How the plot thickened
The cluster of fine buildings belonging to the Bengal Freemasons Trust Association at 19 Park Street is veiled in secrecy for more reasons than one. Being at the end of a twisting drive, the buildings are not visible from the street itself.
King Solomon had built the temple of god in Jerusalem with certain architectural features such as pillars with lily-shaped capitals. Although the freemasons of today have little to do with either Solomon or his temple, freemasonry is linked with the foundation of the fraternity of builders of this temple. Symbolic use is made of the pillars..
One Mountain Many Paths
Dr. Patrick Swift is the author of One Mountain, Many Paths and a Freemason.
"In today’s world, you don’t have to look far to find violence, hatred, and deep spiritual rifts. From discouraging headlines of religious upheaval splashed across the front pages to quiet tensions among people you encounter everyday, divergences in the way humans lead their spiritual lives crop up in many different ways.
Holding the firm belief that our likenesses vastly outnumber our differences, Dr. Patrick Swift compiled One Mountain, Many Paths in the wake of the September 11th attacks. A spiritual companion or gift for family and friends, One Mountain, Many Paths is filled with uplifting quotes from the sacred texts of all of the great religious traditions - organized into chapters such as 'Love Your Neighbor as Yourself' and 'Love Your Enemy.'
Serving as a collection of guideposts for the reader’s spiritual journey, the book illuminates the common threads of faith, hope, and love that weave together all the great religious traditions – including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, indigenous proverbs, and many others."
His eBook One Mountain, Many Paths: An American Freemason Speaks Out For Peace will be out July 4th and the publisher is releasing it free to the public July 4th weekend (only) in celebration of Independence Day and religious freedom in America. You can sign up early at www.onemountainmanypaths.com or go that weekend to the site to download.
The Freemasons Enter the Spin Zone
By Jennifer 8. Lee
City Room was a bit surprised to get an e-mail pitch in late December from a public-
relations company promoting the Freemasons in connection with the release of Disney’s new movie, “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.”
After all, aren’t the Freemasons a secret all-male society that has been the subject of conspiracy theories ranging from possession of the Holy Grail, the founding of Atlantis and hiding secret symbols in Washington architecture and United States currency?
The Internet is filled with Web sites discussing and debunking the swirl of rumors around the Masons, whose members have included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Mozart, Beethoven and Fiorello H. La Guardia
*This article is a couple months old but still worth a read
AN ADDITION to the Manukau Superclinic will improve the clinical accuracy of a common test for thyroid abnormalities.
An ultrasound machine was donated by the Freemasons Roskill Foundation and will increase the accuracy of thyroid biopsies performed at the Superclinic.
Multi-nodular goitre, a swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck, is found in about 10 per cent of the population. These multi-nodular thyroid glands have many lumps and bumps, which are usually benign and harmless.
However, a small proportion of patients develop a cancerous growth in the thyroid that is highly malignant. If the thyroid cancer is diagnosed early, there is a good prospect of a cure.
Freemasons in midst of popularity, membership boom
The secretive society gains a higher, hipper profile as younger men seek out a place for fraternal bonding.
By Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 18, 2008
IN LOS FELIZ, across from a 7-Eleven on North Vermont Avenue, a few dozen men in their early 20s to late 80s share a dinner behind closed doors. Some wear full tuxedos with bow ties and jeweled cuff links, some have shoulder-length hair, and others wear open-collared shirts that reveal the slightest filigree of tattoo arching across their chests.
Over Italian food, retired lawyers and judges sit elbow-to-elbow with owners of scrap metal yards and vintage clothing boutiques. They hold forth on philosophy, the weather; they rib each other and joke about saving room for cannoli. As they reach for seconds, they reveal skull-cracking rings emblazoned with a compass and a square.
More
Freemasons of the Nation's Capital Champion Fight Against Breast Cancer
Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia sponsors awareness and donates $25,000 to Susan G. Komen For the Cure.
(Vocus/PRWEB ) May 20, 2008 -- The Freemasons of the nation's capital, the Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia, are championing breast cancer awareness and prevention in partnership with Susan G. Komen For The Cure during the National Race For The Cure on June 7th, 2008.
Spearheading the drive is Ms. Lourdes Elias, wife of the Grand Master of Masons of D.C., Akram R. Elias. Ms. Elias, a breast cancer survivor, has already donated over $4,000 with her fundraising team. In addition, the Grand Lodge of D.C. donated $25,000 to Susan G. Komen For the Cure in a special ceremony during the recent 9th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges held May 7 - 10 in Washington.
As the world's oldest and largest fraternal society with more than half of its membership residing in the United States, Freemasonry has a rich history of involvement in the founding of America and her development for over two hundred and fifty years. In an unprecedented effort, the Freemasons of D.C. wish to further the awareness and prevention of breast cancer within the greater Washington Metropolitan area, as the brotherhood believes that strengthening the community is a key component in building a good civil society
