Part I
A widely accepted assumption regarding Freemasons, revealed clearly in Masonic websites, literature, and membership petition forms, is that one must believe in God or a Supreme Being in order to be initiated into the fraternity. Certainly, despite the appeal to Judeo-Christian Masons, and in sincere interest in the brotherhood, good will, charity, liberty, equality, and other honorable humanitarian virtues, this requirement has discouraged many atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers from pursuing an interest in the fraternity. No doubt, once they start searching the web, they may ultimately decide that Freemasony is only for "God fearing" Christians or mystics. There are varying instantiations of this “God requirement" in Masonic literature, but the following passages from various Masonic sources (lodge websites and Masonic literature) convey the gist:
“MONOTHEISM is the sole dogma of Freemasonry. Belief in one God is required of every initiate…” (1)
“By definition, Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, religious in character, based on the principle of the Fatherhood of God…” (2)
“The essential qualification for membership is a belief in a Supreme Being” (2)
“Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own” (2) (3)
However, when we dig deeper into this so-called “God” requirement," there arises a more interesting point, namely that Freemasons do not require a potential candidate to explain or clarify what he means by “Supreme Being,” “God,” or what we eventually see referred to as “The Grand Architect of the Universe” (G.A.O.T.U) by Freemasons. This is often explained to new candidates in person when they are interviewed by an investigative committee, typically consisting of three Master Masons. The committee asks the new candidate whether he believes in a Supreme Being, but before he answers the question they explain that he does not have to define or elaborate on that belief. In other words, the meaning of "Supreme Being" is to be kept personal and private to the new candidate of Freemasonry. In fact, discussion of religion in most U.S. lodges is forbidden. This qualification, or what we can consider the “escape clause” for the freethinker, is also evident in Masonic literature, again, from the following passages of one particular Monitor:
“…but his conception of the Supreme Being is left to his own interpretation. Freemasonry is not concerned with theological distinctions” (1)
So the question that comes to mind for those who do not believe in the traditional Judeo-Christian or Islamic concept of God is: How can a new candidate of Freemasonry honestly reject the belief in a Supreme Being, yet still satisfy the "God requirement"? After all, the Masonic literature states clearly that no atheist can become a Mason. One of the most authoritative documents in Masonry is Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, in which he goes as far to say:
“A Mason is Oblig'd, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid ATHEIST…" (4)
The basis for the freethinker to address the "God requirement" has to do with semantics and is also hidden in the second point above, namely that Freemasons do not require new candidates to explain what they mean by “Supreme Being”. There are many different meanings of this phrase, aligned to radically diverse worldviews. Certainly, some have defined "God" or "Supreme Being" as the forces of nature, the energy of the universe, or even the universe itself, which is pantheism and arguably atheism in disguise. Einstein used to use the term "God" in his writings, yet he also said in one letter that he was an atheist, relative to the Christian doctrine (Albert Einstein, letter to Guy H. Raner Jr, July 2, 1945, responding to a rumor that a Jesuit priest had caused Einstein to convert from atheism; quoted by Michael R. Gilmore in Skeptic, Vol. 5, No. 2), and in another letter that he believed in the god of Spinoza, which is a form of pantheism.
Additionally, we must not underestimate how little we know about the history and meaning of Freemasonry, especially prior to 1717. No one truly knows what Anderson meant by the phrase "stupid atheist," which leads to the possibility that he may have been differentiating between types of atheists. In fact, we do know that there were many agnostics, deists, pantheists, and atheists, who were Freemasons during the Age of Enlightenment and during the formative years of the fraternity. These Masons were members of official and "regular" lodges, which sheds doubt on the assumption that Anderson had intended non-believers to be prohibited from becoming Masons.
Part II
The second explanation to why non-believers can be Freemasons has to do with the history of Freemasonry and the fact that there are two forms of Freemasonry alive and well today. Most people, and even many Masons, are not aware of the history behind this split in Freemasonry. After the Grand Lodge of England was created in 1717, a schism occurred among Masons. Those who were aligned to the original Grand Lodge of England called themselves the "Moderns", and in 1751 a group of more conservative Masons decided to create a new Grand Lodge and call themselves the "Antients" (5).
