1. Freemasonry for Sex, Murder & Profit Freemasonry for Sex, Murder & Profit Preventing Perverse Public Perceptions

2. A Talk by Wbro Colin Macdonald (PM Lodge Ailsa 1172 S.C.) The Lodge St Michael No. 2933 E.C Installation 2005 The Lodge St Michael No. 2933 E.C Installation 2005

3. Public perception The General Public and Every Candidate who enters the fraternity has a preconceived idea as to what Freemasonry is Information in the Public Domain Family and Friends Where does this public perception originate? Is it important for the future of freemasonry? Is it accurate? If it is not, how do we attempt to adjust the perception?

4. Public perception 1.Part of the Base Cause of the decline in numbers lies with lack of retention of Master Masons (The Missing Master Mason, by Wbro John L Belton) The average length of service to the Craft after becoming a Master Mason declined from: * 20 yrs in 1950’s * 10 yrs in 1970’s * 5 yrs in 1990’s This has been the main focus of many studies and experiments (Lodge Epicurean) to-date

5. Common Threat Source: The Final Forty Years of Masonry? By Bro A.H. Busfield

6. Public perception 1.The other part of the Base Cause of the decline in numbers and standing of Freemasonry, does not lie within, but with the Public Perception of Freemasonry Is this Public Perception accurate? How was it developed? What can we do to reverse this adverse view?

7. Perceived Influences on Masonic Membership

8. LAWS & CONSTITUTIONS

9. Perceived Influences on Masonic Membership LAWS & CONSTITUTIONS

10. Perceived Influences on Masonic Membership LAWS & CONSTITUTIONS

11. Historical Exposé  Ancient Context of Learning about FreeMasonry  Word of Mouth  Local Community  Invited In to an Inner-Circle  Had prestige and standing in the community  Ancient Context of Learning about FreeMasonry  Word of Mouth  Local Community  Invited In to an Inner-Circle  Had prestige and standing in the community

12. Tools and Allegories  What was the most widly distributed document accessible to all at that time?  The Bible  Allegorical tales adapted to suit Freemasons Purposes  Also suited the God-fearing nature imbued in the social relationships at that time between Master and Labourer  What was the most widly distributed document accessible to all at that time?  The Bible  Allegorical tales adapted to suit Freemasons Purposes  Also suited the God-fearing nature imbued in the social relationships at that time between Master and Labourer

13. The Written Word  Guttenberg’s Printing Press -1440  Books and Publications  Records being set down  Pamphlets and Occasional Broadsheets  No photocopying, scanning, faxing etc as we know it today  Guttenberg’s Printing Press -1440  Books and Publications  Records being set down  Pamphlets and Occasional Broadsheets  No photocopying, scanning, faxing etc as we know it today

14. Source:The Origins of Freemasonry Dr Robert Lomas Historical Development

15. Historical Exposé  Most important exposé appeared as a pamphlet for sale in London in 1730 entitled:  “The History of Masonry or Masonry Dissected, to which are added the Mason Word and Catechism”  by Samuel Prichard, member of a Constituted Lodge  Most important exposé appeared as a pamphlet for sale in London in 1730 entitled:  “The History of Masonry or Masonry Dissected, to which are added the Mason Word and Catechism”  by Samuel Prichard, member of a Constituted Lodge 1730

16. Historical Exposé  “The terms of free and accepted Masonry (as now it is) had never been heard of until within these few years: no Constituted Lodges or Quarterly Communications were heard of until 1691, when lords and dukes, lawyers and shopkeepers, and other inferior trades (many porters not excepted) were admitted to the mystery, or no mystery” 1730

17. Historical Exposé

18. Movies / Flicks / Cinema  Entertainment based on theatrical styles  Story Telling and romantic episodes  Information Dissemination  Entertainment based on theatrical styles  Story Telling and romantic episodes  Information Dissemination

