LOOKS LIKE WE’RE DOWN TO THE JEWS AND THE NEO-CONS

American Freemasons end their stonewalling and put faith in PR
(Philip Sherwell, The Telegraph, December 5th, 2004)

After centuries of obsessive secrecy and medieval rituals, Freemasons have turned to the modern arts of public relations and advertising for an unprecedented recruitment campaign in America.

The days when newcomers could join only by a whispered invitation from an existing "brother", followed by a lengthy initiation, are coming to an end, after a steady fall in membership.

The Grand Lodge in New Jersey has launched its most energetic recruitment drive so far, investing about $100,000 (£51,000) in newspaper and cinema advertising to publicise a one-day entry "class" in March. Robert Leonard, a New York public relations executive handling the campaign, needed no introduction: he is a Mason.

"If you're looking to make a difference, take a look at Freemasonry," read the adverts in 12 New Jersey papers. "We are committed to charity, brotherhood, friendship and faith and do so through philanthropic and humanitarian acts. Become a better man, father, husband and citizen at the Freemason's one-day class on March 19."[...]

The main thrust of the campaign is the one-day entry class. Previously, it could take months to complete the three Masonic "degrees" required to become a member, a complicated process that lodges believed was deterring applicants.

Kingsley Amis once quipped that everything that is wrong with the modern world can be summed up in one word: workshop. Here, according to their horrified but fascinated adversary, is the solemn and highly secret terror a new initiate underwent--until now:

“The oath, for instance, of the first degree is as follows: "I, in the presence of the Great Architect of the Universe, . . . do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely swear, that I will always hide, conceal and never reveal any part or parts, any point or points of the secrets or mysteries of or belonging to Free and Accepted Masons in Masonry which may heretofore have been known by, shall now or may at any future time be communicated to me" etc. "These several points I solemnly swear to observe under no less penalty, than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the root and my body buried in the sands of the sea", "or the more efficient punishment of being branded as a wilfully perjured individual, void of all moral worth". "So help me God”. Similar oaths, but with severer penalties attached, are taken in the advanced degrees.”

Now their doors are being thrown open so the world can see a bunch of one-day workshop graduates in silly hats with their pant legs rolled up discussing paper drives for charity. And they think modern guys are going to flock to them? Haven’t they learned anything from mainstream Protestantism?