognize.

Because in the end, the most dangerous clandestine element in Masonry is not an unrecognized lodge—

It is unmasonic behavior wearing a recognized apron.