Exlibris Digital Freemasonry Conference

By: Exlibris Academy

Freemasons Hall in London played host to the inaugural Exlibris Digital Freemasonry Conference. This wasn’t just another conference; it was a pivotal moment, convened precisely because the profound influence of digital technology on every facet of modern life has become undeniable.

It was time for the Craft to initiate a vital, open examination of technology’s potential implications for our future.

The papers presented at this conference, now compiled into a weighty volume, collectively address the crucial juncture at which Freemasonry finds itself. We stand at the intersection of our time-honoured traditions and the transformative capabilities offered by the digital realm.

This collection represents a foundational contribution to what will surely become a growing discourse on “Digital Freemasonry.” The underlying message from all contributors is clear and shared: maintaining the relevance and efficacy of our beloved Craft in the 21st century necessitates a thoughtful, principled, and proactive engagement with technological advancement.

The question is no longer if technology will impact us, but how we, as Masons dedicated to our principles, will strategically and ethically incorporate it into our work.

The Purpose: Why Explore Digital Frontiers?

exlibris digital conference at freemasons hall, london

IMAGE LINKED:  author’s collection Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

At the core of this exploration into digital transformation is a clear purpose. It is viewed not as a means to change what we do – the timeless outcome of moral and personal development – but to potentially transform how we achieve it.

Just as the Craft has adapted its methods throughout history in response to societal and technological shifts (from operative stonemasons to speculative philosophy, from handwritten minutes to typewriters), we must consider adapting our processes today.

The goal is simple yet profound: to apply new, contemporary methods to reach those established, enduring outcomes. This adaptation is vital for securing the future of the Craft, ensuring its continued relevance, appeal, and growth in a rapidly changing world.

As Brother Nicholas Broadway illuminated in his keynote, digital technologies offer a potent opportunity. They could help shift the Craft’s primary focus back towards its historical origins as a vibrant learning platform – a perception that he suggested has sometimes been overshadowed by a focus on social aspects in certain jurisdictions.

He compellingly likened this moment to Freemasonry’s “1877 moment,” drawing a parallel to the invention of the phonograph.

The phonograph allowed music consumption without the musicians being physically present. Similarly, digital tools might allow Brethren to engage with certain elements of Freemasonry – perhaps educational content, historical archives, or even potentially aspects of preparation or discussion – without the constant necessity of physical co-presence in a lodge room for every single interaction.

The fundamental principle remains: leveraging new processes to better achieve the established outcome of moral and personal development.

Proactive engagement with digital advancements isn’t just about convenience; it’s seen as crucial for addressing contemporary challenges head-on. Freemasonry competes for members’ increasingly limited time and attention.

Methodologies that feel anachronistic or inaccessible can deter potential or even existing members, particularly younger generations. By thoughtfully adapting, the Craft can remain appealing, accessible, and vibrant for all who seek Light.

Brother Gerald Reilly posited the term “Digital Working Tools” to conceptualise using a structured, almost scientific methodology to analyse the digital landscape and guide the Craft’s navigation through it, thereby sustaining and futureproofing our Fraternity.

The Exploration: Voices from the Conference

The conference provided a platform for several Brethren to explore specific facets of this digital potential.

exlibris digital conference at freemasons hall, london

IMAGE LINKED:  author’s collection Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Brother Nicholas Broadway’s paper, “Towards Digital Freemasonry: Reclaiming the Learning Platform,” firmly framed the discussion around technology as a potential catalyst for returning the Craft to its educational core.

He expanded on the “1877 moment” analogy, emphasizing the principle of adapting how we work to achieve our timeless goals. His paper also formally introduced the Ex Libris Academy as the dedicated research initiative tasked with investigating how information technology can help secure the Craft’s future.

Brother Gerald Reilly’s presentation, “Nature and Science: Towards a Methodological Paradigm,” delved into the inherent Masonic requirement to research Nature and Science.

He framed Nature as the object of our study and Science as the systematic methodology of our inquiry.

He passionately advocated for adopting a structured scientific methodology – based on observation, pattern recognition, testing, prediction, and control – not just for understanding the physical universe, but also for understanding society, the challenges it presents, and crucially, for guiding the Craft’s own experimental navigation of the digital landscape.

It is from applying this rigorous methodology, he argued, that true “Digital Working Tools” will arise.

Virtual Reality (VR) emerged as a significant area of focus, explored by two speakers from distinct perspectives. Brother Barry Smith, approaching VR from the viewpoint of a Director of Ceremonies, presented “Virtual Reality: Towards VR Lodges of Improvement.”

