The On-Line Freemason

Temporary Delay In Posts

2008-11-04T11:15:00.004Z

Just wanted to drop a quick note to those who do not visit Freemasonry Universal to explain the long absence.

I'm going to be a dad and have over the last 8 months been prepping myself, the house, the car, you name it I've prepped it LOL, so my online time has been non-existent.

Although we are still awaiting the arrival, I have prepared all I can so now have a little more free time.

Freemasonry Universal has had a revamp, new layout, new structure, and is slowly being refilled with information, so please check it out and send your comments in to feedback@freemasonry-universal.org also we are looking to get opinions from Freemasons, you can get more info from the the projects area of the site, but I will make a blog on it at a later date.

Anyway, I best get back to things, I just wanted to give a quick update before people thought I'd got lost and also say a quick thanks to those who have stayed in touched and sent messages to find out what was happening.

Bondi
The On-Line Freemason

Why aren't you a member?

2008-02-06T11:26:00.000Z

Freemasonry Universal, a new vibrant website, has just release a new online masonic social networking site for the promotion of brotherhood between Freemasons.

It is urged that all Freemason's online become members as this deems to become a central portal to all your online masonic needs.

Don't delay, sign up today. It's Free, Its Masonic and you will be helping Freemasonry!!!

Join the Network

Anti Freemasons BEWARE

2008-01-18T10:57:00.000Z

Now Freemasonry is planning a revolt, ambush or war only kidding LOL. You don't like us or our organisation so be it, it's your choice, but I still don't want you to get robbed.

However, I thought seeing as I tend to get approached by a number of people who do not regard Freemasonry in, lets say, any kinda esteem regardless of fact or reason I would highlight just how hypocrytical some can be. And with regard to the specific reference I will use there is also a little warning to the anti's, and that is to be careful you do not get blinded by your hate as it may be your own downfall, or at the least put you out of pocket due to a scam.

As you will see from the title of this piece I am using a group calling themselves Second Family UK in my example, why this one, well why not but also because this is the group, and when I say group I mean a single person who claims to be three and flits all around the net posting the exact same page of info and nothing more.

Some will of run into him on http://www.thefreemason.com, one of the most reputeable masonic website, store and forum on the net. Some of you guys who oppose the existance of Freemasonry and like to talk about it, may well of run into Second Family, who from this point on will be referred to as "Joe Stirling" as this is the screen name he/she/they (depending on what they are pretending to be at the time) post and publishes under, on the likes of PrisonPlanet, the many NWO Yahoo! and MSN groups, Above Top Secret and similar.

Although run into would probably be a long stretch to describe it, as all "Joe Stirling" does is post a single long piece, which makes little sense, bold claims, and a link to "his" own site where would you believe it, HE IS ASKING FOR MONEY!!!

Anyway to continue with the point of this blog entry, the reason for which will be apparent as I run through some elements of "Joe Stirling", his points, his comments and his "proof" of claim... will be waiting for a while on that last bit as he still doesn't have any.

We, as in Freemasons online, are all accustomed with the numerous claims of this, that and the occasionally surprise claim of alien lizards. In all honesty it is more of an amusement to me than anything else, however I do get mixed emotion, and confused reaction, when I see a particular person, or group, make all these statements about Freemasonry that we are 1) not actually guilty of and 2) the accuser IS actually guilty of...

To illustrate my point...

Stirling claim: the masons still enroll new members, but no register is kept

Second Family boast a substantial membership, but no public register is kept

As everyone knows, each new candidate IS registered, and FULL membership roster is kept and each Grand Lodge even produces a publically available year books to show all the officers and members of any rank... What makes it even stranger is Stirling later claims that the BBC has SEEN a COMPLETE register of the Freemasons in England and Wales (this is all UGLE deals with).

Stirling claim: Freemasonry is not charitable, but criminal and asks for money for the "higher" up members really

Okay, so we have a claim, Freemasonry doesn't gather a large amount of money for which it claims charitable use so what can we do about it, or can people really see where the money goes...

Actually YES they can, the UGLE website, at http://www.ugle.org.uk, details the main masonic charitable organisations we as Freemason donate to in the uk, there is also details of large donations to such funds as the Tsunami, Katrina and world relief efforts (claims of which if were false would soon be highlighted in the press!!) We then have localised charity, elements that really only those who benefit or take note of small press clippings etc would be aware of. My own lodge in Suffolk for example raises money for the Air Ambulance that covers our region. Now granted "mr public" walking down the street is not going to have much of a clue about these small, localised efforts, but they happen in EVERY single lodge.

