Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

Posted on April 2, 2011June 6, 2015 by Fred Milliken | 5 Comments

Ezekiel Bey on the Prince Hall Masonic group Blue-Lite introduced the group to an old Theron Dunn article from his site, A Beacon of Masonic Light. Theron passed away three years ago but his work lives on.

That article brought back memories of the days Theron and I did battle. We met on Stephen Dafoe’s Masonic forum, thelodgeroom.com in the 90’s and later we both became Moderators of that forum. But Theron and I never saw eye to eye on much and we had some ferocious battles on line. He was a vocal proponent of the New Age Freemasonry that advocated marketing the Craft and becoming super active in community affairs, often called Masonic Awareness. This approach invested heavily in Institutionalized Charity and building membership by showing the uninitiated how good we are.

I felt that was wearing charity on my sleeve and a corruption of Masonic Relief which not only did more harm than good, but that produced Freemasons who had little knowledge of the intricacies of the fraternity to which they belonged. My theory on life is that it is as much about being as it is doing. After all we are human beings not human doings. Theron’s Freemasonry had so much doings that it crowded out time for just being.

Well one thing led to another and pretty soon Theron and I were not talking to each other. He moved on from thelodgeroom.com and much later so did I. After awhile we starting talking again, gingerly at first, but then a full blown relationship was re-birthed. At the time of his passing, Theron and I were once again debating the Masonic issues of the day but this time we had a healthy respect for each others opinion. We had learned the Masonic lesson of being able to disagree without judging. And that is what the article that Brother Bey featured and which is reprinted below is all about. It is one of Theron’s finest works.

Homosexuality in Masonic Lodges?
Sunday, October 14, 2007

The purpose of this article is not to discuss homosexuality, nor really, to discuss the possibility that there may be gay men in lodges. That written, it would be silly NOT to note something fairly obvious: given that 2% of the population is gay, and no lodge asks if a candidate is gay, we must assume that there are gay men in the lodges.
Of course, the corollary of the above argument may be true. Homosexuals are not exactly welcomed into most lodges, and if an openly gay man showed up at the west gate asking admission, I would not be at all surprised if at least one member of the lodge would not cast a black cube. Masons are men and products of our culture, after all.
I am not going to ask you to think about whether you would blackball an openly gay man, nor ask you to consider not casting a black cube on a gay man (ok, that last isn’t entirely true). Of course, the issue here really isn’t homosexuality, its just an example, because the issue here is whether or not we should be projecting OUR morality and value set(s) onto other people.
Freemasonry teaches us, among other issues, that we should be tolerant and charitable to others. What I am going to suggest is what we, as masons SHOULD be doing about the issue.
Lets say this year, the candidate proposed for Junior Warden was revealed as an active gay man. Lets say for the sake of argument that he is a pillar of the lodge, always ready to lend a hand, is a voice of reason, leads Masonic education in the lodge, and is otherwise the very embodiment of what we look for in a Mason.
Then you find out he is gay. Would you vote for him to serve as the Junior Warden of your lodge? Would you vote for him to serve as MASTER of your lodge? If not, why not? Think carefully here, because as Masons, we are taught the value of tolerance and are taught that we are each to apply the tools of Freemasonry to ourselves.
Christianity teaches that homosexuality is a sin… but Christians are also taught to hate the sin and love the sinner. Christianity teaches many things, but Masonry, as we keep telling the objectors and other pinheads, is not a Christian based organization. It is not a religion at all. It is a fraternity, as we all know, of men with a faith in g-d, however we each, individually, know and define him in our lives.
A fundamental (sorry) tradition of Freemasonry is that we do not push our religion on others in lodge. So how can we apply our understanding of a book translated from a language that has no word for homosexual into the lodge? How do we apply our morality?
This has much larger implications for the lodge, for our lives and our community. I chose this instant example because it is one that we have certainly experienced, or thought about, or talked about. How you apply your morality to your life is important, because it defines the Masonic edifice you are erecting.
How you apply your morality to OTHER people’s lives also defines you and that Masonic edifice.
Would you deny a man the opportunity to learn and grow from a Masonic experience, a man who is otherwise just and true, because of one aspect of this life, an aspect you personally do not agree with? If you would cast a black cube on a gay man, knowing he was gay, or vote no for a brother (because yes, he is a brother) who was nominated as an officer in your lodge because he was gay, what other action would you take to enforce YOUR morality, your understanding, your version of truth on others?
Lets step away from the issue of homosexuality for a moment, because its really not the focus here. What if the candidate was living with his girlfriend and their child? Would you cast a black cube then? What if the candidate had lived with his girlfriend for years, and then married her just before petitioning for the degrees, would that change your vote?
What if the man were participating in a totally legal enterprise where you lived? Lets say he owned a restaurant with a bar in it. Some brothers feel that selling alcohol is immoral. Would you cast a black cube for a man because he sells alcohol?
This is an important question, not because of the instant issue, homosexuality, alcohol, living in “sin”, because the issue isn’t these things. The issue is you, my brother, it is each of us, in the silence of our conscience. Honor and integrity is what you do when no one is looking.
We are each called to act in a just and upright manner, in our several stations before g-d and man. EACH of us individually. We are called to circumscribe our passions, desires, prejudices, each of us. No where in Freemasonry are we tasked with circumscribing each OTHERS passions, desires, prejudices.
I have stated often, its not about me changing them, it’s about me changing me. Here is a perfect case of that, and the question is, what will we, each of us, do when confronted with something we don’t like or agree with in our lives? Will we judge it? Well, we can’t avoid judging, its our values based lives that require it.
Judging, however, does not mean imposing sentence. As Masons, we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the rich and the poor, the high and the low, who, as created by one almighty parent and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and protect each other.
If a man, who is otherwise qualified, is blackballed or a candidate for office in our lodges is voted down who is otherwise qualified, ready, willing and able, because of something in his life we disagree with, how are we helping him, aiding him, supporting or protecting him? Would we not be failing him in doing so?
As I noted above, I am not here to advocate homosexuality, nor, frankly, to condemn it. It is not for me, but then, I wasn’t born gay… and no one can seriously think ANYONE would CHOSE to be homosexual, any more than someone chooses to be blonde, or brown eyed, or short, or tall or… it is what it is.
We need, each of us, in our growth as Masons, to apply the tools of the fraternity to our own rough ashlars, assist our brethren in perfecting their ashlars, and refrain from applying our tools to their work. That is a great task set before us… and frankly, most of us have enough to do with perfecting our own ashlars without judging others…
You see, its really, really easy to judge someone else. The difficult part is in judging ourselves… that’s why many spend so much time judging other people and so little time judging themselves. We however, are Masons. We work in stone, and the work, while rewarding, is difficult.
This then brings us to the subject of Masonic Morality. But then, that’s another blog topic for later.
May the blessing of heaven rest upon you and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us.

As Theron so convincingly wrote, it’s not about homosexuality, it’s about judging others. And that judging leads to basically importing personal morality into Masonic code, thereby excluding those with different values and lifestyles. The entire Grand Lodge then becomes judgmental. That means outlawing gambling and alcohol from Masonic gatherings. It means not allowing any other Holy Book on the Masonic altar besides the Holy Bible. It often translates into “Christian only” and White only.

But Freemasonry is not about exclusion, it’s about a broad inclusiveness. Freemasonry only limits its membership to free men of good character who have a belief in Deity and even then you would get some argument from Women Masons, Co-Masons and the Grand Orient of France. Every culture, creed, race, lifestyle, political persuasion, and economic status should be considered as qualified to become a Mason if they meet the basic requirements. When Freemasonry becomes exclusionary it loses its universality.

Individually or collectively as Freemasons we would do well to abide by the Biblical verse:

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Of course we don’t have to be Christian to heed that advice.

Freemasonry and Religion: Adversaries or Allies?

Posted on April 1, 2011December 27, 2021 by TimBryce | 2 Comments

Through Freemasonry, however, I have had opportunity to break bread with good men of other than my own Christian faith. Freemasonry does not promote any one religious creed. All Masons believe in the Deity without reservation. However, Masonry makes no demands as to how a member thinks of the Great Architect of the Universe. Freemasonry is, for all its members, a supplement to good living which has enhanced the lives of millions who have entered its doors. Though it is not a religion, as such, it supplements faith in God the Creator. It is supporting of morality and virtue.

