Ousted Liberian Leader Charles Taylor's Mementos Mori.

AFP is reporting that ousted Liberian president Charles Taylor, currently on trial for war crimes, was asked yesterday about human skulls being displayed at checkpoints in Liberia during his 1989-90 revolution.

Oh, those old things? Why, it was just like a Masonic lodge.

"Skulls were used as symbols of death," he told judges of the Special Court for Sierra Leone trying him on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the 1991-2001 civil war in the neighbouring state.

"These were not our people. Enemy soldiers had been killed and their skulls were used. I knew that, and it did not bother me."
The skulls were of soldiers killed in clashes with Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) which invaded the country from the Ivory Coast in 1989 to oust his predecessor, president Samuel Doe.

Taylor sought to draw a distinction between human skulls and fleshed human heads, calling it "a blatant, diabolical lie that I, Charles Ghankay Taylor or anyone would drive by a human head.

"These were only skulls that I saw and I would not have tolerated anyone killing and putting a human head up," he told the court. The 61-year-old testified that skulls were displayed to convey the message that "if you do wrong, this is the result."

Taylor argued that the skull was still used as a symbol by "western fraternal organisations".

"I saw them (at the checkpoints), I investigated... and came to the conclusion it was not anything wrong. I had also seen skulls in fraternal organisations that are western, I did not think there was anything wrong with a skull.

"We are not talking about skulls lying around all over the place", he added, but only "at certain strategic junctions."
Taylor denied, however, having ordered the skulls to be put up.

Yeah.

Just the same.

Although we don't, as a general rule, go shoot up a lodge of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Columbus or Elks to get ours. We usually just order the plastic ones.



I am not trivializing this story. In case you don't know anything about the real horrors of the civil war in Liberia, read it here. An estimated 250,000 out of a country of 3 million were killed, and stories about troops eating human hearts and playing soccer with human heads became common.

Fiji Masons Practice Sorcery, According To Neighbors

This story is too bizarre to paraphrase, so I reproduce it as it appeared in the Taiwan News:

Police in Fiji detained 14 members of a freemasons lodge for 24 hours after local villagers complained that they were practicing sorcery, newspapers reported Thursday.

Eight Australians and a New Zealander were among those jailed after their Tuesday night meeting was raided by police.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed 14 people, including eight Australians, were detained for convening a Masonic meeting without the right permit.

The New Zealand Herald quoted an unnamed police spokesman who said officers acted on reports from villagers of "strange goings-on" at the lodge.

The lodge secretary showed police a permit for the meeting but was told it was not relevant and the group was taken to the jailhouse and locked in cells, the Herald reported.

Australia's Canberra Times reported that Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama ordered their release but investigations were still continuing.

Emergency regulations imposed by Fiji's military regime allow police to detain people for up to 48 hours without charge.

The New Zealand newspaper said police in Lautoka seized Masonic paraphernalia including wands, compasses and a skull.

UPDATE

Justa Mason has an extended entry about this story, describing past Masonic "misunderstandings" on Fiji, and asking some pertinant philosophical questions about the larger issue of public perception. See it here.

Solomon's Builders

Get a jump on the history behind Dan Brown's upcoming book, "The Lost Symbol."

"Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington D.C." by Christopher L. Hodapp, author of "Freemasons For Dummies."

Available from Amazon.com

Happy Bastille Day

Happy Bastille Day to my French brethren.

More Atlanta Coverage of Gate City Lodge

Atlanta's The Sunday Paper has an extensive article by reporter Chuck Stanley on the Gate City Lodge No. 2 situation in its online edition today.

It includes important remarks by John Holt as to his resignation as DDGM.

Gate City fell under the jurisdiction of District Deputy John Holt, an 82-year-old retired machinist and salesman, when Victor Marshall became a Master Mason. Grand Master James Jennings asked Holt to tender his resignation after the controversy broke. Holt maintains that the Grand Master never expressed dissatisfaction over the induction of a black man into Gate City. However, when complaints and, later, charges against Gate City made their way to the Grand Lodge, he says, Jennings felt “blindsided.”

“I failed to inform the Grand Master of what was going on in that [Gate City] lodge,” says Holt, who says he harbors no ill will over the situation. “That’s my duty and I didn’t do it. So for that reason, I had to resign.”

In retrospect, Holt says, Marshall’s membership in the lodge was “out of the ordinary” (he was not aware of any other black Masons in the district) and therefore should have been relayed to the Grand Master. At the time, though, it never occurred to him to report it.