Don't trust a masonic site, well Freemasonry has to file accounts and taxes as well, just like anyone else. A quick trip to companies house and bobs your uncle, fannies your aunt, you can see it ALL, ever penny in and out. Oh but wait, that would mean getting of the sofa, maybe shelling out a couple of quid for the admin and then you'd still have to actually look through the information wouldn't you... Much easier to make stuff up isn't it.

The same with the previous claim of non-declaration of membership... The information is there, and publically available, the problem is we don't have the specific little lists people want, but could if it really was important and not just someone peddling falsehoods for attention sort for themselves. No we don't have a seperate list of Freemasons who are solicitors, doctors, judges we just have a comlpete list, in book form. Get a list of judges and cross reference it if you really want to know, oh but no, it isn't really of any concern if it means actually DOING something, applying some EFFORT. Thats how much conviction people have, thats how much people really care about these things they claim.

So lets look at why "Joe Stirling" hates the Freemasons, the Second Family site is quite basic, obviously not done for show, and only contains a few pages but one is full of claims, of which "Joe Stirling" claims to have proof of, but as yet not a single person has seen it. So lets see...

"Joe Stirling" writes: 301 - I rented a unit (on a shoestring) so that I could teach building trades. One of the first bookings was a middle class person who was linked to the FMs via a riding school. After investigation, this person wanted to bring a friend (unknown to me, this person was a health & safety officer) I would have been closed down that week as I didn’t have the funds to set it all up properly, which the Masons knew. I called this person to cancel the booking (due to imaginary problems). I can’t imagine them clearing drains.

Middle class person linked to Freemasonry via a riding school?? So the person isn't a freemason.

So someone looked into your unit, felt it was unsafe so did the law abiding thing and got it checked out.

There is open admittion that the unit was not set up properly, would of been closed down that week, which means "Joe Stirling" knew the development/project was not adhering to health and safety requirements, but still opened for trade. I would go on to say it shows the kind of character, but in truth it doesn't. I know times can be hard, I know people may take short cuts with the honest intention of rectifying them later. It happens and I am not going to judge a person on that single act.

However, this is not Freemasonry this is the law for every person who sets up, or has an establishment for business.

Now I could probably understand if the gripe was because a goody two shoes dobbed you in, trying to start up on your own is always frustrating and full of set backs, but how exactly do you tie Freemasonry into this? Can anyone see a definitive connection, other than the pony club element...

At most a bloke knows a Freemason.... whoopee doo... he would also know alot of other people who are members of other groups, what makes it specifically Freemasonry?

Well I guess it could be due to all the other happenings...

307 - One summers evening, I was out in a field with my dog (running free) Our dog is a trained family pet, not a trained guard dog. While I was talking on the mobile, an aggressive dog came charging to our dog and immediately after that another dog (Pit Bull Terrier) came to join in. Fortunately they all started to play. This was a FM set - up. The Pit Bull did not have a collar on, so nobody could stop it if their plan worked. This was FM theatre.

Okay, not really sure of the connection here, lets try another one...

306 - FMs mostly wear skipcaps (baseball style cap) especially when they are out persecuting a victim. This is also a way for them to recognise each other. It is also a disguise and they will swap caps. They will wear them with dark glasses even on cloudy days. When you see old guys wearing them, it’s not because they are being fashionable. Investigate further by the skipcap, his car reg, his house number, his associates, pub/club/garage he uses, etc. Also engagements, weddings and esp. funerals.

Baseball caps? a way of recognition... No wonder "Joe Stirling" thinks everything is the Freemasons. Now I am sorry, but the only people who wear sunglasses on cloudy days are pop stars. Still, this could just be an oversight, I am sure there is something to make the connection and see why, lets continue...

311 - Because I kept changing my vehicles, appearance and movements. The FMs would always send somebody that knew me and like a trusting ignorant fool, I used to say hello and have a chat thinking this was a chance encounter. I did not know this is how the evil FMs work. Dozens of incidents, all documented.

Could end up a lonely life if every friend who says hello is actually a Freemason spy...

314 - One dark damp evening, I was working on my vehicle and this stranger comes over to me. He was very paranoid and started to make out he had mental health problems and came aggressively towards me with his hand inside his coat. He only stopped because I had a hammer in my hand and told him to eff off. He knew I was no mug and staggered away, obviously on drugs. This was a serious dangerous situation. This guy meant business, I now know it was a FM set-up and can prove it.