19. Earliest Movies  Hinted on Masonic Topics  Used some obscure reference somewhere in the Background  Only Brethren may have noticed the Masonic connections  Hinted on Masonic Topics  Used some obscure reference somewhere in the Background  Only Brethren may have noticed the Masonic connections

20. Buster Keaton 1920

21. In 1539, the Knights Templar of Malta, paid tribute to Charles V of Spain, by sending him a Golden Falcon encrusted from beak to claw with rarest jewels….but pirates seized the galley carrying this priceless token and the fate of the Maltese Falcon remains a mystery to this day… The Maltese Falcon 1942

22. A Night in Casablanca 1946

23. Monty Python 196?

24. Cartoons

26. The Initiation Ceremony was closed with the proclamation: “The Sacred Order of Stonecutters has, since ancient times, split the rocks of ignorance that obscures the light of knowledge and truth… now lets all get drunk and play ping-pong”

27. The Man Who Would Be King 1975

28. The Man Who Would Be King 1975

29. Opening of Freemasonry to Public Scrutiny  P2 Scandal  Other Conspiracy Theories  Decline in Numbers  The Brotherhood  P2 Scandal  Other Conspiracy Theories  Decline in Numbers  The Brotherhood

30. The Brotherhood 1980 Stephen Knight's impartial - but highly controversial - investigation addresses these vital questions and asks: DOES FREEMASONRY INFLUENCE OUR POLICE AND JUDICIARY? CAN A CHRISTIAN BE A FREEMASON? HAVE THE KGB PENETRATED THE FREEMASONS? DOES FREEMASONRY LEAD TO CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE Freemasons are all bound to silence, but now some of them have felt impelled to break ranks and reveal part of the truth...

31. Propaganda Duo - P2 1877 Some Italian Lodges Became Political & Irregular 1964 P2 Operated as the Grand Master’s private Lodge No register of Members kept 1974 P2 Erased from roll but Bro Licio Gelli became Master and requested suspension only 1975 Accused of gross financial irregularities 1980 Gelli expelled from Italian Freemasonry 1980 Police found 950 names of members mostly prominent figures. Gelli fled to South America Some Ministers resigned and Italian Government Fell Roberto Calvi was a friend of Gelli and member of P2

32. Propaganda Duo - P2 1982

33. Propaganda Duo - P2 2001

34. Does Exposure lead to Decline of Standing ?  Absolute Numbers in Decline  Quality of Ritual work declines  Type of Members joining  Type of Members Leaving  Dissatisfaction with  Masonic Community  Own contribution  OTHER’S CONTRIBUTION  Absolute Numbers in Decline  Quality of Ritual work declines  Type of Members joining  Type of Members Leaving  Dissatisfaction with  Masonic Community  Own contribution  OTHER’S CONTRIBUTION

35. Internet  Free Access to on-line and mass printed documents  Exposé of Freemasonry by Anti-Masonic Groups  Lack of Verification and Authentication  Lack of Masonic Guidelines for the use of the Internet  Free Access to on-line and mass printed documents  Exposé of Freemasonry by Anti-Masonic Groups  Lack of Verification and Authentication  Lack of Masonic Guidelines for the use of the Internet

36. New Rash of Conspiracy Movies  Conspiracy  Adventure  Heroes save the World (AND GETS THE GIRL)  Drama and Entertainment  Misleading  Miss-Information  Conspiracy  Adventure  Heroes save the World (AND GETS THE GIRL)  Drama and Entertainment  Misleading  Miss-Information

37. From Hell 2001

38. From Hell

42. National Treasure 2004

43. National Treasure

45. The Da Vinci Code 2004

46. The Da Vinci Code

56. Conspiracy Theory

57. Kingdom of Heaven 2005

58. Kingdom of Heaven

59. Rash of Exposé Books

60. Coleman Street Exposé

61. Heavy-Going and Trying to be Factual

62. Popular and Controversial

64. D.I.Y. Freemasonry

65. Musical Exposé

66. Further Exposés to come...?

67. Past Analysis of St Michael Papers (Vols 2,3 and 4 1964-1996)  S.E.A. and General Masonic History  Our Ritual  Music  Lodge Administration  S.E.A. and General Masonic History  Our Ritual  Music  Lodge Administration

