On Opposing Tyranny

Note: thanks to the Widow's Son

The blog Masonic Crusade today reported a situation in West Virginia arising over the confusing actions of the sitting Grand Master Charlie Montgomery. Two brothers, if you are following events there had the "bad sense" to stand up and question the actions of Grand Master Montgomery in setting aside the will of the brethren as expressed by their votes at their 2007 Grand Communication. The Grand Master demanded that the master of M.W. Haas' lodge prefer masonic charges against him, which he refused to do, and as a result, both men were expelled without a trial.

The latest confusing actions reported to have been undertaken by Most Worshipful Montgomery and reported in the Masonic Crusade are that after the recent visit to a West Virginia Lodge by an out-of-state brother, who spoke in support of PGM Haas', a letter was sent out to the Lodge Masters across the state, instructing them on what can, and cannot, be discussed in lodge in regard to these issues.

In this letter, M.W. Montgomery reportedly noted the issue of MW Haas and the legislation as issues not to be discussed. More worrying than this letter even going out (if one can imagine such, seeing as Freemasonry was FOUNDED upon the principles of freedom of thought, speech, religion, etc) Most Worshipful Montgomery reportedly warned the masters of his lodges that they may NOT even reveal the contents or even the existence of this letter.

The following is an excerpt from the Masonic Crusade forum:

“Secret” Tyranny Reigns in West Virginia Masonry!

In my recent travels, I have been told that Grand Master Charlie is at it again. Only this time he is hedging his bets, as he is apparently now sending “secret” letters to some of the Worshipful Masters of Lodges describing an event in the northern part of the state. The letter describes a situation where a member of a non-WV Lodge visited and presented a technical paper, the perspective of which was attributed to Past Grand Master Frank Haas regarding the current situation in Masonry in WV.

In this letter to the Worshipful Masters, Charlie informs them that permitting any such activities or discussion in the future shall be considered unmasonic conduct. He also issues a warning to them, to the effect that the Master is forbidden to read the letter in open Lodge or show it to anyone. This, my brethren, is a tyrannical tactic designed to fracture the Lodge, to keep it in a state of disarray, so that it cannot possibly fight back.

It is frequently employed by terrorism groups, to ensure loss of minimal amount of information should one person be captured. Most WMs I have spoken with have been afraid to tell their own Lodge that they have even received the letter, let alone read it in open Lodge. In WWII, when we were sent behind enemy lines, we were told about the critical aspects of the larger plan for which we were gathering intelligence.

We were also told that we would not be forgotten and to be patient if we were captured. Now, regrettably, I am reminded of those on the other side in Germany, who were simply told to blindly do something (i.e. without daring to question) otherwise be instantly shot by a Luger pistol. I thought my generation had already fought and won that war.

Apparently, like the US Civil War, it too is not over.

As you can imagine, given the support that MW Haas still enjoys among his West Virginia brethren, and the outrage that is simmering to a rolling boil in the lodges, that demand to keep the letter secret has been... ignored by many Masters. Copies of the letter, suitably redacted, are making their way throughout the brethren of West Virginia, and of course, across the blogosphere. There are some edicts of a Grand Master that, when calling for actions that violate the conscious of a good, honorable and true mason, MUST be violated.

One thing that confuses even this mason... what does GM Montgomery think is going to happen the day AFTER he is replaced by the next duly elected Grand Master? Does he seriously think that his actions will be upheld? Does he think for a moment that HE himself, may be subject to summary dismissal from our ranks, the ignominy he has visited upon MS Haas? If not, WHY has he NOT considered it? I am not here to pass judgment on anyone, but the questions have to be asked.

I have not weighed in on this looming crisis in West Virginia for several reasons. The first and foremost reason is: Lack of information. One side of an issue is hardly a justification to set aside an obligation to charity, brotherly love, and to not injure a brother. HOWEVER, over time, I have done my research, talked to West Virginia Masons, and find myself more and more appalled at the state of Freemasonry IN WEST VIRGINIA. The good news here is that its just one Grand Lodge. Out of 101 Regular Grand Lodges in the United States... and if you include the other grand lodges that have similar, though not as egregious, problems, you have about 15 out of 101 lodges, or just over 14%.

