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

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

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...

Hi all,

A short note, request, message, what ever you wish to call it.
My sister-in-law is taking part in the London Marathon this year and is raising money for the Heart Foundation.

I am looking to bolster her achievement and give her a really good amount to donate.

So I am asking for everybody, if it is within their budget, to donate a little (or a lot )

She has received her official race number, else the foundation wouldn't enable her to represent, and the heart foundation has set up a donations page so you know it is 100% legitimate, and that your donation is going direct to the cause and not passing through anyone elses hands. I know there have been a few scams over the last few years by people posing as brethren in order to solicit cash etc, and I want you all to feel safe and able to contribute.

Marie has given herself a target of raising £2,500.00, lets see if we can help her on her way, or even blast her past it.

When you come to make your donation through her foundation page you will be asked to provide a display name please choose whatever you wish, but if you don't mind can you place FM at the end, ie Joe Bloggs FM

Her heart foundation page is http://www.justgiving.com/marieshirley
Please, be generous, and be assured no matter how large or small, every single penny will be put to good use!

Thanking you in advance, fraternally

Freemason Bondi