Crónicas da Polónia

Secret, discret ou ... paranoïaque? (ou la Franc-maçonnerie en Pologne)

Je me réfère, bien entendu, au Maçon, à sa condition de membre d’une Obédience, quelle qu’elle soit, et à sa manière de vivre la Maçonnerie dans le pays où il réside.

Pour moi, il existe principalement 4 situations distinctes :
- Les pays de tradition maçonniques, où l’on pratique les Rites mais sans ostentation particulière (France, Portugal, Suisse, Brésil, ...) ;
- Les pays anglo-saxons où la maçonnerie fait partie de la vie quotidienne (Grande Bretagne, USA, Australie, Nouvelle Zélande ...) ;
- Les pays gouvernés par des régimes totalitaires (ou autoritaires), avec qui la Franc-maçonnerie n’a jamais fait bon ménage (Chine, Russie, Egypte, Iran, ...) ;
- Enfin, les pays dominés par une religion d’Etat, et peu importe laquelle.

Parfois, deux situations cohabitent dans le même pays comme, par exemple, au Canada où, à l’entrée de la plupart des municipalités, un grand panneau affiche les logos de tous les organismes caritatifs de la ville et où l’on y voit, entre Lions et Rotary, l’Equerre et le Compas des Shriners. Vous me direz, aux Etats-Unis également mais, où j’en veux en venir avec le Canada, c’est qu’il y a une exception : le Québec. En effet, l’influence du clergé catholique est encore primordiale dans cette province et il serait préjudiciable de s’y faire reconnaître comme Maçon, au contraire du Canada anglo-saxon.

Pourquoi donc le clergé ? Revenons donc aux religions en général et à la mienne, le catholicisme, en particulier.

Même si notre Volume de la Loi sacrée est celui des grandes religions monothéistes, même si nous prêtons serment sur l’évangile de Jean, même si grand nombre d’ecclésiastiques ont appartenu, et appartiennent encore aujourd’hui, à la Franc-maçonnerie régulière, nous ne sommes pas en odeur de sainteté au Vatican.

Le grand reproche de l’Eglise catholique est qu’elle considère que la Maçonnerie propage le relativisme en matière religieuse, héritage du Siècle des Lumières, c'est-à-dire l'idée selon laquelle aucune religion ne serait supérieure à toutes les autres. D’où l’anathème lancé par Pie VII, en 1821, sur les Francs-maçons.

Je prends l’exemple de la Pologne, où je réside depuis plusieurs années. L’église catholique, sans être officiellement religion d’état ... l’est quasiment. Ne croyez pas que Karol Wojtyla est devenu Jean-Paul II para hasard. Ça a été la reconnaissance, par le conclave des Cardinaux, d’une église puissante qui, depuis des décennies, est présente dans les structures politiques et l’espace publique de l’état polonais à tel point que les associations laïques comparent la situation actuelle à la période de domination stalinienne.

Et c’est la présence permanente de l’église catholique dans tous les compartiments de la société qui fait que la maçonnerie est ce qu’elle est au pays de Frédéric Chopin.

La première loge a été créée en Pologne en 1730 (à une époque où la carrière des armes n’avait pas un caractère strictement national mais faisait que les soldats se mettaient au service de princes étrangers) sous la forme d'une association de gentilshommes et d'officiers polonais et pas seulement polonais.

Il convient de noter que, dès ses origines, la maçonnerie polonaise fut très ouverte, accueillit en son sein une majorité de maçons étrangers, intellectuels, notables ou militaires, et les travaux en Loge furent immédiatement organisés en langue française (ça, c’est pour mon ego)

En 1769, Varsovie devint la cinquième obédience indépendante après Paris (1728), Berlin (1744), la Haye (1756) et Stockholm (1760).

De cette époque à nos jours, les activités maçonniques en Pologne ont été secouées par les soubresauts dus aux multiples agressions qu’a dû subir l’intégrité de son territoire :

- Fin du XVIIIe siècle, la Pologne est rayée de la carte et totalement partagée par la Russie, l'Autriche et la Prusse. Seule la Prusse, qui occupe la région de Varsovie, tolère la maçonnerie. L'Autriche et la Russie prononcent son interdiction. ;

- Début du XIXe siècle, le Tsar Nicolas 1er, hostile à la Franc-maçonnerie, occupe militairement la Pologne ;

- Tout au long du XIXe siècle, la Pologne vit écartelée, une fois encore partagée entre la Russie, la Prusse (puis l'Allemagne) et l'Autriche. Durant cette période vont se radicaliser les milieux catholiques contre les Maçons à la suite de la publication de la Bulle papale Ecclesiam Jesus Christi, condamnant la maçonnerie ;

- À la fin de la première guerre mondiale, la Pologne recouvre sa souveraineté et, au bout de quelques années, 18 Loges regroupent environ quatre cents maçons actifs;

- Après le coup de force de 1930 contre les députés de l'opposition, un projet de Loi très répressif contre les francs-maçons est déposé. L'intention du pouvoir d'interdire la maçonnerie en Pologne culminera le 22 novembre 1938 : le décret d'interdiction est publié, les maçons poursuivis et interdits d'exercer dans la fonction publique ;

- L'invasion allemande du 1er septembre 1939 déclenche la Seconde Guerre mondiale. La Pologne est à nouveau partagée entre l'Allemagne nazie et son alliée de circonstance, l'Union Soviétique ;

- Après 1945, Le décret portant interdiction de la Franc-maçonnerie en Pologne, promulgué en 1938, n'a bien évidemment pas été abrogé lors de l'accession des communistes au pouvoir en Pologne et la Maçonnerie a été totalement mise en sommeil jusqu’en 1989 et la chute du mur de Berlin.

Lorsque je suis arrivé pour la première fois en Pologne, en 1997, j’ai pris contact avec la Maçonnerie locale et intégré la Loge La France. Si mes informations sont bonnes, environ 200 frères travaillaient à cette époque au sein de la Grande Loge Nationale de Pologne.

Remarquez qu’en 1924, le nombre de maçons était évalué à 400, donc la moitié moins, 75 ans plus tard.

Aujourd’hui, en avril 2009, et si mes informations sont toujours exactes, nous ne serions qu’un peu moins de 130 à appartenir à la GLNP, ce qui est vraiment peu pour un pays qui compte presque 40 millions d’habitants et, surtout, qui a une histoire maçonnique vieille de presque 3 siècles.

Pourquoi cette défection ? A cela, plusieurs raisons.