Hmmm, beginning to see a pattern, some less than savoury happenings I grant you, but still I cannot see what it has to do with Freemasonry?

I could of at least comprehended it if it was definitely a Freemason who was involved, there would at least be a viable reason to think Freemasonry had it in for you...

Not really sure what can be said further on such claims, other than you can phone Second Family and actually make up the most absurd story and they will 100% every time tell you it's the Freemasons.

Try it, it's quite funny especially how they use any element of the story as a "secret masonic symbol" A car having 4,6,8 wheels and 2, or 4 headlights shows it's masonic apparently....

Or, and this is 100% true, it's on their site... A freemason mechanic, if the org is targetting you, will put an acorn in your right headlamp (sometimes accompanied by a peg???) so other mechanics who are freemasons will mess up your car. Messing up your heater fan in the fall is a good indication as well apparently, may cause an accident because of inproper field of vision. Don't know about anyone else, but I AM a Freemason and I can guarantee when winter comes round my car heater will pack up, my hot water will go cold and I'll probably lose my warmest coat. Do you reckon I am being targetted.... hhmmm

In serious though, and the real and main purpose for the blog entry is Second Family is a legitmate, full blown scam. There is one consistant element to everything "joe stirling" publishes to the net and that is the phrase, "make cheques payable to Joe Stirling" so watch out those who oppose, people are using your "movement" to make money.

Oh "Joe Stirling" does offer a service in return for paying YOUR money into HIS bank account and that is to bombard all the neighbours, work colleagues and friends of any Freemason he finds the identity of with leaflets, flyers, phone calles, letters, e-mails, etc etc telling them about their masonic aquaintance and what Second Family says Freemasonry is all about.

The two points that obviously you conspiracists will know straight away, and will want to warn your fellow conspiracists is this effort of Second Family (couldn't even think up their own name...) is a money scam 1) Second Family don't send anything out, he's had all my details for months because I gave them to him 2) if he were to do it, he would be breaking the law and ALL those who donated would be liable to the criminal charges as well.

Now I really dont care if people dislike Freemasonry, I know I am a good guy, honest and try to be the best I can be and for that reason I find myself morally committed to warn those who would never extend a hand of help or friendship to me simply because I choose to be a Freemason.

SECOND FAMILY (UK) an unoffical group that requests donations made out to the founders personal account.

Check them out http://www.secondfamily-uk.com

Or you can see Joe at http://www.masonfree.co.uk where he posts some rather strange things, deletes most of what any Freemason responds and then claims victories because there is no response.

It's amusement at the very least, I go there when I'm having a bad day as it always turns my frown upside down...

Membership Open

2007-12-20T11:24:00.000Z

Some will recall a blog a short time ago regarding a masonic website I was launching.

We have just added the form to submit membership applications, so get on over and submit yours

Cost's nothing, it's just about showing brotherhood online as well as at lodge. You can make a number of submissions so you can join as an individual and for each of your sites, blogs etc. In return you will be listed on the Freemasonry Universal Site be able to advertise for free on the site.

If your lodge doesn't have a site, we've recently launched FREE websites for lodges, standard template designed by the people of Freemasonry Universal and they will even add all your text and images!!

Bookmark the site, show your support and submit a membership application.

Freemasonry Universal, brothers promoting brotherhood!!

It's Only A Dollar

2007-12-11T22:02:00.000Z

One of the many online activities I engage in regarding Freemasonry is answering questions and thus I frequently peruse Yahoo! Answers, as mention in The Best Way To Get An Answer. It is one of my favourite haunts, all barring one little thing.

Everyone asks the same questions!!!

It is no surprise to me now that people seem to get such an absurd, uneducated and sometimes quite comical impression of Freemasonry when many can't even work out how to use a simple search facility to see their question has already been asked hundreds of times before!!

Now one of the many things I admire about the American people is there partiotism and the pride they take in their history and achievements, so it always comes as both an unpleasent and surprising shock to see questions regarding the historical aspects of America, USA, and how people of said country try to enforce some really quite distasteful claims.

Just a few minutes ago I, for what must be the 3rd, 5th or 7th time in as many days found myself responding to questions regarding the Dollar Bill and it's apparent proof of Masonic infiltration, farsical American history and general NWO clap trap.

