MASONIC INFORMATION CENTER - 1998 ACTIVITIES
Activities for the Masonic Information Center during 1998 were very strong as
we dealt with questions about Freemasonry received by mail, phone, fax, and
e-mail. Our website continues to grow, both in the amount of material available,
and in those visiting the site. Another area of growth is in referrals sent to
the MIC by individual Masons, Grand Lodges, and inquiries through e-mail and the
website.
During the year we have responded to many inquiries concerning Freemasonry
and Religion. This issue continues to be high on the list of anti-Masonic
individuals and groups.
Booklets/Brochures:
The Masonic Information Center has produced three booklets and two brochures.
They are listed as follows, together with the numbers of copies that have been
distributed, through the end of 1998.
What's A Mason? 500,000 There Is No Sin In Symbols 148,000 Facts About
Freemasonry 260,000 A Response To Critics Of Freemasonry 140.000 Get A Life (new
in 1997) 100,000
Total 1,148,000
It is truly exciting to realize that over 1,100,000 copies of the brochures
and booklets published by the Masonic Information Center have been distributed,
literally, around the world. What's A Mason? continues to be a very important
"thumbnail sketch" of the Masonic Fraternity. It has been reprinted in the
Israeli Freemason and in several publications in Australia.
Three of the publications have already been reordered in 1999. These
booklets/brochures are being used in a variety of ways, particularly as handouts
to those with questions about the Fraternity. Also, What's A Mason? and Facts
About Freemasonry have been very popular with prospective members.
The Generic Brochure about Freemasonry is nearing completion and will be
available in the first quarter of 1999.
"Focus":
The quarterly newsletter Focus was published four times during 1998, and many
publications reprint material from this newsletter. It is also posted on our
website.
Statement on Freemasonry and Religion:
This statement was revised during 1998 with the following change: Paragraph
3; 2nd line now reads: The volume of the Sacred Law in the Judeo/Christian
tradition is the Bible; to Freemasons of other faiths, it is the book held holy
by them. (The complete statement is printed on the inside front cover of the
MSA/MIC Annual Report.)
If this statement has not been adopted by your Grand Lodge, we urge you to do
so. Freemasonry needs to have one response to present to the public and to the
news media about our position concerning this subject.
Media Contacts:
Serbian TV. The MIC participated in a videotaped interview on January 27,
1998 by representatives of Serbian TV for use in that country.
New York Times/Washington Bureau. Short interview on March 9, 1998 providing
information on the origin of the 3rd Degree.
Courier Post, Cherry Hill, N.J. Publishing an article on Freemasonry,
particularly stressing the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, and wanted membership and
other statistical information.
St. Louis Post Dispatch. Publishing an article on the Scottish Rite Cathedral
in St. Louis and wanted background/general information about Freemasonry.
Washington Post. December 3, 1998, did a story on the Washington Monument.
Had an extensive interview with the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia and
also wanted additional statistical/background information on the Fraternity.
The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana. December 14, 1998, extensive interview
about Freemasonry to be tied in with a very lengthy story about Freemasonry in
Louisiana.
This will give you some idea of the kinds of general interviews that were
requested of the MIC. In addition to interviews, we received many requests for
specific information which, of course, were responded to immediately.
Time Magazine. In May 1998 Time Magazine ran an article about Freemasonry
which they tided "Endangered Conspirators." In spite of the tide, the article
was very positive about the Fraternity and did generate a number of inquiries
for more information and several requests on how to become a member.
The A & E and History Channel. The Unexplained and In Search of History were
shows originally broadcast in January and February 1998 and have had numerous
reruns since. Masonic reaction to the shows continues to be mixed, but in
comments from the general public, they felt Freemasonry was portrayed very
positively. Both shows did generate a great deal of interest, and we understand
from the History Channel they had one of the largest video sales, ever, of the
video on Freemasonry.
Anti-Masonry:
During the year, several TV shows were called to our attention that had
misleading, inaccurate, or untrue portrayals of Freemasonry.
Fox Broadcasting: Millennium. A show in which they portrayed Freemasons as
part of a conspiracy to rule the world.
USA Network: American Gothic. Again the center of attention was the "New
World Order and Freemasonry's alleged involvement in a conspiracy to dominate
the world.