Between 1717 and 1751 many lodges were constructed all over Europe and the United States. Among those in Europe, was the Grand Orient of France, which was established in 1733 (6)(7) and was more aligned to the "Moderns." In 1813 the "Moderns" and "Antients" in England reconciled their differences and unified into one Grand Lodge of England, but after this point, one can argue that the Grand Lodge and many of its chartered lodges dispersed throughout the world were firmly rooted in Judeo-Christian principles and rigidly enforced the "God requirement."
The second schism of Freemasonry occurred in 1877, when the Grand Orient of France broke free from "Antient" Masonry and established its principle of "Laïcité," which implied freedom of thought and expression, the elimination of the "God requirement," the acceptance of Women Freemasons, the true secularization of Modern Masonry, as well as other modern worldviews and values. At this point, the "Antients" claimed that the Grand Orient of France was an "irregular" form of Freemasonry and refused to recognize them as part of the Fraternity (6). But this did not stop the Moderns. Despite the fact that the Antients or Anglo-based Masons have dominated the fraternity around the world, this more conservative form of Masonry is experiencing radical decline of members, and Modern Masonry is building momentum. As of 2008, a Treaty of Amity was signed between the Grand Orient of France and a set of Modern Lodges in the United States, resulting in the Grand Orient of the United States (GOUSA). Since then over 14 Modern Masonic lodges has been created, with many more on the way. These Modern Masons intend to rebuild the way Freemasonry was practiced and construed during the Age of Enlightenment, as primarily not a Gentlemen's or "good ol' boy's" club, but men and women who value reason, science, education, freedom of thought, separation of state and church, natural philosophy, and above all liberty, equality, and fraternity. More importantly, and related to the question posed by this article, Modern Masonic lodges, just as the Grand Orient of France, do not require that new candidates believe in any form of Supreme Being or God.
Sources
- "Ancient Landmarks," [taken from a Masonic Monitor of a Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 2006]
- Grand Lodge of Idaho website - http://www.idahoaf.am/freemasonry_info.html
- The United Grand Lodge of England website - http://www.ugle.org.uk/masonry/freemasonry-and-religion.htm
- Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, Masonic Service Association
- Freemason's Guide and Compendium, New and Revised Edition, by Bernard E. Jones, pp. 193-199.
- The Brotherhood: Inside the Secret World of the Freemasons, by Tom Dedopolus, p. 23.
- The Grand Orient of France website - http://ns6745.ovh.net/~godf/foreign/uk/histoire_uk.html
Extra Reading
- The Freemasons: A History of the World's Most Powerful Secret Society, by Jasper Ridley
- Freemason's Guide and Compendium, New and Revised Edition, by Bernard E. Jones
- The Radical Enlightenment: Pantheists, Freemasons, and Republicans, by Margaret C. Jacob
- The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions, Margaret C. Jacob
- The Brotherhood: Inside the Secret World of the Freemasons, by Tom Dedopolus
Comments
While the claims of the Grand Orient of the USA are lavish, they remain a statistically tiny amalgamation of disparate groups, united by little more than the internet and a desire to not be a part of the regular mainstream grand lodge system. They have already suffered internal schisms in their brief lifespan. Meanwhile, the declines in mainstream membership have slowed to a trickle or stabilized. Huge post WWII membership gains meant huge death rates in the last decade. Young men are discovering regular, recognized Freemasonry in large waves, and Baby Boomer-era retirees are slowly beginning to seek out Masonry as well. The "no atheists" rule isn't going anywhere soon. It is one of the principal bedrocks, or "landmarks" or the fraternity. While Grand Orient-style masonry is the most popular in France, it is barely a blip in the US, and will likely remain so.
why would any freethinker have interest in joining this silly bunch of twits running around wearing aprons? look they dont get government funds or endorsement so leave them alone, the boy scouts on the other hand...
Kris, Congratulations on the article, it is very well written.