- Historiquement située au carrefour de plusieurs mondes, et dépourvue de frontières naturelles, la Pologne a toujours été extrêmement exposée aux invasions. Il suffit de constater ce qu’il s’est passé depuis la naissance de la maçonnerie, par exemple, pour s’apercevoir que la Pologne, entre 1772 et nos jours, n’a été réellement un pays souverain qu’une soixantaine d’années. Les réflexes d’auto-défense vis-à-vis d’un pouvoir, légitime ou non, sont toujours bien ancrés dans la mentalité polonaise ;

De plus, il existe une spécificité polonaise depuis le milieu du XVIIe siècle, lorsque la Pologne et la Lituanie formaient la République des Deux Nations, qui est le « Liberum Veto », j’interdis librement en latin. C’était un outil parlementaire qui autorisait n'importe quel député de la Diète polonaise à forcer un arrêt immédiat de la session en cours et annuler toutes décisions qui avaient été prises.

Si ce droit de veto a disparu avec l’annexion de la Pologne par la Russie, cette possibilité qu’auraient les Polonais de dire non est restée dans les mœurs. Plutôt qu’écouter fraternellement l’autre dans un esprit de dialogue, plutôt que de chercher à nourrir sa réflexion par la réflexion de l’autre, ou bien d’accepter avec une certaine humilité la complémentarité parfois de la réflexion de l’autre ou encore le bien fait de la remise en question d’une réflexion contraire, on dit : non ! Ce qui est la négation de la tolérance.

- Socialement, il faut savoir qu’un mot comme « bénévolat » n’existe pas dans la langue polonaise, on emploiera le mot «volontarius », dans le sens large « désigné volontaire d’office ». Le Polonais n’aime pas s’exposer. Il fuit les réunions, les rassemblements, les banquets, même les pique-niques ne trouvent pas grâce à leurs yeux. Alors, les assemblées de Maçons ... Même les agapes sont systématiquement ignorées, alors que l’ont sait l’importance fondamentale de recréer notre chaîne d’union à l’extérieur du Temple.

Une anecdote : une des premières planches tracée, après le réveil de la Maçonnerie en Pologne, avait comme sujet : si nos Frères Anglo-saxons ont le tablier noué sous leur veste, pourquoi pas nous ? Une manière comme une autre de dissimuler un peu plus l’appartenance à l’Ordre, même en Tenue de Loge ?

- Religieusement, l’Eglise Catholique a la main mise sur le pays. Et c’est une église radicale, pour ne pas dire fondamentaliste, dans la ligne pure et dure du Vatican. Pas la moindre concession, pas la moindre ouverture sur les sujets sensibles qui font débat. Et, en plus, complètement noyautée par l’Opus Dei. Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, en 1982, c’est Jean-Paul II qui donne à l’Opus Dei son statut juridique définitif en l’érigeant en prélature personnelle. Cet état de fait renforce, bien entendu, un sentiment antimaçonnique déjà présent dans les sphères du pouvoir et, par voie de conséquence, un sentiment d’insécurité chez nos frères.

Paranoïa ou non ?

Un exemple parmi tant d’autres, lors de la campagne présidentielle en 2005, la station intégriste catholique et antisémite Radio Maryja - qui supportait le candidat Lech Kaczynski (qui fut élu) - avait traité un concurrent de "franc-maçon" (sic)

Et pourquoi cette référence à la Franc-maçonnerie ? Tout simplement parce que la radicalisation de l’Eglise catholique en Pologne a permis l’éclosion de partis d’extrème-droite comme le parti « neo-pilsudkiste » national KPN ou le parti national-chrétien fondamentaliste, qui s’est mué en Ligue des Familles Polonaises à la fin des années 90, et qui n’a jamais caché son soutien aux groupuscules, ligues et autres « Jeunesses Pan-polonaises » dans leurs bruyantes manifestations contre les « pédés, les communistes et les féministes ».

Et quoi de plus naturel que de reprendre à leur compte la fumeuse théorie du « complot judéo-maçonnique » cher au National Socialisme allemand et au régime de Vichy.

Inquiétant, non ?

Ce que je vais écrire maintenant est pure vérité. Un de nos Frères, étranger travaillant dans une entreprise étrangère à Varsovie, n’a jamais communiqué le numéro de son portable, ni son adresse électronique. Pourquoi ?

Parce qu’il sait, et pour cause, que des logiciels performants ont été développés en Pologne, capables d’identifier des mots clefs comme maçon, loge, tenues, mais aussi communisme, avortement, homosexuel, etc, et qui permettent l’enregistrement automatique de conversations téléphoniques et/ou le copiage de courriels. Sans parler des « hackers » bien intentionnés, toujours prêts à s’immiscer dans des disques durs qui ne leurs appartiennent pas.

Qui a parlé de « chasse aux sorcières » ? Un rappel, nous sommes au XXIe siècle et la Pologne est membre de l’Union Européenne.

C’est pour tout cela que je suis persuadé que la Maçonnerie en Pologne restera ce qu’elle est aujourd’hui, marginale.

Bien sûr, il y aura toujours une poignée d’intellectuels, soutenus dans leurs efforts par la très grande diaspora polonaise que l'on retrouve principalement en France, aux États-Unis et en Grande Bretagne, qui auront à cœur de perpétrer les traditions de l’Art Royal, mais ce groupuscule de Frères aura les plus grandes difficultés a fédérer suffisamment de membres afin de donner au pays la Grande Loge que la Pologne pourrait mériter.

Tout est une question de mentalités.

Je tiens à préciser que ce texte ne reflète que ma propre vision de la Maçonnerie en Pologne et n’engage, bien entendu, que moi.

Jean-Pierre GRASSI

Da incapacidade de escrever um post coerente.

Os últimos tempos têm sido repletos de atribuições maçónicas, familiares, sociais, religiosas, e evidentemente profissionais. Isto tem feito com que o tempo escasseie e mas sobretudo que a capacidade criativa se restrinja a meia dúzia de linhas sem sentido.

Estava a digladiar-me com o 2º capítulo da série “ Da Loja”. E francamente estava a perder. As linhas não surgiam e o pouco que aparecia era sem nexo. O pior é que sei o que quero transmitir mas não consigo passá-lo ao papel.

Há fases assim.

É esperado de nós, os mais antigos, uma capacidade de produção quase sem limites. O nosso passado fez com que nos vissem como os que têm resposta para tudo, os que sabem tudo ou pelo menos mais.

Na verdade não sabemos tudo, e provavelmente não sabemos mais. Só temos mais experiência.

E por isso mesmo há que saber não combater guerras perdidas, pelo que fui buscar um fragmento produzido há muito tempo numa tentativa de escrever algo que não consegui.

“Acrescentar :

Que tem isto a ver com Maçonaria ?

Tem tudo ou nada, consoante queiramos ver as coisas por um ou outro prisma.