Freemasonry has no dogma or theology. It offers no sacraments. It teaches that it is important for every man to have a religion of his own choice and to be faithful to it in thought and action. As a result, men of different religions meet in fellowship and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God. I think that a good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by his membership in the Lodge.”
– The Reverend Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

I remember the horror in the eyes of my Irish Catholic in-laws when they discovered I had become a Mason.

According to them, the Masons were responsible for all of the union problems over the years and were not to be trusted. I also remember the shocked expression on the face of the rector of my Episcopal Church when he found me participating in a Masonic funeral service at the church. Fortunately, he was a little more understanding and asked me about the fraternity. Up until then, he had been suffering under the misconception that Masons were anti-Christian. Obviously, these are not isolated incidents, overcoming misconceptions is something Masons have grown accustomed to over the years. I guess it goes with the territory. Even in our degree work we are charged not to get into arguments with those who, through ignorance, may ridicule us. I have to question the validity of this charge in today’s world. True, Masons like to maintain a low profile, but make no mistake about it, the fraternity is still under attack by religious institutions, which hurts us by clouding the minds of the public and affects our membership.

Read: Freemasonry, The Religion of Not Being a Religion

Let me say unequivocally from the outset that Freemasonry is not a threat to religion. Instead, it is probably one of the strongest proponents of organized religion. To become a Mason, a person must believe in a supreme being; an atheist is ineligible to join the fraternity. This criteria is not done to contest the candidate’s beliefs as it is to act as a litmus test of the moral fiber of the person. I have personally seen men of many different faiths initiated into the fraternity; Christians, Jews, and Muslim. Following this, talk of religion (and politics) is barred from discussion in a Masonic Lodge so that it doesn’t cause any contention and discontent between members. True, we offer a nonsectarian prayer to open and close a Lodge, but this is essentially no different than what military chaplains offer in the field and offends no particular faith.

If you were to ask what religion Freemasonry adheres to, you might as well ask what political party we support (e.g., Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Socialist, Independent, etc.). Frankly, such talk is inconsequential as it is simply not discussed. This is a key reason why Masons enjoy harmony in the Lodge. We may not agree with each other’s religious beliefs but we respect the individual’s right to practice his own faith. This is called “religious tolerance,” something more people should practice. Opponents to Freemasonry believe the fraternity should be used as a bully-pulpit to preach the gospel of a particular religious denomination and try to convert people to their point of view. Hogwash. This is not what we are about. This is a fraternity; a Brotherhood that promotes fellowship, morality, charity, integrity, citizenship, honor, and brotherly love. The ultimate aim of Freemasonry is world peace and harmony, not world domination as some critics argue.

Another gross misconception of the fraternity in the middle East is that Freemasonry originated from Judaism. This misunderstanding is the primary reason why the offices of the Grand Lodge of Turkey was bombed a couple of years ago. Again, this is self-inflicted ignorance as preached by religious extremists/terrorists in the middle East. If you go into any Masonic Lodge you will find a “Volume of Sacred Law” on the Lodge’s alter to represent divine guidance. In those Lodges where the membership is primarily Christian, you will find the Holy Bible; in a Jewish Lodge you will find the Torah, and; in the Lodges in Turkey, I will guarantee you will find a Koran (I’ll bet the terrorists did not know this). As an aside, when Masons are initiated, the candidate’s holy book of choice is used in the ceremony.

RECENT EVENTS

Over the years, various religions have cast a suspicious eye on Freemasonry; Southern Baptists in the United States, the Anglican Church in England and Australia, the Presbyterian Church in Africa, and, of course, the Catholic Church. The division between the Catholic Church and Freemasonry is an old one dating back in history. Frankly, the reasons for the division gets cloudier with the passing of each year but widened recently with the passing of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Following the new Pope’s installation, the following item appeared in the Catholic News Service:

Found among the list of the principal public documents and decisions issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1981 to 2005 when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) was prefect of the office was the following item:
NOV 26, 1983: “Declaration on Masonic Associations,” saying Masonic principles and rituals “embody a naturalistic” religion incompatible with Christianity. Those who knowingly embrace the principles or attend the rituals are involved in serious sin and may not receive Communion.

Following the 9/11 disaster, the Grand Lodge of New York invited New York Governor George E. Pataki to become a Mason in recognition of his work responding to the disaster. Initially, Pataki was pleased to accept the offer and even posed for a photo with New York’s Grand Master which was published on the cover of the “Empire State Mason” (New York’s magazine). However, after the Catholic’s declaration was brought to his attention (Pataki is a Catholic), he respectfully declined to join the fraternity.

The declaration has also led to problems in the Philippines where the local Bishop asked Catholics who are members of Freemasonry (and appendant bodies such as the Eastern Star) to stay out of the church:

“We would like to inform our Freemason brothers and sisters that you are no longer allowed to enter the church because your group contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
– Bishop Alo in a pastoral message read during masses

Fr. Medardo Salomia, spiritual director of the Diocese of Mati, said Bishop Alo and majority of the priests in the province have also agreed not to give Holy Communion to Catholics who are members of Freemasonry.

“The reason given why they are being barred from taking the Holy Communion was that they are being anti-Christ,” Father Salomia said.

Do not look for Pope Benedict to change his mind regarding Freemasonry any time soon as the subject of secret societies is a pet project of his; see related stories at: Reference 1 Reference 2

These recent events have been unsettling to Catholic Freemasons:

“Is it any wonder they call him the ‘German Shepherd’? It is this incredible arrogance of the church that has caused me to stop having anything to do with the Catholic Church. This is just another example of how they believe that they are the end all, and be all, of everything to do with the GAOTU. The epitome of arrogance.”
– a Mason from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

“My background is fourteen years of Catholic private schooling, alter boy, etc. Theology (four years) taught by French monks that came in the US as brothers vs. priest. We became French Catholic Theology students, so to speak, didn’t know there was a difference until later in life.

The teachings were pretty much the same as what I see in Masonry, treat each other with value and respect, the basic 10 commandments theme, with the difference being the church addition of specific scripture, a typical focus and part of religious beliefs, this is what makes a religion a religion. Masonry being non-religious, no scripture to believe in, cannot be a religion. I know it is hard to understand this when there is a Bible on an altar, prayer is given and things have names like catechism etc., should fall outside the above statement because it does not fit the incompatibility test. How can it be incompatible when it is pointedly non-religious?

Masonry probably does itself a disservice by using the old terms and symbols that scare people looking for something to be scared of. I have spent plenty of time out in the field, doing crazy things to evaluate our military strength, sometimes I was asked, “Did you see any snakes?” My answer is always the same, “I wasn’t looking for any.” They might be there, I’m sure some exist, but I didn’t have or let any of them hinder my mission. I’m convinced that if you go into the field looking for “snakes” you will indeed find them.

We were taught that each person, not just an ordained priest, has a special relationship with the trinity and no one can judge it but the two concerned. The fear of religious leaders is that they might lose followers, when they should be concerned with saving souls and doing good work. If they look to history, as we did, they will be enlightened as to the mistakes that are repeated continuously throughout history.

I have not seen the basis of the sin that is referenced here, like it is easy to see, killing an innocent person is wrong. Taking another’s wife or goods is wrong. Brotherhood and passing on an old mouth-to-ear order of words being a sin needs more explaining. I think the author is misinformed and has not done the research and homework needed to make a clear accurate proclamation. Too gray an area, there is only mortal and venial as far as I know. Keep in mind the background, with all due respect, of the human person involved, Germany is very tender about any other than mainstream groups because of the Hitler event and their lack of action against such atrocities. Look how they went crazy over the Scientologists in Germany.

I support my church, but it is my church, a church between me and my trinity as taught in theology at Trinity High School in the 1960’s. Remember in the 60’s it was a sin to be friends with a person of another faith. They would lead you to sin. You lead you to sin, not others.