I see you have been doing some research on the subject of this 250 year old schism. Do not pay attention to the few fundamentalist Christian Antient Masons, like DavidR above, who will come running to discredit you, or anyone who is in opposition to the requirement for the belief in a Supreme Being. There are even some Masons, typically located in the Southern Bible belt states who even require the candidates believe in the resurrection of the body, and in the continued segregation of the fraternity.
Again, Great Job on the article and I look forward to seeing more from you in the future. Might I suggest some more historians that might be of interest to you on this subject. Professor Margret Jacob of UCLA has done extensive research on the subject and books like, "Revolutionary Brotherhood - Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order 1730-1840" by Steven C. Bullock are great sources of informatio
I am one of those "silly twits". I suppose you don't really have to believe in a "god" to become a Mason, you just have to say you do. If you did join a Masonic lodge under those circumstances, I don't believe that a "free thinker" would find the experience as rewarding as those of us who do believe that we are on earth according to a divine plan and not by accident.
Yes, lodge meetings are opened and closed with prayers and there are prayers during the conferral of the degrees, but just as in "polite society", religion and politics are not discussed in lodge. So if you want to become a Mason to stir up a debate on the existance of a supreme being, it is a poor choice of venue.
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. While the mission of the Modern Masons may certainly be noble, they are simply not Masons. It seems they want to be like us without really knowing what is truly at the core of what it means to be a Mason.
Scott - Missouri Master Mason
You may receive many replies from this post due to its slant in favor of the GOofUS group, most if not all will be the dozen of so members of that group who are the most vocal. This group 'exists' in cyberspace only. With the only exception being the Lodge building they stole from regular Masons in Ohio. So your statement that this group is growing is disingenuous at best. If you add one to a group of 10, you have grown by 10%. With all the internal strife within their own group, I would not be surprised if the GO of France withdraws its treaty of Amity over the silliness this group has been know to show. Please see masonicinfo and search goofus for some factual information on this bunch before hyping them in your articles.
NY- Freemason
I am afraid the author has failed to do the research. The requirement of a Supreme Being does not mean "GOD", that is why the requirement is not termed as GOD. As long as an atheist has some sort of system that he uses to explain his worldview, that can be the surpeme being. I've met brother masons whose supreme being was "science". Secondly, the history the author provides is badly sourced - there has been no real schism in freemasonry since 1717. There is no "antient" freemasonry, simply regular freemasonry. Members of GOOFUS and others are small minorities - numbering in the tens - which like all fake mason groups destroy themselves.
I've been fascinated with Freemasonry for many years but never considered joining a lodge because it was apparent to me that whatever Freemasonry had once been was now replaced by a social club similar to the Elks.
After reading your article I began researching the Grand Orient of France and realized this is what I have been searching for all along.
I'm glad to see that a group of Americans had the idealism and foresight to form a Grand Orient here in the USA.
I am not alone in my search for the original Freemasonry. I have forwarded this information to a few lists.
Henry
Don't be discouraged by the onslaught from this small group of fundamentalist social club Masons, who will pounce on this article trying to discredit everything, except their narrow view of Freemasonry. Most American Masons in the Antient system are good men and open to dialog with other obediences, it's only these few that give the whole a bad name. These "few" old fundamentalist not only want to keep the social club atmosphere but also want to keep the fraternity segregated based on color and religion. Google "Gate City lodge Atlanta" and you will see a perfect example of this.
There is a whole world of Freemasonry besides the social clubs versions in America. The American version that Benjamin Franklin belonged to was heavily involved in politics, obviously, and the Age of Reason along with education, etc., but did merge in 1813 with the Antient Masons. With the help of the GOdF in 2005, they reconstituted their Grand Lodge here in America under the Grand Orient USA.
GOUSA will have 100,000 members within 10 years and will grow from there. With lodges in over 10 states, I'd say they are hardly a small group that only exists in cyberspace.
Well seems I was right after all. After 2 years the Goofus groups has all but disappeared and even the author of this article has been expelled from Masonry.