68. Recent St Michael Papers  SE Asia History  A History of Freemason's Hall, Coleman St (T.R. Neoh:1984)  The Foundation of The Lodge St. Michael No.2933. (D.J Herring:1976)  The Foundation & development of Johore Royal Lodge. (M. S.Randhava: 1980)  W. Bro. Edaljee Khory. (RM.R. Patel:1981)  RW.Bro. E.G. Holiday. (J.M. Parker:1981)  Freemasonry in Singapore, my personal observations.(Chan CKG:1983)  The Masonic Hall 23A Coleman Street. (D.J. Herring:1984)  Lodge Johore Royal. (F.A Musset:1984)  Two Centuries of Freemasonry in S.E.Asia. (E.L.S.Jennings:1985)  Excerpts from Sir S'ford Raffles by C.Haffuer D.G.M.F.E (KE. Toft:1993)  Founding o/t D.G.L.o/t E.A.& the part played by J.C.Smith (E.L.S.Jennings:1994)  Freemasonry and the Hash. (D.D.K.Holloway:1994)  The First 50 yrs. o/t Craft in the Eastern Archipelago. (E.L.S.Jennings:1995)  SE Asia History  A History of Freemason's Hall, Coleman St (T.R. Neoh:1984)  The Foundation of The Lodge St. Michael No.2933. (D.J Herring:1976)  The Foundation & development of Johore Royal Lodge. (M. S.Randhava: 1980)  W. Bro. Edaljee Khory. (RM.R. Patel:1981)  RW.Bro. E.G. Holiday. (J.M. Parker:1981)  Freemasonry in Singapore, my personal observations.(Chan CKG:1983)  The Masonic Hall 23A Coleman Street. (D.J. Herring:1984)  Lodge Johore Royal. (F.A Musset:1984)  Two Centuries of Freemasonry in S.E.Asia. (E.L.S.Jennings:1985)  Excerpts from Sir S'ford Raffles by C.Haffuer D.G.M.F.E (KE. Toft:1993)  Founding o/t D.G.L.o/t E.A.& the part played by J.C.Smith (E.L.S.Jennings:1994)  Freemasonry and the Hash. (D.D.K.Holloway:1994)  The First 50 yrs. o/t Craft in the Eastern Archipelago. (E.L.S.Jennings:1995)

69. Recent St Michael Papers  Ritual  The N.E. Corner. (JAR. Reid:1970)  From Whence our Signs (E.R. Walker:1983)  The Emulation ritual & Lodge St. Michael. (R.F.Nakhoda:1980)  The Candidate & the Craft. (E. Kang:1982)  Heraldry in Freemasonry (E.F. Mullan:1983)  The Masonic Certificate. (Lim Boon Par:1992)  Basic Principals of Masonic Symbolism. (C. G. Standley:1992)  The Royal Arch Jewel. (J.M.Parker:1994)  Ritual  The N.E. Corner. (JAR. Reid:1970)  From Whence our Signs (E.R. Walker:1983)  The Emulation ritual & Lodge St. Michael. (R.F.Nakhoda:1980)  The Candidate & the Craft. (E. Kang:1982)  Heraldry in Freemasonry (E.F. Mullan:1983)  The Masonic Certificate. (Lim Boon Par:1992)  Basic Principals of Masonic Symbolism. (C. G. Standley:1992)  The Royal Arch Jewel. (J.M.Parker:1994)

