Send a condolence letter to Newtown

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An employee of mine suggested that we send a letter of condolence to the people of Newtown and those affected by the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I thought it was a good idea. 

Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
P.O. Box 3700
Newtown, CT 06470

It is an easy thing to do, and a good idea. 

On another note, my son's school called while I was making this post to tell me about their emergency response plans. I don't' think we had those when I was a kid. 

I give you… Baptist Nutball Sam Morris

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Baptist pastor Sam Morris made the news this week because of his mouth. He let it spew hatred in public. The world too note of his idiocy. Key points follow:

• Public schools are "mind-control centers." 
• Public schools teach "junk about evolution." 
• Public schools teach "how to be a homo." 
• He thinks all this is about gun control. 
• Called equal rights a "sham" and equated it with "equal immorality." 
• Claimed Adam Lanza was taught that he was a God in public school. 
• Suggested we publicly mutilate the body of Adam Lanza. 
• Morris wants revenge against a dead man.
• Conflated mass murder with his political position on abortion. 
• Ranted on gun control while claiming that mass shootings never take place at gun shows which suggests that if school teachers were armed it would have prevented the shooting. 
• Blamed the shooting on kicking God out of public schools. 
• Called public school "government school." 
• Said that evolution teaches us that we are animals, so we can act like animals. 
• Suggested that public schools teach you to rebel against your parents.

Source: Tennessee pastor: Mass shootings because schools teach evolution and ‘how to be a homo’

All this tripe from a pastor in response to a mass murder. I listened to his words in disbelieve. Where is the love of Christ in this message of paranoia and hate? How is this Christianity? How is Pastor Morris a role model or a leader of sane people? Not only are his words political rhetoric and full of vitriol, they are universally the words of a ranting nutball… except from maybe the part about no mass murders at gun shows. He also suggested that there had never been a shooting at gun show. Ten seconds on the internet proves that wrong. 

Pastor Sam Morris preaches at Old Paths Baptist Church. Does Morris actually preach? You be the judge.

I always spend a little time looking at the education of blowhards like Morris. He claims to have a Doctorate of Divinity in 2011 from Historic Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, in Scarborough, Ontario. (Which is actually an unaccredited school located in a church.) The school website does not offer PhD programs. And get this, the school gives women a different degree then men for the same course of study. Morris sounds "highly" educated. 

Is this what being a Christian is all about? Is it simply a collection of paranoia, fear, hatred, and contempt for the truth? Where is the love? Where is the sympathy for the victims of this horrible tragedy?

Pastor Otis Jetter arrested

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Baptist pastor Otis Jetter, 70, was arrested on multiple warrants for child molestation. 

The charges we made my a man in his 20s. The abuse allegedly took place when the victim was a boy. 

A man in his 20s came forward with allegations that Jetter molested him as a boy after seeing Jetter with another boy at church. He worried the boy might be in the same situation.

Jetter,  was the pastor of Pilgrim Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. 

Pastor Wiley Jackson indicted

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Okay guys, here is my plan. We start a church. We build membership by acting the way a pastor/christian should act while promoting the prosperity doctrine because that brings in the poor folks. Then, when we've got them on their knees praying to God for wealth, we prey on the weak and infirm. Rich I tell you! We will be rich!

That's how the scam works folks.

According to DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James, the leader of Gospel Tabernacle Church recruited members to buy shares in an unregistered company called Genesis, LLC. James said neither brother was licensed by the state to sell securities.

"Some people lost a lot of money," said James.

CBS Atlanta News first reported on the alleged investment scheme in 2010, when two investors accused their former pastor of taking thousands of dollars.

According to the indictment, Abbey Shanks of Locust Grove lost $10,000 when she invested in Genesis in 2002.

Source: Megachurch pastor Wiley Jackson, brother indicted for securities fraud

Pastor Wiley runs the mega church the Gospel Tabernacle Church in Atlanta. 

Ten tips to prevent losing all your money to a pastor

Tip #1 - Never trust a pastor named "Wiley"

Tip #2 - Never trust a pastor that drives a Bently

Tip #3 - Never let your pastor invest your money

Tip #4 - All investments carries risk

Tip #5 - Judge a pastor by how he handles his own money

Tip #6 - Go read the bible about Jesus and the money changers (there was a message in the text)

Tip #7 - Fire your pastor if he starts a business that targets his flock (it's called a fleecing for a reason)

Tip #8 - Find another church if your pastor preaches the prosperity doctrine 

Tip #9  - If you are attending a mega church you are doing Christianity wrong

Tip #10 - Read this blog. 

