The following essay by Bro. Darren Simpson first appeared earlier today on his blog Le Chevalier Maconnique. Editor's notes in the text appear in the original.The Words & Thoughts of a Freemason by Bro. Darren Simpson
As I peruse the different blogs and review articles about Freemasonry, I can't help but feel that this is a truly auspicious and revolutionary time in history. Freemasonry is undergoing a complete metamorphosis that is happening so quickly, you'd think the ancient guardian spirits of our forefathers were reaching out from beyond and placing the spark of the future into our very hands.
Much has happened in the last three years that has made Freemasonry a household word again. Some good... some not so good, and a good bit of genuine evil has come to light. We see that the younger generation of Freemasons are carrying forth the sword of truth and are taking back the East from the usurpers of that sacred chair. The pretenders and their followers are being exposed for what they are and people are discovering that the "Moderns" of today are really just following the ancient paths and ways that were discarded by the so-called "Antients."
The rituals and morals that seemed detached and foreign in the post 1920's ritual of the Blue Lodge, regain their meaning and relevance when expounded in the original context of the original ceremony. (*This is the ritual resurrected by groups like the RRCG and the UGLA from the old French form... Ed.) Our history that is our birthright as Freemasons is being given back to us by brothers that have fought the good fight and are "taking back the streets" from those who would hoard the truths of our craft and hide their light under a bushel.
Most importantly, many Blue Lodge Freemasons are realizing that they HAVE BEEN LIED TO by those whom they have chosen to lead them. Their Grand Lodges are far from the superlative used to describe them. They see the halls swathed in gleaming purple and grandiose displays of pomposity and revelry, while the lights grow dim in their own home lodges. The Great Land Grab is going on as valleys and districts are liquidated to support the greed of the GL's. The coffers of some states are diminishing at an alarming rate, while some Masonic leaders look the other way and reap the fruits of others' misfortune and sorrow. They are as dead men sucking their own blood!
Some of you may ask, "Where is this supposed to be happening? I've never heard of this going on; nor have I seen it at my lodge! This must all be the result of a few disgruntled, expelled masons making trouble...." My answer to you would be to dig deeply into what is going on in your own backyard! Much of what I speak of has been primarily in the south and in some localized mid-west areas, but IT IS NOT LIMITED TO JUST THESE DISTRICTS!
Greed, like a virus, has a way of spreading.
Now, the public is finding out the mis-steps and scandals that have been occurring in some Masonic districts. Local and state-level news agencies have been picking up the scandalous dealings and rampant racism in Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia. The IRS is finding unbelievable discrepancies and accounting "problems" on the part of the Shriner's Children Charities. Next, we will see national news agencies taking notice of the growing ruckus in Masonry. Will YOUR lodge or Grand Lodge be on CNN or FOX? How many of your friends who are not Freemasons but know that you are, will start treating you differently? Remember the Morgan affair? One act almost destroyed the fraternity in America.
The naysayers like Ed King and his ilk keep saying that all this is nonsense and completely untrue. They keep reciting the party line that all is well and the fraternity is perfect and without blemish. People like Ed King say what they say because they live far away from the epicenter of the calamity (*Ed lives in Maine... Ed.) and are isolated from the repercussions of the conflict as well as the cause of the concern. It's easy for folks like that to listen to what they are told and publish a half-baked, half-assed, response from their ivory tower and purport it to be the "end-all", authoritative and "final word" on the matter. (*Kind of like Mel Gibson's father who denies the Holocaust ever happened... He's another detached, armchair theorist.... Ed.)
Hmmmm... Far be it for me to dare to disagree. How could I dare to compare wits with these self-proclaimed "experts" on all things masonic? I'm just a young, third generation Freemason. What do I know?
If you'll look at my profile, you'll see that I can probably speak with first-hand clarity about what is going on. I am no lackey for people with big, fancy, grandiose-sounding titles. I am simply a Freemason. Just a simple Freemason. I claim no secret knowledge or insight, nor do I clammer for recognition or title. I am just a Freemason. But as a Freemason, I believe that my words and thoughts, just as the words and thoughts of other Freemasons, are just as valid, important, and enlightened as any that have been spoken by our masonic ancestors. They carry all of the weight of any honorable man. They carry the authority of presidents, heads of state, and truly free-thinking philosophers and thinkers from time immemorial. The words and thoughts of any Freemason are the life of the Craft.