70. Recent St Michael Papers  Music  Some Notes on Masonic Music. (E.L.S. Jennings:1971)  Bro. Motzart's Masonic Music. (JG. Bones:1991)  Music in Masonry. (J.G Bones:1993)  Music  Some Notes on Masonic Music. (E.L.S. Jennings:1971)  Bro. Motzart's Masonic Music. (JG. Bones:1991)  Music in Masonry. (J.G Bones:1993)

71. Recent St Michael Papers  Lodge Administration  Reworked paper by W.Bro Makepeace Record Making. (J.L. Seale:1977)  The RM.I's & RM.H. their past present & future. (J.L. Seale:1977)  The Election & Appointment of Lodge Office Bearers.(Chan C.KG 1985)  Charity Antient & Modern. (E.F. Mullan: 1986)  The Lodge Officers. (YR.Degani:1987)  Charity. (J.M. Parker:1989)  What Freemasonry means to me. (KE. Toft:1989)  The Duties of the Lodge Treasurer. (RI.Rawlings:1991)  Lodge Administration  Reworked paper by W.Bro Makepeace Record Making. (J.L. Seale:1977)  The RM.I's & RM.H. their past present & future. (J.L. Seale:1977)  The Election & Appointment of Lodge Office Bearers.(Chan C.KG 1985)  Charity Antient & Modern. (E.F. Mullan: 1986)  The Lodge Officers. (YR.Degani:1987)  Charity. (J.M. Parker:1989)  What Freemasonry means to me. (KE. Toft:1989)  The Duties of the Lodge Treasurer. (RI.Rawlings:1991)

72. Where do we go from Here?  Will there still be a need for Freemasonry, if all Is Exposed and Conspiracies abound?  What change is needed to revive Masonry into a vibrant useful and respected society?  Will there still be a need for Freemasonry, if all Is Exposed and Conspiracies abound?  What change is needed to revive Masonry into a vibrant useful and respected society?

73. Possible Options?  Can we put the Genie back in the bottle?  Can we make Freemasonry “Secret” again?  Can it be made more exclusive, desired and Intellectually satisfying?  Will the leaders of World Powers, Revolutions, Science and the Arts be part of the Fraternity again?  Can we put the Genie back in the bottle?  Can we make Freemasonry “Secret” again?  Can it be made more exclusive, desired and Intellectually satisfying?  Will the leaders of World Powers, Revolutions, Science and the Arts be part of the Fraternity again?

74. Are We Still Relevant?

75. Possible Options?  Should we refute and attempt to correct some of the articles, books and films?

76. Possible Options?  Should we publish our own version of events?  Credibility (otherwise we can all go back to “getting drunk and playing ping-pong”)  Intrigue (It cannot be a dry refuting of something the public is lapping up)  Should we publish our own version of events?  Credibility (otherwise we can all go back to “getting drunk and playing ping-pong”)  Intrigue (It cannot be a dry refuting of something the public is lapping up)

77. How do we make it happen?

78. Basis of Research for Lodge St Michael

79. 5 Year Outline

80. Possible Topic Groups Future Directions 1. Has FM lost its special place in society? Society leaders and distinguished figures of the past all were freemasons at some time. When did it decline to lose such figures and what were the underlying social causes (60’ies?) 2. Newly developing trends in FM (Aust/US) One day masons Lodge Epicurean 3. Comparative analysis of successful Lodges Growth and decline Strong/weak leadership and sense of direction

81. Possible Topic Groups Historical 4. Buildings and Temples of the Region Masonic Buildings /locations costs values opportunities / the lodge of the future

82. Possible Topic Groups Historical 5. Characters in Singapore history Significance of efforts / colour / achievements / worthy of emulation 6. How FM has moulded SEA history which FM’s have achieved political / social / economic / reforms and have they been acknowledged as such 7. Works of significance by local Freemasons Dunlop, Wearn, Read, Raffles, ????

