c a l i fo r n i a Dec/Jan 2010 FreemasonrySpotlight on Pop culture puts first fraternity center stage freemason.org CFM Dec-Jan 10.indd 1 1/21/10 2:00 PM The Grand Master’s Project 2009-2010 will raise funds to send as many veterans as possible to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Together, we can show our veterans that their service It will also support the work of the Masonic Hospital Visitors Program Committee to ensure that there is always a presence at our state’s has not been forgotten. veterans’ hospitals. To contribute, contact the Office of Philanthropy at 415/292-9117 or visit freemason.org/contribute. CFM Dec-Jan 10.indd 2 1/21/10 2:00 PM c a l i fo r n i a Volume 58 December 1, 2009 Number 2 PublicatIon boArd Kenneth G. Nagel, Grand Master Allan L. Casalou, Grand Secretary and Editor-in-Chief Dec/Jan EdItorial StAff Terry Mendez, Managing Editor Angel Alvarez-Mapp, Associate Editor Contents 2010 Laura Normand, Senior Editor Tom Phillips, Art Editor PHotography Resolusean Photography Emily Payne Photography Adam G. Kendall 12 Feature Design Spotlight on Freemasonry Phillips Creative With a plot that revolves around Masonry, “The Lost Symbol” has enraptured a officerS of the grAnd lodgE Grand master global readership and focused the world’s Kenneth G. Nagel, Liberty No. 299 attention on Freemasons. Masonic Deputy Grand master scholars examine the novel’s portrayal of William J. Bray III, North Hollywood No. 542 Freemasonry and sort facts from fiction seNior Grand WarDeN Frank Loui, California No. 1 in a point-by-point analysis of the myths JuNior Grand WarDeN perpetuated by popular culture. John F. Lowe, Irvine Valley No. 671 Grand treasurer Glenn D. Woody, Huntington Beach No. 380 Grand secretary Allan L. Casalou, Acalanes Fellowship No. 480 Grand lecturer Paul D. Hennig, Three Great Lights No. 651 5 Around the World Overnight, the term freemason.org “Freemason” jumped to number six on Yahoo’s Top 10 Searches. Here’s a sum-up of the recent impact, CALIFORNIA FREEMASON and the buzz around the globe. (USPS 083-940) is published bimonthly by the Publishing Board and is the only official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons In California As an inquiring public turns to of the State of California, 1111 California St., page 5 page 6 6 San Francisco, CA 94108-2284. lodges for answers, it’s a valuable opportunity to Publication Office – Publication offices at the explain what Masonry is really about. Read how Grand Lodge Offices, 1111 California Street, Grand Lodge responded to questions following San Francisco, CA 94108-2284. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Francisco, CA and at the release of “The Lost Symbol.” additional mailing offices. Postmaster – Send address changes to California Masonic Education Throughout history, the Freemason, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, CA 8 94108-2284. stories with the most entertainment value haven’t Publication Dates - Publication dates are the first always proven true. John Cooper tackles one of day of October, December, February, April, June, Masonry’s most persistent myths: the alleged page 8 and August. connection to the Knights Templar. Subscriptions – CALIFORNIA FREEMASON is mailed to every member of this Masonic jurisdiction without additional charge. Others are invited to subscribe for 19 Masonic Homes A new resident shares her $2.00 a year or $2.75 outside of the United States. journey to the Home at Union City, from being Permission to reprint – Permission to reprint original cared for by Masonic Outreach Services to her first articles in CALIFORNIA FREEMASON is granted to all recognized Masonic publications with credit to the night at the Home. author and this publication. Phone: 800/831-8170 or 415/776-7000; fax: 415/776-7170; e-mail: [email protected] page 1916 California Freemason 3 Dec/Jan 2010 CFM Dec-Jan 10.indd 3 1/21/10 2:00 PM Editorial More aboutaboutabout Than a Passing Fad FreemasonryFreemasonry From TV to tweets to travel, there’s a new focus on the fraternity WILLIAM J. BRAY III, Deputy Grand Master y wife, Linda, and I have two grandchildren. Of course, not all the facts are straight – and this MIt’s amazing how they latch onto new fads. issue of California Freemason will address that – but, I remember when Game Boy came out – they by and large, the message about what our fraternity immediately began pleading for one of their own. believes is accurate. Billy and Petey were just nine and eight years old at In hindsight, I’m not surprised. Our reputation is built the time. They hadn’t read about Game Boy in the on a strong foundation: more than four centuries of newspaper. They hadn’t seen it on Good Morning pursuing