Others may need the road map to heaven, we were given it as were others of other religions. We studied the old and new testament, everything brought into context of the time it was written, a year on each. We studied every religion known to man at the time and considered the differences of the teaching and beliefs.

I could go on forever, but, I know I’m okay because I do not embrace Masonry as a naturalistic religion replacing my Catholic upbringing and I know plenty of other Catholics that are of the same mind.

We all hope for the “lessons learned” part of the middle east to surface and hope religious leaders of all faiths, get over the “I’m the right one” and see the error of that way. Unite for peace thru understanding, temperance and defensive posture, it is the only future we can have or give our loved ones. What we see today is the other choice.

Man is what messes up religion. History proves it.”
– a Past Master from Dunedin, Florida, USA

POLL

Wanting to understand the separation of Religion and Masonry, I established some Internet polls through the various Masonic Discussion Groups I participate in throughout the world.

The question was rather simple:

“If your place of worship (church/temple/mosque) said you must either abandon Freemasonry or the church, what would you do?”

3 (02%) – I would abandon Freemasonry
119 (93%) – I would abandon my place of worship and find another
6 (05%) – I would abandon my faith altogether

The results were to be expected. The overwhelming majority did not see any incompatibility between religion and the fraternity, but instead of causing a problem, they opted to move to another church where they could practice their faith.

Only a few others felt it necessary to choose sides. Here is a Brother who described why he would abandon Freemasonry:

Well, I guess I am a stand out in this poll. Being a newer member of a lodge I can say without a doubt, I would abandon Freemasonry. I was told from the very beginning that Masonry should never interfere with your service to your family, your usual occupation or your service to God. I belong to my church because I believe and have faith in my pastor. He has the vision of God (through the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible) and does His work within and outside of our church. If I had no faith in this I could not remain an active member there. Please don’t think I belong to a cult or follow some nut job out there, our church is full of free thinking men and women who will let their opinion be known. Our pastor will listen to and consider all free thinking ideas, but when the final decision is made, it is made according to God’s word (Holy Bible) and not our pastor’s word. That is the reason I would abandon Freemasonry if it came down to a choice. I am very glad that choice will never have to be made. I spoke to my pastor before joining Masonry and although he is not a member of a lodge we have several members who are. My only problem is that there are several Brothers who attend my church who are Prince Hall Masons. In Tennessee our Grand Lodge does not recognize PH Masons. We treat each other as brothers anyway without holding any Masonic communication. But that is another discussion all together. Thank you for your time to hear me out.
– a Mason from Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Another Brother felt entirely different:

“What has the Church done for me lately? First to criticize. Very dictatorial. Masonry promotes tolerance and mutual understanding.

If the choice was mandated by my Church, we would cease our association with each other. For I believe the terrible atrocities committed in those centuries past were by the Church that did not allow its parishioners the right to think for themselves.

As Freemasons this is our most treasured gift and ability. To be able to think for ourselves and to teach others of like minds to do the same for themselves is who and what we are. This is a major reason our way of life has existed for so many centuries! For if we cannot practice charity to or for whomever we wish, if we cannot have fellowship with whomever we wish or if we cannot hold a belief in whatever Supreme Being that we wish, what will our satisfaction be in belonging to a Church that refuses us these simple important pleasures?

I for one, like you too, believe in the life hereafter, and when push would come to shove, my relationship with my God is not hinged on belonging to a particular church! My faith in Him is contained in my heart, the same place my love for our ancient fraternity will live until the day that I die.”
– Past District Deputy Grand Master, Havre, Montana

OVERCOMING IGNORANCE

As I see it, this division between religion and Freemasonry is primarily our own doing. True, the ceremonies of the fraternity are well maintained secrets and, as far as I’m concerned, it is nobody’s business but our own. After all, Masons have no intention in meddling in the workings of our places of worship, why should others meddle in ours? Aside from this, we have done a horrible job of communicating to the public about our stance on religion.

One of the best ways to overcome misconceptions with the public is to develop a one-on-one relationship with members of the clergy. Let me give you an example; I know of a Past Master living in Clearwater, Florida who considers himself a well-read Catholic and actively supports both his Church and Lodge. He invited his priest over to his house for dinner where they talked for hours about Freemasonry and cleared up a lot of the priest’s misconceptions about the fraternity. I also know of another Brother who retired and taught Sunday School at his Baptist Church. Initially, his pastor was very suspicious when he discovered the Brother was a Mason. But over time he found the Brother to be an honest and honorable man, and an active supporter of the church. When the Brother passed away, the pastor not only wept, he openly welcomed the Masons into the church to perform a Masonic funeral service.

Knowing there is no discrepancy between practicing one’s faith and Freemasonry, I invite all members of the clergy to contact a local lodge to discuss the fraternity and to find ways to work together. Better yet, I encourage all Masonic Lodges to establish a program to meet with the local clergy and discuss the fraternity. One-on-one meetings can overcome a lot of problems. Maintaining a total cloak of secrecy over the fraternity does nothing but cast a cloud of suspicion over our motives. We must take a pro-active approach to communications as opposed to reactive. Failure to do so leads to rumors and inuendos which only creates barriers.

Do we really have anything to hide? Not really. After all, are we the ‘Good Guys’ or the ‘Bad Guys’? We’re the ‘Good Guys’ who help the needy and try to make the world a better place by practicing charity, citizenship, patriotism, honesty and integrity. Let’s continue to leave religion to those institutions charged with practicing it.

To summarize Freemasonry’s stance on religion:

Yes, men of many faiths are Masons.
No, Freemasonry does not advocate a specific religion.
Yes, many Masons have been (and still are) members of the clergy.
No, Masons do not worship Lucifer.
Yes, Masons are regular church-goers.
No, Freemasonry is not a religion.
Yes, Masonic Lodges have been used by many religious faiths to hold service (Lodges also make their facilities available for boy/girl scouts, civic and governmental organizations, and other non-profit organizations).

Anyone who thinks otherwise probably has a hidden agenda.

So, to those religious orders reading this article, what will it be: allies or adversaries? Since Freemasonry respects religious institutions and encourages its members to attend the places of worship of their choice, why can’t religion accept Freemasonry?

Keep the Faith.

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
“A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry”

Originally published on FmI in 2007

NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:

Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com

Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.

Also be sure to check out Tim’s “Pet Peeve of the Week“ (non-Masonic related).

Seeking Answers, Hearing Consequences

Posted on March 22, 2011June 6, 2015 by Fred Milliken | 7 Comments

Most of us have a Mentor/Confessor, somebody special and trustworthy we go to when things don’t make sense or problems ensue. I have been in touch with mine quite often lately regarding the developments in Mainstream Masonry and the difficulties in reporting same.

Grand Lodges are in a lot of trouble these days and Freemason Information has reported some of the worst case scenarios. We do so in the hopes that reforms will be made by informed Brethren who were in the dark about such goings on.

Yet 50% of the time we are greeted with derision instead of applause. Many have called us harmful to the Craft and a bunch of Grand Lodge bashers.

So I have taken to running these articles by my Mentor/Confessor for him to peruse and he has followed the developments of Grand Lodge abuse as it has unfolded for the last two years. At first he was incredulous thinking that perhaps there was much exaggeration or even misinformation from bad sources going on. As the stories multiplied and he checked them all out he finally saw what we saw.

When Nebraska hit the news I asked him if he had any special insights besides affirmation that he would like to share with me, something that might shed more light on the situation and perhaps heal some ill feeling.