Se formos consultar os manuais nada ou quase nada aparece associado a acrescentar.

Ou seja nada nos diz que estamos a acrescentar o que quer que seja ao que quer que seja.

Na verdade acrescentar é um dos actos mais importantes pois, ao optarmos por uma via iniciática, optamos por um novo caminho que se sobrepõe ao que trilhamos até ai e o complementa.

Quando transmitimos os ensinamentos, acrescentamos algo de nós a esses mesmos ensinamentos, nem que seja as nossas próprias palavras ou as nossas asneiras.

Todos acrescentamos qualquer coisa mesmo que não tenhamos a noção disso.

Mas também somos acrescentados todos os dias como resultado da nossa interacção com o Mundo.

É costume usar a expressão “ os anos passam “. Talvez passem.

Mas eu creio que a expressão “ os anos ficam” é mais correcta. Todos somos o repositório do que vivemos e do que passámos. Esses acrescentos contínuos são a nossa base, que de inicio como tudo é frágil e que com o tempo se vai consolidando e fortalecendo e nos permite encarar os desafios e as realidades com outra segurança.

E a Maçonaria acrescenta ?

Como tudo!
Nuns casos sim e noutros não.”

Não sei bem que conclusão dar a esta arrazoado de palavras, mas creio que o melhor que posso fazer é afirmar que ter duvidas é seguramente uma prerrogativa dos Mestres e que é sempre preferível ir de derrota em derrota até à vitória final que de vitória em vitória até à derrota final.

Ou seja dias melhores virão e a inspiração e a capacidade de escrita reaparecerão.

José Ruah

Closed, Cloistered, Secret Sect Or Open, Fraternal, Society Partner

This article could have been titled “The Castration of Freemasonry, Part 2” but I have chosen a new title so that both articles can stand on their own separately, not that there won’t be a fair amount of repetition between the two. Somehow I just keep seeing more and more material related to this subject, almost if an angelic messenger was shoving new considerations under my nose.

The original article, Part 1, has been published by A Partir Pedra and can also be read here, http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/thecastrationoffreemasonry.htm. It will perhaps provide some needed background to a continuation of the same theme. The title of this article has no bearing in reality; rather it is what is perceived by the general public not actually authored by the fraternity. In essence it is an exaggeration that does point to different schools of Masonic practice.

A number of Masonic writers and thinkers have mentioned that Freemasonry around the world has different priorities and focus. It has been pointed out that European Masonry’s main focus is philosophical, North America’s social and South America’s political or to put it another way – passive, neutral and proactive in its role with society. All practices are charitable although the U.S.A. carries its mission of relief to an extreme position.

Could it be that European Masonry, using Britain as a model, over time after The Enlightenment became accepted and codified into law and practice, evolved by melding with a governmental structure that promoted an official state religion, and that influenced Freemasonry to remain private? If Freemasonry here is a quasi governmental/religious structure, some say captured by them, might that prevent it from entering into any kind of rebellion, reform or societal change and mold it into an organization which withdraws within itself mirroring that privacy found in English Gentlemen’s Clubs? Perhaps France with its French Revolution is the exception here that might explain their fracture into multiple Grand Lodges.

Could it be that North American Masonry, using the U.S.A. as a model, actually became so identified with the overthrow of British rule, reform and remaking and restructuring of the entire society, always placing the leaders of the Craft in the public eye, the end result being a system of checks and balances and separation, separation of church and state, that it actually programmed itself to walk away from being allied with church and state (Washington refused positions as both President for life and national Grand Master)? The United States Constitution, its political, legal and judicial systems were all crafted democratically, with heavy Masonic influence, to be a new way of doing things that reversed and corrected the odious tyrannical despotism of its European heritage. And because of all that, might we be able to say that North American Masonry accomplished its mission of liberty, equality and fraternity and now went on to just develop social relationships?

And could it be that South American Freemasonry because it was never able to ally itself with a religion, as most of the area was Roman Catholic, nor with government because it was most often undemocratic and tyrannical, never developed into the European model? Is it not true that the Roman Catholic Church often did ally itself with the government so that what Masonry fought elsewhere to reform – freedom of religion, free public schools instead of parochial church schools, democracy and separation of church and state – never got implemented in South America until much later? So could we not say that Masonry, a product of the Enlightenment, was still fighting to get the Enlightenment implemented into society in South America? And that of course would explain it being tagged as political.

Then perhaps we could say that European Masonry, which implemented the Enlightenment without a complete remake and restructure of church and state, was able to ally or attach itself to these institutions and thus Masonry became passive. And North American Masonry, which became the leading philosophical influence on political thought and actual leadership of a complete societal remake, revolution and writing a Constitution from scratch, accomplished its mission and separated itself according to the rules it drew up and thus became neutral. And South American Masonry, which neither blended with the rulers of society nor was successful in implementing the Enlightenment, fought on and thus became pro active.

But these, as you can see, are all only questions. And what I am hoping for are others in the Craft more knowledgeable to offer correction and refinement of these musings. There are so many exceptions to the hypotheses, France and Italy, Canada and Brazil and others. Perhaps we have really only been talking about British, United States and Mexican Masonry. But it does seem that the course society takes has a direct correlation with the course Masonry takes.

But there have been other influences on Masonry besides society. Another influence on how it sees its role is Masonry’s origin. What are Masonry’s roots and how has its traditions made it into what we see today? Heretofore, two schools of thought as to Masonry’s origin held the most public prominence. One school said that Masonry came out of the stonemason guilds while a second postulated that Masonry started with the Knights Templar. Of course there are some who desire the best of both possible worlds by stating that Masonry was an amalgamation of the two.

Mark E. Koltko-Rivera, writing in Heredom, formulates another hypothesis. He backs up Mackey in stating that Masonry roots are in esoteric knowledge passed down from generation to generation in many different forms.

Mackey’s claim was:

Knowledge of the reality of God and the immortality of the soul was transmitted through a line of biblical personages, from Adam to Solomon and beyond.
After the biblical period, this knowledge was preserved, over the course of human history, in the civilizations of late antiquity and on until the European Enlightenment, through societies of esoteric knowledge and initiation, culminating in modern Freemasonry.
And the manner of transmission involved imitations employing symbolism and allegory.(1)

Koltko-Rivera refines Mackey’s assessment of biblical personages to mean communities of esoteric philosophy operating in the name of those biblical personages, so he talks about the communities of Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah and Abraham. After the biblical period he talks about the Eleusinian initiatory mysteries, the Qumran sect, Gnostic groups and the rite of Five Seals, Jewish Hekhalot and Merkavah mysticism, Hermetic societies in Egypt, other mystery schools in Greece and Rome, on to the Kabbalah, Elias Asmole, Sir Isaac Newton and the Rosicrucians. Although we might have left out a few groups along the way, we have enough to get a clear picture of where this school of thought is taking us. Perhaps it is quite a stretch to link all these parts into a whole or to say they were all interconnected. Personal genealogy is hard enough to research, but group or organizational genealogy going that far back would seem to many schooled in the scientific method to be a giant guess. What is important, however, is not the veracity of the claim but what kind of influence has this kind of thought had on Masonry?