Those that use their position to subjugate the free-wills of honorable brothers are the enemies of Freemasonry. Just as much as the fundamentalist, anti-masonic lot and the conspiracy theorists; these title-hoarding, egotists are destroying Freemasonry to serve their own devices. They have introduced new "morals" into the ancient dogma that are at once recognisable as "peculiar" and "foreign." The new morals of deceit, avarice, greed, and despotism have replaced the time honored morals and dogma that formed the basis of our brotherhood. Somewhere along the way, we have allowed debased men to indulge their darker natures and they have become engorged with the fruits of their iniquities. Grotesque and distorted have their natures become. Nowhere is the Light to be found in them.
The defeat of the darkness that has permeated our brotherhood is carried in those very "words and thoughts" that I spoke of before. All Freemasons are knights of the truth. Their words are the swords of righteous anger and their thoughts are the armor of conscience and intellect. LET NO MAN CAUSE YOU TO BE SILENT! If you truly love the Craft, then take these words to heart, and take your heart to task. SPEAK!!! Rage against those who would silence you and soothe your protests with softly spoken lies and false sympathies. Tear down that wall of deceit that has been placed between you and your rightful inheritance of the Great Light of Freemasonry. Let it blind those pretenders who sit on the throne of the sacred East! Rebuild the temple whose foundation is in your hearts so that the world may one day see true Master Masons of the lost word as men of great stature and renown. Be as wise as serpents and as attentive as the Amesha Spentas (holy immortals). BUT NEVER... NEVER LET IT BE SAID THAT YOU WERE "SILENT."
Sincerely,
Darren Simpson
Masons | Masonic Light | Freemasonry | BurningTaper.com | United Grand Lodge of America | Burning Taper
The person that wrote this is in a good place.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderfully clear essay that sheds much light on the subject. Great job Bro. Darren. :-)
ReplyDeleteDear Brother,
ReplyDeleteYou sound disheartened. Possibly this has happened in your neck of the woods but I assure you and the readers that this simply is not the case in Mainstream Masonry. Most of what you say happens on the part of the same breakaway groups that you are trying to lure others into thinking they are real. Groups such as UGLA are started by men who had issues with Masonry, went and started their own groups. This group (UGLA) in partcular is not a Recognized Masonic Lodge and is not part of a Recognized Grand Lodge. While they might have the right things written on their websites they are not Masons in any sense of the word. There is no link to individual Lodges because there are none. Masonry begins in a man's heart and it becomes a way of life. It is how he thinks, acts and lives. I have read numerous comments by one member of UGLA who constantly tries to discredit Mainstream Masonry. This that discredit Masonry as do members of UGLA and it's followers are not being honest with readers and Masons alike. members of UGLA cannot visit Lodges that are part of Mainstream Masonry. Are you a part of UGLA by chance?
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Manny Blanco, PM
Moreno Valley Masonic Lodge # 804
Moreno Valley, CA
Grand Lodge of California
Brother Blanco,
ReplyDeleteI will have you know that I AM a Mason and have been for 13 years. I don't know about you but I was made a Mason first in my heart and then in a Lodge room.
To say just because your GL of CA does not "recognize" the UGLA that means I am not a Mason, that is like me saying since the GL of Alabama does not recognize PH Masons that they are not real Masons.
I do not understand why Masons who profess toleration, brotherhood, and morality are so judgemental to point a finger and say such disheartening things about REAL Masons who only wnat REAL Masonry and because we are so bold as to demand it that other Masons will stoop to the lowest levels of un-Masonic conduct to express an opinion that slaps the very core of the brotherhood.
David Cooksey
Manny,
ReplyDeleteI guess if brother darren is part of the UGLA, would you subtract the "brother" prefix when addressing him, because your GL may not recognize his masonic preference?
Manny is your typical delusional sycophant. He has no idea how evil Masonry has become outisde of his own little cirlce of friends.
ReplyDeleteThe best you can do is has compassion for brothers like Manny and hope that one day they will become enlightened.
Things like this speak to how bad things really are in American Freemasonry.
Do not trust Manny Blanco. He is bought and paid for my brethren. He is a man without morals.
ReplyDeleteHe published private correspondances in an attempt to defame a brother Master Mason and was exposed.
This guy has been sent here by the A&ASR - SJ. Expect more skullduggery soon.
A HOTT lacky??
ReplyDeleteGREAT I'd love for them to get involved.
-DARREN'S RESPONSE TO BRO. MANNY-
ReplyDeleteBro. Manny,
Thank you for your comment. I am not "disenheartened" in any way. I am "optimistic" about the future of Freemasonry.
