For more information, see: Related Topics: |
For whatever reason, be it paranoia or in an attempt to besmirch the Fraternity, there are sometimes 'devils and demons' (or perhaps even those with whom the accuser does not agree) to whom Masonic membership is attributed - WRONGLY! On this page, we'll debunk some of the myths. Aleister Crowley - "The Great Beast" -
Masonry's detractors make much of the supposed Masonic membership of this
individual whose claims to immoral behavior are the antithesis of all that
Freemasonry holds dear. Their charges are buttressed by a popular
photograph of Crowley in regalia purporting to be a 33rd Degree Scottish
Rite Mason. What's the truth? Crowley joined a French Grand Lodge
which was unrecognized by 'mainstream' Freemasonry. In
fact, one of Crowley's well-known writings expresses his great disgust when
he wasn't acknowledged as a Mason by
those in London, his home at the time. Typical of his
ego-centric behavior, he writes that he was far superior to those Masons anyway! Subsequently, he was
ostensibly 'given' a
33rd Scottish Rite degree while traveling in Mexico. Once
again, however, the
organization that 'gave him'
the degree was a spurious one, totally
unrecognized by other Scottish Rite Bodies throughout the world.
Of course, denials are useless when anti-Masons are intent on pushing their hatred. Their answer to the above: "Prove that he isn't a Mason!" Our answer is, of course, that we can't prove a negative so if you assert that he's a Mason, show US the proof - and not just a bunch of hot air or cries that we're covering things up.
O These bloggers' assumptions were made without any knowledge whatsoever of the facts and, like the passing along of the tale that President Obama is a Mason (he's NOT), simply makes the fraternity look foolish at best and completely uncaring at worst. How could a Mason let a Brother fall into such a horrid pit? Some bloggers, though, in an effort to spur 'referral revenue' have - in our opinion - simply put their fingers in gear before engaging their brain. It doesn't matter what the facts are, as long as the sensationalism will draw 'hits' it seems. The simple fact is that Mr. Lupoe has not been shown to be a member of any regular/recognized Masonic body. The Grand Lodge of California has categorically stated that he is not a member there and as this page is written, we await citable confirmation of the same from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California. So why would such a phrase be added to a suicide note? We believe that when the facts come out there won't be a definite answer. Perhaps - like others - Mr. Lupoe saw the phrase on the internet. Who knows? Was he haunted by demons of 'new world order' domination? Did he think everyone who was 'out to get him' was a Mason? We may never know the answers to these questions. What can be said is that this tragic and senseless incident leaves one numb. We've placed the story here, not so much because Mr. Lupoe is 'infamous' - though killing six people would easily qualify for that moniker - but because, like many other assumptions made about Masonic membership, it's totally unprovable. Those who lost their lives, particularly the innocent children, are mourned.
Again we remind readers: it's essentially impossible to prove a negative. However, let's look at the facts:
So where did the claim of Masonic membership arise? We'll bet we know! It was first mentioned on the alt.freemasonry newsgroup on August 25, 1998 when a pseudonym who posted simultaneously under the name of "Raybert" and "TrueGspl" was angered by the a list of famous Freemasons and attempted to counter by listing a cacophony of world dictators, killers, etc. He referred to a "Timothy Levy". The reply from Mason Floyd Dennis asked if the poster meant McVeigh. You can read that message here. Kansan1225 also had made references to McVeigh as a CLuM - some sort of group who... well, check this page if you really want to. The first time that there was an actual claim to Masonic membership rather than simple trolling was, we believe, also on the alt.freemasonry newsgroup within a few minutes of McVeigh's execution. A message posted there from a troll using the title of "Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of North America" made the claim. Immediate challenge occurred and the poster's online history was only two days long! However, that's the way USENET works. It was a lie, plainly and simply - and even the most anti-Masonic person would have to admit how very unlikely it would have been for a young man such as McVeigh to have aligned himself with a bunch of people who didn't share either his youth or his anti-governmental ideas. Taking an oath to support the laws of his country and to try to be better each day is SO foreign to someone with the types of ideas that McVeigh espoused just 'doesn't wash'. Santa Anna - Mexican general, president and politician, known as the Napoleon of the West, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, he has been described using many words, most of which are quite unflattering. He commanded the army which slaughtered the defenders of the Alamo. Joseph E. Bennett in his excellent work "Masons Along the Rio Bravo" wrote this about Santa Anna: "During this tour of duty in Texas, <at San Antonio de Bexar as a young military officer of 21 to battle troublesome rebels for the next seven years> Santa Anna is thought to have become a Scottish Rite (Escoceses) Mason. His Masonic affiliations were tenuous to say the least. No Body or Lodge has ever acknowledged Santa Anna as a member. His claim to membership actually depends on the apron he claimed his own, plus the incidents in which he identified himself by the signs of recognition in use at that time. If indeed Santa Anna was a Freemason, he was the most reprehensible example of what one should be." (Brother Bennett's excellent book is certainly worth reading for the story of the Alamo defenders, Texas Rangers, and so much more. It was published by the Grand Lodge of Texas and may be available from them.)Malachi / Dwight / Michael Z. York - You'll find more about him and his 'Fake Masonry' here! Anyone else you can think of? Let us know....
|
This site and its contents are © (copyright) 1998-2014 by Edward L. King (Ed King). All rights reserved. All comments and opinions are mine personally. Got some thoughts or reactions?
We'd be interested in your comments - within reason of
course.
|