Recently there has been a revival in Gnostic adherence since the discoveries at Nag Hammadi and the Kabbalah especially among Masons. These esoteric teachings and schools steer Masonry into being a philosophical society teaching Gnostic thought, that is that Masonry really does have some secret, special, superior knowledge over and above what the obvious, literal reading of its ritual says. Even Wilmshurst will tell us that. Thus we have in Freemasonry a society that possesses this Gnostic esoteric knowledge of a superior life making Masonry an elite, closed organization that can only reveal the secrets of a better life to those who become part of the inner circle. This looks close to the European Model of above.

But is Masonry another mystery school or is it today a maker of leaders? Is Masonry perhaps more open, declining any special secret or superior knowledge? Can it be that Masonry is most successful at putting together a complete package of education and ethics along with toleration and non-judgmental acceptance of every school of thought and practice, race, religion and standing in life? Can it not support justice and freedom and show the world how it can live together peacefully? Can Masonry not help guide society and turn out leaders from its ranks to work in society to make for a better world? This looks closer to the above models of North and South America.

So the question really is, is Masonry’s purpose to just privately improve its own members who then are keepers of the sacred knowledge or is it to prepare men to be leaders within society in the various disciplines of politics, science, business, medicine and religion etc, to stand for what is just, right and ethical in a fallen world and to be a beacon of light for peace and harmony among all peoples and nations and to actively work for such?

What is most important, what one believes or what one does?

It sounds like the Christian argument of salvation by faith or by works.

We read in Ephesians (2:8-9):

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this not your own doing: it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.”


We read in the book of James (2:14-17 & 24)

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your full,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead………You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

An American friend transplanted in Britain almost 20 years ago and raised a British Mason, after reading “The Castration of Freemasonry” E-Mailed me some comments.

“There is a real and tangible difference between Freemasonry in England/Wales and Freemasonry in the United states,” he said. “Here there is a slight tinge of stink attached to being a Freemason. People don’t know why they think this, but there has always been the suspicion that Freemasonry is a gentlemen’s club in which one hand scratches the other’s back. Thus many local councils prohibit Freemasons from public employment, and police authorities and the judiciary require that their members and employees disclose Masonic membership.”

“People here generally do not wear Masonic rings or ornaments outside the Lodge. You don’t normally discuss Masonry or your membership with every one of your best friends. You might discuss it with close friends, or mention it if someone shows interest, but you don’t talk about it very much. There are no items such as Masonic number plates for cars, nor are there signs at town and city borders telling you when the local Masonic lodge meets.”

“I believe the best way to combat all forms of intolerance is to start from within and work outwards. Each man builds his own Temple inside, making it strong, watertight, and integral within itself. When everyone has done this, the world will be a better place.”

From an American viewpoint, I would counter with that there is a certain price to be paid for being so closely associated with the rulers and power structure of society. And that being so private as to be labeled secret arouses all sorts of public jealousy and suspicions. It is the fire that fuels conspiracy theories. And finally if we wait until everyone builds a better Temple for himself, we will wait until hell freezes over. It was Martin Luther King, a friend of Masonry, and Brother Jesse Jackson who saw a need to go public and to openly tweak the conscience of society.

So again we ask what is most important what one believes or what one does? And we ask the same question of Masonry. What is most important for Masonry, its privately held knowledge and belief system which one has to be initiated into or its public doings partnered with society thereby bolstering freedom, liberty, equality, opportunity and justice for all and its positive influence on world peace?

We as individuals are all products of our traditions, our culture and our upbringing. We are also products of the society we live in. The same can be said of Masonry. Can we as individuals change and take on a different persona? There is nothing we can’t do but remaking yourself is one of the hardest tasks you can attempt. And so we must conclude the same for Freemasonry.

Wor. Frederic L. Milliken

(1) “The Transmission of Esoteric Knowledge & The Origins of Modern Freemasonry: Was Mackey Right” by Mark E. Koltko-Rivera, Heredom, Volume 15, pg. 184

Atividade Maçónica IV

Esta não estava no programa.
Caiu-me no correio de "supetão" (lembram-se do D.Camilo ? Ele usava muito este termo...) e não deixo de o incluir naquilo que, para mim, tem de ser o desmascarar da atividade dos maçons.
Para não estragar nada apenas comento:

- Quando, em Portugal, os Maçons reconhecidos como parceiros sociais de pleno direito ?

Governo participa do 14º Encontro Nacional da Cultura Maçônica
Redação ANoticiaMT

SÍLVIA DEVAUX Redação/Secom-MT

O vice-governador Silval Barbosa participou, na noite dessa sexta-feira (17.04), da abertura do 14º Encontro Nacional da Cultura Maçônica, no Hotel Fazenda Mato Grosso, em Cuiabá (MT). O evento prossegue neste sábado (18.04) com reuniões, palestras, exposição e lançamento de livros. Até a noite, maçons de todo o Estado debatem as bases que a Maçonaria defende para a evolução da humanidade.

Como explicou o professor Medson Janer, palestrante do tema ‘A Maçonaria e as Políticas Públicas’, desde sua origem, a Maçonaria trabalha na evolução social. “Dentro das Lojas se discute um trabalho social, de que maneira esses formadores de consciência, de políticas públicas, que também estão ocupando cargos e trabalhando em todos os órgãos de desenvolvimento sustentável do nosso Estado e do país, podem contribuir para a construção de uma sociedade melhor”, revelou o maçon.

Há mais de oito anos a Maçonaria é parceira das ações de desenvolvimento do Executivo estadual. Segundo o grão mestre do Grande Oriente do Brasil em Mato Grosso (GOBMT), Júlio Tardin, por isso a importância de trazer a participação do Estado no encontro. A instituição está presente em mais de 50% dos municípios mato-grossenses. “Queremos um Estado forte para que as futuras gerações tenham o conforto que tínhamos a merecer há muitos anos”, completou Tardin, que tem reforçado esse apoio junto às lojas maçônicas.