I used to find it somewhat amusing to begin with, and if I am honest I used to think "funny americans" but now it is almost concerning that people actually believe this stuff?? The American history is one of the best recorded, most envied and the detailing of most aspects is freely available, so how I ask do people even remotely believe such things?

So for those who still think the Dollar Bill proves masonic control, is full of masonic symbols blah blah...

1) Benjamin Franklin was the only Mason on the first design committee, and his suggestions had no Masonic content.

2) None of the final designers of the seal were Masons.

3) The interpretation of the eye on the seal is subtly different from the interpretation used by Masons.

4) The eye in the pyramid is not nor has been a Masonic symbol

A committee was assembled in 1776, Independance Day no less, to create a seal for the new American nation.

This first committe consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, with Pierre Du Simitière as artist and consultant. Only Benjamin Franklin was a Mason, and he contributed nothing of a Masonic nature to the committee’s proposed design for a seal.

Du Simitière, who was not a Mason, contributed several major design features that appeared in the final seal namely the shield, E Pluribus Unum, MDCCLXXVI, and the eye of providence in a triangle.

The eye of providence usually being interpreted, by the un-educated, as one proof of "masonic influence" has an interesting history. First use of a single "eye" being in Egypt, as the Eye of Horus, it's appearance in the west was late 17th century, shown surrounded by clouds and by the early 18th century it was enclosed in a triangle as a more explicit trinitarian reference to the God of Christianity and considered a solely Christian symbol. Freemasonry was only just beginning in England and hadn't arrived in any other country by then.

This symbol was added by a non-maons and at most you could say this part was influenced by the Christian Faith America was born with.

It is written by Hieronimus, on p. 81, “The single eye was a well-established artistic convention for an ‘omniscient Ubiquitous Deity’ in the medallic art of the Renaisance. Du Simitière, who suggested using the symbol, collected art books and was familiar with the artistic and ornamental devices used in Renaissance art.”

Congress declined the first committee’s suggestions as well as those of the second committee in 1780 commitee. Again as with the first the consultant, Francis Hopkinson, contributed a number of ideas that remained: “white and red stripes within a blue background for the shield, a radiant constellation of thirteen stars, and an olive branch.”

Hopkinson’s greatest contribution to the current seal came from his design of a different note, the 1778 Colonial 50-dollar bill which is where we first see the unfinished pyramid.

The third and final design committee produced the layout in 1782, which congress finally passed. Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, and William Barton, artist and consultant, they borrowed the elements mentioned previously from the earlier designs and sketched what became the official seal of the United States of America.

The first mention of the "Masonic Influence" came in 1884 from Harvard Professor Eliot Norton who commented in writing that the reverse was “practically incapable of effective treatment; it can hardly, (however artistically treated by the designer,) look otherwise than as a dull emblem of a Masonic fraternity"

The simple, and ONLY fact that remains are the remarks made by Thomson and Barton, and offer the only legitimate explination as to the meaning behind the symbolism, regardless of what anyone else may wish to cunjure up in their imagination

“The Pyramid signified Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause.”

The only element within the design that could be considered Masonic is the Eye of Providence, but the interpretation of it by the designers is very different from that used by the Masons. On the seal the eye represents the active intervention of God over men, and to bring it close to that of the Masonic use you would have to state it stands for a passive awareness by God of the activities of men. A change of words on paper yes, but the change in meaning is huge!.

The amusing part of it all those, is the All Seeing Eye did not become incorporated into the emblems of Freemasonry until 14 years after it was introduced to the Seal of the United States, and that was enclosed in a half circle, not triangle, which also changes the meaning. The triangle is specficially used emblematically of the Trinity.

Maybe we should be looking into America placing secret symbolism into Freemasonry LOL Only joking...

Bondi

The On-Line Freemason

Welcome Freemasonry Universal

2007-10-05T12:34:00.000Z

Welcome to Freemasonry Universal

The Newest and Freshest website for Freemasonry, for Freemasons and everything masonic has just been launched. Freemasonry Universal is set to be the #1 site for Freemasonry and it doesn't aim to be alone.

Freemasonry Universal has been designed and developed as a consortium, inviting other brethren, other masonic sites and sites on freemasonry to link exchange, but as with Freemasonry itself, Freemasonry Universal is NOT about quantity, but QUALITY. If the sites don't make the grade, they don't make the network.

The site currently is a shell, some standard information on Freemasonry, some background on Freemasonry Universal and it's network but just look at the index of Freemasonry Universal and you will see what is set to come!!

Each section has an overview, and further subsections of a more specific nature.