This is what he sent me:

A grand lodge begins to sign its own death warrant when its internal governance and judicial procedures depart significantly from the accepted values and standards of the wider society of which it is a part.
Just as the seventeenth century English poet, John Donne, famously observed that, “No man is an island, entire of itself,” so too is this true of a grand lodge, any grand lodge. The conceit that a grand lodge can isolate itself, as if it truly was a sovereign entity in fact as well as in grandiloquent title, as if its members had no other emotional or intellectual loyalty to anyone or anything else, and as if a wider public was neither of concern to the grand lodge or itself had any interest in the doings of the grand lodge, is not only false in itself but a lethal basis for suicidal action by a grand lodge.
The general rank and file of the fraternity will forgive a great deal in the way of human frailty; they will accept errors arising out of honest error; they will generally cast a forgiving eye upon mistakes grounded in ordinary organizational inertia. But, when error arises out of conscious greed, the deliberate and knowing exercise of Masonic tyranny, or indefensible and arbitrary violations of the ordinary standards of fairness, square-dealing and honesty in order to conceal crime, promote racism or protect unworthy individuals from the ordinary consequences of their own deliberate and knowing transgressions, then the collective wrath of an outraged membership must, inevitably, descend upon those responsible.
As per the Letters of Junius, “The subject who is truly loyal to the chief magistrate will neither advise nor consent to arbitrary measures.”

Most recently, the manifestation of such withdrawal of consent has taken the form of judicial appeal to the secular courts. It has also become a prominent feature of Internet Masonry, a kind of modern version of the Committees of Correspondence that flourished in the colonies just prior to the more formal actions of the American Revolution. At some future point, it may take the form of mass resignations or demits from existing grand lodges, a kind of “vote with our feet” reaction. Lately, a return to pre-grand lodge Masonry in the form of the appearance of a few independent, sovereign individual lodges has appeared as an alternative organizational possibility.
In terms of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln once observed that, “If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men we must live through all time or die by suicide.” Such is the situation of Freemasonry in America: our Craft is so strong in itself, so grounded in the finest principles and ideals of the Enlightenment, that, if it is to be fatally weakened or even destroyed, then it must be ourselves who do the deed.
Brother Junius

Nebraska: A Predictable Masonic Mess

Posted on March 20, 2011December 15, 2013 by Fred Milliken | 7 Comments

Looking at the Masonic mess in Nebraska certain questions come to mind, such as, “How did we get to this point in Freemasonry where something like this can so easily happen? “ A hundred years ago in the Craft would any of the participants acted in this manner? What is the difference between now and then? The answer to the last question may offer a clue as to why so many stories like this are so prevalent today. It seems like every few months another Masonic mess hits the scene.

Parsons’, the outgoing Grand Master, logic is that the rules and regulations in the Constitution and by-laws of Nebraska will not allow a quick enough response for justice to take place. Watts, the incoming Grand Master, who should be tried and convicted immediately and thus become ineligible to become Grand Master will not happen by following the rules, he thinks. So Parsons with some Past Grand Masters and other members of the Grand Lodge have decided that if the rules are deficient they no longer apply and they must take the law into their own hands. Watts will use his powers as Grand Master to delay his trial until after his term of office is up, they say. He could through controlling parliamentary procedure sidetrack or squash motions to challenge his authority or question his authenticity if he is allowed to assume the Grand East immediately.

It seems to me that here is an instance where the Grand Lodge has been hoisted on its own petard. Grand Lodges have deliberately allowed the power of the Grand Master over the Craft to reach hither unheard of heights. It was OK when the Grand Master was lording his authority over subordinates but now that it is the Grand Master versus his own Grand Lodge and Grand Master versus Grand Master and Past Grand Masters the tables have been turned and many look aghast at such horror.

It is precisely this trend in the Grand Master’s absolute power with no constrictions – not voting members of the Grand Lodge or the Constitution of the Grand Lodge – that has moved Masonic trials from the local Lodge into the chambers of the Grand Lodge chaired by the Grand Master and then ultimately to expulsions with no trial whatsoever. And right along with that goes the power of the Grand Master to revoke subordinate Lodge charters immediately on the spot and at will. So it only follows that a Grand Master can refuse to seat a duly elected successor or in the case of Frank Haas for a Grand Master to expel a Past Grand Master without a trial.

That amount of power has enabled Grand Masters in voting Grand Lodges to control the agenda and refuse to allow certain motions or votes to take place declaring then unconstitutional or not correctly drawn up or ultimately “not in the best interests of the Craft.”

It is not the rulings of the 21^st century all powerful Grand Master that are always detrimental. Many Grand Masters are quite benevolent and operate always with the best interests of the Craft in mind. It is the breakdown of the rule of law, the violations of its own Constitution that doom Freemasonry to chaos and anarchy. In civil society it is precisely the rule of law that separates third world machine gun political nations from those who obey the law even when the rulings are not in their favor.

Freemasonry seems to be going down this same lawless path. It is the Old Wild West relived where Sheriffs and Judges rule with extraordinary powers and justice is a quick hanging without taking time for the formalities of the law.

The sooner Freemasonry recognizes why it is having all these problems and restores the rule of Masonic law is the sooner Masonic messes disappear from today’s news.

Masonic Vedanta, Freemasonry in India

Posted on March 16, 2011February 27, 2020 by Greg Stewart

A new video out from the World Exemplification of Freemasonry by Br. Dr. Guy L Beck on Freemasonry in the British Empire and the Colonial expansion of Freemasonry into India.

The video WEOFM video explores the expansion of Freemasonry in the Hindu world including the notable Freemason, and Swami, Vivekananda who, while still named Narendranath Dutta, was Initiated in 1884 at Anchor and Hope Lodge No. 1, Kolkotta.

He opens with an excerpt from Professor Jessica Harland-Jacobs, who some may remember was a guest on Masonic Central. Makes for an interesting view.

Presentation by Dr. Guy Beck

A Friday Night To Remember

Posted on March 1, 2011December 15, 2013 by Fred Milliken

It was 4:30 PM on a Friday afternoon and I had already left the office to pick up my car in the underground garage. It was good to get away a little early as Fridays can be so hectic, everybody trying to wrap up all the loose ends so that Monday morning’s challenges contained no leftovers.

I turned out of the garage and headed north, weaving my way in and out of already heavy rush hour traffic. Yesteryear’s rush hour is today’s more than three hour headache of beep and creep or stall and crawl. Hitting the North Toll way, I stayed in the right had lane, exiting 5 miles north and ran the service road. Soon I was pulling into Antonio’s Restaurant, parking and entering at the door to the back, just in time for happy hour.

The whole back end of Antonio’s was one huge function room, beautifully decorated and comfortably furnished. Upon entering you are struck by the rustic loft look with the exposed beams visible across the ceiling. The floors were all beautiful wide plank oak, the kind you might see in an old factory. There was only one humongous room but it was really divided into two parts, without walls. To the right in the middle of that half was a large circular mahogany bar with brass rail foot rests around the exterior bottom. Lined around the bar were captain’s chairs that swiveled 360 degrees and above the bar were the glass racks where every kind of drinking glass hung upside done by its stem. Scattered all around the bar in a wide arc were couches and chairs, some of them leather, with end tables and coffee tables placed here and there.

The left half was all about dining with tables and cushioned chairs arranged according to that group’s preference. For our group the setup was rectangular tables pushed together into one giant horseshoe with seating around the outside only. The tables were covered with white tablecloths and white linen napkins accompanied the silverware.

I headed straight for the bar and one of those captain’s chairs, promptly ordering a Jack Daniels and soda from the bartender who was dressed in tux with a red shirt.

“Did you sign in on the menu choice book yet?” intoned the bartender as he brought me my libation.

“No, what are the choices for tonight,” I asked.

“Baby back ribs or grilled salmon.”

As I signed into the book at the end of the bar someone put his arm around my shoulder. I turned to see the face of my good friend Paul.

“How are you doing, tonight Fred,” he asked.

“As my son would say I’m just chillin’ out,” I replied. “Doing fine Paul and glad to be here. I understand we have an excellent speaker on tap for tonight.”

“Who is that?” quipped Jim as he strode into the conversation.

“Dr. G.F. Stewart,” I replied.

“And what is his topic going to be,” queried Paul.

“Salutary Effects Of A System Of Ethics And Morality Upon Human Health,” said I.

“Now this I got to hear,” retorted Jim.

The room that had nary a soul in it when I arrived at a few minutes past 5:00 o’clock had now started to fill up. Antonio only required that we guarantee him 50 people and that everybody paid retail prices, no discounts and he would waive all room charges. The group flat charged each member $40 which included the price of the meal with tip and costs of the guest speaker. Beverages were an additional individual charge. Although that might sound like a hefty charge, each month our numbers grew.