“A Maçonaria tem sido uma parceira do Governo em todos os aspectos; nas questões de discussões e sugestões, participando ativamente na governabilidade. Todos os momentos falando de Mato Grosso, vendendo a imagem do Estado para outros Estados”, agradeceu o vice-governador Silval Barbosa. O evento conta ainda com a participação de integrantes de outras instituições do país. Na solenidade, o vice-governador foi saudado pelos maçons que expuseram o currículo dele, destacando sua importância no processo de colonização do Estado, em especial o município de Matupá, e ainda sua contribuição na vida da política estadual. O grão mestre Júlio Tardin saudou às demais autoridades presentes na pessoa da representante da Procuradoria Geral do Estado, a procuradora Maria Magalhães.

Silval Barbosa encerrou a solenidade da noite proferindo a palestra ‘Mato Grosso em tempos atuais e perspectivas’, que apresentou uma síntese da administração da gestão Maggi. Ele voltou a falar das diversas oportunidades que o Estado oferece e que têm ainda a oferecer, do trabalho de desenvolvimento sustentável defendido e aplicado pelo Governo do Estado, os números positivos como exemplo e outras ações, mas, sobretudo, que o governo vem trabalhando na verticalização da produção.

Participaram ainda do evento, representantes dos Poderes Legislativo, Judiciário e outros do Executivo estadual, além das esposas dos maçons.

(fim da notícia)

.

E mais não ponho porque seria estragar o que está.

JPSetúbal

Atividade Maçónica III

Há muito tempo, vários anos, que defendo a existência da Maçonaria tão à luz do dia quanto possível.

Tão à luz do dia quanto possível porque entendo que há aspetos (de facto aspetos menores, mas ainda assim importantes) que devem manter alguma discrição.

Aquilo que defendo parte do princípio de que não tenho nada que me envergonhe na minha atuação como maçom e isso leva-me a que não encontre qualquer razão para viver escondido.
Esta posição não autoriza, seja quem fôr a retirar conclusões diferentes do que aqui fica, exatamente ! O facto de pensar assim, e de o declarar publicamente, não me autoriza ao incumprimento dos juramentos feitos ou ao não cumprimento das normas regulamentares da Ordem Maçónica a que pertenço. Mas há um raciocínio básico sobre o qual alicerço esta opinião. e esse raciocínio é:

- Não sou ladrão, não matei nem prejudiquei quem quer que fosse, pelo menos conscientemente, não tenho nada de errado suficientemente forte para deixar de dormir descansado, então escondo-me de quê ? e de quem ? e porquê ?

É por isso que entendo trazer ao blog algumas (apenas algumas !) realizações da Maçonaria Regular, tentando ajudar à desmisticação do muito que por aí anda como "papões" para meter medo a meninos.
Comecei em "Atividade Maçónica" há cerca de um mês, trouxe depois um desafio daquilo que deve ser ação integrante do dia a dia dos maçons em "Atividade Maçónica II" e dou agora continuidade, esperando trazer ainda mais algumas realizações no futuro próximo.

Para hoje, véspera de fim de semana e portanto dia para trabalho leve, trago um exemplo que chega da Índia.
Devo alertar que o texto original é inglês e a tradução é de minha responsabilidade.

A Maçonaria é construída sobre 3 grandes princípios, Fraternidade, Solidariedade e Verdade. A característica que distingue um coração maçónico é a Caridade.
Perseguindo esses ideais, nós, os Maçons de Coimbatore decidimos fazer alguma caridade e o resultado é este Masonic Medical Centre.
Com um toque dourado do nosso querido Fundador e Administrador Dr.G.K.Devarajulu e o toque mágico do nosso atual Administrador Executivo Dr. D. Jayavarthanavelu, estamos crescendo degrau a degrau ao longo das últimas duas décadas. Em 1978 comprámos um espaço próprio com cerca de 8 mil metros2 com um grande edifício que recuperámos completamente. O edifício original é utilizado para os cuidados de convalescença e para doentes ambulatórios. Construímos um novo edifício hospitalar com 4 pisos acimo do piso de entrada no qual acomodamos 90 camas, bloco operatório, uma Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos para 10 doentes e uma unidade de raiosX. No último andar há um salão de conferências e seminários com ar condicionado e projetor de slides.

Em 1982 iniciámos o Hospital para Crianças no edifício antigo, com um médico e uma equipa de enfermagem. Esta clínica foi inaugurada pelo nosso R.W. Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India R.W. Bro A.S. Rajasabai.
Os cuidados clínicos que prestamos atraíram mais crianças para tratamento pelo que fomos obrigados a admitir mais 2 médicos e o correspondente staff paramédico.
O aumento do número de doentes tornou as instalações do edifício primitivo pequenas. Então planeamos um novo edifício separado do primeiro para integrar o nosso projeto médico. Com o aval firme de alguns amigos não-maçons como os Sri G. Vekatraman e Sri. V. Jagannathan, arriscámo-nos à construção de um novo edifício hospitalar.
Com a bênção do nosso Administrador Dr.G.K.Devarajulu, a cooperação do nosso Diretor Brethren e alguns benfeitores, pudemos juntar os donativos necessários ao desenvolvimento deste projeto.
Os 2 primeiros pisos do novo edifício do Hospital foram inaugurados em Setembro de 1985.
Este novo edifício dispõe de enfermarias gerais com 30 camas, enfermarias particulares com 10 camas, um bloco operatório completo e um centro de raios-X.
Todas as enfermarias são equipadas com um sistema centralizado de oxigénio de auxílio às equipas médicas.
No princípio de 1990 para poder atender convenientemente todos os doentes, o 1º piso do edifício antigo foi convertido para apoio aos doentes ambulatórios. Com essa recuperação aumentou-se para 90 camas a capacidade para doentes internados.

Mesmo com o tempo a fazer caretas cá ficam os votos de bom fim de semana.

Aproveitem para recuperar o excesso das amêndoas...

JPSetúbal

LINGUA – 2

Irei hoje regressar ao tema da língua sob estudo do Roberto Moreno.
Se derem uma passadinha pelo “Língua-1” recordar-se-ão que “a coisa” anda à volta dos conceitos de “bilinguismo” e, como consequência, de “iberofonia” em contraponto à Lusofonia, Francofonia e Anglofonia.
E partimos do princípio da necessidade de uma língua, dialeto ou o que se quiser para entendimento global.

Pensemos então no seguinte:
- A adoção do português como 2ª língua é uma decisão natural em França onde há 1 milhão de lusófonos e onde o português é a 2ª língua mais falada;
- E em Itália, porque o português entende 50% do italiano e porque o Brasil é a maior colónia de italianos no mundo;
- Há uma afinidade natural entre Português e Castelhano;
- Há uma aproximação natural entre as línguas latinas, (Português, Castelhano. Francês,
Italiano e Romeno às quais ainda podemos juntar o Catalão) da qual o Português tira a
vantagem enorme do seu poder de adaptação;
- Poder-se-á afirmar sem grande margem de erro que saber Português significa saber
também 90% de Castelhano, 50% de Italiano e 20% de Francês.