I was raised in the Blue Lodge and I spent many years just "idling" as I like to put it. I went to lodge...contributed to the various charities and causes...went to the BBQ's. I did what was asked. But there was no Masonic education to speak of. When I tried to find it or inquire as to where I might find this training; I was simply shrugged off.
Bro. Manny, I am "optimistic" about the future of Freemasonry because I voluntarily "demitted" my Blue Lodge membership and joined those brothers whom you disdain in the UGLA. No one in the Blue Lodge tried to stop me or even cared that I might be making a "mistake". They were too busy in their own affairs and intrigues.
This "fake" masonic group, as you refer to it, has lived up to the promise that it purports to do. I have not had to endure one single BBQ, (I do like BBQ...), and I have found that masonic training that should be part and parcel of any lodge. I have found genuine brotherhood with brothers (who really are masons in every sense...even by your standards, for they were raised in the blue lodge too. The fact that they were illegally "erased" by the Blue Lodge makes not one iota of difference in their Masonic viability...Masons are masons first in their hearts, no one can take that away.) These same brothers genuinely care about the fraternity of the UGLA and their other brothers.
As for my not being able to step into a "mainstream masonic lodge"... Well, if my masonic ancestor Benjamin Franklin would be stopped at the door just because he belonged to the "wrong" masonic group...and he would be stopped, I'll be alright with not being allowed in too. We'll both just sit in the antechamber and discuss masonry together.
That last statement should really emphasize where I'm at masonically, and more importantly, where the Blue Lodge is masonically as well. The Blue Lodge is "off-kilter" and NOT THE LODGE OF OUR FOREFATHERS. It looks like that since Ben Franklin and I are not going to be part of "mainstream masonry" we will probably be in good company. Besides, at the rate of membership decline in the Blue Lodge and the rate of membership increase in the UGLA...How long before "mainstream" will fail to apply to the Blue Lodge anyway? I bid you peace.
S&F,
Bro. Darren Simpson
UGLA MASON
PS- Since I am on Blogger Beta, I cannot post by my Blogger name until they resolve the beta issues. So I have to post as anonymous. Darren
-To All who read my response to Brother Manny Blanco-
ReplyDeleteI want to make very clear that my response to Bro. Manny was not meant to be disrespectful in any way. Bro. Blanco is a good, honest man in my opinion. I have no belief that men such as Bro. Blanco are part of the problem that Blue lodge masonry is facing today.
-Also, contrary from popular belief; I have no real love for; nor am I "anxiously" awaiting the demise of Blue lodge masonry. I long for the "ouster" of those that have made masonry a source of personal gain. This is what I detest the most.
I would hope that not all lodges have the issues I have seen in Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas. I believe there are good men in all lodges. The United Grand Lodge of America being formed is simply an answer for people who are interested in the educational tradition of Freemasonry. This is my path. The Blue Lodge emphasizes charity and the giving nature of Freemasonry over all. I would like to see the two paths compliment each other in the future.
Darren Simpson
This group (UGLA) in partcular is not a Recognized Masonic Lodge and is not part of a Recognized Grand Lodge. While they might have the right things written on their websites they are not Masons in any sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteManny, I am surprised at you! You've always spoken highly of members of other, non-recognized lodges, including co-masonic and rites that are slightly irregular compared to mainstream Masonry. To claim that the UGLA members are not Masons "in any sense of the word" is an unsual attitude for you.
I agree that some of the UGLA members have been rather vehement in voicing their disappointment with their mainstream lodges, and with F&AM masons in general. It's unfortunate that they did not - or could not - choose to effect change from within the orgnaization. I'd like to see them lose that bitterness, but I would hope that in time they will realize that we are all brothers, and that they have chosen - as Darren writes - a different path. Certainly it would not be the first time in the history of our craft that this has happened.
The UGLA members know that they will not visit - officially - mainstream lodges, but it doesn't seem to be an issue; some of them have been asked to leave their mainstream GLs, others have demitted. But not being offically recognized does not make them - or rather, un-make them Masons.
I sincerely hope that they do well, and that both the UGLA and the mainstream GLs will stop the senseless bickering and backbiting. I don't see how anything can be gained by this.