“It’s just one of those things,” he says, sympathizing with Jennings’ request that he resign. “It’s my job to report on anything out of the ordinary.”

Decoding "The Lost Symbol"

In the mania to swab up every morsel of information about Dan Brown's forthcoming "The Lost Symbol," readers everywhere are attempting to decipher every press release, cover art, and Twitter clue dribbled out by Brown's publisher.

Michael Schaub over at Bookslut.com has managed to crack the code behind the title itself. If you rearrange the letters in "The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown," you get "Horny Matt's Wobbly Blondes."

Meanwhile, while everyone was attempting to figure out the importance of the date of the release of the book, September 15, 2009, few thought to add up the numbers 9/15/09.

33

Grand Master of Georgia Responds

I received a message today from the Grand Master of Georgia, J. Edward Jennings, Jr., in response to my request for more information directly from him. (He sent me a correction afterwards, and I have revised his response to make that correction):

"The situation with the Grand Lodge of Georgia and Gate City Lodge No. 2 will be addressed in a statement I will make public in about 10 days.

"The statement you sent me from the brother in Atlanta concerning John Holt is incorrect. As Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, it is my duty to appoint Brothers to positions in Grand Lodge, such as District Deputies, who keep me informed of all things in their sub-districts, that I may be better informed of all situations that may need my input. I felt that I had not been kept informed, not only of the incident with Gate City Lodge No. 2, but with other situations also. This particular District Deputy had made comments in a tyled Lodge meeting stating things that I supposedly had said, comments that simply were not true. As Grand Master, I have to have Brothers on all appointed committees of Grand Lodge to do the best job possible. I felt that this was not happening from this particular District Deputy and I asked him to resign. There is no hard feeling on my part toward John; I am only doing the job I was elected to do. At the same meeting where he resigned, John he told me that he was proud that I presented him his 50-year certificate and that if he lived long enough that he wanted me to present him his 60-year award, which I told him I would be honored to do. It is true that John is a White Cap Scottish Rite Mason and has done a great job in the past, both in the Scottish Rite and the York Rite, and that he has spent eleven years as a District Deputy, but there comes a time when things must change and that time had come. John is still a friend of mine and I look forward to spending time with him in both Scottish and York Rite meetings.

"Do not believe all the information you receive on the internet, for much of it is biased and untrue. The best source of information is from "the horses mouth", and I trust that what I have related to you will satisfy your curiosity in these matters."

J. Edward Jennings, Jr.
Grand Master

Many thanks to Grand Master Jennings for taking the time to respond. I encourage everyone to wait patiently for his public statement on Gate City Lodge, and not to speculate.

Happy Birthday, John Calvin

Today is the 500th anniversary of the birthday of John Calvin.

Jay Hochberg's blog has an entry about John Calvin and the origin of the term "Great Architect of the Universe." Freemasons use the term constantly, but few of us know where it came from.

Have a look.

Grand Lodge of California Partners With UCLA For Masonic Studies

I came across this announcement on the Grand Lodge of California's website. Rather than paraphrase, I'll let the story speak for itself.

Across countries and centuries, Freemasonry has shaped governments and societies. But only limited academic research and coursework has been devoted to the subject – until now.

Thanks to the Grand Master’s Project to Advance the Study and Understanding of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge of California has cemented a partnership with the University of California at Los Angeles. The academic world is now positioned to define Masonry’s history in credible, fact-based terms.

Project funds will be used in one or more of the following ways at UCLA:

• Faculty research in the history of Freemasonry
• Support the costs of research related to the history of Freemasonry and democratic society; establish a permanent chair for Masonic studies
• Curriculum development*
• Support development of a course in the history of Freemasonry and democratic society
• Graduate student support
• Support graduate student work and interest in the history of Freemasonry and democratic society
• Lectures on the topic of Freemasonry
• Support public lectures on topics related to Freemasonry delivered by invited scholars

*A spring 2010 curriculum is already being developed for two separate classes, led by Dr. Margaret C. Jacob, professor of history at UCLA and one of the world’s foremost Masonic scholars.

For information about how you can support the Grand Master’s Project, call the Office of Philanthropy at 415/292-9117.

California's Sincerity Lodge No. 132 Celebrates 150 Years

The Plumas County News reports on the 150th anniversary of Sincerity Lodge No. 132 from over the weekend. Sincerity Lodge truly started in the Old West. The lodge was started by a group of men who had built a tavern in the Gold Rush town of Rich Bar. Their wives had been less than enthused, and quickly burned the place to the ground.

