Scholarship welcome boost

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/303636/scholarship-welcome-boost

Japanese variety show stumbles into interview with a Grand Master of Freemasonry

Shock! Horror! Freemasonry not a secret society.

Bizarre story.

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/05/27/japanese-variety-show-stumbles-into-interview-with-a-grand-master-of-freemasonry/

Charity leader praises Freemasons' 50k gift

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/11238611.Charity_leader_praises_Freemasons__50k_gift/

Event marks raising £30,000 for charity

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/community/community-news/event-marks-raising-30-000-for-charity-1-6634919

The Masonic mystery of Col. Mix

http://altamontenterprise.com/community/out-about/05212014/masonic-mystery-col-mix

The Truth of Genesis: The Beast, The False Jesus, & The Rapture, Part 4 - Double-Cross

Oh dear, more silly nonsense from the craftaphobic.

These are what are known in the trade as "illusory correlations" followed by "confirmation bias". The relationships between these are extreme, and if you look hard enough (confirmation bias) you're always going to find something that fits your world view. It is easier to slay a dragon as it is to kill a myth, as they say.

http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/The-Truth-of-Genesis-The-Beast-The-False-Jesus-The-Rapture-Part-4-Double-Cross-20140521

Bedford-area Freemasons provide free Child ID kits

http://www.roanoke.com/community/laker_weekly/bedford-area-freemasons-provide-free-child-id-kits/article_a01f07a8-e016-11e3-ba96-001a4bcf6878.html

Behind the scenes at not-so-secret Sheffield order

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/behind-the-scenes-at-not-so-secret-sheffield-order-1-6599953

Man who threatened Riverside officer with ice pick wanted to kill 'free masons'

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2014/05/14/man-who-threatened-riverside-officer-with-ice-pick-wanted-to-kill-free-masons/a1goy4z/

Freemason Wins Court Fight Over Expulsion From Lodge

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/may/12/freemason-wins-court-fight-over-expulsion-lodge/

Similarity of Oaths - an eighteenth century phenomenon

I saw this during Ian Hislop's excellent BBC series recently (more of which later), and was struck by the similarity:

http://www.historyhome.co.uk/c-eight/distress/oath.htm

I, AB, of my own free will and accord do hereby promise and swear that I will never reveal any of the names of any one of this secret Committee, under the penalty of being sent out of this world by the first Brother that may meet me. I furthermore do swear, that I will pursue with unceasing vengeance any Traitors or Traitor, should there any arise, should he fly to the verge of ---- I furthermore do swear that I will be sober and faithful, in all my dealings with all my Brothers, and if ever I decline them, my name to be blotted out from the list of Society and never to be remembered, but with contempt and abhorrence, so help me God to keep this our Oath inviolate.

Signed Thomas Broughton.

This oath is the same in substance and matter of fact as was taken by me, and is mentioned and referred to in my annexed information. Signed Thomas Broughton.

Witness, Charles Adams.

Though oaths of this nature have gone out of fashion the "blood curdling oaths" the conspiracy theorists talk about are merely a context of that particular time.