These two shows are mentioned as typical of the inaccurate portrayal of the
Fraternity shown to the public. We do have a statement prepared by the Masonic
Information Center concerning the issue of Freemasonry and the so-called "New
World Order" which was printed in the December 1998 issue of Focus. (This
statement is listed as Appendix #1 at the end of this report.)
Charisma Magazine. A very negative story about Freemasonry was printed in
Charisma Magazine in November 1997. Dr. S. Brent Morris prepared a response to
this article which Charisma has refused to publish. However, the article was
published in the December 1998 Scottish Rite Journal. It has also been posted on
the Masonic Information Center website (www. msana.com). If you would like to
see this response, please feel free to visit our website or contact the Masonic
Information Center, and a copy of Dr. Morris's article will be sent to you.
State College, Pennsylvania. A very sad situation arose in the State College,
Pennsylvania, area in 1998. One Minister, in particular, began making anti-
Masonic statements. At first these statements were easily refuted; however,
this led to a search for material that could not be so easily answered. A book
was found in the rare book section, at the Library of Penn State University,
that had material it was felt could be used against the Fraternity, so the
attack was renewed.
Several Masons in the State College, Pennsylvania, area asked the Masonic
Information Center to be part of a program responding to these charges. In June
of 1998, four members of the Masonic Information Center Steering Committee did
participate in the program. We understand from people in the area that the
program was highly successful and that the antiMasonic movement has been
quieted, at least for the moment. A more detailed account of this program was
printed in the September 1998 issue of Focus. (This statement is listed as
Appendix #2 at the end of this report.)
Website
Please visit us at http://www.msana.com. We continue to build the site, and
are encouraged by the numbers of people who are visiting us. We hope you are one
of them.
Summary:
Space simply is a limiting factor in our ability to report to you everything
that we have done during the year. So, we have selected items which we think
will be of interest to you. But, please understand this is only a small
selection from many, many things that occurred in 1998.
The Masonic Information Center would like to thank the Grand Lodges who
support us, both financially, and by using our products. We thank those
individual Masons who also support us financially and by using our products. And
we thank those in the general public who are coming to us for information about
Freemasonry. Freemasonry now has a channel through which we can make our story
known to our members and to the general public.
Thank you for your support!
THE MASONIC INFORMATION CENTER
BROCHURES
A RESPONSE TO CRITICS OF FREEMASONRY
Brochure responding to several of the alleged points of conflict between
Freemasonry and Christian theology.
#BR 120 $.05 each (in any quantity) plus shipping
FACTS ABOUT FREEMASONRY
Brochure answering many of the most frequently asked questions about the
Fraternity. #BR-110
$.05 each (in any quantity) plus shipping
BOOKLETS
GET A LIFE: THOUGHTS ON FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION. 12 page booklet discussing
the relationship between Freemasonry and the religious community. $.60 each (PPD)
40% discount in lots of 50 or more copies, plus shipping. #BL 203
THERE IS NO SIN IN SYMBOLS: 16-page booklet showing pictures and explanations
of symbols used in everyday life and symbols used by Masons and Masonic-related
organizations with explanations about their origin and meaning. $.25 each (PPD)
40% discount in lots of 50 or more copies, plus shipping. #BL 201
WHAT'S A MASON? 16-page booklet describing the Masonic Fraternity and its
purposes. Explains what happens in Lodge meetings and answers many frequently
asked questions about the Fraternity. $.25 each (PPD) 40% discount in lots of 50
or more copies, plus shipping. #BL 202
BOOKS
FUNDAMENTALISM AND FREEMASONRY by Dr. Gary Leazer (Foreword by Forrest D.
Haggardl) described by Forrest Haggard as "A thorough study of religious radical
fundamentalism in Christianity and their attack on freedom of thought and
liberty" $19.95 (PPD). #BK 505
IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT FREEMASONRY?, by Art deHoyos and S. Brent
Morris (foreword and addendum by Jim Tresner). A response to some of the more
virulent anti-Masons, this book takes on several of Masonry's critics and
refutes their charges. For Example: Albert Pike and the "Luciferian" doctrine;
James Dayton Shaw's -expose" of Freemasonry; Ron Carlson's lectures on the
"Evils of Freernasonry"---all are discussed and refuted on a point-by-point
basis. The 1997 Second Edition is updated with 100 pages of new material added.
Available through MIC@ $7.50 (PPD) quantity purchase (50 or more) 40% discount,
plus shipping. #B K-5 10.
back to top | 