The network section details how you can be a part of Freemasonry Universal, although the request to join is still not available.

There is a novel, NEW, element to this site as well. PROJECTS, Freemasons are renowned for community involvement, sparing time to worthwhile causes so why do we not utilise the internet to be involved in more... Well now we do. Keep an eye on this section because there are a few projects in the pipeline already. You can also get Freemasonry Universal involved with your own projects, as a partner or simply ask them to promote it!

This venture is set to be big, useful, but above all about Brotherhood, something so often forgotten when in the realms of cyberspace. You don't need to be face to face to be a brother.

Visit Freemasonry Universal today, get it bookmarked and check back when you can.

If you are interested in Freemasonry Universal whether it be to just show some support, or even contribute, then e-mail siteadmin[@]freemasonry-universal[.]org and let them know you're interested. Or just pass on the link those who might be interested.

Bondi
the On-Line Freemason

Masons Worldwide

2007-09-26T09:25:00.000Z

Well it appears that we have a new addition to the online world of Freemasonry.

Masons Worldwide is the most recent, to my knowledge, addition to communities for Freemasons online and it's a new approach and look in comparison to the others I have seen.

The inspiration and brains behind Masons Worldwide is Bro.'. Andrew Oliver and unlike the other forums which are generally simply PHP board provided via php, vbbulletin or invision, Bro.'. Andrew has taken on what seems to be a social networking site approach.

The site itself contains:

Chat - Send instant messages, chat privately 121 or enter the chat rooms for live group chat.
Blogs - Let members discover more about you by adding your own blogs.
Gallerys - View members photo gallerys and create your own!
Messageboards - Join in with the latest topics and discussions!

There are different memberships available, currently all members have received free upgrades to help launch the site so I am unsure if there will be a subscription type commitment to make available all the services.

However, I have joined and it seems okay. The approach is different and I reckon most will remain within the message board area as it is well known now among online Freemasons. The facilities provided by the networking software are common, with blogs and photo galleries, although it may take time for them to get used as the format is different from the norm. Saying that, it is refreshing to see a unique approach and environment.

As with all new ventures of this nature it is quiet and needs an influx of members, preferably some who will make a few posts to the message board, upload a few images and make the place look alive!!

I know many of you out there are already members of multiple forums, but try to remember when you first started or first arrived on a new board...

Drop along, sign up, make a post or two and maybe upload a couple of pics, who knows you might even hang around.

Masons Worlwide

Fraternally

Bondi
the on-line Freemason

New Blog Brought to Attention

2007-09-25T12:36:00.000Z

I was recently sent a link to a new masonic blog, admittedly my reading time is still a little sparse but upon realising who's blog this was I have made the time to pop across and have a look.

This Brother, raised to the Sublime November 2001, has become a well known internet Freemason, some are big fans, some are not, but hey we can't please everyone now can we.

I have known this brother personally from the minute I first joined a masonic forum, the highly missed Lodgeroom of another well known online Brother, Stephen Dafoe (where are you Stephen!!) and from the outset have often been quite mesmorised by what he writes.

Bro Dunn is the publisher of the well respected, and well distributed, online Masonic Magazine of Lodge Room International, had one or two bits included myself so best plug it LOL you can download issues from their download centre.

I have breifly read through the current offerings of Bro Dunn, and all I can say is he continues with the insightful, thought provoking style we who know him have come to love and look forward too.

You may either agree, or disagree, with this brother, but what ever you think you will find regular visits to this blog one of the most worthwhile.

Welcome Bro Dunn to the world of Blogging, the masonic blog world has been waiting!!

Fraternally

Bondi
the On-Line Freemason

The Best Way To Get An Answer

2007-08-02T12:33:00.000Z

Sorry I've been absent for so long, the WWW is a big place and many of the good sites are more than just vast...

However I have spent the last few months losing myself within the Yahoo! Answers network. Interesting to say the least.

Now we all know that the best way to get an answer is to ask a question, but does it not help to ask the right people?

I do not wish to bad mouth the Yahoo! Answers service, or it's team, because in actual fact as always it is the users that make this potentially great service a mockery.

Yahoo! Answers incorporates a scoring system and allows the user to gain points and levels in regards to how many questions they ask, answer and also when placing votes for best answer. I am sure the many online veterans can see where the problems begin...