Bro. Chris at Freemasons for Dummies noted that situation in his recent blog: West Virginia: The Continuing Crisis

It is difficult to divine the truth from WV Masons at this point, as many feel threatened over any internet communication whatsoever. But it is clear that the standoff between the GM and supporters of Frank Haas has not cooled. In the end, that's bad for Freemasonry in West Virginia. The old school belief that what happens behind a GM's closed office doors stays there is no longer true, and the Internet can send details of such situations around the world in seconds. Likewise, when WV Masons compare their laws to the jurisdictions across the country and seek to make changes, ignoring or threatening them won't work forever.

A vow to the Masons of West Virginia to reintroduce the rule changes of MWBro. Haas individually so proper votes can be taken in October would go a long way to start re-building bridges. Such action would take bravery and the abandonment of some ego for the greater good. Such are the qualities of strong leadership. The Masonic world continues to watch.

To quote "Widow's Son" at the Burning Taper:

If your Grand Master is indeed telling your lodges what they can and cannot discuss, and forbidding Masters to disclose his communications, then Masonic tyranny and terrorism has truly arrived (in West Virginia).

It is my opinion that it is highly unlikely that any other grand lodge will take any kind of official action against the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, and how could we? Any action we take against the Grand Lodge would injure the brethren of that state still more. And yet, Masonic Ritual tells me that there is hope.

To my brothers worldwide: I encourage you to contact your grand lodge, express your brotherly concern, and ask them to take some kind of action in the face of these actions by Grand Master Montgomery, even if its just a letter.

To the brethren of West Virginia: We stand behind you and support you.

May the blessing of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us.

The Noontime of Masonic McCarthyism

NOTE: The following was sent to my anonymously, and is signed with an anagram for McCarthyism. It seems to be circulating on the web. Lodgeroom US recently suffered a similar attack to that which is noted on The Burning Taper in the article. We fended it off by banning the subject which the Flying Monkey's Abused...

If you have any information, please email me.

Washington DC -- January 1, 2009 -- You’d never expected it to happen within such well-established and stable fraternity but it has. Not since the Morgan Affair and most recently the “P2” incident has there been such a frenzy of activity within the Masonic Order. Brothers are coming together and lists are being made and acted on. The party line is being drawn with a red-hot branding iron and seemingly benign Brotherly activities are being scrutinized under an increasing high magnification microscope.

Independent online Masonic activity has all but come to a halt. Masons worldwide have been “outed” as supporting the enemy. GL’s are taking action, filing charges against any who are even remotely connected with “supporting” non-regular masons. Brothers are shunning all communications with those accused. Businesses run by the accused are failing. Persons of interest are being tracked 24/7. Paranoia is at an all time high and membership roles are soaring unbelievably high.

For those not in the know, please take note that “THE” New Masonic Era is not upon us but it is with us right now and like or not, names are being taken and butts will be kicked. And people are taking notice.

Who would have thought that a mere year ago the dawn of a new day for Masonry was launched by a small group of self-styled Masonic vigilantes called “the flying monkeys” who were fed up with what they perceived as a impure element on the internet. These Masonic Puritans showed all the classic signs at that time of a dysfunctional group of individuals with nothing better to do with their time. But funding came swiftly from deep pocket sources and with the aid of the internet, word got out quickly that this group was not to be messed with.

The name of the group was coined by a person who once ran the now defunct on- line web-log “The Burning Taper.” Early in their history, the group descended upon this site and mounted a strategic attack. It all but forced the site owner to close down aspects of the site until the attack was called off. The site was never the same and the group takes credit for what they call a “positive change” in the on-line Masonic experience.

With success there, the group then mounted strategic attacks on other Masonic forums that they viewed as collaborating with the enemy. Because of their methods, one forum after another fell and the majority of on-line Masons soon stopped posting. Some sites were merged, some sites were closed and others were taken over by members of the group to become machines for further propagation of their agenda.

Who was their enemy? It was hard to understand at first. It seemed that anyone that didn’t think as they did was a strong draw for their attacks. Later on, it became clear that this was a ploy and that the enemy was merely anyone that they could bully into allowing them the power to take over.

How did they get so strong? A noted Masonic psychologist and a fellow noted historian, who both requested to be kept anonymous because of their fears of the group, made the following information available:

• Their group activities fostered isolation of their individuals preventing reality checks that would prevent members from using rational thinking.
  
