And the Darkness comprehended it not...Reprint from Living Stone Magazine Summer Edition

And the Darkness comprehended it not:

The Reemerging Anti-Masonic Sentiment

By Brother John L. Hairston, The Quill and The Sword

Right beneath the surface of the next generation of Masons joining lodges throughout the globe, is an old historical ghost materializing in plain view of this post-modern culture. Alongside the revival of Freemasonry, in its speculative context-occurring in 1717, was a parallel sentiment confronting its growth and perpetuation into subsequent generations-based on the counter-factual views recorded in an April 1738 Papal Bull by Pope Clement XII, declaring Freemasonry something to be condemned and prohibited[1]. Despite its system of morality, well documented charity, and incalculable contributions to world history, ignorance and superstitions prevailing, greater society was webbed into the misconceptions of Anti-Masonic zealots of the day.

Throughout the annals of recorded history we find this Anti-Masonic sentiment manifesting itself in many forms and concepts. The Religious concept vested in Papal Bulls and encyclicals of various Popes and ecumenical councils-from Clement XII’s papal bull, 21 years after the Revival of Freemasonry, to the present evolution of  the Pentecostal doctrinal allegations of Devil worship and “secret” agendas to sway members of the church into the “anti-Christian society of demons”[2]. The political concept, which ignited the 1826 movement and establishment of the short-lived, Anti-Masonic, political party in America-armed by fears of the general populace, and rooted in the controversial disappearance of Captain William Morgan [3]. To the present discipleship of Conspiracy theorist and the “Illuminati” fascination fueled by those who have never been members of Freemasonry and disgruntled ex-members who profit, in some manner, on their complete disregard of truth and actual facts concerning our Society.

The present and current re-emergence of this anti-Masonic environment that has permeated our society is being ushered by disparate variables of a Pentecostal fanaticism and the impact of Hip Hop music on the global Culture. As the “religious” fanatics move to discourage good and godly men from joining the ranks of Freemasonry, the behemoth constellation of Rap music has served to dissuade future and potential members from the Society-due to the avarice of industry puppeteers deceptively seizing the opportunity to broaden their fan-bases and profits through pseudo-affiliations with the “illuminati” or “secret societies” (i.e., Freemasonry).

Freemasonry, from its very inception, has always had its religious opposition. Deriving it momentum from the practice of secrecy, obligations, the Holy books of various religions, namely the Holy Bible, donning its Altars, along with the invocation of the Supreme Architect of the Universe as the God of all Mankind; Religious institutions have misinterpreted the purpose and vision of Freemasonry as a threat to organized religion. Many of the ecumenical councils and clergy see Freemasonry as a replacement of their faiths, and have pushed slanderous campaigns against the Fraternity, even to the point of persecution in many parts of the world. Although years of service to humanity, and a peaceful co-existence between the Order and religion has quashed many of the superstitions raised by organized religion against Freemasonry, we find in the past 100 years a renewed anti-Masonic movement being ushered in from the Pentecostal adherents.

We can trace this back to Charles F. Parham, whom many consider the Father of the Pentecostal movement in America. Pentecostalism has become the fastest growing as well as largest denomination in Christianity. Many of the members of the various groups that compose the Pentecostal movement hold fast to the edicts and doctrinal confessions of their leadership. It is stated in the biography of Charles F. Parham that he was indeed a member of Freemasonry[4]:

Although Pentecostals will claim that once Charles F. Parham was committed to ministry, that he no longer was a member of the Lodge, having no further connections with it; we find, in the same biography, a letter dated Feb. 1, 1929, where Parham gives hint to his connection to Freemasonry-even during his ministry life[5]:

Many of the biographies written on the life and works of Charles Parham exclude this piece of information. It is the opinion of this writer that it is based on their staunch opposition to Freemasonry; also, they would have a hard time explaining the membership in Freemasonry of the founder of the entire Pentecostal movement and their blatant opposition to the same. Taking their cue from conspiracy theorists and past Catholic encyclicals that were forged from a false and inaccurate understanding of Freemasonry, today’s churches have perpetuated this same misconception and erroneous view of Freemasonry. This has caused many potential members to shy away from the Order believing that within the walls of the Lodges lay an opposition to their Faith. I, myself being both a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a very active member of Freemasonry, have found nothing within that would forfeit, jeopardize, nor compromise my faith and beliefs. I will deal more on the subject of Christianity’s position on Freemasonry in a later article.

The wild card variable that was not present in past Anti-Masonic movements, that has the most impressionable and potentially detrimental influence on the how our younger generation (think future, potential members) view and receive Freemasonry, is Hip Hop music. This musical phenomena, from its humble beginnings in the South Bronx in the early 70s, has become a multi-billion dollar, cross-genre, all-inclusive cultural dynamic that has influence revolutions in political, social and generational thought[6].

