As our Alabama Brother at Free-Mason-Alert said yesterday, the 2006 Conference of Grand Masters which met in Febrary isn't real happy about some of the recent changes in Freemasonry. And they're tossing around the word "clandestine" rather haphazardly these days, not only in referring to new Grand Lodges being formed like the United Grand Lodge of America and the Grand Lodge of All England, but also to lodges being chartered in Europe and South America by the Regular Grand Lodge of England. The U.S. Grand Masters don't even like the Grand Orient of France, and that august body has been around since 1773. And the Grand Lodges of ten states still don't recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry (African-American Freemasonry), which is as regular as white men's Masonry, chartered by the United Grand Lodge of England in the 18th century.In a rather obvious attempt to protect their "turf," they claim that these lodges and grand lodges are being formed by those wanting to "capitalize" on the renewed interest in Freemasonry brought on by recent books and movies. The "old school" Grand Masters fail to see that these newer lodges and grand lodges are in fact attempting to bring real Freemasonry back into existence before the crowds who become interested in Masonry come knocking on lodge doors. When the crowds show up and find out that modern "official" Freemasonry (at least in the South — I can't speak for other parts of the country) has been reduced to Southern Baptist title-seekers holding fish fries and barbeques to raise money to buy a new air conditioner for the lodge, and that no one can rememember the passwords from ritual to ritual, and that there is no such thing as Masonic education, or Masonic secrets, or Masonic history — or Masonic Brotherly Love — they won't stay around long.
These new lodges and grand lodges are the true Light of the 21st century, reflecting the Light from our Noble and Ancient Past. The days of the Antient Barbequers are numbered.
Note that whenever a newly formed lodge, grand lodge or rite asks the Antient Grand Lodges what the "standards for recognition" actually are, they never get an answer.
From the 2006 Grand Masters' Conference:
"Grand Lodges that do not meet the standards for recognition are being formed and promoted at an alarming rate. There are several of which you should be aware. The Regular Grand Lodge of England is creating lodges in many European and South American countries. There have been reports that plans are to create lodges in America as well. There is a movement called the United Grand Lodge of America of Accepted Free Masons that is also trying gain a foothold on this country. Another group calling itself the Grand Lodge of All England is attempting to create lodges in England. The Grand Orient of France has also created several lodges in this country. With the renewed interest in Masonry brought on by recent books and movies, it appears numerous clandestine groups are trying to capitalize on this situation. Beware!"
Freemasonry | Masons | Regular Grand Lodge of England | Grand Orient of France | Grand Lodge of Georgia | Grand Lodge of Alabama | United Grand Lodge of America | Rose Cross of Gold | Clandestine Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of All England | Grand Masters' Conference
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