VansOpinion - FREEMASONRY - FACTS AND FICTION

The Masonic Fraternity, sometimes referred to as "Freemasonry" has seen a number of changes over the years. It has been called a religion - which it isn't. It has been referred to as a "secret society" or organization - which it isn't. Masonry as practiced in Nebraska is a bit different than that practiced in a number of other states. In the days to come, I will be posting stories and information which may change many minds about the fraternity to which around 13,500 men in Nebraska and several million men around the world belong. Some of what will be presented will be just enlightening. A few revelations may be shocking!

Each state in our country has its own Grand Lodge. In Nebraska that governing body is referred to as The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Nebraska. The "A.F. & A.M. are letters designating the words "Ancient", "Free" and ""Accepted" "Masons." Some state don't use the first "A", notwithstanding the fact that Masonry as it is know today had its roots in Great Britain and one of the early if not the earliest documents which discuss the fraternity is the Regis Poem dating back to 1309.

The Masonic Temple in downtown Lincoln has one of the most complete libraries of the late Roscoe Pound, an internationally known Mason.

We will be discussing the process of becoming a Mason, the steps one goes through and some of the history of the fraternity in the United States. We will also be dealing with subject areas which will be of particular interest to Nebraska Masons. For instance, the Masons who were involved in the leadership of the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska apparently filed false tax returns for thirty-five years. The same can be said for the New Masonic Temple Association, in downtown Lincoln. How those things took place will be revealed to all who might have an interest in the subject areas.

Those areas are just the tip of an iceberg which will be covered in the weeks to come. Honest Masons have nothing to fear or anything for which to be ashamed. Those who have corrupted the fraternity in one way or another should plan on being exposed.

Five generations of the men on my Father's side of the family were honest and honorable Masons, it is in their honor that I will cover subject areas which many readers have wondered about but didn't know how or where to find the answers.

The matter of statements made by a Lincoln Catholic Bishop will be covered and discussed. The position of my church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, will be addressed and I will tell the world, there is absolutely nothing in the ritual work of the Masonic Fraternity or anywhere else in the workings of Lodges of Mason which conflicts in the slightest with any man being a conservative Christian Lutheran!

There are hundreds of publications about Freemasonry, many of which were printed for the sole and express purpose of selling books. Most of those are laced with false beliefs and outright lies. There is, however, enough Masonic literature available to the public to shatter some of the myths about the fraternity. Masons can rest easy, the writings will not cover any of the means and modes of recognizing one another "in the dark as well as in the light."

All good Masons who will be attending the 2005 meeting of the "Grand Lodge" to be held in Hastings, Nebraska in a few days should check out this site daily. You may learn things you will want to discuss with the leaders of the fraternity while there. So Mote it Be.


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