We have to find time to discuss how forums have worked for Freemasonry rather than against it. There are many definitions for the word ‘forum’ – one of the original definitions, is A large open space surrounded by buildings in the centre of every Roman town. It was part marketplace, part law court, part religious district, part political arena, and was the place to go for the latest gossip. Temples and shrines could stand within the square. A more up to date definition would be An online discussion group, where participants with common interests can exchange open messages.
    The most popular forums include our own, www.thefreemason.com/forum, where approximately 3000 members have contributed with more than 30,000 posts, of which almost all have been of a constructive and positive nature. There have been the odd ones who have decided to try and add an anti-masonic theme to the forum, but thankfully have failed miserably – thanks to the two main moderators, Mike Martin and Stuart Thorpe.
    Visit forum.mastermason.com where another popular masonic forum has spent both time and money to ensure that its forum members can visit with relatively little worry of the ‘antis’ successfully interrupting the discussions.
    From the Masonic Forum of Light website you can experience a busy forum at staffs.proboards37.com/index.cgi. These forums facilitate the discussion of many areas of masonic interest, such as Freemasonry overseas, esoteric issues and their place in modern Freemasonry, Co- Masonry, Religion and Freemasonry, plus much more.
    So what do these online masonic forums achieve? Well Freemasonry is now open to the masses at the touch of a few buttons, rather than the few who can manage the journey. We have seen non-masons visit the forums seeking advice, or bringing their issues and concerns forward for those who can to guide them. Many have come to the forums and found the answers are just what they needed to make the next step, many of whom we can now call ‘Brother’. So I suppose that we play a small part in guiding the enquirer along the right path, whether it is to become one of us or not.
    Take the time to go to www.google.com and type in ‘masonic forum’. You will see more that 1.3 million search results, so there’s plenty of interest.
    If you know of any other fraternal sites we should take a look at email us at sites@thefreemason.com