A Quick Check here will show the rise and fall of the Goofus group.
http://www.masonicinfo.com/dissemblinglodges.htm
Kris Hartung is not even "worthy or well qualified" enough to write on the subject of Freemasonry. Let's compare his research to studying the Martial Arts, you can read a thousand books on Martial Arts and still have no idea how to throw a punch or a kick and will find yourself with a false sense of security because you will have no real experience to defend yourself.
Pay no attention to man behind the curtain. Who dares to disturb the great and powerful OZ?
looks like DavidR needs a Heart, BillA needs a Brain, and the anonymous DoTheResearch needs some Courage.
This Horse of a Diferent Color has got your back Kris, and good job with your work on this Article.
Nice article. I honestly find a lot of humor in this foolish and snide attempt at an attack by some in the comments. Will you people move on to some better cause do something good and just ignore GOUSA they aren't bothering you. And Bill come on be honest they didn't steal that Lodge they saved it cause the GL of Ohio would have just rather it be destroyed than step out of the box to do the right thing. Those men were "regular" until it stood in the way of doing the right thing. GOUSA isn't the only place issues arise look at Gate City, I guess GL of GA doesn't mind losing some good men either. Oh yeah they can just blame it on GOUSA. Quit pointing figures and work on being better Masons or just shut thy mouth and let silence prevail.
looks like NYrattlesnake is not "worthy or well qualified" to be a decent human being, such filth the whole lot of you Bashers.
By your words I see Brotherly Love, and Relief are tenets not actualy practiced by Ancients who post their views publicly, with the intent to belittle and hurt another person; regardless to their economic, religious, nationality, or Obedience preferance.
UnSincerly & and UnFraternally Yours,
a better person then you.
I am curious to learn the author's motivation for this article and the position it takes with regards to Freemasonry. It would appear that the author would encourage an atheist to knowingly mislead an investigative committee when questioned about his religious belief, or lack thereof;
Webster defines atheist as one who believes that there is no Deity.
Deity is defined as 1a: the rank or essential nature of God, 2a: a God or Goddess <the deities of ancient Greece> 3a: one exhalted or revered as supremely good or powerful.
I doubt if Lodge Members would look kindly upon a candidate who is deceitful.
Interesting display of 'freedom of thought'. Anyone who doesn't agree with this group is a 'Good ole boy', a racist and a religious fundamentalist social clubber that obviously needs to be insulted with Wizard of Oz trivia and told they're not as good as they are?
A very educational display of Laïcité.
I've been investigating the Grand Orient USA and what has been written about them on the Internet. The men who formed the Grand Orient broke away from the social fraternity due to racism, sexism and embezzlement. There are countless debates all over the Internet regarding the issues.
Now the social fraternity has a case of sour grapes with those who pointed out the problems.
At the present time there are two lawsuits against the social fraternity over racism: one in West Virginia and the other in Georgia. There are also documented cases of embezzlement within two of their Grand Lodges, and a lengthy series of news articles about the Shrine (a sub group of Masons associated with the social fraternity) being involved in prostitution and misappropriation of funds designated for a 501c3 organization.
The Grand Orient appears to be a small group of Masons who departed from the social fraternity in protest of the racism and corruption.
It's a David vs. Goliath situation.
Wow, you learned so much in a single day Henry! Amazing! Yesterday you'd never heard of them and today you know all the intimate details and have such a good grasp of them! You even write using the same terms and language as them! Wow!
It's almost like you're a member or something! But wait, that can't be. That would be a dishonest misreprentation of yourself, wouldn't it? Impossible, of course.
Google is an amazing research tool.
In a matter of a few hours I've been able to find court documents from West Virginia, Georgia, California, Nebraska, Alabama, and Ohio.
Masons seem to spend quite a bit of time in the courts and news. This is very revealing of the character of your organization. If a man joins your organization he could find himself in court.
Your attempt to portray me as deceitful shows the level of your own desperation, and tells me all I need to know about what to expect from your organization.
No desperation here. Saying so suggests that you're Jeff Peace, Grand Master of the Grand Orient of the United States.
Same old tired rhetoric when confronted with a fact you don't like. You don't even deny it. You just attempt to dodge it and shout 'desperation!'. You'd think you'd vary your style a bit when pretending to be someone else.