The Masons chose "Sincerity" as their name to let their women and state dignitaries know that they were sincere in their desire to better themselves in the virtues still taught in lodges today: temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

California Grand Master Larry Adamson had an outstanding message that is well worth repeating here. From the article:

“Masons have given many things to mankind,” he said. “Masons helped pave the way not only for freedom of speech, but for human rights and man’s intellectual emancipation.”

Masons strive to strengthen core virtues within themselves, including those of brotherly love, relief and truth.

“These are virtues that ennoble common man and make them better husbands, fathers and sons,” Adams(on) said.

[snip]

“This is a great time to be a Mason in California,” he said.

While there was a 30-year decline in membership, 2009 marks the ninth consecutive year that membership numbers have risen to those of the early 1980s.

The average age of those now applying for membership are men of 35, and the fastest-growing segment of population are young men of 18–27, whose numbers have more than doubled in the last year.

“So young men do find relevance in Masonry,” he said to the surprised murmurs from his fellows.

They are smart, he said of the young men, and they will challenge older members with their knowledge of what Masonry is.

They are not looking for the lodge to be the center of their social circle, like men of the past, Adams(on) said. Rather, they look toward their brothers to keep the promise of Masonry to make men better with lessons, which in turn will make their communities a better place to live.

“Whether 83 or 18, when Freemasons apply their lessons to communities, men are attracted to Masonry,” Adams(on) said.

Preach it, Brother Adamson. I just wish the paper had spelled your name correctly. And congratulations to the brethren of Sincerity Lodge.

Shriners To Keep All Hospitals Open

Delegates at the Imperial Shrine session of Shriners International in San Antonio voted Monday to reopen the Galveston, Texas burn hospital, which has been closed since last September. The hospital had been damaged by Hurricane Ike. Shriners trustees had sought to keep the facility closed, and the University of Texas had filed a lawsuit against Shriners to reopen it.

According to the Houston Chronicle:

Convention delegates voted to keep open all of the 22 hospitals nationwide in the Shriners system and, in a separate decision, voted 756 to 482 to reopen the Shriners Hospital for Children-Galveston.

The leadership failed to convince delegates to close hospitals in Shreveport, La.; Spokane, Wash.; Greenville, S.C.; Erie, Pa.; and Springfield, Mass. Delegates will vote over the next two days on proposals to save the money-starved system without closing hospitals.

The vote followed months of lobbying by the 1,000-member El Mina Shrine, based in Galveston. Tommy Lambright, the Shriners Hospital for Children Galveston board member who led the lobbying effort, said every one of the 1,500 delegates to the convention was contacted by phone.

This in spite of catastrophic losses for the Shriners' foundation that funds the hospitals—in part, because of reduced contributions, but largely because of the plummeting stock market. The assembled Shriners were not swayed by pleas from the leadership for financial common sense. The trustees were directed three years ago to try to increase the $8.5 billion hospital endowment to $14 billion. When the stock market fell last year, however, the investments plunged to less than $5 billion.

Shriners' Hospitals CEO Ralph Semb was quoted as saying in April, “Unless we do something, the clock is ticking and within five to seven years we’ll probably be out of the hospital business and not have any hospitals."

Lawsuit Between Virginia's Prince Hall Grand Lodge and Shrine

The July 2-4, 2009 edition of the Richmond Free Press is reporting on a lawsuit brought against the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia. According to the story, 49 suspended members of Prince Hall-related organizations are suing the 5,000 member Grand Lodge and the related Order of the Eastern Star for $50 million, in what is essentially a battle over the Grand Master's and Grand Lodge's authority over the Shrine.

The MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia was founded in 1875. The national Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South Jurisdictions Inc. was founded in 1893, and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. (It is not related in any way to the Tampa-based mainstream Shriners International). The AEAONMS in Virginia today has 718 members, and another 309 members of the related Daughters of Isis. Just like their mainstream Masonic counterparts, to be a member of the Shrine, one first has to be a Prince Hall Freemason.

According to the lawsuit, the trouble stems from an incident in 2006 at a benefit football game in Norfolk sponsored by the Shriners. Then-Grand Master Curtis S. Vaughan Jr. allegedly became upset that he was not treated with proper respect by the Shriners. As a result, the Grand Lodge exerted a claim that Shrine Chapters in Virginia were required to seek the Grand Lodge's permission to meet and hold programs in the state. The Shrine has ignored the GL's authority. Vaughan and his successor, MW Larry D. Christian are now accused by the plaintiffs of illegally suspending more than 100 Masons who refused to give up their Shrine membership. Likewise, the PHA-related Order of the eastern Star has suspended members who refused to give up their Daughters of Isis memberships.