The genre has accumulated a massive fan base and spending power in the short span of 40 years:

“The global hip hop community: twenty four million people between the ages of 19-34, from a range of nationalities, ethnic groups and religions. Their collective spending power is $500 billion annually in the U.S. alone.” [7]

If we can look at the statistic cited, and the age requirements for joining Freemasonry, we find that the VITAL ages of continuing the principles and legacy of freemasonry lie in the ability of Lodges to reach the very demographic that Hip Hop has claimed as a base-line audience. Have we missed something?

While Freemasonry failed to craft a plan to replenish the lodges with new blood, Hip Hop along with its base-line demographic became politically conscious in the late 80s and early 90s. Rappers were now expressing the political and social views from the perspective of Nationalism and organizational doctrines, which were heavily influenced by Islam. Their artists were now referencing the Illuminati and the One World Government theory, without truly connecting it with Freemasonry per se. But, with the mention of the Illuminati, the One World Order, and other conspiracies of society, the listeners were now armed with the internet for research into such topics. The conspiracy theorists erroneously connecting the Illuminati to Freemasonry was the only voice and version of events that the base-line audience heard. Freemasonry’s silence served to further “confirm” suspicions of an “alleged affiliation” with the Illuminati and thus Hip Hop music.

Tupac, one of the most revered Hip Hop artist of our generation, is considered to have a cult following even in the present day. In one of the last interviews before his death, he cited connections between the Music industry and the Illuminati [8]. This is considered by many Hip Hop research circles as the shift in the paradigm of Hip Hop’s link to Freemasonry. From this point we can begin to identify a growing sentiment among the demographic of the global hip hop community and the allegations of the genre’s affiliation with Freemasonry and the Illuminati.

The Cultural impact of Hip Hop music has placed Freemasonry in the spotlight of the present generation. Recent buzz in the genre has labeled the likes of Rap Superstars, Jay-Z and Kanye West, as having alleged affiliation with Freemasonry. Rap songs like “Freemason”, and a new Rocawear clothes line featuring a Square and Compass as a centerpiece, has incited both, curiosity and an erroneous public opinion of Freemasonry in general.

With this impact comes a double-edged sword-Freemasonry can either wield it or become a casualty of it. Our silence concerning who and what Freemasonry is, our disconnection with the community and an overall lack of significant outreach to our next generation can create a hostile environment for the Order in the coming decades. Someone has to speak out against the anti-Masonic sentiment that is driving good men from the doors of our lodges. A stronger public relation is most vital in clearing up the misconceptions perpetrated by social figures who attempt to gain industry dollars at the expense of the decline of the fraternity.

The photo that graces the beginning of the article is one taken on the outskirts of Kent, Washington this year. While driving to work, I noticed the sign, and went to look at it based on the hole through it. There were other signs that were on the post with the sign informing the community of the presence of organizations in the town. But, ONLY the sign for Verity Lodge No. 50 was shot through with a shotgun. This is a message to us as an Order, that the communities and the residents we have obligated ourselves to serve has a different view of us than we may believe. This may be an important insight as to why our lodges are waning in membership, and the reluctance of good men to join our ranks. We can remain in denial, and believe that a couple new members testify to reparation of a damaged bridge that Freemasonry once built to the community and the Church; or we can address the open door and clear our name and Order from misrepresentation. Despite which path we choose, the truth and fact is that our Lodges still remain in the midst of a growing and expanding Anti-Masonic sentiment encompassing our society. We are a light in our world, but what good is a light that is hidden? What does it serve the darkness, when darkness comprehends it not?

Endnotes:

1. In eminenti of April 28, 1738 by Pope Clement XII, an encyclical in condemnation of Freemasonry.

2. It isn’t hard to find information regarding the opposition of Christian denominations to Freemasonry. Many websites and Christian research centers have published works that attempt to characterize Freemasonry as anti-Christian.

3. Proceedings of the United States Anti-Masonic Convention, Sept. 11, 1830, Report on the Abduction of William Morgan, pgs. 16-32

4. The Life of Charles F. Parham, written by Mrs. Charles F. Parham, copyrighted 1930, pg. 32

5. Ibid. pg. 373, Letters from Home, dated Feb. 1, 1929

6. The Social Significance of Rap & Hip Hop Culture, Becky Blanchard, Poverty & Prejudice: Media and Race, published by Stanford University, 1999.

7. The No Bulls**t Guide to Hip Hop Demographics, Pt. 1, Justin Boland, August, 4, 2004. This article can be found at the following URL: http://www.audiblehype.com/blogs/business/2008/aug/04/the-no-bullshit-guide-to-hip-hop-demographics-part-one/

8. There are a plethora of Youtube videos that allege a connection of the Illuminati and Freemasonry with Hip Hop music. I am citing this particular interview of Tupac based on it being one of the last interviews, and the myths behind his death: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAKfS5lMm68

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