The real truth is that no one needs to "join" anything to live a Masonic life. Membership
does not in any way mean that all members are created equal, nor does it reflect on the character of the individual member. It just means that they went through rituals that may or may not have been properly done or that the initiated did or did not pay attention to.
It means that they can wear a ring and eat low priced meals at local lodges. It does not mean that they are enlightened, are good people or anything of the like.
A Masonic way of life is what important. Being a card holding member is not.
Is Jeff Peace your official bogeyman? Is he to blame for all your problems, or is he a whistle blower?
I noticed that you didn't deny that your organization is caught up in multiple internal scandals. When any organization is faced with so much controversy a need arises to create a bogeyman to avert the focus from the real issues.
This is all very telling about your organization.
What is hiding behind your sarcasm?
It is interesting that the GOofUS group will use deceit and anonymous postings to "bolster" their argument. They have every right to form their own group, but please don't call what they have wrought Freemasonry because it is not.
How did I know BC would chime in on this? Simple he has been tossed from both organizations and then went out and put up a website that claims he started his own Freemasonry. This is the same group that though the GL of America was a good thing and them morphed into this bunch.
Bob J. is delusional if he thinks that this group of of non-conformists, that has formed a group that is a model of the thing they despise, will every grow beyond few dozen. If you think 10 lodges meeting in the local Starbucks or the founder's Mom's living room will be taken seriously, you are smoking something.
As far as the other poster citing the current issues in WV and GA, well every org has its issues. The vast majority disapprove of the actions of these few.
I hate to burst your stupid bubble Charles S. but I am not an Orient mason, so why are you poking fun of a whole group for the words of a non mason.
LoL, if i had a dollar for every idiot and jerk i ment on the net...
NYRattlesnake: I've sat in Lodge with Brother Kris, I know him to be "worthy or [and] well qualified".
As far as the article; I would suggest that what is written and what is actually practiced in lodge are two different things; In typical cases the Brethren decide through investigation and ballot whom they deem worthy to call "Brother" thus setting the standard for their own definition of the GAOTU; It's our Lodge and it's our right and privilege to do so.
Brad Cofield,
I have heard people speak of you, and usualy in a negitive way. But after reading one post of yours, I think i see the true you.
May the GAotU stand between you and harm, in all the empty plaves you must walk.
Namaste
Remove the VSL and you remove the plumbline! Remove the plumbline and you have a weak Temple structure. Remove structure and you have a pile of sand. Add the hot wind blowing from the desolate, empty desert of a wondering soul... you have nothing.
Henry,
You cannot say I didn't warn you. LOL.. Look in all seriousness this schism isn't anything new to the craft. It has been going on for hundreds of years now. I think it started with Tomás de Torquemada (j/k)(I can see the Wikipedia searchs starting now). LOL..
Seriously, if you or anyone is curious about what this schism is all about all you need to do is a little research on Google (quite a fascinating tool) and read from some real, unbiased historians. Don't take it from me, a GOUSA Mason or get it from a Masonic Book for Dummies. Do like I suggested earlier and pick up a book from Professor Margret Jacob of UCLA or if that is too long then there was a pretty decent thesis written by a college student named Hannah Ayres on the subject. You can find her thesis by doing a "quoted" search for this:
"Founding Freemasons “Ancient” and “Modern” Masons in the Founding Era of America"
She gives a pretty decent 5k foot overview of the issue but in reality it is quite complex
Hey D.W. read Henry's Appendix!The Radical Enlightenment: Pantheists, Freemasons, and Republicans, by Margaret C. Jacob
The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions, Margaret C. Jacob
Now do you read everything like you did this article?? Research is not cut and paste, google, and wikpedia!! It takes real concentration and good sources.
Quote Cook: "Hey D.W. read Henry's Appendix!"
Actually, Kris Hartung wrote the article not Henry. So, it would actually be his Appendix. Did I happen to misunderstand what you meant by that, possibly?
Quote Cook: "Now do you read everything like you did this article?? Research is not cut and paste, google, and wikpedia!! It takes real concentration and good sources."