A May 11th, 2009 letter posted on the Shrine's website from Imperial Potentate Oliver Washington Jr. reads, in part

Many of the members of the Imperial Council and the Imperial Court Daughters of Isis
have inquired as to the Imperial Council’s response to the various actions and edicts of
those Grand Lodges “terminating fraternal relations” between A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.
and the respective Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodges and summarily
suspending certain Master Masons and Eastern Stars because of their service in
Shrinedom. Please rest assured the Imperial Council is ascertaining an appropriate
reply, to squash the unlawful actions of those Grand Lodges, and their Officers
wrongfully suspending Master Mason, Eastern Stars, and interfering with the
sovereignty and business affairs of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.

This implies that there are more Prince Hall grand lodges than just Virginia's that are attempting to put pressure on the Shrine's independence.

In mainstream jurisdictions, this kind of turf war is a rare, but not unheard of, situation. It will be interesting to see who blinks first, or indeed if the Court steps in to solve the matter.

Freemasons, Washington and Dan Brown's "Lost Symbol"

If there was any question before, there isn't any more. The cover of Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol, has been released. The US version shows the Capitol, placing the story in Washington D.C. The wax seal features a double -headed eagle, reminiscent of the seal of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the No. 33, and the Latin phrase, Ordo ab Chao ("Order from Chaos") The seal is set against a background of symbols of the zodiac and alchemy.


The UK version of the cover is even clearer, featuring a key with a Masonic square and compasses (echoing it's discarded Solomon Key title, but probably giving Brother Robert Lomas a bit of a fit with its resemblance to his "Hiram key" symbol).

The Lost Symbol is due in stores September 15th.

In the meantime, friend and Brother Mark Koltko-Rivera has been deciphering the pre-publication clues released by Brown's publisher over Facebook and Twitter. Check out his Key To The Lost Symbol Tweets.

And if you want to get a jump on how Freemasonry and the city of Washington D.C. are intertwined and many of the likly sites that Brown will use in his book, check out my book Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington D.C.

Brown's Da Vinci Code sold 81 million copies and is the 6th most popular book in the history of the English language. It's long awaited sequel will introduce literally millions of people to Dan Brown's version of who and what the Freemasons are, whether it is true or not (ask Opus Dei about that one). Masons all over the world need to polish up their elevator explanations, and grand lodges need to be prepared for greater interest. And scrutiny. The clock is ticking.

==========================

UPDATE

From a Reuters story:

Brown's U.S. editor Jason Kaufman from Knopf Doubleday, an imprint of Random House, said in a widely reported statement that the book is "largely" set in Washington but "it's a Washington few will recognize."

"As we would expect, he pulls back the veil -- revealing an unseen world of mysticism, secret societies, and hidden locations, with a stunning twist that long predates America," said Kaufman.

More Masonic Symbols In The Map - Of Baghdad

Shows on the History Channel that "expose" the Masonic "symbolism" the street plan of Washington DC are so 2005.

Now thanks to Google, the truth can at last be exposed. The Freemasons exerted their power and influence far beyond the shores of the United States. Above is a view of the streets of Baghdad, clearly showing the square and compasses of Freemasonry. A clear sign of a Masonic conspiracy.

Mission accomplished.

Still, Baghdad has nothing on Sandusky, Ohio.

Here's Your Masonic Michael Jackson Conspiracy Theory

And you thought you'd never read a Michael Jackson story here.

It seems that Jackson's live-in doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray (left), who is at the center of the controversy over drug injections, is alleged to be a Freemason.

According to a Fox News report:

The money was one of the main reasons Murray decided to go on tour with Jackson, says Rev. Floyd Williams, 80, who is Murray's friend and patient. Murray had developed a booming concierge business — he was jetting off to see patients in New York and Washington while building his practice in Las Vegas. Three years ago, Murray joined the Freemasonry (sic), the international fraternal society that dates back to the early 17th century. His friends say this new network galvanized his growing side business.

Note what appears to be a Masonic officer's collar resting on Murray's shoulders. No knowledge at this time whether he is a member of a mainstream lodge, a Prince Hall lodge, or one of the literally hundreds of irregular, unrecognized "grand lodges" that are scattered around the country. (The Prince Hall research group, the Phylaxis Society's Commission on 'bogus' Freemasonry lists at least 8 irregular, unrecognized "grand lodges" with Las Vegas addresses). No one knows yet, but I'm certain the world's news organizations are hot on the trail.

