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Archives for July 2011

A Visit to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial

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The George Washington National Masonic Memorial
The George Washington National Masonic Memorial

Last week, I visited the Washington, D.C. area and had an opportunity to visit the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA. I had long wanted to visit the memorial which is a tribute to George Washington as a Freemason and the fraternity as a whole. Since I had to travel through Alexandria in order to get to the nation’s capital, it was a convenient stop during my trip.

The monument’s property is gorgeous. The grounds surrounding the building are well kept and complement the beautiful stone building. When approaching the memorial from the parking lot, its size is awe inspiring. As you get closer and see the quality of the perfect ashlars which compose this edifice its beauty becomes more apparent. It will make any Freemason contemplate the value of the fraternity to our Masonic predecessors. The construction of this building was no small achievement and those Freemasons that assembled to create it must have placed great worth in our noble art.

The interior of the building boasts a number of grand halls, lodge rooms, and Masonic displays. The building is kept in excellent condition and is appealing to the eyes. The main floor features two beautiful lodge rooms each with its own display of various Masonic memorabilia. I would love to be a spectator of degree work in these lodge rooms as they are quite awe inspiring.

A view of the hall as you enter the memorial.
A view of the hall as you enter the memorial.

The lower floor features the Grand Masonic Hall as well as museums dedicated to Freemasonry and the Shrine. The Freemason’s museum was one of the more informative, accurate, and tasteful displays of Masonic history that I have ever seen. Some artifacts that caught my attention were Lafayette’s Masonic apron, a copy of Webb’s Freemason’s Monitor, and a copy of the Constitutions of 1723.

The tower of the building features more displays and an observation deck. In order to access the tower, you must take a guided tour which occurs several times throughout the day. The tour guides at the memorial will be more than happy to assist you in taking one of these tours which cost only $5 (access to the main and lower levels is free).

The memorial is conveniently located right across the street from the King Street Metro Station, which makes it an easy commute from anywhere in the D.C. metro area. The memorial is open daily and you can find more information on the George Washington National Masonic Memorial at its website.

Howie Damron Performance

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Just received from Howie Damron

Were Celebrating the new album being finished “My Masonic Legacy”. The Release date is this Sunday. I have been asked to do my first Free Performance Web Cast on Www.HowieDamron.com at 9:00pm 7-31-11 which is this Sunday Evening. I hope you can attend as well as all the Brethren. You have been a real inspiration for me to continue this Masonic Pride Music Mission. If you would, would you please let everyone know. It took 8 years to complete the Album and I’m overly Excited for Brothers all over the world to hear the songs. Yes I will be singing “The Masonic Ring” and Karisa my daughter will be singing “Follow the Eastern Star”.

Brother Howie Damron

How about it Brethren? Sounds like a good time!

 

Ron Paul Freemason

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Ron Paul, it seems, is not a Freemason.

At least according to the note purported to be written by Paul’s hand, as published on the Ron Paul fan site RonPaul.com.

It’s been variously said that because his father and mother had Masonic ties, that he was by consequence, a fellow traveler.  But, take it as you may.  According to Paul himself, he’s not a member of the lodge.

In a piece on the blog Aftermath, it cites a much older post in which a former scheduler by the name of Liberty Oak confirms the same saying that Paul’s father was a mason, that his wife is a member of Eastern Star, and his two daughters were both Rainbow Girls.  Other than his familial links, there doesn’t seem to be any other connection to the fraternity.

History of Scandinavian Freemasonry

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Scandinavian MasonryThe evolution of Scandinavian Masonry by Dr. Andreas Önnerfors as published on the World Wide Exemplification of Freemasonry, better known as WEoFM.

He is the former director of First Academic center of Freemasonry and Fraternalism at the University of Sheffield.

In this lecture, Dr. Önnerfors explores the history of Scandinavian Freemasonry and the dissemination of Freemasonry in the Danish and Scandinavian world.

Interestingly, he explores this style of Masonry and its strong Christian connections.

The Evolution of Scandinavian Freemasonry from WEOFM on Vimeo.

Norwegian Order of Freemasons expel Breivik

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The following was posted Sunday on the Grand Lodge of Norway website from the Grand Master of Norwegian masons.