These cases crack me up. How can anybody be so dumb as to listen to a man like this and then give him your hard-earned savings? It defies credulity. 

My favorite gifts

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I was asked an odd question by a long-time friend the other day. He asked, 'Joe, what are your favorite gifts?" I say odd because I don't really like the gift recieving part of the holidays, and he knows it. I enjoyed getting gifts as a child, but as an adult things got a little weird when I realized how much effort went into the whole commercialized Christmas thing. Besides the negative aspics of over shopping in December, I think the reason I'm off gifts is that most gifts are just not something I'm interested in. Be it well-meaning ties or manicure sets, gifts like this all seem like a waste of time and money. My wife and kids usually mange to nail it though. Take this year for example. They kept it small and simple. I love the Innova Boss disc my son gave me, and the gaming mouse from my wife too. They were both small and practical gifts, which are perfect in my book. Plus, they did not waste hours inside a mall shopping for that perfect gift.

I would rather give a good small gift; like something I've made or something that reflects our shared connections, than the lasted tech toy or bauble. As for friend-to-friend gift giving. I'd rather share a meal and a few beers and call it done. Still, I wanted to answer my friend, so this is what I told him.

1. Books: I am a reader. Nothing pleases me more that the gift of a book. My mom gave me the collected works of Edgar Allen Poe last night. Talk about perfect. I'll read it the rest of my life. Books are a great gift. Plus, I keep them in my ever-growing library. 

2. Knives: I love a good knife. I have a good-sized collection, but the gift of a new knife is always appreciated. Take my simple Frontier U.S.A pocket knife. A friend spent $25 on it as a birthday gift 10-years ago. I've carried it, or had it close, ever since. It's practical and if cared for, will last me a lifetime. 

3. Discs: I play disc golf. Discs are inexpensive and always appreciated. They don't last forever… I hit a lot of trees, but they are practical and will see a lot of use. 

4. Scotch & Cigars - What can I say, I like scotch and a good cigar. 

Part of my disapproval of large scale holiday gift giving is the spectacle. I watch the madness associated with Black Friday and the endless mall parking lots full of frenzied shoppers and think, why am I participating in the mass crassness? My idea of a Holliday celebration is what I did last night and what I will do again in a few hours. Last night, we cooked a prime rib roast and some Hobbit inspired side dishes for our parents. We talked and ate until the old folks needed to go home for the night. Tonight, I will do the same at a family party with 70 of my closest relatives. I'll eat and talk until I'm too tied to do it any more, and then I'll call it a night. A few small gifts will change hands too. If I'm lucky I'll get a book or some booze. 

Happy holidays folks and keep it simple. 

Mojoey

Hypocrisy level mind blowing

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I track clergy misconduct under the labels Hypocrisy Watch and Clergy Sexual Abuse. Hypocrisy Watch has over 1,445 entries. Clergy Sexual Abuse has over 530 entries. Most of these stories focus on clergy doing decidedly non-Christian acts, some of which are heinous in nature, like child molestation and murder. Every year or two a storied comes across my desk that is simply mind blowing. Like this one from tipster spritgn… Deacon removed after child porn charges.

MONTREAL — A prominent West Island deacon — who used to comment on church sexual abuse scandals — is expected to appear in court on Monday after being charged on the weekend with the production and distribution of child pornography.

William Kokesch, a 65-year-old deacon of St. Edmund of Canterbury Parish in Beaconsfield, was arrested Friday after police carried out two search warrants — one at his home in Pointe Claire and the other at the church.

Deacon William Kokesch is a hypocrite. The word hypocrite barely touches the level of depravity involved in this man's alleged crimes. He was known for officially criticizing pedophiles and clergy sexual abuse, yet he was charged with making and distributing child pornography. I mean… what the fuck?

Kokesch is another example of a member of Catholic church, criticizing the clergy sexual abuse scandal while allegedly living a double life focused on abusing children. Did I mention he worked with children? Kokesch also advised the pope. It is simply mind blowing. Kokesch is a real player in the Catholic church and is often sough out for media interviews to comment on clergy sexual abuse. He's also an ordained official of the Catholic church. He is not a priest, but is something known as a "permanent deacon".

Kokesch, who was ordained as a “permanent deacon” in the diocese of Montreal in 1981, then served as the communications director for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in Ottawa. In 2005, he was entrusted by the conference to coordinate the Canadian delegation to World Youth Day Catholic celebrations in Cologne, Germany.