So, welcome to all of you folks swooping in here who have Googled "Freemasons killed Michael Jackson!" in search of the Masonic conspiracy. And members of the press, please, buy my book. If everybody else is going to cash in on Jackson's death, I might as well reap a little pelf as well.

(Photo from the Fox website)

Mark Tabbert on Tonight's Masonic Central

Join Masonic Central tonight, July 5th at 9pm EDT/6pm PDT for an interview with Wbro. Mark Tabbert, PM, Director of Collections at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. Mark is the author of American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities.

Mark was born and raised in Iowa. He grew up in Burlington along the Mississippi, and received a B.A. in European History from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1986. He has worked for the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, the Missouri Historical Society, and served as Curator at the Scottish Rite's Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 2006 he became Director of Collections at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

Mark was made a Mason in Malta Lodge No. 318, in Burlington, Iowa. He is a Past Master of Mystic Valley Lodge, AF&AM in Arlington, MA, a member of the three York Rite Bodies, and a 33° Scottish Rite (NMJ) Mason. He has been featured on numerous television programs speaking about George Washington and Freemasonry. Among his many other affiliations, he is a Founding Fellow of the Masonic Society, and serves on its Board of Directors.

Listen to the show and participate live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Masonic-Central or download the podcast later.

DDGM Asked To Resign in Georgia Over Gate City

The Gate City Lodge story continues to create firestorms in Georgia. A new development occurred on Thursday, as 82-year old District Deputy Grand Master John Holt was asked to resign his position by the Grand Master.

According to one account:

"On Thursday, July 2, 2009, after a regular communication of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Atlanta, Ed Jennings, Grand Master of Masons in Georgia asked John Holt, DDGM, for his resignation. "You were there at the initiation, you were there at the passing and you were there at the raising." Said Jennings. "You never once told me that Gate City was raising a black man." He then proceeded to ask John for his resignation. John resigned.

John Holt, 82, had just received his fifty year apron from WGM Jennings not two weeks prior. He has earned just about every honor possible from York Rite, is a White Cap in Scottish Rite, and spent eleven years as a District Deputy to the Grand Master.

One helluva way to thank a man for his service."

I have sent a message to the Grand Lodge for clarification of this story.

Holt is the second DDGM in the Grand Lodge of Georgia to resign in the last two weeks over this issue. RW Brother David Herman resigned his position as well. See here.

Shriners Meeting in San Antonio

Shriners International, formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, are holding their annual Imperial Session in San Antonio, Texas through July 9th.

It was 101 degrees there today. Only Freemasons would have a convention in San Antonio in July. Possibly because the face of the Sun was already booked.

MWBro. Glen Cook, Past Grand Master of Masons in Utah is blogging from the Imperial Session here.

John Adams on Independence Day

On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain. They approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence two days later on the 4th. But the night of the 2nd, Adams went back to his sweltering room in Philadelphia and penned a letter to his cherished wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not…

It may be the will of Heaven that America will suffer calamities still more wasting, and distress yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in States as well as individuals...But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe.

"The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in States as well as individuals."

I wish all of you the very happiest Independence Day.

I Got Your Secrets of the Founding Fathers, Right Here

Happy Independence Day!

Here's the real stuff on the Founding Fathers.

Old School.

New York Times Covers Gate City Lodge Story

In spite of the Masonic charges being withdrawn against Gate City Lodge No. 2 in Atlanta, the story has hit the New York Times in Friday's edition:

Black Member Tests Message of Masons in Georgia Lodges

(Photo from the article shows Brother Victor Marshall, flanked by brothers David Johnston, left, and David Llewellyn.)

The story does bring out several points missed by other articles, rumored by others close to the situation, but never attributed in print. Brother Marshall is actually the second black member of Gate City, although he has been the lightening rod of the controversy. (What concerns me more than anything else on a personal level about this story is the position it has placed Brother Marshall in. I'm certain he simply wanted to be a Mason in Gate City, not a court case or a test of tolerance.)

The other aspect of the story has to do with Prince Hall recognition. According to the NYTimes article:

Five or six years ago, the Prince Hall Masons in Georgia approached the mainstream Masons about recognition, said Ramsey Davis Jr., Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Riverdale, Ga. But the group was not interested, Mr. Davis said.

“There’s deep-rooted racism in the leadership,” he said. “I’ve had many calls from white Masons to say they cannot understand why things are this way.”

-----------------------
UPDATE

The story has been picked by The Guardian in Britain.

See here.

