It is all about Tradition!

Tradition is that which is handed down, especially orally, from generation to generation. It is an immemorial custom, having almost the force of a law, encompassing the body of the experiences and usages of an organization as handed down by its predecessors.

In contrast, an anachronism is anything done or existing out of date; hence, anything which was proper to a former age, but is out of harmony with the present.

Historically, Freemasons abhor innovation - or the introduction of novelties - to their traditions. Sadly, the Grand Lodge of Ohio, along with too many other American grand lodges, has trashed our traditions with innovations like the one-day class, while at the same time resisting much needed modernization in the practice of our traditions. By clinging to irrelevant protocols and practices (like lengthy introductions and recitation of minutes) while at the same time abandoning our most basic traditions, our leaders have single-handedly rendered our Craft an anachronism to today's young man.

Freemasonry is as relevant today as it was at its emergence nearly 300 years ago. But American Freemasonry is very different from the Freemasonry of England in 1717. American Grand Lodges suffocate local lodges with reams of stifling rules and swarms of inspecting deputies to such an extent that Freemasonry's original hallmark - the convivial joy of fellowship - is now lacking in most American lodges. We must cast off the anachronisms of today's grand lodge rules and their self-perpetuating failed leaders and get back to the basic tradition of Freemasonry.