The Tao of Masonry
Jim, masterted, 'bama, et alia:
ReplyDeleteNothing is going to be gained by making baseless accusations of conspiracy, name calling, or baiting. This is a big country in a big world, and for most of us, our experience of Masonry takes place in a relatively small pond. My experiences up in Connecticut seem to be nothing like your own - not surprising, because the political and demographic climate are probably nothing like your own. I'm not going to say that everything is perfect up here, but our GL system is set up differently and I can't imagine the situations that WS and Darren writing about taking place up here.
And please understand that I am not bashing the southern states, eitiher. I firmly beleive that, those states being a hell of a lot bigger than my own, there are thousands of good men in good lodges who would never stand for the situations that you claim.
Calling Manny a tool of the ASR is only a step removed from the k0nspiracy k00ks who call us, Masons, tools of the Zeta-Reticula Illuminati NWO conspiracy.
Now, what will it take for us all to learn to play nice and get back to Masonry?
The Tao of Masonry
I sincerely douby Bro. Manny is an AASR spy. He may not be entirely objective about everything and he can be a hot head at times, but overall he's a decent guy.
ReplyDeleteI called him a nazi for his zealous defense of the 'Antients' and he got bent out of shape over it. Since then we have worked out our differences like all Masons should.
I believe if we had brothers like Manny as the Grand Master here in Georgia none of this would have ever happened. He's the kind of guy who would rather find a compromise than start a fight.
Just my two cents.
Jeff
To My Brother Tom who wrote:
ReplyDelete"Manny, I am surprised at you! You've always spoken highly of members of other, non-recognized lodges, including co-masonic and rites that are slightly irregular compared to mainstream Masonry. To claim that the UGLA members are not Masons "in any sense of the word" is an unsual attitude for you."
My Brother , I am sorry to dissapoint you. I have dealt with this group for quite some time now. In my opinion there primary means of attracting good men is to attempt to discredit Mainstream Masonry or anyone that disagrees with them. I have received terrible emails from them as Mr. Peace wrote he went so far as to call me a "Nazi." It is quite easy to find there many comments regarding Mainstream Masonry and their sales pitches to the then "UGLA." Brother Tom, I respect, admire and recognize that other avenues of Mainstream Masonry exists. I have many Brothers and Sisters that are Masons in their heart and members of Masonic orders that are not Recognized by Mainstream Masonry. The issue with Jeff and his crew is much deeper then that. It is much more then even the calculated takeover of Halcyon Lodge and it's assets from Grand Lodge of Ohio. There is something wrong with a group that has to get members by attacking a sincere and entire fraternity and changes it's name on a regular basis. Again I am sorry to have dissapointed you. You are an esteemed Brother and always in my heart.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Bro. Manny Blanco, PM
Moreno Valley Masonic Lodge # 804
Moreno Valley, CA
Dave Simpson said " I will have you know that I AM a Mason and have been for 13 years. I don't know about you but I was made a Mason first in my heart and then in a Lodge room."
ReplyDeleteI can't dispute that fact David.
"To say just because your GL of CA does not "recognize" the UGLA that means I am not a Mason,"
As we all know "Freemasonry begins in a man's heart." His actions throughout life reflect what he truly believes and if he is truly a Mason. I have seen the actions of many members of UGLA. I have kept all the emails and posts. I do not in any way consider that group or any group they have evolved into "Masonic." We say "time will tell" and it has. The actions taken at Halcyon Lodge tells much of the story. There is no justification of a "take-over" by a small group of men who did not represent all the members of the Lodge. This too is un-Masonic in my point of view. There is a big difference in not being Recognized and what has been done by this group, whatever the name might be at the time. I also am sure that it is not all who are members but it boils done to the small group of men who runs the group and calculated the seperation of Halcyon Lodge from it's Grand Lodge. This information and the steps taken by these people is not hard to find.
Sicnerely,
Manny Blanco,PM
Correction: It should have written "Darren Simpson" and not
ReplyDelete"Dave Simpson." My apologies.
Sincerely,
Manny Blanco, P.M.
Jeff Peace wrote:
ReplyDeleteJeff Peace said...
I sincerely douby Bro. Manny is an AASR spy. He may not be entirely objective about everything and he can be a hot head at times, but overall he's a decent guy."
Definitely not a spy for anyone. I am a proud member of the Valley of San Bernardino Scottish Rite. This is a different approach Jeff. Thank you. "Hot head" while I don't agree it isn;t the worde thing I have ever been called. :-)
"I called him a nazi for his zealous defense of the 'Antients' and he got bent out of shape over it. Since then we have worked out our differences like all Masons should."
That was the worst thing I have ever been called. This was basically because I disagree with your approach to Masonry. Yes, we have agreed to disagree. That works for me...