Masonic Charges Withdrawn in Georgia Case

I have just received word that the charges against the Worshipful Master and Gate City Lodge No. 2 in Atlanta have indeed been officially withdrawn.

No word yet as to the civil case brought by Gate City against the Grand Lodge.

Bangor, Maine Masons Move Into Historic New Home

If you saw the photo back in January 2004, the image of Bangor, Maine's burned and ice-covered downtown Masonic building doubtless has remained a vivid image in your memory. The 1868 building was a total loss and was pulled down the day after the fire. For 5 1/2 years, the Masonic bodies of Bangor have been nomads in search of a new home.

On Tuesday, the Bangor Masonic Foundation announced that it has purchased Wellman Commons, the Beach Chapel and the Ruth Rich Hutchins Center that connects them on the former Bangor Theological Seminary campus. The Foundation paid $500,000 for the historic property, and it will be home to Rising Virtue Lodge No. 10, AF&AM; St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 83, AF&AM; the York Rite Masonic Bodies; the Scottish Rite Bodies; the Order of the Eastern Star; the Bangor DeMolay; the Bangor Rainbow Girls; and the Scottish Rite Learning Center. The Masons join a thriving community already on the campus, which is already home to a public library, a local theatre, and apartments that will become assisted living units.

Plans had been underway to build a new 19,000 square foot, $3 million facility, but the faltering economy and rising construction costs forced a change in direction. The result was this purchase of an historic property with 50% more space and architectural details no new building could compete with.

From the article in the Bangor Daily News:

Since the fire, the more than 2,000 men and women in Masonic groups have met in rented spaces in the Bangor area, according to Chapman. Meetings are scheduled to be held in the new buildings beginning in September.

Bangor Mayor Gerry Palmer said Tuesday that he was “tickled pink” about the sale.

“This is a win-win for the community and a win-win for the Masons,” said Palmer.

Jane Bragg, who was a member of the seminary’s board of trustees when the property was sold, said she approved of the sale of the buildings to the Masons.

“It is a Christian organization and a nonprofit,” the owner of Thomas School of Dance in Bangor said Tuesday. “It’s good to know the facility is going to be maintained because of the historical and architectural relevance of the buildings.”

The Masons plan to do some renovations to the buildings. among them turning the chapel into a lodge hall, Chapman said. The dining room and kitchen will continue to be available to nonprofit groups such as the Bangor Rotary, which meets in Wellman Commons at noon Tuesdays.

Georgia Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh In On Racial Case

Both former Gov. Roy Barnes (left) and David Poythress (right) are vying for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Georgia this year, and both also happen to be Masons. As a result, both have been dragged into the controversey over race in the Grand Lodge of Georgia. InsiderAdvantage Georgia is reporting some interesting developments today.

From the article:

Poythress, a Mason for more than a decade, told InsiderAdvantage Wednesday afternoon he spoke to the Grand Master after the charges hit the media. “He authorized me to say that he is preparing a public statement that will definitively eliminate the question about whether a person of any race can be a member of Masonry – they can.”

Poythress said he is certain that are some individual Masons in Georgia who are racially biased, but does not believe they represent the bulk of Masonic membership or the precepts of the organization.

“Are there individuals who have a 19th Century attitude? Of course, just like in church there are so-called Christians who have socially unacceptable ideas. But Masonry as an organization is far from it. Its principals are very much egalitarian,” Poythress said.

Barnes said in an e-mailed statement to Insider: “As stated by Grand Master Ed Jennings ... there is no color or racial prohibition to be a member of the Masons. As he further noted, Mr. (Victor) Marshall was correctly admitted as a member of the Gate City Lodge. This is correct and I agree with it. I would not be a member of an organization that would exclude persons on the basis of race.”

Asked why he thought the Grand Master would first issue a declaration stating that Marshall was a “regular” Mason but then refer to a Masonic trial the charges attempting to assert that he wasn’t, Barnes, a lawyer, wrote: “I don’t know enough about Masonic law to be able to tell you whether it was correct. He may have had no choice. I simply don’t know.”

Also according to the article, Grand Master Jennings has said the charges submitted for Masonic trial are being dropped. (Although when another reporter attempted to verify that information today, she was told by the GM "You must know more than I do.") When this article was posted, the attorney for Gate City Lodge was not yet prepared to drop their civil suit. According to attorney and Gate City member David Llewellyn:

The Grand Master’s withdrawal of the case “accomplishes one purpose of the suit but there are other (issues) involved which include the fact that this appears to be an effort to punish those of us who belong to this lodge,” he said.

