Flag at the Masonic Temple

Lynn Farris · Post by **Lynn Farris** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:01 pm

I'm certainly not an expert on Flag etiquette - but I was disturbed today by the flag at the Masonic Temple.

This flag should either be replaced or simply taken down. It is faded and torn.

Go see it for yourself and see what you think.

JMHO

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:07 pm

Lynn,

There are a number of organizations that meet at that building, however there is a Temple Board that oversees the facility and there are caretakers on duty in the evenings when those groups meet.

I will bring this issue to the attention of those involved. The building is a beautiful landmark for our city. I know that there were some beautiful plants in front of the building this summer. A number of community events are held there regularly.

I also truly feel that there is a great deal of respect for the building, on the part of its custodians.

Thanks for your concern. This matter will be addressed.

Lynn Farris · Post by **Lynn Farris** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:35 pm

Gary

I'm with you. This is one of my favorite buildings in Lakewood. My son is a senior double majoring in Architecture and Art History and this building is one we always discuss. It is historical and has very interesting twists, e.g., the use of windows as the Metope is really cool.

Lighting would make it spectacular. I also like the old Christian Science Church that is on the other side. They have added just enough lighting to enhance it. My hope is if they do something with the Kaufman Park they leave these two amazing examples of architecture alone.

Thanks for looking into the flag.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:47 pm

Thanks Lynn,

Inside and out, that Masonic Temple is one remarkable building. It was actually included in the recent tour of Lakewood homes and buildings of note this summer.

Have you ever seen the magnificent grand staircase in there? The ballroom has been used for contra dance events and church services. The Lodge room itself is one of the most beautifully painted rooms that I've ever been in.

I understand that there may have been some repair work lately, as the facility has aged a bit. Still, Lakewood is fortunate to have this great example of architectural wonder here with us. I like your lighting idea. I just sent a e-mail to some of those involved, mentioning that as well as the flag.

ryan costa · Post by **ryan costa** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:36 am

I was walking by the Masonic Temple with one of my Catholic friends. He refused to go near it, claiming it offended his Catholic beliefs. That made no sense to me. And I knew an explanation would make even less sense.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:34 pm

Ryan,

In 1307, the Knights Templar was betrayed into the hands of the French King Phillipe le Bel (Phillip the Fair) At that time, all manner of anti-Christian accusations were brought against the Knights; charges generally thought today to have been trumped up. Under torture, some knights however, confessed to some of the charges in order to save their lives. The Catholic Church dissolved the Order of the Temple around 1314 without a finding of guilt or innocence for that Order.

Since that time, there has been unproven but circumstantial evidence-derived conjecture really, that Freemasonry was an outgrowth of the surviving Templars and their families.

The truth is that we do not know for sure whether that is the case. The first Masonic document known is the "Regis Poem" from the 1380's; about 60 years after the Knights Templar's demise.

Masonry attracted the ire of the Catholic Church for a variety of reasons. The first seems to have been that it was a private organization existing OUTSIDE of Catholicism. Another was that it had secrets of its own, unavailable to the Church. As well, the Church felt Freemasonry to be it's own religion; a religion of "Naturalism", it was called. Masons felt their order to be religious, but not a religion.

Since 1738, there have been a number of Papal Bulls against Masonic associations, although a number of Catholics continued to become Masons; generally in secret.

Freemasonry espoused tolerance for others at a time that tolerance was felt by some to mean "relativism". Catholics felt that the Masonic belief that any group of monotheistic individuals could assemble with each having their own concept of God, was a "religion of relativism"

Masons of course, disagreed. They left the questions of one's own faith to each person's conscience.

Masonic principles were a foundation of Enlightenment thinking. A number of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin and George Washington, were Freemasons.

A quick search on the web should uncover hundreds of famous Masons, including many Catholic Masons who risked the displeasure of their Church in order to join the Lodge.

These days, I think it would be fair to say that there still exists a tension with the Catholic Church concerning the Masonic Lodge. The Lodge, on the other hand, welcomes applicants for consideration who believe in one God, whatever their faith.

It would be unfortunate for anyone in either group to bear any kind of animosity to the other these days. Both groups provide millions of dollars to the needy. Both groups do much good for the greater community, and both groups are strong on justice, morality and love for humankind.

Stephen Eisel · Post by **Stephen Eisel** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:39 pm

My Grandfather was a Mason.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:01 am

Historically, I believe that Freemasons understood that sectarian political and religious viewpoints, while certainly doing much good in the world, had often helped to bring forth traumatic and violence-laden disagreements.

Freemasonry simply attempted to circumvent particular political and religious convictions and explore what was possible when people of diverse backgrounds or beliefs could meet, and try and work together in the world for the common good.

For those, like dictators, who felt that their particular convictions represented the only true path, the idea of working on an equal footing with people different from themselves, was, of course, unthinkable.

For this reason, thousands of Freemasons met death in the Holocaust. To conceal their identity in Nazi Germany, Masons often wore a Forget-Me-Not flower pin in their lapels.

World War II era Freemasons included Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. They were joined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American generals Douglas MacArthur, Jimmy Doolittle, and George Marshall.

As a point of historical interest, General of the Air Force Curtis LeMay, was initiated as a Mason, right here in Lakewood.

The Statue of Liberty, by the way, was designed by eminent Freemason Frederic Bartholdi.

Lynn Farris · Post by **Lynn Farris** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:58 pm

Went by the Masonic Temple and noticed a beautiful new flag flying proudly there.

Gary you are the man. First the urinal, now the flag. You get things done!!!

I think we are going to have to test you with something a little harder next.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:45 pm

The gentlemen with whom I spoke at the Masonic Temple were most appreciative of the concerns of the community, and they quickly acted to rectify the situation, and get a new flag up. As some are aware, Freemasonry, particularly in the big cities, has had concerns with declining enrollment over the years. Also, many of the members are older, and often unable to do as much as they used to to help out. Sometimes it can be difficult to get things done, or to prioritize whatever funds may be left in the various treasuries to help maintain beautiful buildings like this one.

As the city discovered the other day when they used the Masonic Temple's ballroom for the inauguration ceremonies, it continues to be a beautiful contributor to the Lakewood landscape.