83. Possible Topic Groups Historical 8. Links and Loops Presumptions and gaps in Masonic History 9. Following a thread to its conclusion Development of a FM topic as far as possible – person event ritual etc to discover the origins, meanings or significance 10. Constitutional differences What / why / when did the differences between the constitutions occur and where is this heading (OK as is etc )

84. Possible Topic Groups Personal Development 11. Masonic revelations and structured Mentoring FM is a method of revealing bits at a time for self-discovery How does a one-day mason cope. What are the statistics a few years on?

85. Possible Topic Groups Personal Development 12. Mastering Mentoring and Mentoring the Masters We are very weak at mentoring new brethren. There is a whole scope here for someone with a pedagogical background. What is the use of doing the rituals without understanding and enticement to learn and seep yourself in the Masonic culture?

86. Possible Topic Groups Personal Development 13. Injecting “Depth” into Masonic Workings Rituals/rituals/rituals/ DofC/RWM – candidates copying 14. Mastery, Mystery and Magic Expectations and let- downs of new candidates Learning and recitation Revelation and inspiration

87. Possible Topic Groups Personal Development 15. Rituals, Rites and Regulations How did different rituals evolve and become accepted Place for new rituals in modern society 16. Opening or Concealing FM The book The Brotherhood was instrumental in forcing the declaration of FM in the public service in the UK. The US masons have always flaunted it –more as a charitable organization. Does this contribute to public perceptions one way or the other

88. Possible topic groups Lodge Management LAWS & CONSTITUTIONS

89. Possible topic groups Lodge Management 17. Standardising the Secretarial and Treasurers duties Every year we reinvent the wheel by putting a different (amateur) member in charge of subjects like administration and bookkeeping and then spend the rest of the year arguing about the state of affairs. Is there an opening for standardization of the systems. Grand Lodge demand forms and returns so does district. Can a single internet database capture all this information and form part of some pre- acceptance training?

90. Possible topic groups Lodge Management

91. Possible topic groups Lodge Management 18. Library sources and Internet assistance Access Scanning Cataloging Indexing Annual publication of internet references

92. Proposed Annual Seminar Annual Event In conjunction with Mt Faber Held on a Saturday 10am - 4pm Informal setting (Smart casual dress) FM only Held In the Temple ($ to cover costs - lunch, coffee, snacks) Paper produced and published as a result Meant to be a stimulus and catalyst for further (self) study

93. Proposed Annual Seminar

94. Possible Seminar Topics The Value and Application of Masonic Research to Local Lodges Unsolved Masonic Mysteries Refining Rituals and the meanings of Workings (Tweaking the edges) Why has FM lasted so long and what is your view for the future Off-shoots of Masonic Bodies Museum requirements and the Singapore Masonic Museum FM uses under stress Will the real Master please stand up

95. Possible Seminar Agenda Opening Address Key Papers Discussion Lunch Working Groups Coordinating discussion and potential follow through Closing address

96. Publication Opportunities Gaps and Mysteries in a Local Sense Developing a tighter Lodge Structure and Structuring a Retention Progamme (Making the Masonic Experience Meaningful) Internet, Information and Image Mastering Lodge Management Practices Seminar Topics

97. Writing a Paper Or “I Don’t Believe I Can Do It” “The Seeds of Innovation (Look to the Future)”

98. Freemasonry for Sex, Murder and Profit? Sex - Murder - Profit - Produce a stimulating look at our present situation and establish a view for the future that can appeal to Members and the General Public Resolve a detail of a Masonic Mystery to uncover more about ourselves, our Order, and to establish a definitive Body of Knowledge for the Craft There is a potential for a few brethren to step into the commercial sphere by publishing accurate Masonic accounts However… The best profit that we hope for from this engagement is; “so that there may be profit from the labour, and pleasure from the beauty of our Ancient and Honourable Craft”

99. Freemasonry for Sex, Murder and Profit? Http://www.LodgeStMichael.org The Lodge St. Michael Papers Freemasonry for Sex, Murder & Profit Slides Narration