Bom, quem leu até aqui concordou ? Há aqui alguns axiomas que ou são aceites ou a teoria vai por água abaixo, mas se pensarmos um bocadinho nos aspetos da prática do relacionamento dos portugueses com o mundo não me parece difícil aceitar grande parte destes pontos de partida para o resto que aí vem (isto é uma ameaça !).

Então lá vamos.
Na politica de língua do Mercosul os países hispânicos já tem o português como 2ªlingua por efeito do Brasil ter adotado o castelhano também como sua 2ª língua, o que reforça claramente a Iberofonia.
Boutros Ghali já se mostrou favorável à Franco-Iberofonia.
O Português é língua oficial de 8 estados em 4 continentes, é língua de comunicação num grupo enorme de organizações internacionais (UE, Unesco, Mercosul, Organização dos Estados Americanos, União Latina, Aliança Latino-Americana de Comércio Livre, União Económica e Monetária da África Ocidental, obrigatório nos países do Mercosul e língua oficial da Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral)

Nos EUA há 50 milhões de falantes de Português e Castelhano e a ALCA (Aliança de Livre Comércio das Américas) é impensável sem o Brasil, que fala português, obviamente !
Se por estes 2 efeitos os EUA adotarem o português para 2ªlíngua ficarão 1 bilião de pessoas entendendo-se em Português.

Agora entramos na parte mais… “virtual” da teoria !

Mais adoções da língua portuguesa como 2ª língua.

Na China. Já fizemos uma aproximação em “LINGUA – 1”. A comunicação interna é muito difícil pelas diversidades linguísticas que já referimos, há uma clara aproximação ao Brasil que com a Rússia e a Índia representam a nova “ordem mundial” nos aspetos comercial, científico e geopolítico (dizem eles…). Além disso há uma tradição de mais de 400 anos de contactos com o português, em Macau. Se a China aceitar o português como 2ª língua ficaríamos com mais 2.300 milhões de falantes em português.
Na Índia, onde a diversidade de comunicação também já foi referida (23 línguas e 1000 dialetos) a adoção de uma 2ª língua, externa, facilitaria toda a relação. De resto há regiões na Índia onde ainda se ouve falar português (Goa, Damão e Diu, pelo menos). Na Índia ficariam mais 1.100 milhões de falantes.
Na Indonésia, por razões semelhantes às da China e da Índia e ainda por ter fronteira com Timor Leste. A Indonésia acabou de pedir a entrada, como observadora, na CPLP.

Por que razão a insistência em que a 2ª língua seja o português e não outra qualquer ?
Porque quem aprende português faz um negócio tipo pague 1 e leve 2.
O bilinguismo é uma característica do lusófono e é única do mundo.
Essa característica é o resultado visível (audível…) da riqueza da sua arquitetura fonética baseada em 7 fonemas orais e 5 nasais.
Português é já a 2ªlingua dos paises (30) hispânicos.

E agora o “morango” que faltava:
“A língua portuguesa é como o software Linux, pois pode ser usada e praticada a custo zero, basta assistir a uma telenovela brasileira na sua língua original”.
Confessem que esta não vos passava pela cabeça.

Bem, a Fundação Geolíngua está mesmo a trabalhar neste projeto.
A imaginação e o Marketing brasileiros dão força ao projeto. E nem lhe falta o argumento Fernando Pessoa:

O PROBLEMA DAS LÍNGUAS
“Se ter uma grande literatura fosse, por si só, suficiente para impor, não a mera sobrevivência, mas
a vasta e duradoura sobrevivência de uma língua, o grego seria hoje a segunda língua da civilização. Mas nem sequer o latim, que também chegou a ser a segunda língua da civilização, conseguiu manter a sua supremacia. Para assegurar a sua permanência no futuro, a língua tem de ter algo mais do que uma grande literatura: ser dona de uma grande literatura é uma vantagem positiva, mas não efectiva, pois salvará a língua da morte, mas não garantirá a sua promoção na vida.
A primeira condição para uma ampla permanência de uma língua no futuro é a sua difusão natural, o que depende do simples factor físico do número de pessoas que a fala naturalmente.
A segunda condição é a facilidade com que poderá ser aprendida; se o grego fosse fácil de aprender, todos nós teríamos, hoje, o grego como segunda língua.
A terceira condição é que a língua terá de ser o mais flexível possível de modo a poder responder na íntegra, a todas as formas de expressão possíveis, e de consequentemente ser capaz de espelhar com fidelidade, através da tradução, a expressão de outras línguas e assim dispensar, do
ponto de vista literário, a sua aprendizagem.
Ora, falando não só do presente, mas também do futuro imediato, na medida em que este possa ser considerado como factor de desenvolvimento das condições embrionárias do nosso tempo, só há três línguas com um futuro popular - o inglês (que já tem uma larga difusão), o espanhol e o português.
São línguas faladas na América, e como Europa significa civilização europeia, a Europa tem-se radicado cada vez mais no continente ocidental.
Assim línguas como o francês, o alemão e o italiano só poderão ser europeias: não têm poder imperial.
Enquanto a Europa foi o mundo, estas dominaram, e triunfaram mesmo sobre as outras três, pois o inglês era insular e o espanhol e o português encontravam-se num dos seus extremos. Mas quando o mundo passou a ser o globo terrestre este cenário alterou-se. Será, portanto, numa destas três línguas que o futuro do futuro assentará.”
Fernando Pessoa
pág. 148 do livro, A Língua Portuguesa.

E pronto, aqui têm com que se entreter. Não quero que vos falte nada !

Como vês, caríssimo Zé, não se trata de te pôr a falar "espanhol", pelo contrário, trata-se de pôr o mundo a falar português... Um pouco louco, verdade ?

JPSetúbal

THE CASTRATION OF FREEMASONRY

An American Point of View
BY
Wor. Frederic L. Milliken

For the past several decades, Freemasons worldwide have been preoccupied about the decline in membership. All sorts of reasons have been advanced for this decline and many different solutions have been tried to stop it, but to no avail. The line on the graph of Masonic membership continues its steady downward trend.

Lost in the turmoil of argument of reasons and solutions has been the realization that Freemasonry has developed a schism and that breaking apart is in reality about who has the best way to rebuild The Craft. It’s almost as if the Antients and the Moderns were back at it again, but this time it is not over ritual but practice.

Today’s Antients assert that Freemasonry is a personal journey of moral improvement that prepares a man to re-enter society as an individual providing to the outside world an example or role model of one who has taken the high road in life.