The Catholic church needs a purge and a do over. I don't see how anything they say can be trusted. They have lost their moral imperative (if they ever had one).

Related articles

• Catholic deacon charged with making and distributing child pornography after police seize 2,000 images from his Montreal home (news.nationalpost.com)
• Churchgoers mum on deacon charged with producing child porn (sunnewsnetwork.ca)
• MONTREAL: Catholic Deacon Busted For Child Porn Production & Distribution (joemygod.blogspot.com)

Senator Mike Crapo arrested for DUI

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Republican Senator Mike Crapo was arrested for DUI on December 23, 2012 in Alexandria, Virginia. While driving under the influence, he ran a red light which caused the local police to pull him over. He failed a field sobriety test with a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent. Crapo, a Mormon, was caught doing something reckless and shameful. His arrest was a surprise as he is respected in his home state of Idaho for being a man of virtue, but we know all about men of virtue here on Deep Thoughts. They tend to fall rather hard. 

Mike Crapo caught my attention because he is a Mormon bishop and should not drink at all, plus he is a Republican Senator, which normally means his done his fair share of moral lawmaking. People like Mike Crapo sit on a moral bubble. When the bubble pops, I want to know the story. I judge others by what they do. I'll judge Mike Crapo by what he does in the aftermath of his mistake. You should too. 

Prior to his arrest, Crapo was simply a political opponent. As the 39th most senior Senator, he had amassed some influential committee assignments, including the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Finance. He may end up as the top Republican on tthe Senate Banking Committee next year, plus he was a member of the Gang of Six. Crapo is a player in the Republican party. He’s not a leader yet, but a solid foot soldier on his way to the top. When a foot shoulder in the war for the hearts and minds of Americans falters, it gets my attention. We should notice this type of character flaw. It tells us a lot about how he will lead in the future.

Mike Crapo published an apology:

“I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance. I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter." It is a rare thing to see a real apology, but that is what this is. Crapo admits his mistake, apologizes for it, and promises to take responsibility."

Mike Crapo is being compared to Larry Craig because it is a rare thing to see the arrest of a United States Senator and people want a frame of reference. I don’t buy into the Christian notion that all sins are equal in the eyes of God. Some crimes can and often do result in the death others. A high school friend of mine in doing 12 year in prison for driving drunk… and killing a man in a traffic accident. The difference between my friend and Mike Crapo is simply that the police caught Crapo before he could kill anyone. Comparing Crapo to Craig is not possible. Sex does not kill. The Idaho Statesmen would like us to believe is it is a simple mistake and not a horrible sexual misstep like the that of Larry Craig. 

One mistake does not erase an otherwise honorable career. It’s a good guess that the embarrassment anybody might feel for him is nothing compared with the embarrassment he feels for himself. It’s bad enough that Crapo has to explain himself to his wife and family. It’s worse when he has to explain himself to 1.6 million constituents, many of whom have viewed Crapo as an example of what American politics should be about.

On the other hand, both Crapo and Craig failed as leaders within their political movement. Craig lived a lie and that lie eventually cost him his reputation and power. Crapo is caught in the same trap. His public fail is both criminal wrongdoing and a moral falling. Who will trust a man who stakes his public reputation on his religion and from abstinence from alcohol? The right answer is nobody. Who will trust a man who cannot control himself? The right answer is nobody. I don't see much of a difference between the impulse control problem of gay sex in a public bathroom and the self control problem if drinking too much and driving. Contrition, rehabilitation, and some serious soul searching are in order Mike Crapo and not the slap on the wrist that is sure to follow.

Do we cut Senator Mke Crapo a second chance? I would, but only after he pays his debt to society. 

More counts for youth pastor Gregory Forehand

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I first reported on youth pastor Gregory Forehand when he was arrested last August. At the time of his arrest he was the youth pastor at Real LIfe Christian Church in Chesapeake. Nothing had been posted about the case since his arrest, but a short news story provided some interesting new information. It seems Forehand may be a serial child molester as there are now three victims. He was indicted this week on five counts of custodial indecent liberties with three different victims. More to follow…

Youth pastor Dennis Myers indicted

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The formula is simple. Take one youth pastor and then add unfettered access to children. Something snaps. The result can be everything from texting to child molestation, plus everything in between. I read about it every day.

Take Dennis W. Myers, the former youth pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Independence, Mo. Myers was named in a three-count indictment. Myers is 52 and had worked as a youth pastor at two or more churches. Now he's accused of possessing child pornography. Good grief…

Dennis W. Myers, 52, is named in a three-count indictment that includes charges of viewing, receiving and possessing child pornography last year.

