WORKMAN UNASHAMED: The testimony of a Christian Freemason. Christopher Haffner, Lewis Masonic, London, 2006. Hardback, 344 pages, £19.99. ISBN 0 85318 247 7.

This is a book with a message for the present. At a time when personal faith in the divine seems to be steadily ebbing away this book describes how Accepted Freemasons are willing to affirm their faith in God as part of the very first step that they take into the fraternity that they join.
    When our society is apparently in search of common values and agreed standards of behaviour this book shows how men from all walks of life and with various religious convictions can find common rules of behaviour which enable them to meet, to accept and to live with each other in every part of the world.
    In a world where there is still much poverty and need the reader will here see how from the moral and spiritual messages that are heard and learnt by a Freemason today there arises a natural desire to provide help not only for a Brother and his family but for a host of good causes that are served by non-Masons. In all these ways the author reveals the practical and underpinning help that Freemasonry can offer to people in today’s world, and how a Christian can have his share in that.
    This book, however, has another and more particular purpose. As the Preface makes clear this second edition of the book has emerged from a very personal struggle which caused the author to consider writing this book in the first place. It was a struggle between his deep and committed faith as a Christian and the attention and service which he discharged as a senior Freemason.
    It is from such an intense personal experience that Haffner seeks to examine how it is possible for a Christian to engage in what Freemasonry offers, pointing out what is often overlooked, that there are sections of the Craft where precise Christian beliefs are still required. Not in any way questioning the beliefs of others he seeks to show how Christians who are members are yet ‘mature adults who can confidently be expected to grow in their faith, with lodge activity playing its part. They seek to participate in privacy and with freedom.’ In the latter part of this new edition of his work the author tackles some problems that still persist.
    Should masons be allowed to attend a service in church?
    How can masons have a dual loyalty? What about ceremonies where Jesus Christ is not mentioned? Attention to these and other questions from the churches shows how valuable this work can be for many readers. Haffner gave up his membership so as to further his own Christian ministry. This book makes clear that he is not ‘ashamed’ of his masonic connections and is certainly not convinced that other ‘workmen’ need to do the same.
    Neville Cryer