Intolerance is on my mind. I mentioned in my post connections that I’m reading The Craft by John Dickie. I will write a review in Readers Club when I’ve finished it. In the meantime, amongst the many things that have caught my attention, the first paragraph of chapter 12 stood out. ‘On 27th April 1914, in the Adriatic port city of Ancona, the Italian Socialist Congress debated the proposal that Freemasons should be expelled from the party. The motion’s sponsor, and most forceful orator, was a balding, barrel-chested firebrand by the name of Benito Mussolini: “It may be true that Masonism tends towards humanitarianism. But it is time to react against the excessive humanitarianism that has infiltrated the party.”’
Having spent the best part of a year researching, writing and re-writing my latest novel Called to Account, I have been immersed in the anti-Semitism of 17th century Frankfurt. Respect for different faiths is a cornerstone of Freemasonry, and the Catholic Church has associated Judaism and Freemasonry. Although many wanted Adolf Hitler to persecute masons as well as Jews, Hitler refused to dilute his target. His intolerance had focus.
How can there be such a thing as excessive humanitarianism? Is humanitarianism not an intrinsically good thing? Is it possible to have too much of it? I suppose those who speak of “bloody do-gooders” or use woke as a pejorative, think it is. I’ve watched the first episode of the ITV drama The Walk-In. It’s very good and has this subject at its core. I suppose tribalism is the problem. The belief that if you’re not with us, you’re against us. If you’re different to me, you’re my enemy.
I shall begin the final push to complete reading The Craft. My respect for the ideals of Freemasonry continues to grow. If anyone has a suggestion or nomination for a book to include in Readers Club, please let me know. Use the suggest button on the Readers Club page.