Investigators said he knowingly received a video file of a minor engaged in sexually explicit acts on April 13, 2011. They said that on Sept. 15, 2011, he was found to be in possession of at least one item of child pornography.

Read more: Ex youth pastor indicted in child porn case

Child porn is gross. Youth pastors who partake of child porn are scum.  It's pretty simple. If guilty, the bastard needs to sit in a prison cell with bubba for a few years.  It is Missouri after all, I am surprised that they have not run the guy out of town on a rail, or at least send him off to prison. 

Gun control, libertarians and a first step towards sanity

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I think it is well established that I am both an atheist and a libertarian. I should clarify that I'm a little "L" libertarian rather than a big "L" party hack. We share some things in common, but for the most part we do not agree on tactics or on our approach to politics.

What do I believe? I believe that responsible citizens should have the right to keep and bear arms. I am a responsible gun owner. I cannot conceive of a reason why I would need to surrender my gun or make purchasing another gun burdensome. That does not mean I would appose regulation of guns and gun ownership, quite the contrary. I believe our laws help keep us safe and effective enforcement of just laws are necessary, but not the only way,  to reduce the incidence of gun violence. 

The Libertarian position opposes all control, even bans on assault-style semiautomatic weapons.

Foolish politicians and police now seek to ban semi-automatic "assault rifles". They ignore the fact that only honest citizens will comply; criminals will still have them. Such a ban will only increase the criminals' ability to victimize the innocent.

Of course, we know these arguments to represent an extreme negotiation point. They are stating a position that is the most conservative to begin bargaining (as if they have influence), instead of looking for a solution to gun violence via all vectors, they instead exclude any control that would limit access to, or ownership of, guns. Their position is intractable and is unpalatable to the vast majority of Americans. The Libertarians claim to be the "Party of Ideas", but what they often represent is bad ideas. Universal gun ownership appeals to a minority of the population for a reason. It does not work. People are dying and our children are being slaughtered. Voicing a position that supports the widest possible gun ownership is so out of sync with reality as to be considered laughable. There is a better way. 

The real question is how do we assure a citizen's right to own guns while maximizing efforts to reduce gun violence? 

I have a suggestion here too. Let's start by putting an executive in charge of the A.T.F. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (ATF), the federal agency responsible for enforcing gun laws, has for years been choked by legislative restrictions that keep it from functioning efficiently, according to a report from The New York Times. The bureau also suffers from a six-year vacancy of its director’s seat.

Let start with leadership. We can climb the next hill when we finish the first.

'Remember the beginning! Prince Hall plates!', by Bro. Derek Gordon

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The following is by Bro. Derek Gordon.

Remember the beginning! Prince Hall plates!

by Bro. Derek Gordon

Someone asked how this whole mess began. So, I thought it would be best to remind people. The issue began with the ARGL barring Masons from purchasing Arkansas license plates because of Prince Hall being involved in their creation. I posted a note on Sebastian Lodge’s website to spread the word as the Letter required; I added a note that we did not condone the Letter because it stunk with racial undertones.

Many writers and bloggers saw this and copied our text in their articles. This sent the ARGL into a major defensive posture, something the ARGL can never be forced to take because it is too righteous. In retaliation, the whole issue with me started. Their latest and greatest charge is that I posted secret Masonic ciphers on the Sebastian Lodge website. In fact, should that have occurred, all data on the website came from the ARGL website and websites it linked to. By the way, they removed their website because so many bloggers mentioned this obvious connection.

But one thing is for certain: ARGL and Grand Master Warren will continue to deny that race has any part in their actions. BUT, this problem came from a racial letter sent out by ARGL. If it was not for that, there would be no action against me.

The website was known to ARGL prior to the RACIAL incident. I spoke with Grand Secretary James Weatherall requesting a link to be made to the site. I wanted him to let me know if content wasn’t acceptable. This of course was in the summer of 2009. Other comments were made throughout the rest of that calendar year. No problems, no complaints. But, amazingly enough the ARGL now has a cause of action against me AFTER the RACIAL incident.

I wonder, did they want to hold onto a cause of action in case it was ever needed? Is this how a Grand Lodge operates to make sure it can remove its dissidents? The ARGL has had its opportunity to make peace with the matter, but there is no desire on their part to resolve this matter in an ethical and moral fashion.