Speaking for Today’s Antients is Provincial Grand Master Lord Northamton, UGLE, who tells us that Freemasonry has no role in society. Speaking for the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland he states, “Freemasonry has no role outside Freemasonry and that the only influence it should be seeking is over itself and its members.” He goes on to say that Freemasonry is simply a matter of self improvement through self discovery and education with The Craft pointing the way and that a man who brings the lessons and virtues of Freemasonry into his heart would then be expected to be an arm of improvement for society as an individual operating as such outside the Craft. But never should Freemasonry as a fraternity take any position on any public issue, he asserts. “Freemasonry is not, and should never be allowed to develop into being, a lobby group - no matter how universal and noble the cause.”(1)

Today’s “Moderns”, strongest in the U.S.A., promulgate the practice of “community Freemasonry” whereby Freemasonry as a unit has undertaken a vow of charity for all mankind and then enters society as a collective force to uplift the less fortunate.

This view is aptly put forward by MSANA’s Executive Secretary, Richard Fletcher, who acknowledges the Crafts roots in the Enlightenment but then “modernizes” that heritage into community action and involvement, code words for Institutionalized Charity. He tells us, “In my judgment there is nothing Freemasons could do that would be more important than undertaking the role of unity builder by being seen in our communities, by doing community outreach, and showing by example what it means to be part of a family, not only our own family, but the family of our state, the family of our nation. Without fully realizing it Masons used to do these things. But like the rest of the country our ‘sense of purpose’ had eroded.”(2)

Another Masonic commentator, Tony Fels, reaffirms this position on increasing Masonic membership when he says, “There seems to be much talk within the Masonic order about what it might take to spark a revival of interest, especially among younger people, in the principles and practice of fraternalism. Certainly the ongoing tendency among many Grand Lodges and local lodges to become more visible in their local communities through sponsoring scholarship funds, clean-up campaigns, and other benevolent activities will help bring the Masonic brotherhood to the attention of people who may wish to join in the fellowship of the lodge.” (3)

Absent from this tug of war over Freemason’s hearts is the fact that Freemasonry consists of

two distinct divisions of actualization and that both are equally valid and both are absolutely necessary for the Complete Mason. Simply stated these two parts of the whole are:

1) That private and personal journey whereby a Mason reads and studies on his own and then applies the virtues and lessons of the Craft into his daily life, building that Temple within.
2) That gathering into Masonic community whereby Masons initiate new members, exemplify rituals and customs, cement the bonds of fraternalism through Masonic fellowship and interact with the greater community at large.

Freemasonry is then both public and private, singular or group, open or closed. It is not fair to say that the Craft is exclusively one or the other. It is a mixture of practice much as a person’s church is. One may read his Holy Book privately away from church and then apply the lessons of his religion to everybody he meets and he may privately offer his adorations to deity in the solitude of his aloneness. Or one may go to church and pray and worship in the community of believers. And one may participate in a church supper, Bible study or mission work with others, even going forth into the streets and avenues of the public at large. To say that one’s church is only about changing the heart of each individual member and does not involve the reception of spirit or transformation in group interaction is as wrong as to say the same thing about Freemasonry.

Yet we are not here to take sides and declare a winner, rather to declare that neither Today’s Antients nor Today’s Moderns have the answer, both are wrong.

The Antients have totally misinterpreted the prohibition of the Lodge involvement in politics. Politics and religion can be discussed in Lodge and Freemasonry as a fraternity can engage in politics and religion publically. It is only partisan politics and sectarian religion that are banned. That it is to say it is not the general but the specific application that leads to proselytization and the problem. This misinterpretation has caused the Antients to practice only half of Freemasonry. The half they do practice is entirely correct but half a loaf is not the whole thing, it’s like trying to walk with only one leg. Freemasonry is not designed to be practiced like Monastic Christianity with no concern or relationship with the outer world. We as Freemasons are not Monks of the Craft.

Yet the Moderns, mainly Americans, fare no better in this analysis because not only have they so downplayed the importance of instruction, education and private research and study in Freemasonry as for it to be virtually nonexistent but they have then taken the public charge as to be one that places Freemasonry’s primary role as savior of the world’s poor and less fortunate. The societal mission has been corrupted by Grand Lodges who have turned American Freemasonry into a Service Club in the name of “Masonic Awareness” whereby Masons spend all their time, money and talent on Institutional Charity whose primary purpose is Masonic publicity and the marketing of Freemasonry. This is not caring for society or an attempt to support society’s leaders in their quest for a better nation. Rather it is an attempt to buy or bribe friends. And in so doing Freemasonry, which touts itself as a noble and virtuous society, comes across as being hypocritical. It certainly isn’t a path Dale Carnegie would have chosen. Today’s Antients would say that the virtues and lessons of Freemasonry teach an individual Brother to be charitable but they do not teach a Lodge how to be the same.

To look at the traditional true path of Freemasonry regarding its role in society one only has to look at its practice shortly after its formal chartering in 1717 and the high preponderance of society’s most prominent leaders who were Freemasons. For you see there was a time when American Freemasonry counted within its ranks professional, intellectual and government leaders as well as owners and managers of businesses. Prominent men, the makers and shakers of society, were Freemasons. It must be remembered that Freemasonry was a product of the Enlightenment and the early practice of the Craft involved directly influencing society. Freemasons then had no qualms about advocating and working for democracy, separation of church and state, religious freedom and public school education for everybody. Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, George Washington, and a host of others, were intimately involved in the American Revolution and thus the remaking of the society of their day. The leaders of society joined Freemasonry because Freemasonry was involved in working for the betterment of society. Was that politics and religion or was it merely an expression and implementation of those inalienable rights given to all mankind by their Creator?

Today under a strict misinterpretation of the politics and religion ban, American Freemasonry does not have anything to do with the workings of society nor will it even comment on any of the freedom and rights violations made by different nations around the world or advocated by various groups here and abroad. This has made the practice of Freemasonry so bland that it has discouraged society’s leaders from becoming members. If American Freemasonry chooses not to be concerned with society why should society be concerned with Freemasonry? If Freemasonry supported society’s leaders in making a freer, better America then those leaders would once again be part of Freemasonry.