Llewellyn added, “The Lodge and Brother Bjelajac (the leader of the local lodge, known as a Worshipful Master) want to make sure this isn’t a continuing effort.”

Among the group’s concerns, he said, is that a separate petition is circulating among some of the other local lodges in Georgia to convene a special session of the Grand Lodge. “It doesn’t say why, but we have reason to believe it is to revoke our charter. We believe it would be without due process.”

If the Grand Master has indeed dismissed the charges and does indeed issue a statement concerning race and membership, this will be a major step.

Thanks to Tuscola Lodge Brethren

Many, many thanks to the brethren of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 in Tuscola, Illinois, and to all of the brethren and their ladies who came out last night to hear me prattle on. It was a terrific evening, and I am most appreciative of your kind hospitality. Thanks especially to Brothers Michael Shirley and Frank Lincoln for their invitation. I had a wonderful time.

You guys almost drove the memory of Monday's History Channel show right out of my head...

Discrimination Laws and Private Clubs in the US

Freemasons should obviously do what is morally correct. Following the letter of the law rather than the spirit of it is usually the weasel's way of getting around doing the right thing.

That said, back in 2000, Brother Kevin Francart did extensive research on federal and state laws, as regards applying discrimination laws, statutes and decisions to private clubs (especially fraternal organizations). His study, NO DOGS ALLOWED appeared in the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review. The arguments as to whether such laws can be applied to force fraternal groups, like the Freemasons, to admit people their members want kept out center around the right to freely associate or NOT to associate with others, as well as whether an organization is a public accommodation.

See NO DOGS ALLOWED: FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION v. FORCED INCLUSION. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION STATUTES AND THEIR APPLICABILITY TO PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

My purpose in posting this information has to do with uninformed sabre-rattling about how the law might or might not be used to compel grand lodges that are reputedly racist in practice to knuckle under to civil rights regulations. The truth is, they probably can't.

All of this fails to recognize that Freemasons are supposed to regard our brothers on the level. That's not supposed to be a theory. And it isn't just lofty sounding platitudes. We shouldn't even be having a conversation about how to compel grand lodges to end institutional racism, because as Masons, it shouldn't have existed in the first place. And it sure as hell shouldn't exist anywhere today.

Gate City Lodge Story Hits the Papers

For good or ill, the Gate City Lodge No. 2 story in Atlanta has hit the mainstream press.

From an article in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons, a fraternal organization, is being sued by an Atlanta chapter and its senior officer who say the group’s state leaders are trying to disband the local affiliate because it accepted a black man as a member.

The complaint, filed by Gate City Lodge No. 2 and its head, Michael J. Bjelajac, in DeKalb County Superior Court, also names Douglas Hubert Ethridge of Atlanta, Starling A. “Sonny” Hicks of Stockbridge and W. Franklin Aspinwall Jr. of Kingsland as defendants.

In the 31-page complaint, filed June 18, Bjelajac and Gate City claim when they accepted 26-year-old Victor Marshall into membership last fall, Hicks and Ethridge wrote letters to the state organization. The letters stated allowing a non-white man into the group violated the association’s moral and Masonic laws.

Hicks and Ethridge sought to have Bjelajac expelled from the group and the dissolution of the Gate City chapter, which has 190 members and counted the late Atlanta Mayor William B. Hartsfield among its ranks.

UPDATE

The story grows today.

The article, Masons' spat over black inductee spills into court (Associated Press) appeared in the Washington Post. the Boston Herald, and papers as far west as Colorado)

Meanwhile, Dick Petty in Insider Advantage Georgia reports the story, pointing out:

The suit not only brings unwanted attention to a group whose internal squabbles almost always remain behind the veil of secrecy, but potentially undercuts arguments by Gov. Sonny Perdue and others that the state’s racial progress in recent years makes its continued placement under rigid strictures of the Voting Rights Act unnecessary.

Tuscola Lodge No. 332, Tuscola, Illinois 6/30

I'll have the honor of speaking to the brethren and friends of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 AF&AM in Tuscola, Illinois this coming Tuesday, June 30th, at 7PM CT. (Tuscola is located about 25 minutes south of Champaign, Illinois off of I-57).

If you are in the vicinity, please stop by the lodge at 105 1/2 N Main St, Tuscola, IL‎.

For more details, contact brother Michael Shirley, Senior Warden at m.h.shirley @ gmail.com

Europe: LinkedIn vs. Freemasonry?

From today's online edition of Britain's The Economist comes an article about the influence of personal networking groups on business, focussing on France. Interestingly, it leads with the use of Freemasonry as a business connnection in France. Indeed, the article is headlined "LinkedIn v. Freemasons."