Want to really see how this unraveled? Take an open-minded approach by viewing some of the most prominent articles and blogs that kicked off the ARGL’s attack against me:

http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/02/arkansas-masons-forbidden-from-buying.html
http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2010/02/masonic-license-plates-in-arkansas.html
http://www.speculativemason.com/node/370
http://www.masonsoftexas.com/showthread.php/10670-Arkansas-masonic-liscense-plates?language=tl
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2010/03/grand-masters-ruling-hurtful/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/03/grand-lodge-of-arkansas-pulls-charter.html
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2010/03/collateral-damage-the-aftermath-of-the-arkansas-license-plate-scandal/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/03/gl-of-ars-letter-to-bro-derek-gordon.html
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/04/tell-grand-lodge-of-arkansas-what-you.html
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/04/text-of-letter-from-gm-of-arkansas.html
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2010/04/the-handshake-of-expulsion/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/04/handshake-of-expulsion.html
http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2010/04/mainstream-masonry-shooting-itself-in-the-foot/
http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/04/searching-for-light-in-arkansas-night.html

Masons | Masonic Trial | Small Town Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Arkansas | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Not your grandfather's Freemasonry

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Bro. Fred Milliken has written an excellent piece titled "I Resign."

Though the information presented about Bro. Derek Gordon's ordeal with the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is interesting and enlightening, the real meat to the article is Bro. Fred's summary:

1. This is no longer your Grandfather’s Chevrolet... er, Grand Lodge. Freemasonry must stop living in the past as West Virginia and Arkansas are doing. Instead it needs to adapt to the mores of present day society.


2. Running a closed society that allows no freedom of expression and muzzles its members is antithetical to Freemasonry of the Enlightenment.


3. Operating a society with laws, rules and regulations that conflict with civil law and civil rights is not only not in the spirit of Freemasonry but also blatantly immoral.


4. An organization in this day and age, especially a nonprofit volunteer one, cannot realistically force a person against his will to remain a member. It should be the option of any Freemason to simply resign from any Grand Lodge.


5. Making up silly and vindictive rules such as prohibiting members from using the Internet or any electronic means to discuss Freemasonry is unbecoming and un-Masonic.


6. It’s been almost 50 years since Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement transformed America. It is past time that Grand Lodges reflected that change.


7. It is painfully evident that Grand Lodges can no longer operate as they have done in the past. This is the 21st century with new ways of looking at different lifestyles and morality. Grand Lodges are now in a public-private partnership yet they refuse to recognize their duty to civil law and their new commitments. Failure of Freemasonry to operate within the framework of present day moral, societal and political civil practice could be very costly to the Craft.

Bro. Fred makes some excellent points. Read the entire article.

Masons | Masonic Trial | Derek Gordon | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Arkansas | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

'One battle over, but the war continues,' by Bro. Derek Gordon

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The following is reprinted from the website of Bro. Derek Gordon.

One Battle Is Over, But The War Is Not

A great man and Mason, who was overshadowed by the three-term Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, stated: “Carry the battle to them. Don’t let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don’t ever apologize for anything.” Harry S. Truman, a native of Missouri, was not from a political elite family. In fact, this pivotal man came from a farming family. He achieved an end to World War II after approving the use of two nuclear weapons on the Rising Sun of the Empire of Japan.

Many of us don’t realize how much power we have by defying the status quo and standing up for what’s right in life. We come from all sorts of families; I grew up in a blue-collar household. Certainly, we don’t grow up thinking we can drop a figurative nuclear weapon. But, there are times when each one of us must stand strong to shine that bright spotlight on those harming what we all stand for.

However, when we are leading a resistance, it is futile to continue a long battle that will continue to degrade into a slanderous quagmire. There would be nothing to gain from doing so. And, it would hinder one’s own desire to introduce change of disgusting policies designed to destroy those who defy the corrupt leaders; and it would bring about a notion that the fight isn’t as righteous as it truly is.

I stood down against the Arkansas Oligarchy in an effort to allow change to foster. Unfortunately for the time being, the reaction from the leadership is to portray me as a liar, a cheat, and a scoundrel. Some will believe their shallow attempts, but many will see the holes in the points they make. Every comment I made I offered proof. Each comment their cronies made have been backed up with more libelous statements.

A post below discussed that I resigned and did not expel myself. Accusations are rampant that I hid information. I would appreciate it if the oligarchy would provide the documentation. Further, I requested written documentation from the U.S.P.S. that there were not attempted deliveries between April 14th, 2010 and May 3rd, 2010. A phone call confirmed this; however, I feel such documentation added atop my continually-growing pile would be a wonderful addition.