As the hour approached the waiters brought in a salad for each place setting. Precisely at 6:00 PM there was heard three loud raps.

RAP, RAP, RAP

Whereupon we all gathered around the tables standing at our places. One of the group brought into the inside of the horseshoe a small table upon which he place a closed Bible and the square and compasses. And then was heard these time honored words, “Brother Senior Warden, what duty proceeds the opening of a Lodge?”

At The Crossroads Of The Many Paths of Freemasonry

Posted on February 26, 2011November 21, 2020 by Fred Milliken | 4 Comments

Masonic Relevance In The 21^st Century

I am observing many Masonic friends these days going through some deep soul searching as they try to reconcile Freemasonry with their own personal goals and the legacy for society that they would eventually like to leave behind. Many of these soul searchers are Masonic writers or “communicators” of some kind, well versed in the meaning of Masonry. Yet some feel powerless against the rising tide of Masonic irrelevancy as they see it. Others have found some other organization, cause or path that more reflects what they want to do with their life. Still others who revel in the Craft still feel that their active involvement therein robs them of the time that could be spent in other worthwhile pursuits.

We all have our religious, political and moral belief systems to act out in varying degrees of involvement as well as career paths with study in our field of endeavor. All that to which we subscribe so deeply also has to be matched with our commitment to interpersonal relationships, especially our families. All in all sometimes this requires a very difficult balancing act.

Along comes the Information Age which knocks Freemasonry for a loop. In its early stages Masonic leaders either ignored it or refused to accept it. When the inevitable came to pass most of official Freemasonry-dom were “Johnnies come lately.” Many the Freemason who has bemoaned the reduction not only of Craft membership but of Lodge attendance. Many fail to realize, however, how much Freemasonry one can imbibe sitting home in front of the computer. Why leave the house, fight the traffic and dress up in a monkey suit when one can sit by the computer in shorts and T shirt with a slice of pizza in one hand and a beer in the other and get as much out of Freemasonry as those not only attending Lodge but those who are even members. I fail to see the difference between a One Day Class and watching the same thing at home on a good HD-TV. And while Grand Lodges sat on their Internet hands, individual Masons on their own were setting up Masonic websites, discussion forums and producing Masonic videos.

Right about here readers will extrapolate that Internet Freemasonry lacks one crucial ingredient, namely that of personal relationship and bonding and also experiencing Freemasonry “in the flesh.” To that end that Craft keeps blossoming out Side bodies and degree upon degree upon degree to make sure all its members get to really “experience” the Craft. But then how many ways does it take to say the same thing over and over? In its desire to cement the Brotherhood into a membership of dedicated true believers, Freemasonry makes sure that members experience the Craft again, again and again……………..and in the process is sowing the seeds of its own demise.

One only has to look at today’s culture and the different methods of bonding that the next generation has embraced to know that the tired old ways of application aren’t going to work anymore. It’s Facebook, Twitter and texting that dominates today’s communication and consequently its formation of relationships. More and more married couples are telling us that they first met on the Internet. That’s not to say that the message of Freemasonry is in jeopardy; no, the message is timeless but the application generationally deficient. How many Grand Masters do you think have a Facebook page and who tweet and text on a regular basis? It’s not such a far out question when you realize that we have a President hip to such methods and who used them to help him campaign.

Yet Freemasonry is being torn apart by competing methods of application. Again to make sure you got it, there is no problem with the message, it’s the messengers.

One faction is Freemasonry as the buddy bonding society. Candidates are whisked through the degrees at lightning speed. Lodge meetings consist of degrees or business but never esoteric lessons. The Craft is one big social arena where fish frys, banquets, bowling leagues and motorcycle clubs abound.

Another faction is Freemasonry as a charitable society heavily geared to the dispensation of massive Institutionalized Charity, so much so that there is minimal time for social activities and even less time for esoteric study.

The third faction is Freemasonry as a research and study society devoted to the pursuit of knowledge in the context of ethical application. This faction sees Freemasonry as a philosophy and spawns such applications as Research Lodges and esoteric study clubs.

The first three factions follow the tenets of Freemasonry – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The fourth does not.

The fourth faction is Freemasonry as a quasi military style society full of rank, privileges, ribbons and medals and the attainment thereof.

Each faction is at war with the other offering the one and only true way for Freemasonry’s salvation. In some areas Freemasonry tries to incorporate all factions in a hybrid super model that not only requires a good amount of money but also an inordinate amount of time commitment. Depending on where you are in the country and what model your Grand Lodge has chosen to pursue decides what type of Freemasonry you are experiencing.

Where does all this leave our Masonic soul searchers?

To properly answer that question we must sign on to the notion that Freemasonry is not society’s savior nor was it ever intended to be. Freemasonry is not a place of doing it is a place of being. In the modus operandi of your life you live out your path or your destiny on two levels. (1) First there is the religion or philosophy that guides one to what courses of action to take. (2) There are the courses of action taken based on the values one has chosen.

All the factions trying to redefine Freemasonry only muddies the waters. Long after Masons in human bodies have departed this world and Lodges have ceased to exist, the thought, the philosophy of Freemasonry will live on. It will never disappear.

It is Freemasonry that creates our value system as Masons. The Craft is designed to do no more than that. Expecting Freemasonry to take the next step of action in implementation of its values is asking too much. That’s an individual decision to be made for an individual path. Like snowflakes no two paths are identical. Therefore, those that feel that Freemasonry is not doing enough are asking from it unintended consequences.

If you want to be a Little League coach, man a soup kitchen, build a playground, visit the elderly in Nursing Homes, be a Boy Scout leader than go do it. Recognize that it is Freemasonry that got you to the point of going to do such. But don’t castigate Freemasonry because it isn’t doing those very things. Freemasonry isn’t doing it’s being. Freemasonry is what gave you the values to go do these things, nothing more, nothing less.

Trying to get Freemasonry to be the be all and end all of life is placing a burden upon it that is far too great. Right now Freemasonry is in meltdown because of unrealized expectations. If feelings of worth and usefulness are things most important to you, then don’t become a professional Masonic social climber, pulling rank and showing off all your medals. Keep Freemasonry in your life simple and focused on its calling. Then it won’t disappoint you but will serve your purpose well.

Brother Hando Nahkur Wins Record Of The Year In Europe

Posted on February 23, 2011December 26, 2021 by Fred Milliken | 1 Comment

The Beehive did a story on classical pianist Brother Hando Nahkur in December.

This talented Brother has just received notice that he has been awarded the record of the year in Germany for his CD DeusExClavier.

Here is his press release:

Hando Nahkur and his second CD “DeusExClavier” (released in 2010 by ERP – Estonian Record Productions) receives international recognition!
Hando Nahkur’s second CD “DeusExClavier” reaches the Top Music Charts in Europe and wins “THE RECORD OF THE YEAR – Die Platten des Jahres ” title by “ZEIT-ONLINE” in Germany:

In the end of 2010, “ZEIT-ONLINE” (one of the most important websites in Germany) announced “DeusExClavier” as “The Record of The Year – Die Platten des Jahres” in Germany. Three new CD releases of 2010 from all over the world were selected to receive the title and “DeusExClavier” was one of them. It is remarkable that Hando Nahkur’s “DeusExCalvier” was the only piano music CD to win the recognition amongst P.Vasks’ String Quartets and M.Reger’s Choir Works.
ZEIT-ONLINE: “Hando Nahkur is one of the greatest new surprises of the classical music scene… With this CD he established himself amongst the greatest pianists..”

Here is the link where “DeusExCalvier” was announced as “THE RECORD OF THE YEAR”:
http://www.zeit.de/kultur/musik/2010-12/platten-des-jahres-2010?page=8
“PIANONews”
“DeusExClavier” receives an outstanding review from ”PIANONews” (one of the most popular Classical Music Journals in Germany).

Performance: 6/6, Sound 6/6, Choice of Repertoire 5/6

Hando Nahkur and his second CD “DeusExClavier” are a marvelous discovery! …The “official” culmination of the record is Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes op. 13.
Nahkur’s interpretation rightfully holds its own even against the legendary versions by Wilhelm Kempff or Martha Argerich.
We will—hopefully—hear very much more from this talented pianist.