The Norwegian Order of Freemasons expressing compassion and care

– I am appalled by the horrible atrocity that was committed in the government district and at the Utøya island, says the Sovereign Grand Master of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons, Ivar A. Skar.

We are filled with mourning and compassion for those who have been affected and their relatives.

It has appeared in the media that the accused has been a member of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons.

He has now been excluded (expelled) – the exclusion immediately effective.

The exclusion reflects that the acts he is accused of having carried out, and the values that appear to have motivated them, are completely incompatible with what we stand for as an Order.

We build our activity on Christian and humanistic values and want our members to contribute to the promotion of charity, peace and goodness among all people.

The police will of course get all the help and information we can give to contribute to the investigation.

 

Knights Templar Turn To Be Degraded

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Templarsign7Why should Freemasonry take all the hits? Let’s demean someone else, what say you? Time the Knights Templar got besmirched

Would you believe that a Mexican Drug cartel is the new champion of truth, justice and the Mexican way?  That’s right! They are the new Knights Templars dedicated to enforcing a new ethical code. Wonders never cease.

In a story tearing up the Internet and originally reported by the Associated Press are the details here.

MORELIA, Mexico –  Patterned after the most famous of the medieval Western Christian military orders, a drug cartel in Mexico, calling itself the Knights Templar, is publicly appealing to Mexicans living in Michoacán.

Claiming to be fighting a war against poverty, tyranny and injustice, the crime gang is distributing books outlining its “mission” and “code of conduct.”

Federal police said they seized copies of the cartel’s “code of conduct” booklet during an arrest of cartel members in the western state of Michoacán last week, but refused to release its contents Tuesday, saying they didn’t want fan the flames of the quasi-religious movement.

But a copy of the 22-page “The Code of the Knights Templar of Michoacán,” illustrated with knights on horseback bearing lances and crosses, was obtained by The Associated Press this week. It says the group “will begin a challenging ideological battle to defend the values of a society based on ethics.”

There is no indication that Freemasons are involved or are being used or hijacked in this situation. But one might conjecture how soon it will be before someone makes the connection. And might we ask where is the church – the Catholic Church in all this? Has it taken one too many KT hits to open its mouth?

More On Mass Murderer Breivik, A Freemason

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norwayNorwegian Anders Bering Breivik has been arrested for the mass murder of 92 people in two separate incidents.

The first incident was a bomb that exploded in Oslo’s central government district. Reportedly aimed at Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoitenberg, the blast killed seven people. It is alleged that hours after the first attack Breivik, dressed as a police officer, entered a youth camp on Utoya Island firing an automatic weapon. When the smoke cleared 85 more were dead.

Breivik was not only a Freemason but also a Nazi and a very Conservative Christian.  He posted this John Stuart Mill quote on his Twitter account.

“One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests.”

Breivik was said to be a member of “The Seedish Nazi Forum” and “Nordisk” a political terrorist group.

His Christianity that moved far to the right led him to say this:

“Today’s Protestant Church is a joke. Priests in jeans who march for Palestine and churches that look like minimalist shopping centers. I am a supporter of an indirect collective conversion of he Protestant Church back to the Catholic.”

Obviously a brain washed, ideological zealot who is sick. This terrible tragedy comes on the heals of the UK Masonic scandal of Jonathan Rees, an informant for Murdoch’s “News of the World.” It looks as if Freemasonry is in for a hard time in the UK.

All of us who are part of Freemason Information ~ Masonic Traveler are shocked that anyone would so distort Freemasonry’s message for such nefarious purposes and our hearts and prayers go out to all the families who have lost loved ones. This is not Freemasonry and we will not condone the hijacking of our Fraternity for evil.

Norway Monster Anders Behring Breivik

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It’s been reported that Norwegian gunman and bomber Anders Behring Breivik was, amongst several affiliations, a freemason, this according to the British Mail-online.

In addition to the claim, it is also said he was a nazi, and right-wing anti muslim.

You can read the reporting in the Mail Online article: Norwegian massacre gunman was a right-wing extremist who hated Muslims

The link comes from Breivik’s Facebook profile, in which it is reported that his interests included body-building and freemasonry.

Perhaps unnecessary to say, his actions in no way reflect the teachings of Masonry, and to the contrary contradicts its teachings and even its very essence. The taking of human life is one of the most heinous of acts humanly possible making Breivik’s actions those of a monster.

Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragedy.

 

First Ever Joint Conference Of The Phylaxis & Philalethes Societies

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San Francisco flagThe first ever joint session of the Phylaxis and Philalethes Societies will  be held in San Francisco at the Scottish Rite Center on August 27 next month.  This brings together Mainstream and Prince Hall Masonic Research Bodies together for a historic confeence.

Among the speakers will be noted authors Alton Roundtree and Tom Worrel.  For a complete run down on this momentus occasion see:

http://freemasonry.org/semiannual_meeting.php

The Beehive can’t help but wonder what will be going through the minds of Mainstream jurisdictions who have not recognized Prince Hall, especially West Virginia and Arkansas. Will these jurisdictions boycott the conference and are we going to see some more pulling of recognition?

Trouble brewing in the Philippine house of Masonry

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The following comes from a note I picked up on in news link from Facebook. The article posted on the Isagani Lodge No. 96 Facebook page, and is less an inditement and more a question as to a growing cloud of mismanagement and nepotism that, they believe, has infultrated Philippine Freemasonry.

Its called the author to ask the question – Is Philippine Masonry self-destructing?

…It was only during the late seventies that the tentacles of patronage politics, Philippine style, started to creep slowly into the activities during annual communications. Even then, it was only an on-off thing and it was tolerable to say the least. Expenses were limited to lunch and snack invitations, under the guise of fraternal fellowships. These practices, more common to civic and social clubs, have spread among the brethren and were tolerated…

Politics per se is not all evil….What makes it taboo in masonry are the strategic actions employed by aspirants, particularly those bordering on bribery and corruption.

While there are specific prohibitions which if violated by a candidate can result to disqualification, these prohibitions were easily circumvented either directly or indirectly. In many cases the violations were committed by brethren who were identified as close to the candidates. The acts of bribery and corruptions come in various forms, such as free plane fares, hotel accommodations, fellowships and entertainments, registrations for voting delegates, payment of lodge arrears to the GLP, promises of appointments as Grand Lodge officers. Sad to say, many brethren have become vulnerable to these tempting offers, others make demands from these JGW wannabees as if extracting from Hiram Abiff. Most would succumb to these material favors and accept these freebies, and participate only during the roll call of lodges and the election of officers during annual communication. The rest of the time was devoted to enjoyment, courtesy of the candidate. The end result is an elected JGW not because of his Masonic maturity and qualifications but due to his financial capabilities and resources. And, after three years we see him as the GM of the GLP.

We have seen this scenario many times and there seems to be no improvement at sight. Those who bought their way up to the Grand Oriental Chair have come and gone. Some did well but most of them did not. Various scandals were unearthed during previous plenary sessions. The opening of clandestine GLP bank accounts, excessive foreign travel expenses, the bankruptcy of the Acacia Mutual Fund, and the breakaway of the Cavite brethren to form the IGLPI were just some of the unhealthy results of having irresponsible and immature brethren at the helm of power.

Is Philippine Masonry self-destructing?

What seems to be the problem? Is it in the process, the PGMs, the candidates or the voting delegates? The current process of selecting the next JGW depends largely on the suggested names and the final nominations by the PGMs. This part of the electoral process has a timeline of almost five months, during which all powers either to qualify or disqualify rest on the PGMs. Coincidentally, it is also during this five months period that most of the violations are committed. It is during this period when horse trading, acts bordering on bribery and corruption are rampant. It is an open activity and widely known amongst the brethren. Unfortunately, the PGMs are not aware of it or they simply plug their ears and look at the other side.

The candidates could not care less. Knowing the process, only those who aspire for fame and power would be interested to participate. Only those with overflowing financial resources would be willing to spend. Brethren with noble intentions would rather decline and not participate in the electoral process. They do not wish to be part of a mockery and disgrace to masonry.

The actions and decisions of the voting delegates reflect the shallowness and lack of Masonic education on the lodge level. It shows lack of understanding of what masonry is all about. It clearly reflects the Masonic immaturity of the present membership. This is a great challenge to the lodge leadership and the Grand Lodge as well.

It’s an interesting read for sure. Is it really a self destruction or just a change in the way things are done. What stood out to me most clearly was the statement that “…the voting delegates reflect the shallowness and lack of Masonic education on the lodge level…” but then maybe thats just where the problem is at.