You have those who answer a question with various forms of "I dont know the answer" which is against the rules of useage, and is only done to get points, but due to the vast size of the Yahoo! Answers Network they rely on members reporting such inclusions, how many use the report options? Who knows, but not enough judging by the amount of answers of this nature I come across and I only look at one topic!

Next the asker has the option to select a best answer, or open it to votes. Which is where the next problem arises, you can vote for the answer you gave! Great if you want to get the big score of 10 for getting a best answer, but it does make the whole system somewhat unreliable if you truly seek an honest and factual answer.

So why do I mention this Yahoo! Answers network on my masonically orientated blog, well people do ask alot of questions about the craft and being on Yahoo! Answers is no different to anywhere else.

Another negative though, which is for those who take the time to answer these question posed against, about or for Freemasonry, people dont search for previously asked questions, and askers get impatient waiting for answers as if it is real time! I've been aswering questions, on Freemasonry, for the last six months on a daily basis (I might take the odd weekend off to have a life ;) )and in all honesty I reckon there have been about 6-8 unique questions and the amount of times you get the same question, from the same asker, multiple times with literally minutes inbetween is enough for you to pull your hair out LOL

However, they are questions to be answered, and from some of the answers given there is a real need for more brethren to take a few minutes out of their day occassionally to answer these questions, if anything to combat more dis-information and mis-guided people answering complete and utter drivvle!!

Maybe some of us could team up and create a masonic network within Yahoo! Answers to try and provide an ever vigilant and ever eager online presence to provide the enquirying minds with their answers...

Bondi
The On-Line Freemason

If you'd like a site, even one of your own, reviewed send me a link and I will give it a look!

novus ordo saeculorum - the review

2007-03-30T10:27:00.000Z

I said I would review it, and now I have. I want all readers to be aware though, this community is still developing and still in its infancy! I maybe reviewing prematurely but there are too many sites to review to wait longer. I may return and re-do this review at a later date...

When you arrive at this forum it is much the same as the majority just with different colours.

It is headed up by a quote from our respected Brother Theron Dunn, of California, although he doesn’t actually have anything to do with the board and as far as I know doesn’t even post there.

As with most Masonic boards, this one is divided into sections. Although with it still being new this is continually revamped, changed, altered and restored as the administration and moderators endeavour to find that happy medium to suit the community it has established.

The forum was unfortunate at it’s release, with an extreme effort to bring in members by posting links on all the other forums without really being involved with them, feathers were ruffled and rightly so as internet/community etiquette goes!, but also it gave the “trouble makers” who have been banned from most forums the knowledge of a new board to troll on. The staff at NOS did as all others, tried to rule with a firm hand, but with politness and integrity. The usual results insued, by no fault of the forum in my personal opinion.

Back to the division of the board, which I must re-iterate is still settling, is some what awash at the moment with no real clear understanding as to exactly what is what. To elaborate further on the point, there is the usual section for the discussion of Female and Co Freemasonry, however unlike the title of that area implies there are no discussion on these, respected institutes in their own right, but the somewhat degrading polls and topics of whether they are or not freemasons, whether they should be allowed in lodges. To take the example away from Freemasonry, but as with all Masonic boards, there is the Off Topic and Anything Goes sections, however this simple title does lead the poster to believe “Anything Goes” and that the area is for the discussion of things unrelated to Freemasonry and the board main topic, but alas this is not so. Anything doesn’t go and you might be reprimanded if what you post isn’t considered Masonic in nature, I say might because it somewhat depends on the mood of the admin on the day he reads your comments.

There is also a “premium” section of the board, that is only for Freemasons, who the board owner considers to be Freemasons in actual fact, and only to those willing to pay a subscription. Now the reason for the subscription is to prove you are the person you say you are, and therefore enable your “status” to be checked. However as with most of this board this is not entirely fact either, not all premium members have made donations, or paid subscriptions. And a member who is a “proved” brother, known 100% to be a Freemason and has stated an interest in joining the premium section is not able to. In short the section is an invite only area, the board owners little section where only those he invites can partake, how does he decide this, who knows as what is written and what happens is unfortunately not the same at present.

Other than that, the forum is much the same as all the others! It is going through a slow period at this time with minimal activity, well regarding topics on the boards subject anyway, but as with all online communities this happens and it is unfortunate that such a young board is already past it’s novelty stage for it’s community.

As we peruse the memberlist we see the usual screen names and avatars, although strangley unlike all the other forums the "usual suspects" do not fill this boards top posters? We have the top positions filled with common screen names don't get me wrong, but it is not dominated like on other masonic forums which is a first for me. Does this mean anything, I don't think so, probably that most are invovled with enough of the established forums already. I am sure if this forum takes off and starts sitting with the big 4 we will see the usual names dominating the board.