The war against the evil lurking at 700 Scott St. in Little Rock will continue as the deep-rooted unprofessional ideologies are perpetuated by the leadership. There are many more abused Arkansas Masons who are just realizing how important it is to speak out. Once again, I point to the article detailing my life as a Mason in Arkansas and the provided phone logs. I’ve tried civil and professional means and have continually offered to let the issue end. I tell you, Grand Lodge, you still are playing a game that you miscalculate and under appreciate the importance of. I challenge those in charge to meet on neutral ground to end the matter professionally, orderly, and most important, as Masons “meeting on the level” would expect.

“It is important to fight, and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay, though never quite eradicated.” — Albus Dumbledore; J.K. Rowling, The Half-blood Prince

Masons | Masonic Trial | Derek Gordon | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Arkansas | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Is Freemasonry 'just as good' as Christianity?

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The Burning Taper received the following email a few days ago. Anyone like to take a shot at answering this woman's questions?

sir, as a Christian I've always been troubled with the mason being "yoked"as it would seem to non believers, which (to me) would give the non believer the inference that his religion is just as good as Christianity. The "all roads lead to the top" line would sorta fit in that category also would it not?.. Unless Jesus lied, His way is the only way to heaven, so why would the Craft allow the impression that there's more than one way? As such, how could a Christian remain in the bond with non believers without abandoning his stance on wittnessing,contending for the faith etc.?? curious.Appreciate any response. Because late in life my uncles ,for instance, finally had great difficulty remaining in the lodge ,especially, after their dedication to the church/knowledge increased.

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Guess who's coming to dinner?

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It seems many rank-and-file Masons, in many locales, are becoming more and more fed up with the actions of Grand Lodge leaders.

This short article was sent to The Burning Taper recently. The author wishes to remain anonymous, for fear of retribution for reporting events and expressing his opinion.

Arizona Grand Lodge Annual Communication began with the Royal Banquet on Wednesday evening, June 2, 2010 prior to the official opening of proceedings on Thursday morning.

The Head Table consisted of Arizona Grand Lodge officers and their wives. Seated near them were the visiting dignitaries representing various Masonic grand lodge jurisidictions. There were 13 listed on the list handed out to all attending members. Most were "line" officers representing their State or jurisdiction with two currently sitting grand masters.

The two grand masters attending the Banquet were Most Worshipful Martin E. Warren, Grand Master of Masons from the Grand Lodge, F&AM of Arkansas, and Most Worshipful Lewis R. Brent, Grand Master of Masons from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arizona. They were not seated at the same table.

When the Grand Lodge opened in Due Form in the 3rd Degree on Thursday morning the MW Lewis R. Brent from Prince Hall was present, but the MW Martin E. Warren was conspicuously absent. He was not seen in any of the subsequent tiled lodge meetings all day Friday or on Saturday.

It is the custom of the Grand Lodge that, when a pedestal officer (Grand Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden) leave their stations during the proceedings that they place the Jewel of their office on one of the brothers in the room.

Several times during the proceedings on both days, the Senior Grand Warden Brook Cunningbrook chose a highly decorated Phoenix policeman, who is a member of one of the Arizona F&AM lodges and had been shot in the line of duty, to sit high on the chair located on a pedestal in the West to replace him temporarily. He is black.

There were two other black members of Arizona F&AM lodges present and the Senior Grand Warden had them also replace him in the West. It is quite an honor to do this.

In this case, in my opinion anyway, it was kind of an "in your face" type of gesture to some of the members of the Arizona jurisdiction who have moved to Arizona from one of the 10 states that do not recognize Prince Hall and have complained about having to sit in a lodge with a black man. Whether it was directed towards the Grand Master of Arkansas, I can only speculate.

What's interesting about this is that the Grand Master of Arkansas spent the money to fly to Arizona only to have dinner. Since it is customary for Grand Lodges to pay for the travel expenses of their grand masters, I wonder if the brethren of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas got their monies worth. Since he did not attend any of the business meetings by sitting in a tiled lodge with a black man but only attended the social functions, it seems to me that he spent a lot of money just for a free dinner and drinks, even if the cost came out of his own pocket.

This obviously was an example of the kind of “Imperial Leadership” prevalent in many jurisdictions and is not restricted to Arkansas alone.

Masons | Masonic Racism | Prince Hall Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of Arkansas| Grand Lodge of Arizona | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com