Exactly why I suggested any of Dr. Jacob's books or any unbiased historian. The good Doctor seems to work for the Grand Lodge of California, see the exert from their own web site below.
Exert from the Grand Lodge of California's web site - October: Dr. Margaret C. Jacob, Masonic scholar and professor of history at UCLA, is scheduled to present “Masonic Secrecy and the Paradox at the Heart of Modernity.” Dr. Jacob works closely with the Grand Master’s Project to Advance the Study and Understanding of Freemasonry.
I do appreciate and respect your passion Cook. Please do let me know if I can be of further assi
Sorry Dave,
In my speed to respond, I confused your response to Henry with the article. Apologies to Kris, the author. When I say research I meant what the author had listed in his appendex and not google, websites of questionable motives or wikpedia as you inferred.
There are many Masonic sites that talk about "brotherly love, relief and truth" but the reality of Masonry seems to be just the opposite. The things posted by Masons to this article demonstrate that they are not true to their beliefs.
1. The use of bogeymen to divert attention
2. Sarcasm
3. Sour grapes
4. Intolerance
5. No sense of brotherly love
6. Dismissive of their own internal issues
7. Eager to point the finger of blame elsewhere
Did I missing anything?
Maybe all of you should try working together for your fraternity.
D W Brown is the only person that posted anything relevant to the article and the questions being asked.
I Googled "Brad Cofield" and discovered that he is a Mason from the Grand Lodge of California that was involved in some internal intrigue. There were also a few legal complaints not related to Freemasonry against someone by that name.
Why is he a bogeyman? What did he do that is any worse than Shriners importing foreign prostitutes, or other Masons embezzling money from the Grand Lodges of Maine and Massachusetts? Why is he singled out while these other Masons are never mentioned?
How does making him a bogeyman demonstrate the benefits of being a Mason?
I Googled "Jeff Peace" and found lots of information about him. He's a historian that's published papers on Freemasonry. He was expelled for reasons that are unclear and the subject of heated debate on Masonic forums. He claims that he was removed without being given a trial. He is now a member of the Grand Orient.
Why is he a bogeyman? What did he do that is any worse than Shriners importing foreign prostitutes, or other Masons embezzling money from the Grand Lodges of Maine and Massachusetts? Why is he singled out while these other Masons are never mentioned?
How does making him a bogeyman demonstrate the benefits of being a Mason?
If I must believe in God to become a member of certain Masonic organizations, why wouldn't I just join a church instead? Are these Masons claiming that they know more about God than the churches? Are they a separate religion?
How can you ask someone to believe in something that you are not prepared to prove with facts? Do you expect people to just toss science and reason to the wind, and base their beliefs on faith alone?
I neither believe nor disbelieve in God. There are no facts to support whether or not He exists. I cannot keep my integrity and claim a belief in the unknown just to become a Mason. The only men who could would not be worthy of membership.
The Grand Orient of France offers me a reasonable alternative to blind faith. I understand why they don't require a belief. I can also understand why other Americans would agree with them.
Oscar,
Thank you for the support. It is apreciated.
Love and Light,
BC
I want to make it clear that I am not a GOUSA member nor am I a member of the GOdF. Now, I am a supporter of any Mason to be able to practice the way they see fit so in that way I am a supporter of both.
On a personal note I no longer find single sex Freemasonry to be of much value. I find it
troubling from the human position.
On the record I have NEVER claimed to create my "own Freemasonry." I have been a member of the MEAPRMM/Grand Orient Egyptian for three years. I have been National Head Orient of Washington State for a little over a year now. As an Order we are in 29 countries and 16 states. I did not create the order nor am I "in charge" of it.
I also along with others am a founding member of an independent Masonic lodge, Lodge Napoleon Bonaparte www.lodgenapoleon.com
We are not creating our own Freemasonry. We have created our own lodge, just as in the 1716 tradition.
May all of you continue your walk in the divine work. Mine your quarry.
S&F,
BC
Henry,
I appreciate the compliment but I did let my passion get the best of me in regards to Cook's response and for that I apologize.