"I believe if we had brothers like Manny as the Grand Master here in Georgia none of this would have ever happened. He's the kind of guy who would rather find a compromise than start a fight."
Thank you for the kind words. I have dealt with Grand Lodge of Georgia in the past and have found them to be good and honest men and dedicated Masons.
Just my two cents.
Jeff
Again I appreciate the kind words.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Manny Blanco, PM
Bro. Manny,
ReplyDeleteAs a brother I would ask that you look at the facts surrounding this situation. Mainstream Freemasons (in particular the Grand Master of Georgia) started this whole thing by acting un-Masonically and un-brotherly towards the brothers that went on to form the UGLA.
Bro. Jeff spent many years working with the mainstream Grand Lodges. He even travelled around the state of Georgia with the Grand Master Simmons to all of the districts giving presentations to the Masters and Wardens about how to attract and keep young men in Masonry. He was a die-hard supporter of the Craft.
Unfortunately, new Grand Masters do not always agree with their predecessors. Bro. Jeff and his friends were the victims of nasty Masonic politics. Losing them did nothing to help better Freemasonry.
If politics had been overcome by brotherhood then you and Bro. Jeff would be working together for the same cause.
If you want the fighting to stop then you should stop the name calling too. Acting un-Masonically towards any Mason, regardless of recognition status, only breeds contempt and hatred.
I believe it's time that everyone stop the name calling and start learning how to get along as brothers. No good can come from an endless struggle.
Dear Brother Darren,
ReplyDeleteI respect your opinion and the avenue you have taken. My biggest concern has always been the means in which the UGLA has chosen to get members and convince others that Mainstream Masonry is the "evil Big Brother." It is not! Darren, for me it might have been the approach taken by others and the many things written about Masonry that I have taken exception to. Many negative comments were posted regarding Blue Lodge, Shrine and Scottish Rite. Most were simply untrue. Most of the Masons I know (99.9%) represent all that is good and true about Masonry. They live it every single day of their lives. I have always felt that you are sincere regardless if we disagree on the UGLA issue. You have never been insulting and always have been Brotherly and kind. I believe that what you write comes from your heart. I appreciate that as far back as when this all started you have always respected my opinion as I respect yours.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Bro. Manny Blanco, PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBro. Manny,
ReplyDeleteYou have pointed out the issues and that is the starting point of seeking solutions.
How do you suggest the issues be resolved? What can the GOUSA do to help resolve the issues? It is our desire to work with all Masons, including the Grand Lodges.
All that we want is to be treated with respect and courtesy. That's not so unreasonable is it?
The difficulty lies in perceptions. You perceive us as an enemy but we are not. Many of our brothers were hurt by their Grand Lodge and they do harbor bad feelings towards them, but they do not represent the view of the GOUSA anymore than any mainstream Mason represents the view of their Grand Lodge.
Our Freemasonry is different from yours in many ways but that does not mean we view your Freemasonry as inherently evil. We simply disagree philosophically with certain aspects of the mainstream Craft. For instance we believe that absolute freedom of conscience is more important than a belief in deity. That, however, does not create an atmosphere of hostility towards you.
We need to begin to practice the tolerance that we have taught in lodge for centuries. I think this would be a major step forward. Don't you?
BTW: I am not Darren.
Dear Brother Roark,
ReplyDeleteyou wrote: "As a brother I would ask that you look at the facts surrounding this situation. Mainstream Freemasons (in particular the Grand Master of Georgia) started this whole thing by acting un-Masonically and un-brotherly towards the brothers that went on to form the UGLA."
I know the facts and support the Grand Master of Georgia in his actions and his decisions. We take Obligations that were broken by at least one Brother who was expelled. There are rules and regulation that we as Masons agree to abide by and adhere to. Grand Masters are not just plucked into these positions. This man and many others have earned these positions of respect and trust. My Brother is there a possibility that you are not aware of all the facts and the numerous false accusations made by most of these men who formed UGLA. Bro. Roark, are you a member of this group or the newly formed group?
"Bro. Jeff spent many years working with the mainstream Grand Lodges. He even travelled around the state of Georgia with the Grand Master Simmons to all of the districts giving presentations to the Masters and Wardens about how to attract and keep young men in Masonry. He was a die-hard supporter of the Craft."
I am sure he worked hard for Masonry.
"Unfortunately, new Grand Masters do not always agree with their predecessors. Bro. Jeff and his friends were the victims of nasty Masonic politics. Losing them did nothing to help better Freemasonry."
