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Mike Martin
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Posted 14/09/2009 18:48:59
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Past Master
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In anticipation of another furore over one of Dan Brown's novels, the Masonic Society, the Masonic Service Association of North America and the George Washington National Masonic Memorial of USA have collaborated on a new website that will address the references to Freemasonry found in Brown's new book, "The Lost Symbol": http://www.freemasonlostsymbol.com/ The website is being provided for the use of Lodges and Grand Lodges to provide factual information to the public and the press, and as a central location for common questions and answers that will arise once the book is officially released on 15th September. The desire of TMS, MSANA and the GWNMM is to inform the public and Freemasons themselves about the references to the fraternity in the book, and to keep us all from reinventing the wheel for hundreds of websites. The site also contains a link to a recommended reading list, as well as to a master list of USA grand lodge websites.
MikeMersey Lodge No. 5434 WebsiteThe Freemasons'''' Grand Charity WebsiteSee my BALLS here
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DHS
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Posted 15/09/2009 09:53:33
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Surely if "we" want to set the record straight we need to avoid politician-speak like the answer to point 8. There is neither denial nor explanation in that answer, just fodder for the anti-masonic brigade.
8. The opening pages of “The Lost Symbol” describe a 33rd degree Scottish Rite ritual ceremony. Do Masons really drink out of skulls?
The skull has appeared for centuries as a common symbol of mortality, not only in various degrees of Masonic ritual, but in many other fraternal and religious organizations. The specific ceremony described by Brown in the prologue of The Lost Symbol appears to be adapted from a sensationalized exposé, Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated, published in 1887 by the Reverend John Blanchard. Blanchard's description of the 33rd degree has been repeated by many anti-Masonic authors over the years, even though it is not accurate.
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dp
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Posted 15/09/2009 10:27:17
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Oh please don't tell me that the opening of this book and ergo the upcoming film will have Freemasons drinking out of skulls... :angry:
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Nosameerf
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Posted 15/09/2009 11:04:48
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dp (15/09/2009)
Oh please don't tell me that the opening of this book and ergo the upcoming film will have Freemasons drinking out of skulls... :angry:
I know. Drinking out of a skull is disgusting and bad manners. Everyone knows we eat out of them! :D
Strength of manhood and beauty of spirit need combination. Masonry thus needs strength with gracefulness, stability with courtesy, and firmness with gentleness.
Sapere aude; incipe!
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lauderdale
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Posted 15/09/2009 11:18:14
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Although the Skull does feature in a couple of instances in Freemasonry, unless it is in a Degree or Order I am not in or far higher than I have as yet attained (or read about) I have never heard of one where members drink out of a skull. I do however remember one of the Episodes of "Bergerac" where his friend Charlie Hungerford is show taking part in a Ceremony for a Degree called "Noble Arch" in which he and the other Members are shown kissing a skull. I feel this was an invention of the author.
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bod
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Posted 15/09/2009 15:13:21
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And here is the view from Australia, via Reuters....when reading please remember to allow for the editorial imperfections which will always creep in....
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Author Dan Brown may have outraged the Vatican in "The Da Vinci Code," but his new book, "The Lost Symbol," is being welcomed by his latest subjects, the Freemasons.
Brown's novel, released on Tuesday, again features the fictional, mystery-solving Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, with the story taking place over a 12-hour period in Washington.
But while the fictional story lines about conspiracy and the Catholic Church in "The Da Vinci Code" caused an uproar among some Catholics and drew censure from the Vatican, a senior representative of the Freemasons in Australia called "The Lost Symbol" the work of a "terrific novelist."
"We are very pleased, there is nothing in this book that will offend my organization. It does give us the opportunity to open it up a bit," said Greg Levenston, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory for the Freemasons.
Levenston said the Freemasons were so excited about the book that they started a book club which will meet next week. "Of course the first book we are reviewing is The Lost Symbol, I think it's a wonderful start," he added.
Levenston was speaking to Reuters at a launch event in Sydney for the book, which will have a global English language first print run of 6.5 million copies -- the largest ever first print run by Random House, a unit of German media group Bertelsmann AG
Some booksellers are hoping "The Lost Symbol," and other new releases from bestselling authors such as Michael Crichton, will help revive an industry hit by the global economic downturn. Brown's "Da Vinci Code" has more than 81 million copies in print since its 2003 release, topping international bestseller lists.
Levenston said modern Freemasons are not as secretive as their predecessors, but said secret handshakes and special words are still used to help identify members as "men of trust."
"The secret handshakes certainly do still exist, but we don't roll up one trouser leg any longer. In the old days it was seen as a symbol of humility not for anything else," Levenston said.
Levenston revealed 10 of Australia's prime ministers were Freemasons, as well as legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman and veteran actor Charles Tingwell, who died earlier this year.
The history of Freemasonry, a fraternal organization, dates back to around the 16th century. There are approximately four to five million members worldwide.
(Editing by Miral Fahmy)
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Tom Cherup
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Posted 15/09/2009 17:51:13
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Brother_TJ
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Posted 15/09/2009 22:30:31
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I think we need to step up a bit on our Public Relations and send the bill to Mr. Brown.
.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·.·. Amethyst Lodge No. 2, Orient of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Isis Lodge No. 3, Orient of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...A.F.H.R.
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dp
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Posted 16/09/2009 17:24:38
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dp
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Posted 16/09/2009 18:00:48
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