Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!
In order be as objective as possible whilst compiling this series, I attempted to provide multiple perspectives with regard to the Masonic phenomena in all it’s splendor.
You’ve read all about the conspiracy theories, the illuminati, and, all the negatives. Now, let us look deeper into the charitable and philanthropic sides of the organization.
Let us also look at the female counterpart of the masonic organization.
Let us THEN look at notable people, Black and white, who were/are members of the Masonic organization in one capacity or another.
From the beginning, this was meant to be a feature article on the lodge but I soon learned that the subject certainly deserved more than one feature and so here we are at the fifth installation. I warn you, there is much information to be shared concerning the “good things” these organizations are involved with.
Masons throughout the country and the world have quietly, but effectively conducted their charitable and philanthropic endeavors. By contributing an estimated $1 billion to charitable causes nationwide, Masons not only contribute to established nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics, but have established their own fully supported charities such as the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Recognized as the premier center for its care for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs, the Shriners have 22 hospitals throughout the country including one in Florida located in Tampa.
In addition, Masonic Jurisdictions have been national leaders in helping children and their families overcome the painful obstacles of dyslexia with more than 50 active Dyslexia Centers in 13 states. The Children’s Dyslexia Centers tackle the challenge of dyslexia by providing free tutoring for children and by training a highly skilled cadre of dedicated tutors.
The Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (MMRL) has been the Flagship Charity of the Grand lodge of Florida since 1997. The MMRL is on the cutting edge of scientific research, and it is wholly involved with cardiac research since heart disease is still the Number 1 killer in America.
In Central Florida, there are numerous lodges which contribute regularly to charities. I’ll list a few the lodge members have mentioned. Abraham #587 is a frequent contributor to the American Cancer Society. Boaz Lodge #212 regularly teams up with Florida’s Blood Centers at 90 day intervals and also takes part in beautifying their community through Adopt a highway, and also a monthly open Mic venue which raises funds for community service outreach such as their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to needy families.
The Masonic charities are too numerous to list entirely, but are all emblematic of the philanthropic philosophy that is one of the key precepts of the organization.
Order of the Eastern Star
I mentioned in the earlier parts of the series that no woman could ever be a master mason. In order to not be totally chauvinistic, I must detail the sister organization to the Masonic lodge. The sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star were established in 1850 by Dr. Robert Morris, the poet laureate of Freemasonry. The order is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all religious beliefs. The Freemasonry-related fraternal organization is open to both men and women.
A Master Mason, called the Worthy Patron MUST be present at all Star meetings. There is also another Mason, an Associate Patron, usually present. Otherwise, all the offices are held by women.
Right from the jump, people notice the symbol of the organization which is in the form of an inverted Pentagram. The upright pentagram is used as a symbol for Wicca, Witchcraft, and Paganism for protection, as in the famous Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram as well as in other rituals.
It is said that the five points of the pentagram represent the five elements: Fire at the lower right, Earth at the lower left, Water at the upper right, Air at the upper left, and Spirit at the top. As Wicca spread to the U.S. from Europe, it was discovered that Americans tended to despise this symbol. It was said to represent evil or Satanism. The two upright points implied the horns of the satanic goat (Baphamet). Sometimes, this goat was even drawn into the image.
The symbol is not popular among church folk, but take note, on the U.S. flag the pentagram is in 50 places for fifty states. Folks salute that flag. One must concede that while it is certainly true that some Satanists have adopted the inverted pentagram, does a symbol become evil simply because some group uses it? If that is so, dig this little tidbit. In the U.S., perhaps no symbol is more sacred and more honored than the (Congressional) Medal of Honor…that is an inverted pentagram folks.
The association of a symbol with an evil group, leading to the assumption that the symbol is inherently evil is nothing new, but I challenge you to explain that Medal of Honor fact and the stars in the flag.
No doubt, the Order of the Eastern Star is not without its group of naysayers.
According to author William Schnoebelen, the problem with the OES is that the people who put the order together in the 19th century relied upon the familiarity with Matthew 2:2 as a common “Christmas verse.” However, in light of the satanic symbolism involved in the OES as it has become known today, the “cult” will use words which have common meanings, like “Jesus” or “saved,” or well-known Bible verses. I simply ask the reader to define parable. Christians believe Jesus told parables.
Seems like a thing of idealism and various philosophies to me; different strokes for different folks.
Again, I digress, back to Philanthropy amongst the masonic organizations. Recently, Boaz Lodge #212, Espinola Lodge #161, Abraham #587 and the sisters of Essie Giddens Chapter #96 OES have worked collectively and individually to assist community youths with basic school supplies for a successful academic year.
James Alexander gave a testimony to the charity of the men of the masonic lodge. Alexander serves as a Past Master of Rudolph Bradley lodge #706 located in Sanford. “The brothers of Rudolph Bradley really felt there was a need in the community during Thanksgiving,” he said.
“Seminole County has a high number of homeless and low-income families. We took it upon ourselves as a lodge to do something about it. For the last two years we have had Thanksgiving dinner for the community at the Boys & Girls Club. We have fed over 200 people each time. When you look into the eyes of a child you know has not eaten much, it lets you know how important what you do is. The event was only done because of the brothers seeing the need and the lodge funding it. We spent hundreds of our own money to do this. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Alexander, who serves as an assistant district grand deputy under the MWUGL PHA of Florida went on to say that any lodge in his immediate district, has similar or advanced initiatives to contribute to charities in the community.
Indeed, the lodge extends into Central America. Most Grand Jurisdictions in Central America owe their lineage to the Grand Lodge of Central America-Guatemala, chartered by United Grand Lodge of England.
Case in point: David S. Anderson, a Past Master and masonic scholar of 30 years in the lodge. ”I am with Terencia Sierra 13 or Tegucigalpa, Honduras presently. Brothers in Costa Rica are pretty elitist, and perhaps even somewhat racist. I did not feel comfortable here after being raised (made a mason) in Southern California,” Anderson said. “The principle and ideals are fundamentally the same.”
And so Boys and girls, we end our five-part walk through the ancient mysteries of freemasonry from an inside and outside point of view. We have explored its rumors, its pros, its cons, how to become one and what is expected once one becomes one, we have shone a light on its various charities, we have mentioned its scandals. WE even traveled to South America. No doubt, even with the avalanche of information I was able to disseminate, it was still only one delivered perspective and the tip of the iceberg. The ultimate choice as always, lies with you, the reader. Only now will the reader find out the author of this series is none other than a masonic brother and scholar. Past Master, Karsceal Turner, Boaz Lodge #212, Past Excellent High Priest, Waymon Chapter #78 Royal Arch Masons, Past Eminent commander, Luscious Jackson Commandery #104 Knights Templar, member, Ancient City Temple #63 Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, member, Mt. Pisgah #2 Consistory, member, order of the Eastern Star, and Elk, at your service!
As I stated in the beginning of the series, Masons walk amongst us. Better to be informed before you ask one or petition to be one.