An excerpt:

FRANÇOIS PÉROL, the adviser whom Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s president, controversially appointed in February to head two merging mutual banks, is not known as a champion of transparency. But Mr Pérol has let it be known that he intends to reduce the influence of freemasons at Caisse d’Epargne and Banque Populaire. He has refused an invitation to a tenue blanche ouverte, a masonic meeting that non-freemasons may attend. And he does not want senior posts shared among the banks’ various rival lodges.

French business may be particularly full of networks, but every country has its cliques, whether based on education, social background or spiritual beliefs. In Spain, Italy and Latin America as well as France, businesspeople speak of the influence of Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic lay order which supports a number of business schools. America has its Ivy League alumni groups and Rotary clubs. Chinese businesspeople often rely on guanxi, or personal connections.

Rest of the article here.

Indiana PGM William T. Sharp Passes Away

Indiana Past Grand Master William T. Sharp, Sr. passed to the Grand Lodge Above on Saturday, June 20th. Calling will be Thursday, June 25, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan Mortuary, 1305 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis. The Masonic Service will follow at 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Friday, June 26, at 10:00 a.m. at the mortuary.

Judge Sharp was Grand Master in Indiana in 1988-89.

From the obituary in the Indianapolis Star:

Judge William T. Sharp 88, Indianapolis, passed away June 20, surrounded by his loving family. Born December 27, 1920, to Charles and Emma (Furry) Sharp, in Cumberland IN, he was raised on farms in the Cumberland, New Palestine, and Oaklandon areas. He graduated from Warren Central High School in 1939 and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jane Bridgins on July 3, 1941. During WWII he served in the Coast Guard on Long Island, New York and on a troop transport ship to Italy. Following military service, he graduated from Butler University and Indiana University School of Law, then began his private practice while also serving as Marion County Deputy Prosecutor. Although Judge Sharp was a teetotaler, former Indiana Governor Welsh appointed him to serve on the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission. During his distinguished career, he received the Chamber of Commerce Good Government Award in 1966; was presented Sagamore of the Wabash awards by former Indiana governors Handley, Welsh, Branigin, Whitcomb, Bowen and Orr; the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Governor Bayh; as well as an Honorary Kentucky Colonel commission from then Governor Patton. He was the Republican nominee for Mayor of Indianapolis in 1958, and the runner-up Republican candidate for Governor of Indiana in 1972. He became Judge of Marion County Municipal Court #4 in 1962, and after redesigning the court system, became the first Presiding Judge. He was elected Circuit Court Judge of Owen County, serving from 1970-1982. After retiring in 1982, he served as president or chairman of many boards and foundations, including The Indiana Masonic Home Foundation; Lilly Foundation Eisenhower Scholarship, Retired Indiana Public Employees Association, Lions Club and many charitable organizations. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana from 1988-89, and was active in many of the affiliated organizations, including the Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine, National Sojourners, and Red Cross of Constantine. He was honored to receive the Scottish Rite 33rd degree and the Caleb B. Smith Award for his years of distinguished service to the Masonic order. Throughout his life, education remained a high priority. Even after retiring, he earned a Masters degree and a Doctorate.

WBro. Jim Dillman told this story about MWB Sharp on Hiram's Forum:

The Grand Architect works in mysterious ways. MWB Sharp was in attendance at the rededication of Indiana Freemasons' Hall just a week-and-a-half ago. I had communicated with his son, Bill, prior to the date regarding arrangements for his dad and mom who were both in wheelchairs, but very excited about attending the rededication. I know that many of the brethren in attendance were thrilled that the Sharps had made the effort to attend in spite of their very frail health. While refreshments were being served in the dining room, I watched a steady stream of brethren make their way to the Sharp's table to greet them. I made a point to go over and introduce myself to thank them for coming. We spent several minutes chatting about Freemasonry and MWB Sharp's time as a judge. I found both of them to be delightful people and they told me how much they had enjoyed the day. I am so happy that I took the time to visit with them.

For those that aren't aware of it, MWB Sharp was the Republican candidate for mayor of Indianapolis in 1960, an election that he ultimately lost. MWB John Grein, who served as Deputy Grand Master under MWB Sharp told me about an article written after the election in the Indianapolis Times by a well-known reporter whose name escapes me at the moment. The reporter wrote that MWB Sharp's biggest problem is "that he is too honest." What better epitaph could one ask for? Rest in peace, MWB Sharp. You did us proud.