His focus was squarely on the practical considerations and governance challenges of translating traditional ritual into a VR environment, particularly for observing or practicing parts of our work in ‘VR Lodges of Improvement’.

He raised critical questions:

How do we define virtual spaces?

How do we ensure security and privacy when participants might be in unsecured personal locations?

How do we manage candidate supervision (for those observing or being examined)? How must the ritual itself be adapted?

How do jurisdictional variations impact this?

And ultimately, what defines the legitimacy and validity of any activity conducted via VR?

He stressed that moving forward requires clear policies, standards, and crucially, official sanction from governing bodies. He did note the potential for VR to offer greater accessibility for Brethren wishing to observe demonstration rituals or educational sessions.

Brother Sam Thomsitt, in his paper “Virtual Reality: Towards Enhanced Masonic Practice,” offered a more philosophical argument for embracing digital technologies like VR, framing it as an imperative aligning with the Masonic philosophy of progressive revelation and evolution.

He outlined foundational principles for any digital integration: security, privacy, and accessibility. For security, he proposed robust measures like End-to-End Encryption (E2E) and Mandatory Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) as the modern equivalent of properly Tying the physical Lodge – essential baselines for protecting digital communication and access.

For accessibility, he suggested practical hardware standards, exploring shared resources (a tangible embodiment of Masonic Relief), sensible rollout plans, and efficient software design. He argued that VR, when implemented thoughtfully, can create valuable virtual meeting spaces for Brethren to connect and engage.

Brother Matthew Harrowing took the discussion into the realm of “Blockchain Technologies: Towards Enhancement of Masonic Practice and the Cultivation of Self-Sovereignty.” He explored blockchain far beyond its association with cryptocurrencies, focusing on its potential to foster individual self-sovereignty.

Harrowing highlighted striking parallels between core Masonic principles – such as the emphasis on character, the binding nature of oaths, and the inherently decentralized structure of the Craft globally – and key blockchain concepts like trustless mechanisms, Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs).

He explained how DIDs allow private identity verification without reliance on central authorities, while ZKPs enable proving a statement (like your status or access rights) is true without revealing the underlying sensitive details.

These technologies offer powerful new tools for maintaining privacy in digital interactions. Potential applications he suggested included verifiable digital membership credentials, secure communication channels, facilitating decentralized governance models, and streamlining financial processes within Lodges or Provinces – all potentially reinforcing the fundamental self-sovereignty inherent in being a Freemason.

Brother Alex Bruscato addressed a technology many of us interact with daily: “Strategic Social Media Engagement for Freemasonry.”

Focusing on platforms like Facebook, he identified key objectives for the Craft’s presence: preserving relevance, correcting public misconceptions about Freemasonry, showcasing our positive community impact, and attracting individuals who are genuinely aligned with our values (distinct from explicit recruitment).

A key challenge he identified is navigating the balance between our traditional discretion regarding internal affairs and the modern demand for digital transparency. The strategic approach he proposed is to focus relentlessly on promoting publicly shareable aspects – our enduring values, our charitable work, our rich history, and our visible impact on the community – while diligently safeguarding the privacy of our ritual and internal discussions.

This nuanced approach is viewed as essential for building public trust and ensuring the Craft’s long-term sustainability in the digital public square.

Collectively, these diverse presentations underscore a critical reality: while technology undeniably presents compelling opportunities to enhance many aspects of Masonic practice and engagement, there are significant practical, ethical, and governance challenges that must be rigorously examined, debated, and addressed by the Craft as a whole.

Foundational Principles for the Digital Path

Running like a golden thread through the entire conference was the identification of foundational principles absolutely essential for guiding any digital integration within the Craft.

exlibris digital conference at freemasons hall, london

IMAGE LINKED:  author’s collection Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Firstly, Methodology: The necessity for a rigorous, research-driven approach cannot be overstated. As Brother Reilly emphasized, a structured methodology, akin to the scientific method, is paramount for understanding the digital landscape and navigating it wisely.

Secondly, Security: Establishing robust digital security is not an optional extra; it is crucial, akin to the fundamental act of Tying the physical Lodge before beginning our work.

This requires implementing baseline standards like robust End-to-End Encryption (E2E) for private digital communication and Mandatory Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for accessing shared resources.

Regular oversight, clear education for members, and adapting security protocols to environments where Brethren may be accessing tools from potentially unsecured personal physical locations (a challenge highlighted for VR) are vital. Research into technologies like Blockchain for enhancing digital security also forms part of this principle.