RW Brother A Goncalves of the Grand Lodge of Portugal states this case quite clearly. “We regular masons don't live in caverns or ghettos, out of society. We live within society; we are an intimate part of it. We have special responsibilities that we assume as privileges, because they are moral and ethical obligations”. Masonry is not and cannot be passive,” he says. He goes on to assert that the problems of the individual and the problems of society meet in the commonality of freedom. Freemasonry is forever linked to The Enlightenment, the American Revolution, the Charter of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter, UNICEF and many more. He talks about The Grand Master of Chile, addressing a United States Masonic audience, emphasizing that Freemasonry is not a spokesman for any political party nor should there be any political proseltization in Lodge, yet “Grand Lodges should share some common concepts like: opposition to any tyranny that denies or restricts, in any way, human equality and individual freedom to a complete performance of democratic rights; a clear support to the right of expression and to a fair existence; the respect to the sovereignty of nations; recognition of democracy as system of government and individual aspiration to cultural improvement of any society. Democracy and masonry are substantial and active systems of social progress of Peoples, because both act as source of liberty of speech and conscience and as ferme4nt to interior and external peace».”(4)

The path to Masonic Renewal and Growth leads through a reconnection with society through a constant affirmation of its most humanitarian goals. There are four main areas that I would like to point out where Freemasonry can return a sense of purpose in its role with society.

DISCRIMINATION

As a world leader in toleration and acceptance of many different cultures and peoples this is an area where American Mainstream Masonry needs to get its entire house in order. There is no room in a fraternity that espouses equality among all men, for race, religious, cultural or economic discrimination to exist. Nor is there any room in American society for it either. Prince Hall Masonry has for years been a big supporter of the Civil Rights movement. They have the same prohibition in their Lodges against partisan politics and sectarian religion as Mainstream Masonry does. Yet they see no violation of that tradition by working for the same equal treatment of all men. Championing fully, anti discrimination principles will go a long way in convincing leaders of society that Freemasonry is sincere in its support.

LIBERTY

American Masons have long been the champions of liberty. It is no coincidence that the phrase “Liberty, Equality & Fraternity” was penned. And advocating the pursuit of happiness unfettered by abridgements to God given freedoms is never unmasonic. American Masons fought to free us from British rule and then played an important role in the framing of the structure and the government of the longest running free society in the history of the world.

“To avoid politics did not mean to deny the civic. The enjoyment of social harmony by the Lodge members relied upon peace and freedom as guaranteed by the civil authorities. Each Lodge was intended as a microcosm of the ideal society.’ A Mason is a peaceable subject to those Civil Powers that guarantee the expression of fundamental freedom,’ says Giuliano Bernardo. Without Liberty, Freemasonry cannot exist.”(5)

Freemasonry was not allowed to exist under Hitler, Stalin, Mao and other despots. All tyrants have recognized that the principles of Freemasonry undermine their rule of total control. That being so, it would not be inappropriate for Freemasonry to let the world know that it is actively supporting the freedoms of all peoples. And in cases of extreme suppression and ruthlessness Freemasonry is as obligated to speak out and work for Liberty as it did during the Enlightenment for the democratization of government.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Imprisonment without cause, torture, denial of due process, enslavement, ethnic cleansing, prohibition of free speech, refusing freedom of religion and freedom of association and terrorism are just a few of the violations of human rights that can be mentioned, all of which run counter to Freemasonry’s belief in the worth of the individual, thus totally incompatible with Freemasonry. So why not say so? There is nothing politically partisan about basic human rights and the dignity of man.

Renowned historian and Masonic chronicler Dr. Margaret Jacob, recently considered a question as to what she thought would be the cause Freemasonry should champion to restore a sense of purpose to the Craft and regain its role in society.(6) She was very reluctant to answer as she said she was not a Mason but when pressed she said her choice would be Human Rights.

PEACE

Freemasonry seeks to unite diverse people not divide them. It abhors coercion and the use of force except in self-defense. It does not advocate one political cause over another, one religion over another nor one race over another. Every Lodge room is an oasis of peace where peace and harmony flows. When you enter a Lodge room you leave all your differences outside the door. Freemasonry is the only organization in the world that brings together in peace and harmony men of different cultures, creeds, races, religions, economic circumstances and political persuasions. It is the biggest hope for peace the world has.
This is a favorite subject of Paul Bessel who regards Freemasonry’s role in society to be one that is a vocal proponent of the inalienable rights of man endowed by his Creator.
“This idea of Masonry's role being to uplift society, and support democracy and freedom, is not such a radical concept. In the early 1900s it appears to have been a dominant concept in American Freemasonry. Mainstream Masonic writers spoke about Freemasonry working for the good of society, bringing men of all races, religions, and backgrounds together and promoting world peace.” (7)

Bessel reminds us that Roscoe Pound was adamant in his belief that Freemasonry must promote the universality of mankind and that H.L. Haywood regarded the important byproducts of Freemasonry to be equality, liberty and democracy. And then Bessel delivers his ringing rally cry of allowing Freemasonry to be all it can be.

Freemasonry could be, and could have been in the past, the only institution in the world that at all times in every way promotes tolerance and meeting on the level. We could be the leaders in seeking racial harmony, religious ecumenism, cooperation among men and women, civility between people who believe in different political philosophies, and friendliness among those who choose to live their lives differently from others. We could be better than the United Nations, Amnesty International, and interfaith organizations, all together, because we could be the prime organization supporting tolerance for all, everywhere, in all circumstances. This would be a unique role for Freemasonry.” (7)

By actively working for and speaking out for the elimination of discrimination, for liberty and freedom for all, for human rights and for world peace, Freemasonry can regain the respect and the involvement of the leaders of today’s society. It can interact with society as a partner in promoting what is noble, just and right, furthering the dignity and worth of each individual rather than using society to further its own ends. Freemasonry’s greatness will be acting as a vehicle through which society can improve itself, individually and collectively, for no man is an island and no institution exists in a vacuum. We are all traveling this journey of life together; we are all one.

BIBLIOGRAPHY


(1) Lord Northampton

MW The Pro Grand Master

The Most Hon. the Marquess of Northampton, DL

at the European Grand Master's Meeting on 5th & 6th November 2007 http://www.ugle.org.uk/news/european-speech.htm

(2) Franklin, Freemasonry and the Enlightenment by Richard E. Fletcher – SHORT TALK BULLETIN, March, 2009

(3) Is Freemasonry A Religion? Learning From A 19th-Century Masonic Debate by Tony Fels – HEREDOM, Volume 15, 2007 – page 175

(4) Freemasonry Role On The 21st Century by RWB A. Gonçalves, Secretary of Morning Star Lodge No 7, Grand Regular Lodge of Portugal

(5) The Masonic Concept of Liberty, Freemasonry and the Enlightenment by W. Bro. Alex Davidson http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/Davidson.html

(6) Masonic Central Radio Podcast 3/12/09, part of the mega Masonic site Freemason Information, http://www.freemasoninformation.com/

(7) Masonic Traditions In Our Past And Our Future by Paul M. Bessel, Presentation at La France Lodge #93, F.A.A.M., Washington, D.C., September 8, 2000