The add-ons and perks of the forum are one thing that makes it stand out though! A very good flash chat system, not used by the board as with all other chat systems on masonic forums, but none the less it is a nice add on, Zoint profiles enabling linkage into the Zoint community networks, Blogs, a rep system are a few.

As with every pro there is a con and the unfortunate side is these excellent items get added and NO ONE ever knows about it. It is reliant on a member noticing the change and asking what it's all about for the rest of the board to even discover what great new thing has been added. There is no directorship, no contact with the community, there's brass knobs, flashing lights, but no one knows what the hell they are, what to do with them, how they work. There needs to be more instruction if the board is to feel the potential benefits that the add-ons the admin is spending the members donations on! have to offer.

All it really needs is a couple of zealous thread starters who want to discuss Freemasonry to draw out the lurkers, the members who only reply etc and this forum will be pulled up alongside the established.

It must get a settled stance though! It must do what it says on the tin, as it were!

I suggest book marking this forum at the very least to check back to see as and when it settles, you may be surprised. I would recommend creating an account there and making a few posts to help the board reach it’s potential, I’d hate to think, and don’t believe, it has just yet!

This forum has the potential, from the membership list it has the members needed, it has the add-ons to make it different from the others, all it lacks at present is leadership and contact with it's community! Hey it's a new board, still settling and finding it's feet take my advice, bookmark it at least.

Bondi
The On-Line Freemason

If you'd like a site, even one of your own, reviewed send me a link and I will give it a look!

novus ordo saeculorum

2007-03-06T11:30:00.000Z

For those of you who like to partake in online communities, of the masonic variety, then let me draw your attention to a brand new forum recently released into cyber-space.

So click the link, register an account and meet some one new!

I will be reviewing the forum soon so drop me a pm while your there and let me know what your thoughts are!

NOS Masonic Forum

Freemasonry Universally Spread

2007-02-28T12:53:00.000Z

There is a frappr map looking to show how universally spread Freemasonry, the brotherhood and brotherly love really is.

Place your pin, leave your footprint on the world with Freemasonry!

I urge all those with masonic blogs, sites et al to place a pin, and even include this map on your pages as there is a stirring and a rumbling of a new site coming to cyberspace that all those Freemasons who love the craft will be interested in, all those with masonic sites will be interested in, and all those with freemasonry in their hearts will be interested in....

Fraternally

Bondi
The On-Line Freemason

Lodge Room UK

2007-02-13T11:23:00.000Z

Known by the acronym LRUK, the Lodge Room UK has fast become the place to be for Freemasons based in the UK.

The simplest concepts are always the best and they don’t come much simpler with the base of this vast site revolving around the online forum and Masonic community made up of some very knowledgeable and helpful brethren.

LRUK goes further than most Masonic community sites with an array of additional services and resources available for both the Freemason and non-mason alike.

A resource section that is continually added too and growing including an open source Masonic Wiki containing some of the lesser quoted information about the options, directions and availabilities for each and every mason, articles penned by freemasons for freemasons, for the public and/or for the forum, poetry and songs of Masonic content, the list is endless.

To accompany this is an additional list of services provided mainly free of charge to aid in the research and education of Freemasons and people looking to learn about Freemasonry, the forementioned Wiki, e-Cards, PodCasts, e-Books, CD’s and of course the international stores of Lodge Room International, including UK, and US bespokely and the main store which operates globally.

A final addition to the services offered by LRUK, via the Lodge Room International is the magazine produced jointly between LRUK and LRUS (Lodge Room US) one of the sister sites, which will be reviewed at a later date.

The community aspect of this site is enormous with a message board that caters for nearly, if not totally, every need regarding Freemasonry and its related subjects.

With a member base of nearly 800 users LRUK does not have the largest, but most definitely one of the most active forum readerships with over 28,000 articles, enough for even the most avid of readers.

This forum is one of the most active online, and the most informative. With a membership not restricted to the UK Freemasons it is a place you can get all your questions answered.

Don’t take my word for it, here are some of the replies given to me directly regarding peoples experience and thoughts of LRUK.

