The following message was circulated to Indiana Freemasons today on the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, and in the wake of the assassination of TurningPointUSA speaker Charlie Kirk at a university campus in Utah. Upon news of the death, social media erupted with messages praising or excoriating Kirk's political views, his supporters, and the actions of the assassin. Freemasons clearly identified as such online engaged in these heated exchanges, many of which were shocking in their language and intent. Subsequently, Grand Master Randy Seipel issued the following letter. All Masons should take heed to his thoughtful message:
September 11, 2025
My Brothers,
Freemasonry is an organization of men of every background, sect, religion, and political thought. We join together in the union of Brotherly Love despite those differences of faith, thought, and conviction. We build brotherly relationships based on the acceptance of each other and our shared desire to put our ntual into action by supporting each in the journey of taking good men and making them better. We do this through our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
Recently, a high-profile political figure was murdered at a public event sparking not only shock and sorrow but controversy and political hate speech from both sides of the aisle. As Freemasons we are charged to rise above the fray. Abhorrent speech, vulgar language, and hateful conduct is foreign to us, yet at times our emotions, thoughts, and actions override our Masonic values. When this happens, it is incumbent upon every brother Mason to reflect on their actions, arm themselves with their working tools and break off the corners of their rough ashlars to prepare their living stone for that sacred building, that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.
As I often am, I am reminded of the valuable, in disposable lessons we learn as Masons. Silence and circumspection are truly masonic virtues. We are all children of the same parent. Masonry joins men of every sect and creed who might well have maintained at a perpetual distance.
My Brothers, as we reflect today on the thousands of lives lost 24 years ago during the 9/11 attacks, let us remember those tragic events brought to us by hate-filled extremists whose cause was not strengthened by those attacks. Rather, they were weakened as our great country rose together to support each other, renewing our pride in our country, and reenergizing our patriotism and unity. Let us then use the tragic events of yesterday to grow in understanding and compassion, to reclaim the charge of Brotherly Love and understanding and to stand firm on the moral dictates of our great Fraternity. Let us build and grow, and
love, and pray together, and show that Masons can, do, and will make the world a better place.
Fraternally,
Randolph L. Seipel
Grand Master
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