Ep.34 A Mason’s Duty as a Citizen? The 1st Degree Charge, Jury Nullification, & Critical Thinking

What is a Mason’s duty as a citizen?In this episode of Masonic Muscle, I review the First Degree Charge and what it says about our duty as citizens, especially during times of public pressure, government restrictions, emergency powers, mandates, and rising public resistance around the world.The hard question is this:Does the First Degree Charge tell a Mason to obey blindly — or does it require him to become a better-informed, more responsible citizen?This episode solves one Masonic problem:How can Masons understand duty, law, citizenship, obedience, and liberty without becoming passive, emotional, or intellectually lazy?We discuss:the First Degree ChargeMasonic duty as a citizenobedience, law, and conscienceelected officials and public authorityemergency powers and mandatescritical thinking and the Triviumgrammar, logic, and rhetoricLysander Spooner’s Trial by Jury from 1852jury nullificationjudging both fact and lawthe responsibility of citizensthe responsibility of Masonswhy mental exercise mattersstrengthening your mental musclesThe point is not to tell Masons to be reckless.The point is to tell Masons to stop being mentally lazy.A Mason should understand the words he repeats.A Mason should understand the laws he lives under.A Mason should understand his duties as a citizen.A Mason should understand the difference between lawful authority, personal opinion, fear, pressure, and conscience.If we are going to talk about duty, then we need to know what duty means.If we are going to talk about law, then we need to understand law.If we are going to call ourselves free men, then we need to exercise the mind hard enough to deserve that title.Strengthen your mental muscles, Brethren.Have an origin theory, Masonic question, old document, book recommendation, lodge problem, fitness transformation story, or research lead?Write to me at:[email protected] Masonic Muscle on Instagram:@masonicmuscleFollow Masonic Muscle on Facebook.Subscribe and follow Masonic Muscle on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.Share this episode with one Brother who needs to think harder about duty, law, and liberty.