Yesterday, while grabbing my electric board and surfing Facebook. I saw a post on a pretty popular page (No, I will not say which one) that set me back and frankly irked me more than a little bit. But, thinking about it a minute, maybe the post served its intended purpose. Because here I am talking about it.
The image was (AI-created) of a young man laughing, in a suit and tie, with the appearance of having been diagnosed with Down syndrome. I know this, as one of the hashtags was in fact Down syndrome. The question was “Will He Be Accepted?”
My initial response may have been a bit “knee-jerk,” and it happens. But the post had all the flair and flavor of would this young man would be rejected because he has a “Handicapable” part of himself.
Now, to be fair, I know a number of people and have a niece who has an extra chromosome. So I get a bit fired up over this topic. I have found that the majority of people with Down syndrome seem to love the world and think the world loves them. It just takes a little extra work to do some things. Heck, maybe they have it figured out while we are still searching.
Let's take a quick look at the requirements for being a Mason. These are general requirements and may not apply to all jurisdictions. My Facebook Lawyer asked for that disclaimer.
First, you must be of lawful age. In other words, between 18 and 21. Again, depending on the jurisdiction.
You must believe in a Supreme Being. Call the Divine whatever you wish. It's your relationship, not mine.
You must be well-recommended. In other words, members of the Lodge must think you would be a good fit for them (and hopefully they for you) and be willing to sign their name next to yours.
You must also be “Free-Born.” Now this one cracks me up a lot. Did it mean based on race at one time? I'm sure it did. But with the walls of racial divide crashing down, race is less of an issue. I am not saying we are 100% where we need to be. But we are far better than we used to be. We always have room for improvement.
I also laugh at the idea of “Free-Born” because really, none of us are free. Oh, you were cool. When you were born, you were required to obtain a Social Security number. This made you an instant “slave” to a system. No, none of us are free.
But the idea may be as according to the Grand Lodge of Maine, it means something closer to: “A Mason must be a freeborn, male adult primarily because he must be the master of his time, his resources and himself.”
Other things could prevent you from being made a Mason. I am starting to run on so I will not go into a Fool, Madman, or Libertine. All of which would be covered under “Well Recommended”. I will say that how those three are viewed can be very subjective. For example, I am Poly, and I am open about it. Someone who has a moral issue with that could keep me out of a Lodge.
Now, let's go back to the original thoughts. A picture of a young man, in a suit (not that it matters), laughing, is characterized as being diagnosed with Down syndrome. With the question of “Would He Be Accepted?” What do we know about this person?
As of the moment, NOTHING. We do not know his age. His basic spiritual path. Is he able to care for himself, or does he have dedicated care that can assist him? What do we know about his character and views on life and those around him? Again nothing.
So, we were asked to make a judgment based solely on a person's medical standing. The only thing that even comes close is “Young man in nonage and old man in dotage”. But that is not medical.
If you have a friend who would like to become a Brother, and they may be labeled “special needs” and GAOTU, I hate that term. Again, because they may understand more than we do. Are you willing to have a bit more patience and work a little bit harder with them if need be? Not just them, but maybe a Brother with PTSD, or someone who does not pick things up quite as quickly as others?
Are you willing to dig through the coal and find the diamond?
Then, once found, willing to polish it and make it a thing of beauty?
Because THAT is the real answer to the question posted on the page I saw. What are you willing to invest in this young man? Not, will he be accepted? Are you willing to invest in him?
I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly
WB Duane A. Marshall
October 16, 2025