I think I have said this before but this forum is a unique complement to LOI. At the latter, you ask a question and you will get a couple of answers. On an online forum, you ask a question and get dozens of answers from experienced Brethren which mean that you are more likely to find the correct answer eventually.
Also, many posts digress onto related issues you had not even considered when you first clicked the "Submit" button.
Because you do not meet fellow forum members at Lodge on a regular basis, it is also easier to express concerns, worries openly and to seek advice from them.
Finally, because the Brethren on this forum are spread over the surface of the globe, we are given a unique insight into the traditions etc. of other Constitutions.

Gcoudert, Joined: 09 Apr 2005

LRUK. A window on masonic matters worldwide. As a relatively inexperienced Freemason I have gained insights into Freemasonry that I would never have experienced within my own lodge.

Bernie, Joined: 31 Dec 2005

As a recent joining member to Freemasonry I have found this forum a vast source of relevant Masonic information. Having 24 hour access to like minded Masons world-wide allows me to have time most days to progress my knowledge.
Consider the total years of experience that is within this forum, we learn by experience and asking questions both options are here in abundance.

My personal greatest experience thus far was to have the ability to speak directly with Julian Rees whilst read his new book, It would be very unlikely that I would have had this opportunity within my regular lodge.

*Mark*, Joined: 13 Jan 2007

I am registered with 9 Masonic Forums at the moment.
But I really think that this one is my favourite.
It is the one I come to first if I want to know anything and even when I am only browsing through the topics and replies I always find something interesting to read.
It is like having access to a Masonic Mentor 24/7

K31th, Joined: 09 Dec 2006

It is a highly recommended site and Masonic forum, so why not drop on by, register and get to know the people there!

Lodge Room UK

Let them know the On-Line Freemason pointed you in their direction!

Masonic Forums - Introduction

2007-02-09T14:00:00.000Z

On my internet travels I have come across many sites, some interesting, some not, some informative, some not so much.

One style site that is becoming ever more popular is the on-line forum, and online communities.

So what is an internet forum?

Well, an Internet forum is a message board facility accessible via the internet. Its purpose is a platform for holding discussions, topical debates and general conversation with mulitple parties.

Web-based forums, which started being added to the web in the mid to late 1990's are very similar to the ealier concept of bulletin boards and newsgroups (something we will look at later from a masonic point of view, as well later)which sprung into life in the late 80's when everyone was restricted to dial up.

The newer forums develop a "virtual" community base made up of people from all over the world, generally who share an interest in the forums topic. Most forums establish a regular member-base of frequent users and also enjoy numerous curiousity visitors who will join for short periods until their facination has ceased.

Internet forums fall under numerous descriptive titles; web forums, message boards, discussion boards, discussion forums, discussion groups, bulletin boards, fora or simply forums as is most commonly known.

As with anything where public access is granted you also get your trouble makers, and problem users or as most regular forum users now label them "trolls" and because of this many forums have now taken precautions to try and reduce the activity of such juvenile people.

Freemasonry like many topics of interest as seen a plethera of new forums spring up over the years, all slightly different in style, approach and general persona, so over the coming weeks I will be bringing you comment, opinion, and review of some of the Freemasonry orientated forums and message boards out there.

Bondi
The On-Line Freemason

If you'd like a site, even one of your own, reviewed send me a link and I will give it a look!

Freemasonry On Line!

2007-02-08T10:32:00.000Z

Freemasonry is not different to the world at large when it comes to moving with the times, it may be a little slow, but it gets there in the end!

Over the last few years there has been a positive growth of information for those interested in Freemasonry, and with the introduction of the internet the distribution of this infromation has never been easier.

It is this easiness that unfortunately works against the craft, with any person being able to create websites, blogs, e-mail groups to promote and distribute their opinions and beliefs.

Up until recently if you queried Freemasonry from any major search engine the top 10 returned results were sites full of speculation, anti-propoganda and although Freemasonry as an organisation feels no need to defend itself, its members began to create their own sites, information sites and community sites to ensure that at least those really interested in learning about the antient order of Freemasons had a place to go!

I am an avid internet user, I utilised the web to research Freemasonry before I petitioned, whilst waiting to be initiated, when I was an Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and when I was raised.
I continue to take advantage of the world wide web to this day to continue my studies, my research and to make contact with other brethren and those interested in Freemasonry.

This blog is intended to show you the sites I find useful, that come recommended for varying reasons and also those sites that really should be avoided, except for a good giggle. I will also on occassion post articles I've either enjoyed or personally written.

I hope you find it useful and if not at least interesting!

Fraternally,

Bondi

The On-Line Freemason