• Fear and projection were amplified by “leaks of information” that enemy tactics were influencing the more impressionable of their group.
  
• Anyone who didn’t keep their approved party line and parrot it back regularly would be intimidated into professing their belief in writing for all in the movement to see or risk being thrown from their group.
  
• Paranoia, anger, depression and anxiety were the dominating feelings generated by its members.
  
• Members were encouraged repetitively to deny discussion of anything that wasn’t approved by the leaders.
  
• Any flexibility demonstrated in thought or rethinking what the party line was would be met with immediate intimidation.
  
• Their “cause” was strengthened by a black and white ideology handed down from the main organizers thus fostering an all of nothing, them or us mentality.

Our sources claim it does not take much to consolidate such a group once the numbers reach critical mass.

What is now evident is that, much like the America of the McCarthy era, anyone who speaks of Masonry in any way had better be speaking the party line preached by this group.

Can they be stopped? Our sources say most likely not. Grand Lodges are enjoying the fall out. Masonic membership roles are increasing at record levels since the majority of the worldwide Masonic culture no longer trusts on-line activity and other media sources. Masons have taken to going back to Lodges once again to find out what is going on in their Masonic world.

Meanwhile the group continues to grow and gain power. They have reached into and drawn members from every known Masonic organization that was left after the great die-out in mid 2008. As historians have recorded, near every single non- regular mason, their respective organizations and those who have been accused of collaborating with them have stopped practicing due to fear and lack of funding. Most all of those affected are lucky to be able to predict where their next meal will come from due to the far-reaching influence of this group.

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Have you been affected? Take a walk through this simple quiz. Please circle either “True” or “False” for each statement that applies:

True/False 1. Masons I know unscrupulously accuse people of disloyalty (as by saying they were un-Masonic.)

True/False 2. Masons I know use unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition.

True/False 3. Masons I know publicize accusations of Masonic disloyalty or subversion with insufficient regard to evidence.

True/False 4. Masonic witch-hunts - searching out and harassing dissenters – are being carried out by Masons I know.

True/False 5. Masons I know have used disrespectful and abusive language that both belittles and intimidates other human beings to forward an agenda of hate and fear.

True/False 6. Masons I know have been harmed either indirectly or directly by one or more of the above listed activities.

Reporter -- March Mystic

Politics and Freemasonry?

One of the fundamental practices of Freemasonry is that we do not discuss religion or politics in lodge. That prohibition is carried out into the world to an extent. Most Regular Masonic jurisdictions enjoin a practice of restricting the use of masonic symbols.

For instance, in California we are enjoined not to use the Square and Compass device on our business cards, in our business logo, on our business signage... and in our politics. So when we find a brother using the square and compass to promote his political views, it is all the more surprising.

Recently, a brother expressed support for a third party candidate for political office. On the surface, there is no problem with a brother, or any citizen, choosing to support someone for office. The problem arises when a mason, using a forum marked as masonic, regardless of personal disclaimers, advocates as a mason, his support for a political candidate.

Some brothers have noted that what he has done is little different from placing a political sticker on a car that also has masonic badges on it, though the argument is little disingenuous. The only reason for posting a political opinion on a blog ostensibly aimed at masons is to reach out TO masons, to push your opinion as a mason onto masons.

Keeping in mind my own credo regarding freemasonry: Its not about me changing them, its about me changing me, I am not so much worried about a brother wrapping himself in politics, but that in doing so as a mason, he may be losing sight of that valuable instrument by which we are taught to circumscribe our passions and keep them within due bounds toward all mankind, particularly our brethren in freemasonry.

Because politics are divisive by their very nature, we, as Freemasons, should not be playing at them and aiming them at our brethren. Posting political opinion to masons is akin to using the lodge mailing list to send out political flyers on lodge letterhead. This is never a good thing, and is only cause for distention from brothers who do not agree with the candidate/position being advocated in their name.

We should always remember that freemasonry is about improving ourselves, not selling soaps, powders, or politics, and anything that detracts from that lofty goal should be avoided. After all, there is a time and a place for religious observation and a time and a place for politics. Lodge is not a place for them, and mailing to, or reaching out to brothers on a forum, blog or web space set aside or dedicated to freemasonry is not the place for such a divisive topic as political advocacy.

May the blessings of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us.