Please join the Behive in congratulating this talented young Freemason. You can contact Nahkur on his website: www.handonahkur.com

Healing The Hurt And Moving On

Posted on February 15, 2011December 27, 2021 by Fred Milliken | 11 Comments

The Old Guard just doesn’t get it.

The young Masons do. There is a cancer in Mainstream Masonry and it is in need of chemotherapy and radiation. The cancer is the capricious use of unbridled power by Grand Masters across the land. Oh, not all of them govern their Lodges in such a tyrannical manner but enough do to sully the name of Freemasonry.

But the Old Guard is turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the problem as they tell us: Number one if it is out of their jurisdiction it is none of their business. Number two bringing problems out in the open and publicizing them only destroys Freemasonry. And number three there is a process in place in most Grand Lodges to address grievances and the vote of the entire sitting Grand Lodge can overturn bad policies and remove bad Masons. So what’s the beef?

The Catholic Church has had a problem with pedophile priests. And they used to have the same Old Guard mentality. If molestation occurred in another diocese than it was not the business of congregants to mess in another territory. Bringing the problem out into the open would allow the press to have a field day with the church and destroy it. And above all the Church must be protected even if doing so causes human suffering. And there was a grievance policy in place to address problems.

Why can’t we just keep it in house, so say the Freemason Old Guard, so say the Catholic Church Old Guard? Just keep your mouth shut and we will reprimand the abuser and fix the problem.

But what about the people who were abused? In the case of the Church, what about the children who were traumatized by being violated by those who were supposed to be their protectors? Did the Church provide them therapy to help them return to a normal life? Did the Church comfort them and counsel them? Did the Church bring the matter to justice and provide the afflicted and families with closure?

NO, NO and NO. The Church could not admit any wrongdoing on the part of its clergy lest the Church come under attack and be diminished or destroyed. Above all, at all costs, the Institution had to be protected against anything that would hurt it. So it was necessary to declare the stories of Priest abuse unbelievable. Later when overwhelming evidence to the contrary was unmistakable, the Church demanded that there be total silence and would not help those abused for fear of admitting them right. Don’t you dare go to the police or civil courts the molested were told.

Oh the shame, the human suffering that was not attended to. All those children sexually molested, entire families traumatized, the abused judged as guilty and the abusers left to run free. Oh the shame of it all!

But the course of action by the Church to hush it up and try to handle it internally without allowing the civil police to investigate and attorney generals to prosecute and the press to publicize backfired on it. And when it all came out into the open it was that much harder to deal with and that much costlier to settle with the abused.

Mainstream Masonry is following the same path. It thinks only of the Institution and the good name of Freemasonry not on the unjustly and unfairly expelled Brethren who have been libeled, slandered and abused – and kicked to the curb in the process. What about David Lettelier? What about PGM Frank Haas? What about Mike McCabe? What about Derek Gordon? What about the thousands of other Freemasons who are the victims of Grand Lodge abuse? Do they not deserve to have their good name restored, for justice to prevail, to be reinstated wherever they want to continue their Masonic journey? They are human beings with feelings and emotions. Why must they be forgotten and unsupported, left to flounder on their own after having done nothing wrong? Do we care about human beings in Freemasonry? Do we care what’s been done to these men?

Oh the shame of it all! Freemasonry is so wrought with rules and regulations that it cannot permit itself to right a wrong. Yet Justice is one of the four Cardinal Virtues.

Not only will Freemasonry not stoop to aid the abused, it will even criticize those who try to help themselves. It’s, “We can’t mess with somebody else’s problem.” Really? Is that what the Volume of Sacred Law on our altars tells us? “How dare a Freemason take his case to civil court.” “It is not healthy for Freemasonry to air its dirty laundry in the public venue.” Hush up, be silent. We don’t care about you we just want to make sure that nothing besmirches the good name of Freemasonry – at all costs.

So what is an unjustly punished man to do? What course of action has he left? Where can he turn? Who even gives a dam?

And if he should sign on to continue his Masonic journey in unrecognized paths, how is he treated? Is his life not one of scorn and ridicule for finding company with those “irregular,” “clandestine” folks? What Freemasonry wants is for him to pass quietly into the shadows while it regards him as a leper.

Oh the same of it all!

But as the numbers of unjustly and unfairly expelled Masons grows the unrecognized avenues available increase. All those Masons in power bemoan the continued rise and popularity of so called “bogus” Freemasonry. Yet it is the very same who help create these alternatives by purging their Grand Lodges of everybody but ass kissers.

Well unrecognized Masonry may be taking on a new respectability. In a recent issue of the Phylaxis Magazine we can find these words?

“Within the Craft of today, ‘regularity’ is of the same substance as religious ‘salvation,’ and more dependent on the magical effects of ‘belief’ and ‘faith,’ than objective considerations. No Mason can provide one definition for regularity without setting aside excuses to account for the numerous cases which would fall outside of the definition.
“They are the same ‘mental muscles’ as are required to articulate the anhypostasis-enhypostasis formula, that are employed to concatenate and articulate the formula for ‘regularity.’ The most honest definition for regularity, which would survive and ‘test’ without caveat, would be to admit that regularity is whatever the sovereign in question says it is, and that one sovereign can not pass upon the regularity of any other; they can only either extend or withhold recognition. It requires one to lay aside commonsense notions to rely on some ‘authority,’ which supersedes reason.”
“Due to the fact that all grand lodges are sovereign, there is no outside ‘authority’ to which any GL owes any deference; likewise there is no basis for any one grand lodge holding another accountable to any particular set of rules or regulations. Except ‘political’ and other types of pressure, the only retribution that one GL can enact against another is to withdraw ‘recognition.’ The complaint is often voiced regarding a grand body not following ‘established’ or ‘agreed upon’ rules, but the fact is that there are very few ‘treaties’ or ‘agreements’ actually in place between grand lodges, and thus the notion that there is some ‘established law’ that binds all Masons is fanciful at best. Neither the Regis Manuscript, Anderson’s Constitution, Mackey’s Jurisprudence nor any other expression of ‘Masonic Law’ is binding upon any Mason individually unless his grand lodge has officially accepted such as binding.”
“For example, like in Christianity, where a man does not receive ’salvation’ as a result of any good deeds or service to humanity, but through his faith that Jesus the Christ is ‘the Lord;’ within Prince Hall Masonry, regularity is not achieved through diligently pursuing the Masonic Principles, but that it is through the ‘blessings’ or ‘authority’ of the Grand Lodge of England, (Scotland or Ireland) that regularity is achieved. This formula for regularity is a ‘witch’s brew,’ used as a ‘strong arm tactic’ to abrogate the Doctrine of Assumption, and force any new Masonic organization to require the assistance of other regular bodies in order to achieve a ‘legitimate origin,’ and ergo ‘recognition.’”
“The Doctrine of assumption is a convention within the natural law which codifies the concept of ‘free will’ and the right of self determination which are inherent within humanity. It was through this doctrine that the first grand lodges, England, Scotland and Ireland were formed. Simply stated, this doctrine would permit any group of men to form any type of lodge or grand lodge whenever and wherever they should so choose. It is this same doctrine which validates African Lodge No. 459’s actions in ‘copying’ its English charter to be shared with other lodges, and for eventually declaring sovereignty in 1827 to ‘legally’ issue charters to lodges thereafter. The only legitimate question that any GL can put to another after it is formed is whether to extend or withhold recognition.”
“Once you consider all the of the ‘hoops’ an organization must jump through in order to get ‘recognition’ without the imprimatur of England, Scotland or Ireland, only an irrational ‘faith’ or ‘belief’ could support any expectation of achieving the designation. For these reasons, many non-Prince Hall African American bodies, several of them over 100 years old and still in existence, have ‘by any means necessary’ fabricated histories which could cause an unsuspecting prospective member to ‘believe’ them ‘recognized.’ Still many others have resigned to ignore or otherwise forego the coveted distinction, and relying instead on the Doctrine of Assumption and the merits of their practice, have formed ‘spurious’ Masonic organizations. Although the ability to claim regularity is a ‘big deal’ within Masonry, it is difficult to state any actual benefits that flow with the designation besides ‘bragging rights’ and the fettered right to visit other regular lodges.” (1)

So we have across the nation thousands of expelled Masons, many of whom were treated unjustly and unfairly. Yet Freemasonry proposes to do nothing about stopping the continuing Masonic purges nor offer any solace for the expelled. Not only will it not stop the injustices but it even refuses to speak out against Grand Lodges who are acting un-Masonically. Mainstream Freemasonry refuses to police itself.