truth, brotherly love, and relief. It’s hard to America. And yet, they’d caught wind that it was the make a case for our sinister side when we continue toy to have. to live up to that reputation – by lending a hand in our communities, supporting our public schools, and Popular culture is certainly pervasive. And in recent donating millions of dollars and thousands of hours times, it’s hard to think of a book with more media to charity every year. hype behind it than “The Lost Symbol,” Dan Brown’s latest. Like it or not, Freemasonry was at the center When “The Lost Symbol” dust settles, I think we’ll of all that hype. Just like our grandkids with Game notice some enduring results of these 15 minutes. Boy, pop culture pounced on a new fad: Masonry. First, more good men will have come forward to join our fraternity. Second, the general public will be As a result, our fraternity is experiencing something more aware of our presence in their communities. like 15 minutes of fame right now. Young adults are Many may still be swayed by the persistent sense of googling “Freemasons” to learn more. Baby boomers mystery and sensationalism surrounding our gentle who were Jobies or Rainbow Girls or DeMolays craft. Our challenge, as always, will be to welcome are sharing their Masonic background for the first opportunities to explain who we really are, what we time in decades. As the next page illustrates, media really do, how our values drive us. coverage of our fraternity has skyrocketed. Others will see what we already know: We are more If you’re like me, you may be cautious about than just a passing fad, and when our 15 minutes are rejoicing. I’ve never been a believer in “any press up, we will still be making a difference. is good press,” especially when it comes to my fraternity – something that I hold so dear. But there’s something really encouraging and reaffirming about the quality of recent press. Our reputation is intact. California Freemason 4 Dec/Jan 2010 CFM Dec-Jan 10.indd 4 1/21/10 2:00 PM around thE World by Cason Laneaboutaboutabout PoSiTive PerSPecTive Freemasonry Most readers came away from FreemasonryFreemasonry “The Lost Symbol” with a From TV to tweets to travel, there’s a new focus on the fraternity favorable impression of Masonry. These quotes from the book help illustrate why. “The Lost Symbol” – another bestseller from Dan Brown, Washington, D.C. k “The entire Masonic author of “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels & Demons” – sold Since the Sept. 15 release of philosophy is built on more than a million copies on its first day. With Freemasonry “The Lost Symbol,” some Masonic honesty and integrity. as its dominant theme, the novel created a surge of interest landmarks in Washington, D.C., Masons are among the in the fraternity. In fact, the term “Freemason” jumped to have seen an uptick in interest. most trustworthy men you could ever hope number six on Yahoo’s Top 10 Searches overnight. Brent Morris, managing editor to meet.” Here’s the positive pop-culture impact, quantified. of The Scottish Rite Journal, says Media the House of the Temple – which k “Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in isn’t a typical stop on the tourist During a six-week period in September-October allegory and illustrated circuit – is receiving four times as 2009, “Freemasons” was in the headline or lead by symbols.” paragraph of 127 major-media news stories worldwide, many visitors as usual. In addition, k “The difference between Morris fielded more than a dozen compared with 44 in the same period a year before. Masonic spirituality media inquiries in a month – from That’s nearly triple the number of Freemasonry- and organized religion is focused news stories. Freemasonry has also been National Public Radio to Reuters that the Masons do the subject of such TV broadcasts as NBC’s “Today” UK – compared with the usual two not impose a specific and “Dateline,” as well as a two-part special on the to four per year. definition or name on a higher power. Rather Discovery Channel. At the George Washington than definitive theological Masonic Memorial, Director of Chatter identities like God, Allah, Collections Mark Tabbert says On Twitter, a Web-based service that enables Buddha, or Jesus, the the landmark’s Web site in recent Masons use more general people to send short messages throughout the world, months has received about terms like Supreme Being subscribers in recent months sent approximately 14,000 visits per day, compared or Great Architect of the 15 messages per day about Freemasonry, and they with the usual 2,000. He adds Universe. This enables distributed about 45 Freemasonry-related Web links Masons of different that the educational Web site per week.