tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post115506698018626395..comments2024-03-13T00:15:51.021-07:00Comments on Lodgical (My Thoughts on Masonry): What if "The Solomon Key" does something else?Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00787092364477664570noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155234922199024082006-08-10T11:35:00.000-07:002006-08-10T11:35:00.000-07:00A schism in Masonry? Funny ;-)Seriously, we alread...A schism in Masonry? Funny ;-)<BR/><BR/>Seriously, we <I>already</I> have cadres of brothers who believe in different origns and purposes of the Craft. None of them seem to get into any heated arguments about this, and I can't imagine that Dan Brown - no Mason himself - would cause any furor from within the fraternity. <BR/><BR/>In fact, look back ten years or more to John J. Robinson's "Born in Blood". He presented a plausible and well-researched theory linking the Freemasons with the Templars. I was not a Mason when the book was published, but I have not heard of any contention from various groups of believers of that theory, and he has a lot more going for him than Brown, in terms of igniting any controversy in Freemasonry.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'm with TC - there's no such thing as <B>bad</B> publicity.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://masonictao.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">The Tao of Masonry</A>Tom Accuostihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07005315193581153959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155128575884704492006-08-09T06:02:00.000-07:002006-08-09T06:02:00.000-07:00My personal view is if it spreads light and brothe...My personal view is if it spreads light and brotherhood, how can it be bad?<BR/>Where I live there are 5 major catholic highschools, run by different factions: brothers of the holy cross, jesuits, franscican monk, benedictan monks, etc. The jesuit school has the most power and prestige, yet the other schools do a fine job in education and discipline.<BR/>Is one better than the other? Is a young man worse off or damned or not "recognized" as a catholic highschooler if he goes to the "wrong" school?<BR/>Why masonry has to be so divisive, draw lines in the sand, make/order free men to make choices over an extra curricular, made up group, makes no sense?<BR/>No one mason will be harmed or tainted?<BR/><BR/>Thats how I look at it.<BR/>America is supposed to be the land of the free, so why should american freemasonry not take the same attitude?Tubal Cainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00704479584240584425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155078166801873322006-08-08T16:02:00.001-07:002006-08-08T16:02:00.001-07:00tubulcain420,I will do a follow up post on the ide...tubulcain420,<BR/><BR/>I will do a follow up post on the idea of regular vs. clandestine, its usefulness and the misuse of it in the next few days. Keep an eye peeled for it.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787092364477664570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155078127388826992006-08-08T16:02:00.000-07:002006-08-08T16:02:00.000-07:00John,I think you stated the typical answer, which ...John,<BR/><BR/>I think you stated the typical answer, which is good, and certainly has much truth to it, however, my question was specifically what if it stirs up trouble within Masonry. Within the people who are <B>already part</B> of the fraternity.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787092364477664570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155074853438658272006-08-08T15:07:00.000-07:002006-08-08T15:07:00.000-07:00Whatever new ideas/lore that this books spawns abo...Whatever new ideas/lore that this books spawns about masonry, whatever motivations it spurns on in masonry, it has to be good ad part of all lodges. Whether fact or fiction, half truths,etc. any masonic discussion has to be beneficial to a lodge. Any discussion whatsoever in lodge is good.<BR/>now about a break up of memebrs and schisms, schisms can only happen if they are allowed to happen. Meaning, why not rcognize accept all masons, under an all encompassing umbrella, as long as they follow the ancient charges, lets unite and be stronger as a united brotherhood. No one would get hurt and no one's sytem would be cheapened or mean less?<BR/>we all can get along!<BR/>Masonry has a shrouded history, embrace it and lets all move on as a brotherhood.<BR/>I just hope a schism does not form over dues not going to a GL for "recognition"Tubal Cainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00704479584240584425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30515586.post-1155071032434945672006-08-08T14:03:00.000-07:002006-08-08T14:03:00.000-07:00I expect the same thing to happen with "The Solomo...I expect the same thing to happen with "The Solomon Key" as what happened with the DaVinci Code.<BR/><BR/>It will spawn a huge media storm of books and TV specials trying to set out the 'real truth' about Freemasonry.<BR/><BR/>His book will, no doubt, point out that many famous men in the American Revolution were Freemasons.<BR/><BR/>When the TV specials and books come out, they will have to admit that this is, in fact, true.<BR/><BR/>For the general public to be made aware of the importance of Enlightenment thought (and how these ideas flourished under Freemasonry) ultimately shaped the formation of our nation is a really good thing.<BR/><BR/>Finally, when someone attempts to discover the 'truth' about these dastardly Freemasons and, instead, finds out all of the good we try to accomplish in the community that will be a welcome examination as well.<BR/><BR/>In the end, those who enjoy conspiratorial thought will continue to enjoy it. This is a kind of logic where the lack of evidence that supports your position is usually touted as evidence that they are right.<BR/><BR/>You can't combat that kind of stupidity any day of the week.<BR/><BR/>I see this glass as far more than half-full.<BR/><BR/>I have already purchased and read one book that was written to 'pre-bunk' "The Solomon's Key" and it was largely wholly positive.John W. Ratcliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13580494289034594888noreply@blogger.com