What it does do through the Rite of Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction and by other means is to maintain a Mainstream monopoly on Freemasonry in each state. Monopolies in business are notorious offenders. Keeping out competition is the essence of maintaining control and being able to operate without being responsible or answerable or held accountable to anyone, most especially the little people. What better way to do this than to declare all other formations of Freemasonry in that jurisdiction clandestine and irregular and thus refuse to recognize them. But the day is coming when the government will step in to regulate Freemasonry and the public, especially prospective candidates, will not care about such distinctions. What they will care about is how well an organization they choose to belong to operates and whether it does so in a legal and moral manner.

(1) Prince Hall The Christ, by the Ruffians, The Phylaxis Magazine, Third Quarter 2010, pages 14-15.

The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry Inc.

Posted on February 11, 2011January 15, 2019 by Fred Milliken | 32 Comments

It had to happen sooner or later. It was only a matter of time. All the racism, homophobia, regulations reminiscent of the US Army, the jockeying for power, the behind the scenes maneuvering, “the smoke filled rooms,’ elections that are a sham, dictatorial tyranny, expulsions without a Masonic trial, pulling of Lodge charters and closing down Lodges for no good reason, refusal to Recognize, withdrawals of Recognition, muzzling of Masonic intercourse, charges of irregularity and clandestine activity, Grand Lodges stealing local Lodge’s property and assets, the blackballing of expelled Masons from every Grand Lodge in the world, secret ballots that kept out blacks but let in the KKK, Freemasonry hijacked by Christian only Masons in some quarters and by secular Masons in other quarters. It seems to mimic our civil politics where one special interest group vies for control and funds versus other special interest groups and where they all proclaim – “It has to be done this way and this way only!”

Why?

That’s the question that Stephen Quest is asking. Why does it have to be done only one way? If we are a fraternity of diversity in makeup why can we not be a fraternity in diversity of practice? If some Masons want to form a Christian only Lodge and others want to form an atheist Lodge, as long as they are adhering to the principles of Freemasonry and actually practicing Freemasonry, why can’t they both go ahead and do what they want? If another group of Masons wants to operate a men’s only Lodge and yet still another group wants to admit women while a third Lodge wants to be women only, why not?

Now no matter what was and what is it is ever changing. And to say that no changes from the Ancient Charges have ever been made or ever can be made is just foolish. One only has to look at “Revolutionary Brotherhood” by scholar Steven Bullock to see how Freemasonry can evolve. The plain fact is that Freemasonry’s violation of civil and gender rights will not forever be permitted by our civil government. Sooner or later the strong arm of the law will intervene and literally meet Governor Faubus at the school house door, to make an analogy, and override Masonic code. You know it, I know it and Stephen Quest knows it.

Initiated 19 August 1981, Passed 30 September 1981, and Raised 28 October 1981 in Gray Lodge Houston TX, Quest became a member of the Houston Scottish Rite Bodies, Ruthven Commandery, Arabia Shrine Temple and Bluebell Chapter OES. Subsequent dual memberships in various lodges around the country notably Glacier Lodge Anchorage, AK and Central Arizona Lodge Sedona, AZ. He was a founding member of Scientia Coronati Research Lodge.

In 2008 Quest withdrew all memberships to affiliate with The Grand Orient of the United States of America.

Quest has withdrawn from the GOUSA after finding the same “Grand Lodge mentality” that has so much characterized Mainstream Masonry.

“Freemasonry doesn’t work anymore,” proclaims Quest. “It’s time for a new paradigm,” he adds. “I don’t buy into this anymore. It’s got to devolve back to local Lodge control.”

And this is precisely the problem in Freemasonry today. It has evolved from a bottom up organization to a top down one that feeds on power and control. At a much earlier time in the history of the Craft, Grand Lodges sat at the will and pleasure of local Lodges wherein the power was concentrated. Today local Lodges sit at the will and pleasure of the Grand Master and owe their very existence to him. One might say we have entered a Masonic era of the cult of personality rather than the assimilation and practice of a philosophy.

This is why Freemasonry is dying, Quest admonishes us. Today’s younger generation are not joining Masonry in large numbers. Many come, he says, to pay their dues and get their ring never to show up again inside a Lodge building. Perhaps it’s because today’s young will not be dictated to. They will not be treated like children. They will not associate with racists or become part of an organization that refuses to open its doors to Black African Americans.

Quest has had two major mentors in his Masonic journey. First in his investigation of Freemasonry prior to joining he fell in love with the works of Manley P. Hall and the words of this author have imprinted onto his spirit a certain guidance system. Later on Dave Daugherty and his organization the “Knights Of Freemasonry Universal,” (KOFU) served as inspiration and a model for the path he has chosen. Daugherty went on to form the “Masonic Peace Institute,” whose mission finds it intertwined into the thoughts of Quest.

When Quest finally came to the decision that the only course of action left was a complete break with traditional Freemasonry, he blended the philosophy of Hall with the vision and mission of the Knights of Freemasonry Universal and the Masonic Peace Institute to form the Foundation Of Universal Freemasonry (FOUF).

FOUF is a Confederation of Independent Masonic Lodges. Quest calls it the ultimate Masonic paradigm.

“Universal Freemasonry has previously been considered an abstract philosophical concept, The Masonic Ideal to possibly be achieved by future generations. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry, Inc. has created a new dynamic devolving Masonic authority back down to the Lodge level from whence it came. Gone is the former quagmire of jurisdiction, recognition and regularity. Here now is Fellowship, Equality and Freedom.”

Quest now in Machesney Park, Illinois and working in Wisconsin has formed a 501c(10) corporation for the purpose of chartering Independent Masonic Lodges. “I’m not going to wait for my grandchildren to solve this problem,” says Quest. “We need a new dynamic to recharge Freemasonry into a 21^st century revitalization, one that respects the individual Mason.”

The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry makes few demands on Lodges it charters. It requires that a minimum of three Master Masons apply for a charter. Once granted the new Lodge must submit its ritual, by-laws and yearly dues of $52. It also must agree that in any matter of disputes as a Lodge that it must submit to a conflict resolution arbitration process provided by FOUF. It must also submit a yearly report. That’s it. Each chartered Lodge can operate under the nonprofit umbrella of the 501c(10) of FOUF.

In forming this Confederation Quest has tried to make it very clear, very plain and very simple that this is not to be a battle or feud with traditional Freemasonry. We are not at war, he would say, we are at peace. Quest would endorse the words of Abraham Lincoln:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, …let us strive on to finish the work we are in, …to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations (Grand Lodges).”

He makes that very plain in his statement of Principles:

The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry hereby unilaterally declares itself and its members to be in a state of amity and solidarity with all Freemasons whithersoever dispersed around the globe, regardless of reciprocation.
The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry, while renouncing all previous systems of jurisdiction, recognition and regularity as being archaic and harmful to the full expression of the Masonic Ideal, hereby unilaterally declares itself and its members to be in a state of harmony and peaceful co-existence with all present and future Masonic organizations, regardless of reciprocation.

Today’s Freemasonry operates much like civilly our states did before the Federal Union. In the early years of our country states would affix a tariff on goods coming in from other states. Of course the formation of the United States did away with operating in this manner. Now Quest wants to break down barriers in Freemasonry that serve no particular purpose other than to insulate those in power from responsibility, accountability and the observance of individual Masonic freedom and Rights. The politics of Freemasonry and its method of governance is not Freemasonry. Rather it is the principles of Freemasonry and its philosophy and daily practice in the world that really is Freemasonry and Quest’s quest is a free expression thereof without hierarchical hindrance that will truly make Freemasonry universal. And the result will be a truly free Freemasonry with a national American identity not Freemasonry owing allegiance to 51 different fiefdoms.

