Honour the past, invent the future

I went on a course recently where this quote was on the last slide. It struck me how appropriate this was for Freemasonry. The Craft seems to have developed an aversion for the future, the phrase 'modern Freemasonry', for example, is never heard in our Masonic Halls. Likewise there is an obsession for an imagined, nostalgic past that never really existed.

Lodge of Hope No. 302

On Monday 5th September I was delighted to attend the meeting of Hope Lodge No. 302 in Bradford. The Assistant Grand Master, John Williamson was in attendance and he confirmed Hope's membership of the University Scheme.

Phone-hacking scandal: Jonathan Rees obtained information using dark arts

Another example of causality, correlation, and negative stereotyping. What the story fails to mention is that what Jonathan Rees is alleged to have done is also against the principles of Freemasonry. Given the allegations made, I think this would have strengthened the case against him, rather than use it as a nice narrative 'hook' (which purely from a writing perspective, it is).

But then again, it is the Guardian!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/08/phone-hacking-scandal-jonathan-rees

What Rowan Williams really dislikes about Freemasonry

More unfortunate coverage of Freemasonry. Coming from the Guardian I suppose the first few paragraphs are inevitable. "Secret society"..... "cloak and dagger" and other such masonic cliches. However, it is one of the first articles that considers the deism of Freemasonry. This is almost bordering on intelligent and informed. However, what it fails to recognise is that antagonism from religion towards the Craft is that religion wants the exclusive rights to people's souls.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/jun/02/rowan-williams-freemasonry-liberalism-enlightenment#post-area

God forbid (sic.) we associate with people from other religions. In a world of an increasingly secularised society, I think Dr Williams's victory will be Pyrrhic at best.

Dr Williams prompts new PEV to quit Freemasons

Disappointing to hear that the Archbishop of Canterbury subscribes to craftaphobic views:

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=112694

Transformation of Freemasonry

This book The Transformation of Freemasonry seems to be getting plenty of reviews at the moment. By the strangest coincidence I know the publisher from a previous role I used to do. Small world.... but not if you have to clean it!

http://www.huntingtonnews.net/2167

The reviews on Amazon are very positive:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformation-Freemasonry-David-Harrison/dp/1845494377

Freemasons donate 10,000 teddy bears to sick or injured children in hospital

Some more rather positive news than the 'anti-mason' reporting I have been doing of late.

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/health/10-000th-teddy-TLC-young-patient/article-3082936-detail/article.html