by Midnight Freemasons Founder
Todd E. Creason
I thought I'd share a random email. I just never know what I'm going to get from day to day. Every once in awhile, I get one like this--from that group known to all as the "Masonic conspiracy theorists." A friend of mine calls them "secret squirrels."
Dear Mr. Creason (if that is your real name),
I thought I would let you know that as a 33rd Degree Mason, and one of your Godless organization's most prolific and skilled disseminators of disinformation about Freemasonry, your act is transparent. Most people know that Freemasonry is really the public front of the Illuminati, which is an evil organization dedicated to the destruction of our society for the profit and power of an elite few. Like you.
E.M.I was truly shocked--I didn't know what to say. Finally I answered.
Dear E. M.
I can't believe what you just said to me. I'm a 33rd Degree Mason? I had no idea! All these years, I've been wearing this ring upside-down! I turned it over, and you're absolutely right--it does say "33". All this time I thought I was an "EE." Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Sincerely,
Todd E. CreasonOddly enough, I haven't heard anything back . . .
~TEC
Todd E. Creason, 33°, FMLR is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and is a regular contributor. He is the award winning author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is the author of the From Labor to Refreshment blog. He is the Worshipful Master of Homer Lodge No. 199 and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754, where is currently serves as Secretary. He is the Sovereign Master of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research. (FMLR) and a charter member of a new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter U.D. You can contact him at: webmaster@toddcreason.org
Whenever I'm confronted by someone challenging the intentions of Freemasonry, in my mind I always prepare my response with this foundation premise: "Freemasonry isn't for everyone."
ReplyDeleteThis helps to remind me, when I'm up to my waist in alligators, that my purpose is to drain the swamp!
I inform my correspondent:
"The origins of Freemasonry, and its modern purpose, is founded on the idea that God commends men of various faiths when they join together for the purpose of honoring Him."
"If you, my dear sir (i.e. conspiracy-theorist nut job), are opposed to men of various religions joining together for this purpose, then obviously you are not qualified to be a member
of this fraternity of men, nor even to comment on our work
under God's providence."
There is no way we Freemasons should feel the need to respond to every conspiracy accusation. But we *should* feel comfortable with a simple and concise rejoinder that focuses the problem where it belongs: on the beliefs of the accuser.
If he favors multi-denominational gatherings and events, the odds are much lower that he will be drawn to these controversies. But there is always a few that really don't have a good idea of what Freemasonry is, except what they read quoted from the conspiracy blogs!
That's a very reasoned response. I used to try and educate people that sent me emails like that, but after nearly a decade now, I've learned they aren't interested in learning anything, and you can't sway their views. They are trying to get you to react, with the purpose in mind of using what you say against you. So on the rare occasion I do respond these days, I usually have a little fun with it. As I said, I don't very often anymore. What you'll find if you try and educate these individuals is your response to that email changed and posted on a conspiracy website, and in that email, you'll discover your eloquent answer has now been changed to where you admit to everything these conspiracy theorists say is true about Freemasonry. When I do respond, I do so humorously, and then I generally will repost it on my website so their is no question about what I said. But it is best to ignore emails and comments like these.
DeleteAgreed! The great bulk of postings charging conspiracies are by people who will NEVER EVER change their viewpoint.
DeleteWhat I was disappointed by was a Catholic Ex-Freemason being interviewed for a television documentary ... who criticized the Craft because of the superficial appearance of the ancient and traditional requirement to be divested of all things metal.
Right there on national TV, a man who should have known perfectly well why he was being divested, was boo-hooing that we were trying to get him to forget his wife (no wedding ring) and his religion (no pendant with the crucified Jesus). I have to suspect his motivations for joining in the first place. How did his education on this point elude him? I don't think it did. I think he was planning to embarrass the Craft with whatever he could find. And that was the best he could do!
The documentary did *not* provide an opportunity for the explanation behind divesting. Bah! Humbug!
I normally just ignore the conspiracy nuts as I know most of what I would say to them would go in one ear and out the other. And or i would hear the classic, " your just not high enough in the cabal, or whatever". I mostly see them as harmless, until resently. My girlfriend is very proud of the work that i have done in the craft and talks about it with her co-workers. None of whom are freemason. I do not help the matter when i wear my ring in to get lunch from time to time. Most of her do workers did not seem to care or mind until one malcontent decided to try something. when my girlfriend who is the manager ordered the man to do some cleaning, he imidiatly told her "No, I do not take orders from Lucifer." My girlfriend is the most christian woman I know so when she was called Lucifer she came home in tears. I do not know what to do. sadly this is the only thing wrong with this gentalman so the upper management dose not want to upset him by confronting him on his insubordinate and intolerant remark. ~James Ferguson Lancaster Lodge # 54 Nebraska
ReplyDelete