Perhaps you remember Derek Gordon who resigned from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas after they gave him so much unwarranted grief. Here is a great mind with assets that would be of great benefit to any Lodge. His latest venture with the assistance of the masterful genius of Brother Dave Daugherty, is the development of a Masonic Wiki, http://www.masonicwiki.info.
Now if you are like me and the only Wiki you have heard about is Wiki Leaks and you have little idea of what a Wiki is all about, don’t be intimidated by past perception or prejudice. The concept is one of sharing. Not only do you get to enjoy all the information on the website but you also have the opportunity to add material. That’s what a Wiki is all about – shared input.
This Wiki project is based on the exact same software of that popular, worldwide information site, Wikipedia. It is easy to use, friendly to search through and has unlimited potential in Masonic research and scholarship. To post something you simply search and create a page detailing whatever it is you seek to discuss.
There are a few other English speaking Masonic Wikis but they are not well maintained. They are full of spam because they are not a secure site. You won’t find that at masonicwiki.info. First of all you have to be a Mason to post and then only after you have registered with the site. Gordon & Daugherty have five moderators working the site and they block all spam and malicious content. You won’t find the flaming screaming that you can experience on many Masonic Forums. Gordon particularly emphasizes this point.
“Users can read, edit and add content so long as they are registered. Modified content will show with revisions and is reviewed by one of five moderators to ensure it isn’t scathing. Our contact page offers a method to E-Mail us when something needs review. Our platform is monitored to protect the sanctity of Masonry and to avoid attacks between bitter foes.”
This is important because Masonic Wiki is open to all Obedience and Jurisdictions across the board. This site is not an arm of Mainstream Masonry’s Conference of Grand Masters nor will it get involved in issues of who is a legitimate Mason and who is not. It is beholden to no one but open to everyone who will enter its portals in peace and harmony and respect for divergent views.
The Site offers a breakdown by Continent and then by country. It also offers headings of Masonic Poetry, Articles, Websites, Blogs and Supplies. In addition you get a list of topics. Here are only a few examples:
Masonic Libraries & Museums
Research Lodges
Prince Hall Freemasonry
Feminine Obediences
Allied Masonic Degrees
Grand College of Rites
National Sojourners
Daughters of the Nile
And many, many more, or create a topic of your choice.
Gordon has smartly also scooped up domains for www.masonicwiki.com, www.masonicwiki.net and www.masonicwiki.org. If you are looking for Masonic Wiki they all take you to the same place. The site also has the ability to upload images and audio and Gordon will put in video too if there is a demand for it. It has an international flavor as you can also choose Spanish and French languages in addition to English. Gordon told the Beehive that he is trying to put together an agreement with a German Masonic Wiki, some sort of merger or co-operative effort.
It is obvious that Masonic Wiki is here to build bridges of understanding. Once again Gordon tells us the purpose of Masonic Wiki,
“…is to bring all sorts of information about Masonry together in one location, to share information among Masons of all backgrounds and in all places so that we can gain further light and understanding about one another.”
Most Freemasons will tell you that Freemasonry is universal. Masonic Wiki lives and practices that concept proving it to be true. Won’t you join them?