Thirdly, Privacy: This is a non-negotiable, foundational principle of Freemasonry. While challenging in digital environments, particularly when working from home, advancements like Blockchain’s Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) offer powerful new tools for maintaining privacy in digital interactions while allowing necessary verification without revealing unnecessary details.

Beyond technology, conscious effort, the use of dedicated physical spaces when possible, headphones, and setting boundaries at home are also necessary practical measures for individual privacy.

On public platforms like social media, the approach is a careful balance: share values and impact openly while safeguarding the privacy of ritual and internal affairs.

Fourthly, Accessibility: Any integration of technology must seek to bridge accessibility gaps, not create new ones. Upholding the Masonic principle of Universality means ensuring that all Brethren, regardless of their technical proficiency, age, or financial resources, can participate fully.

Strategies proposed include defining practical hardware standards, exploring shared resources (embodying Masonic Relief in the digital age), implementing sensible rollout plans, and using efficient, user-friendly software.

The goal is to leverage technology to strengthen our universal brotherhood, ensuring no one is left behind. As noted, VR could potentially offer greater accessibility for observation or educational purposes. Maintaining an online presence also helps the Craft remain accessible and discoverable to younger generations.

Underpinning all these principles is the absolute necessity that technological integration must enhance, rather than dilute or compromise, the essential character, purpose, and core values of the Craft. Our tools may evolve, but our foundation and objective remain immutable.

The Way Forward: Research and Collaboration

The Exlibris Digital Freemasonry Conference was not an endpoint, but a powerful catalyst for the ongoing work of the Ex Libris Academy.

This research initiative is structured as a legally registered company, providing a formal framework to facilitate universal collaboration across geographical and jurisdictional boundaries – a true expression of the Craft’s global nature.

The Academy’s purpose is to provide a structured framework for the global fraternity to adapt and, critically, to stimulate further rigorous research, open debate, and collaborative action.

The Academy’s initial Prospectus outlines over 10 distinct research projects, each framed by the simple yet profound question: “How do we initiate the conversation to…?”.

These projects span a wide array of critical areas, including exploring how to integrate Craft Degrees and the Holy Royal Arch into a seamless technological journey;

the feasibility and challenges of conducting regular ritual meetings within a Virtual Reality environment;

applying Artificial Intelligence tools to support lodge administration and enhance Masonic education;

using Blockchain technology for secure digital identification (“Soul-bound Tokens”), payment management, and as a digital security mechanism;

identifying legitimate and beneficial applications for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) within Freemasonry;

evaluating IT automation tools for streamlining lodge administration; developing best practices for strategic social media engagement and robust data security;

analysing lessons learned from efficient ritual delivery methods (like One Day Classes) and their potential application in VR;

and identifying best practices for online guided learning to develop tailored Masonic educational programs.

A clear, unifying theme across all these projects is the focus on transforming the process of Masonic activity using the best tools the digital age offers, all in service of achieving the timeless outcome of moral and personal improvement.

This research is intended to be a shared resource, disseminated widely for the use of Masonic bodies worldwide, requiring appropriate citation as it forms the basis for future discussions and decisions.

The importance of collaboration cannot be overstated. It is absolutely vital that we connect with other jurisdictions and Masonic bodies already engaged in similar explorations, sharing knowledge, insights, and learning from their experiences.

This collaborative spirit will strengthen the entire Craft’s collective ability to understand and navigate this transition effectively, ensuring we move forward together, guided by Light and wisdom.

Conclusion: Shaping the Digital Future of the Craft

Freemasonry has endured for centuries precisely because it has consistently adapted to changing times while adhering steadfastly to its core principles and fundamental truths.

The digital age, with all its complexities and rapid evolution, presents both significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities to revitalise the Craft, enrich the learning experience for our Brethren, and connect meaningfully with future generations of Masons.

The Exlibris Digital Freemasonry Conference and the ongoing, dedicated work of the Ex Libris Academy represent a crucial, concerted effort to engage in the rigorous research and open dialogue necessary to understand and navigate these opportunities effectively.

Embracing this “1877 moment” requires courage, proactive investigation, and, most importantly, collaborative effort across the Fraternity.

By thoughtfully leveraging the tools, methodologies, and insights available in the digital era, Freemasonry has the potential to ensure its continued vibrancy, relevance, and positive impact on individual lives and communities for centuries to come.

The ultimate goal is clear: to use contemporary means – the best Working Tools of this age – to deliver our enduring lessons and build character. The research presented at this landmark conference serves as a vital starting point, laying the foundation for future progress.

It is now incumbent upon all Masons who care about the future of our Craft to engage with this work, participate in the discussion, and help shape the digital path ahead, guided by wisdom, strength, and beauty.

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