I am pleased that you are interested in the craft enough to ask questions. There are so many aspects to it that I only know but a tiny portion myself. Within the GOUSA each lodge is independent and can choose their own path whether it be political involvement, esoteric study, charity, etc., it is really up to each lodge. They do have to follow the basic principles of Freemasonry but what they do within their own lodge is up to them. In Mainstream Freemasonry there is one ritual but in the Grand Orient there are many depending on your lodges interest.
Each lodge sends representatives each year to what is called the Council of Order meeting, to vote on issues that affect the group as a whole. Each lodge gets equal votes and no one person can ever over rule the will of the Council, especially not the Grand Master he is but a figure head.
Mr.Brown,
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You know as well as I that Lodges within the GOUSA are only "independent" to a certain degree. That are still subject to the "rules" of the Order.
"Discipline" is delivered with an iron fist no matter the color of the velvet glove.
For an example a lodge and a Grand Master of the GOUSA where both booted from the Order for initiating women.
The GOUSA might be less restricive and less dogmatic but let us not confuse that for independent and adogmatic.
Love and Light,
BC
Mr. Cofield
When others have railed on you in public, I have held my tongue, because I feel you have a lot to offer. When you've called me a coward in public, I've turned the other cheek because I feel your pain, the pain from constant harassment.
I offer you my hand in peace, I want no quarrel with you or anyone. I only want peace and growth for all mankind, in whatever venue they choose to gather it from.
Lodges from the beginning of Freemasonry have been independent of each other with no single master. This is what we hope to bring back to America, Freedom for Free-Masons.
Did we have issues in the beginning, yes, will we have more, I'm sure we will. Was justice for those who acted inappropriately swift and exacting, yes. However, it was enacted by their peers, not from a single ruler, and it was not for the reason you stated. I will not drag the names of the individuals thorough the mud or go into the list of reasons why it was necessary.
Travel well Brother.
Mr.Brown,
You offer your hand in peace, thats good and I will return that gesture.
I ask that you show that you are sincere in this action by keeping my name off of your website where you know I cannot respond. I seem to be a topic of conversation there and I really do not appreciate it as I am sure you would not if the situation where in the reverse.
I still did not recieve an apology for the hideous way I was treated there by your handpicked staff but I have since stopped holding my breath.
If you want to know why I called you a coward, it was because of your inaction regarding that specific situation. I reached out to you one on one regarding it and you flat out ignored me.
I hope that this indeed a new beginning Mr.Brown. I will do my best to live up to
this agreement, I only hope that you will do the same.
Love and Light,
BC
Mr. Cofield, Thank You.. Quite honestly I do not even remember the event you describe. But if myself or any of the moderators hurt your feelings, I apologize profusely. There are over 9,000 user accounts registered at thebluelodge.org and I cannot get involved in every dispute.
Everyone,
I apologize for my part in allowing this thread to get off-topic, it was not my intention. Especially to Brother Kris, who spent a great deal of time writing this informative piece.
To my Brothers and Sisters from all obediences, travel well and please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
D. W. Brown, MM
Grand Orient USA
TheBlueLodge.org
Mr.Brown,
The proof will be in the pudding so to speak.
So far, your new found desire for unity doesn't seem to be off to a good start. Your "super moderator" Bob is off and running accusing me again of being on the forum.
Do me a favor Mr.Brown, keep my name off of that site or allow me to confront my accusers.
It is really that simple.
Back to the topic.
Freemasonry has always been a bastian of free thought and yes revolutionary thought. Why would someone have to "believe" in the supernatural in order to fit the criteria of a free thinker?
It is really bad in some areas. In the south some lodges make you list your church on petitions.
S&F,
BC
No need for any of the 1.5 million mainstream Masons to come in here and stir things up. The Grand Orient guys and their own schismatic trolls and starry-eyed fanboys always wind up feasting upon each other.
This article is extraordinarily misleading, as it is now obvious Kris is a GO Mason with the agenda of helping to make it appear the GO of the US is larger, more influential, faster growing than it ever will be.