Brother Roark, we are not always going to agree with others. Does this mean that we should start our own group everytime someone doesn't think as we do? I don't think they were victims as much as things didn;t go their way. There is also a difference in being expelled and demitting. When a Grand Master/Grand Lodge expells someone there are generally good reasons. The Grand Master in most hurisdictions has the right to do so. We can disagree Brother.
"If politics had been overcome by brotherhood then you and Bro. Jeff would be working together for the same cause."
I do not believe this to be so. Wiile we eventually came to an agreement on our internet disagreeing we do not see eye to eye nor share the same thoughts on Masonry.
Brother Roark, I do not agree with the steps taken by these men from step one to the recent Halcyon situation. I do not find that my giving my opinion is a lack of respect. What is right, true and honest is always right, true and honest. Facts do not change because we write or speak well. WHat we hold dear to our hearts should be shown in our actions, should it not? When these folks parted from their Grand Lodges they went on a membership campaign that included smear tactics/ false outings and false accusations. This is not Feremasonry Bro. Roark. Not now or ever. Thanks for sharing your opinion and reading mine. I appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Bro. Manny Blanco,PM
Dear Brother Roark,
ReplyDeleteYou post much faster then I can write. :-) Hard to keep up with.
Sorry for the mistaken identity.
you wrote:
"Howard Roark said...
Bro. Manny,
"You have pointed out the issues and that is the starting point of seeking solutions."
"How do you suggest the issues be resolved? What can the GOUSA do to help resolve the issues? It is our desire to work with all Masons, including the Grand Lodges."
Bro. Roark, It is a nice thought and I am sure you mean well. I do not know the answer to that question. There has been many things that have happened before the formation of UGLA and now GOUSA? (I do like the initials.
:-)
"All that we want is to be treated with respect and courtesy. That's not so unreasonable is it?"
That is what we all want Bro. Roark. My point of view is based on what has been posted from these men from the beginning regarding Mainstream Masonry. Respect is a two way street Brother Roark.
"The difficulty lies in perceptions. You perceive us as an enemy but we are not. Many of our brothers were hurt by their Grand Lodge and they do harbor bad feelings towards them, but they do not represent the view of the GOUSA anymore than any mainstream Mason represents the view of their Grand Lodge.
The difference lies in what is Masonry and what is not. We all represent what we are part of Brother Roark. What we do and say outside of Lodge should represent what we learn in it. This didn't start today Brother. Please feel free to look into the past and the many terrible things written. Who does represnt GOUSA? Is there someone that is accountable and able to speak for them?
Our Freemasonry is different from yours in many ways but that does not mean we view your Freemasonry as inherently evil. We simply disagree philosophically with certain aspects of the mainstream Craft. For instance we believe that absolute freedom of conscience is more important than a belief in deity. That, however, does not create an atmosphere of hostility towards you.
We need to begin to practice the tolerance that we have taught in lodge for centuries. I think this would be a major step forward. Don't you?
POints well taken Brother. Again this did not start today. It has been going on for some time. I do ask you to review all the many atacks on Mainstream MAsonry by these men before you feel I am being harsh. It is a good way to start though. Sorry for the I.D. mistake.... HAve a great day.
Sincerely,
Manny Blanco, PM
Dear Bro. Manny,
ReplyDeleteThe past is indeed the past and just as you cannot heal the wounds of the brothers who were, in my opinion, wrongly expelled, neither can we take back the words that we said about the Grand Lodges. If we continue into the future basing our actions on events in the past, then none of us will ever grow to become better than what we were.
We must begin with today, and not the past, if we are to resolve our differences as brothers and Masons.
There are still brothers from both sides fighting over this, but neither you nor I am fighting; we're just quietly discussing the situation as brothers.
The brethren who started the UGLA are now a minority within the GOUSA. The more we grow the more things change. We wish to be separate from you but equal. We do not desire recognition but respect and courtesy. Our wish to be separate is not a sign of hate or bitterness, but a desire to explore Freemasonry in our own way. We would be happy to have Masons from the Grand Lodges at our social and educational events, and we would be honored to attend yours. In this way we can be separate but yet remain brothers in the greater sense of the term.
Let's stop all the fighting and begin the process of healing old wounds. I know with certainty that this is the desire of the vast majority of GOUSA brothers. I suspect the same may be true of your brothers as well.
Silent is one thing I am certain to not be accused of. ;,0
ReplyDelete