Statement of Principles

The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry, Inc.

A Confederation of Independent Masonic Lodges

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the Masonic family is the foundation of Universal Freemasonry, and

Whereas disregard and contempt for these rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of our Fraternity, and the advent of a world in which all Freemasons shall enjoy freedom of speech, belief and association has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the Masonic Ideal, and

Whereas it is essential, if a Freemason is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that freedom of speech, belief and association should be protected by a common unifying influence, and

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between all members of the Masonic family, and

Whereas the members of The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry have in their founding documents reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of fellowship in larger freedom, and

Whereas the members of The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry have pledged themselves to achieve the promotion of Universal Freemasonry and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now therefore, The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry proclaims this Statement of Principles as a common standard of achievement for all Freemasons, to the end that every individual Freemason and every Masonic Lodge, keeping this statement constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the members of this organization and among Freemasons of all Obediences.

Article 1. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry hereby unilaterally declares itself and its members to be in a state of amity and solidarity with all Freemasons whithersoever dispersed around the globe, regardless of reciprocation.

Article 2. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry, while renouncing all previous systems of jurisdiction, recognition and regularity as being archaic and harmful to the full expression of the Masonic Ideal, hereby unilaterally declares itself and its members to be in a state of harmony and peaceful co-existence with all present and future Masonic organizations, regardless of reciprocation.

Article 3. All Freemasons are created equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of love, peace and harmony.

Article 4. All Freemasons are entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Statement of Principles, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 5. All Freemasons have the right of freedom of association, freedom of visitation and freedom of membership in any and all organizations as their interests guide them.

Article 6. All Freemasons have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his or her religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his or her religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 7. All Freemasons have the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 8. All Freemasons are entitled in full equality to a fair hearing by an independent mediator, in the determination of his or her rights and obligations and of any charge against them.

Article 9. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall issue Warrants of Dispensation to form Chapters upon application by any one Master Mason.

Article 10. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall issue Charters to form Lodges and make Masons upon application by any three Master Masons.

Article 11. As the Lodge is the fundamental organizational unit of Freemasonry, Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall operate according to their own adopted By-Laws free from interference.

Article 12. Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall be religious, secular, masculine, feminine or mixed-gender according to the desires of its members.

Article 13. Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall be free to adopt its own Masonic Ritual and work in any language.

Article 14. Members of Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry agree to submit to a conflict resolution process to be established by an impartial mediation panel. The services of the mediation panel will be available to all Freemasons regardless of their Jurisdiction, Obedience, or Constitution.

Article 15. All Freemasons are encouraged to participate in the social and cultural life of the community and all Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall adopt at least one project per year that benefits the community as a whole outside of Lodge activities.

Article 16. Lodges chartered by The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall be open to visitation by all Master Masons regardless of their Jurisdiction, Obedience, or Constitution, subject to a pledge of silence regarding the workings of the Lodge.

Article 17. There shall be an Annual Communication of The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry which will rotate geographically. At least one day of the meeting shall be open to the public for recognition and participation of all interested Masonic visitors.

Article 18. The Annual Communication of The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry shall have an Altar upon which will be placed A Blank Book and The World Scriptures.

Article 19. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry hereby adopts The Declaration of the Masonic Peace Institute as a part of this document.

Declaration of the Masonic Peace Institute

To: All Inhabitants on Earth

We, the members and supporters of the Masonic Peace Institute,
are committed to the peaceful coexistence of all peoples
no matter where dispersed

To this end we will toil spreading the cement of love and affection throughout humanity
We will work with any like-minded individuals and/or groups, no matter their nationality, culture, color, sex, language, rank, race, residence, or religion

We furthermore, affirm and promote:

The equal dignity and rights of all people
The pursuit of peace, liberty, justice, and compassion for all

The right to the values of enlightenment, through
education and unbiased information

Peaceful conflict resolution

Truth as expressed in all cultures
and recognized by all human beings

Taking responsibility for the consequence of all action,
processes and understanding

The truth as expressed in all religions, philosophy and cultures,
but proselytizing none

The men & women, of all times and from all nations, who have promoted
or do now, promote peaceful civilization

The principles of equality found in the theories of democracy,
without proselytizing any political agenda, action or system

To these ends we will act to:

Establish relations with other national and international peace
organizations

Participate in worldwide events representing the humanitarian
vision of democracy and peace

Conduct surveys or research and disseminate information

Become involved in peace processes where possible, proposing,
participating in, and supporting peace talks and conflict resolution

Support like minded individuals and organizations

May Love, Peace and Harmony Prevail

Article 20. The Foundation of Universal Freemasonry, Inc. has been formed as a 501(c)10

Non-Profit Corporation under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and of the United States of America, dedicated to the cause of Universal Freemasonry and service to the community.

Article 21. This Statement of Principles shall be incorporated into all founding documents including Warrants of Dispensation and Lodge Charters and shall forever stand as written.

Dated this 11^th day of February 2011 at Madison Wisconsin, United States of America.

I have a good friend and Brother in Canada heavily ensconced in its Grand Lodge system, who after reviewing the mess in Arkansas and West Virginia had this to say:

Looking at a lot of the complaints against this or that Grand Lodge, and the rising tides of frustration, it becomes increasingly persuasive to consider ditching the Grand Lodge System entirely, and having like-minded Masons simply create independent, individually Masonically sovereign lodges, as was the case before the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717.
The ancient, “immemorial right” would be exercised. In fact, there is US precedent: George Washington’s lodge, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was I believe an independent lodge…
Imagine Masonic life and lodges with no Grand anyone, no Grand Lodge rules to follow, and no levies or dues to Grand Lodge. Imagine a Masonic lodge entirely self-governing in ritual, business, regalia, membership and all other Masonic activities….
The concept could also be applied nationally, in which case one would create an Independent United States Lodge, and it would meet, say once every two months, in different locations around the country.
Now, there is a truly revolutionary concept. To coin a phrase, “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

Maybe just maybe if it is time for Mubarak in Egypt to go it is time for 51 power hungry Grand Lodges to go. For under its present constitution today, Freemasonry will not take its philosophy seriously nor will it allow its bonding to become universal. But the Foundation Of Universal Freemasonry will.

We leave you with a charge. Isn’t that how all great Masonic gatherings are ended? This charge by Stephen Quest himself will hopefully inspire you to open new doors in the practice of this ancient and beautiful Craft we call Freemasonry.

The Building Of King Solomon’s Third Temple

by Stephen Quest

The Temple is in rubble, the Crafts are in confusion, and all hope appears to
have been lost. For those Craftspersons who have been traveling the road to
Jerusalem for any length of time at all, it is not that difficult to understand
the reason why. Freemasonry was never intended to be practiced from the
top down or bottom up, and as a result neither of those methods have ever
been successful in bringing the Fraternity to realize its full potential, nor will
they ever be. Freemasonry is not about rules and regulations; it is a matter
of the heart. Freemasonry was intended to be practiced upon the level.

Before the Third Temple of King Solomon can be built the foundation must
be laid, and before the foundation can be laid the ground must be leveled.
All any true Freemason desires is to have the freedom to practice what is
felt in the heart and to have a place to do it. We stand at the threshold of a
dream. Although our principals are timeless, if we do not step boldly into the
future, the full potential of our beloved Freemasonry may be relegated to the
dust bin of historic lore. While the world is quickly moving forward our Crafts
are being left behind. However all hope has not been lost. The system that
appears to be a stumbling block to our progress is actually the stepping
stone into our future. There exists the prerogative to introduce Freemasonry
to its destiny by fiat. Who among you having Freemasonry in your heart, will
also have the courage of your convictions? Who among you will be the FIRST
to put down the setting maul and pick up the trowel?

Masonic Relevance In The 21st Century

To: All Inhabitants on Earth

Masonic Relevance In The 21^st Century