The overwhelming majority of Freemasons the world over continue to require some kind of belief in a supreme being. The purpose of this is that a Mason takes his obligation/oath on a bible or other volume of law that is sacred to him, and out of the belief that a man who does not believe in a higher power has nothing to fear if he breaks his oath. It is a proof or demonstration of his honor. And if a lodge or grand lodge does not require that anymore, it might be a perfectly noble organization. But it is not Freemasonry...
Brad Cofield,
Let's get a couple of things straight:
1. Calling Dale Brown a coward because he didn't "protect you" from his "overzealous staff" (ME, and another moderator) is, as I'm sure you ought to know, wholly un-Masonic behavior. It's much the same behavior you exhibited in escalation throughout your time at The Blue Lodge.
2. Your general tone of condescension far exceeded the behavior of any other member of that board, and you repeatedly whined whenever you were called to task for it.
3. I defer to my Brothers to offer up what a long fuse I have, and you are the first person I have encountered who led me to lose my patience. Indeed, one does NOT win a PI55ING CONTEST with a SKUNK. I will bluntly claim your ascription to Freemasonry is twisted and warped. You sir, are a fraud, and I will not shrink from this truth.
4. Do you have a guilty conscience? Are you the only Brad on the planet? I think not. Thank you for confirming you are, "K. Blankenship."
My apologies to the good Brethren whom I've exposed to this bitter pill. I beg your indulgence and forgiveness for calling bad things to light.
Bob,
1.) I did not ask for Mr.Brown's protection. I expected him to BE a MAN and follow the rules he expected everyone else to follow. Un-Masonic bevahiour? What, like you defacing a members avatar and changing their posts to reflect other than what was orginally posted?
You did those things Bob, look in the mirror.
2.)I am not a part of your clique, that much is clear. You play the part of the benevolent
jokester when really you are nothing other than a weak toady in search of reassurance.
3.)Oh, do I need to break out the violins? I "made you do it?" LOL! Take some responsibility for your own actions you turd.
Bring forth ONE person I have defrauded in any Masonic body Bob. If you are going to make allegations back them up.
4.) Nope, not guilty in the slightest. I did nothing wrong. I am in no way confirming your
paranoia, take your meds and STFU.
Cheers,
BC
4.)
DavidR,
If you need the fear of Hell to motivate you to do the right thing then you are a pretty pathetic person.
Just my $0.02
Freemasonry teaches a progressive science. Seeing how 92% of American intellegencia and academia classify themselves Atheist or Agnostic, it would seem that mainstream Freemasonry is continuing to miss out on those most qualified to practice the Craft.
No wonder why you guys experience a 10% loss in numbers every decade. If mainstream American Freemasonry where a corporation, it would be in the same shape as Chrysler and GM. I wonder if it would qualify for a government bailout?
Love and Light,
BC
Dude,
1You have some serious emotional/maturity/self-delusional issues. Your petulant rantings got the better of you when people started biting back at your unjustifiably condescending posts.
I did change your avatar to crying babies. It couldn't have fit better, but it was un -Masonic behavior that I regret and have not since repeated.
I realize English is obviously your second language, or you would have recognized that I DID take resposibilty for lowering myself to your level. You couldn't "make" me do anything. I'd never give you that much control over anything in my life.
It's a pity I can't reduce this to words of one syllable so you could better understand what I said in the first place. I said, "You are a fraud." Oh, hey... those ARE words of one syllable!
So, after you go kick some butt in Toronto (a threat heretofore not yet followed through on...), are you coming to Connecticut?
Use your head for something more than a hat rack.
Bob,
I have to say that I find you revolting. I don't understand why anyone whith such a low character that you display would ever be made a moderator.
I was a participant at TBL when this all occured. I find that yourself and another moderator would go out of their way to bait and harass a forum member and then use any excuse they could to abuse their power as a clear form of intentional emotional abuse.
The fact that D.W. Brown did not remove your from moderation responsibilities and at the very least suspend your membership caused me and others to revoke ours. Silence Dogood also removed his membership as well as his blog from being broadcast on TBL.
You may be a Mason Bob, but if I could I would see that you where no longer. At least until you grow up.
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