The Myth of the Lemmings

The Myth of the Lemmings

Many reading this blog are not old enough to remember the days of “National Lampoon” and there humorous parody’s of the lemmings.
The gist was the of the myth: for some unknown reason a single lemming would begin running around in circles, soon others would follow, not knowing why, but the frenzy was on.
As the furry little buggers ran, more and more would join in. Before you knew it, hundreds, sometimes thousands would be following the leader, until finally the leader jumped off a cliff with the whole mass of brainless lemmings following the leader over the precipice.
In reality, lemmings do not exhibit such destructive behavior, humans do. For the lemmings, it was a comical myth created to entertain, for humans it is a sad reality. If you do not believe me, look around.
Have you ever questioned why, as a freemason, it was deemed important to study and understand the seven liberal arts and sciences? The answer is simple, it was to give you the ability, and tools necessary, to question the validity of certain positions, and to prevent you from suffering the same fate of the furry little lemming.
The world is filled with an abundance of followers than gain erroneous knowledge, beliefs, and sadly, ignorance from the minds of others, often without questioning the positions put forward.

"Wisdom hath built herself a house; she hath hewn her out seven pillars." Religious scholars have long speculated upon the seven pillars of Wisdom. Wisdom is poured out to seven vocations or callings. Wisdom also is seen presiding over branches of knowledge.”

Proverbs 9:1

All masons are taught the importance of Geometry, but I really believe the world needs is a good dose of logic. Logic directs and guides us after truth. It consists of a regular train of argument where we deduce or infer from the facts. Logic leads us to conclusions based on our knowledge. Logic trains the mind to think clearly.
In times like these where more than most follow distorted views and beliefs into deeper and deeper states of ignorance, where logic disappears only to be replaced by lemming mentalities we must pursue logic.
We still also need faith, but I will save that for another time. Until then:

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” Buddha