-Caveat Lector- Subject: The True KKK-Masonry Link (NOT PIKE) From: Anonymous <A HREF="mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]">[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> Date: Sat, 24 July 1999 01:17 PM EDT Message-id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I personally don't believe that Pike was a member of the KKK. Even if he was, I don't believe that it makes him any less of a Mason or a man. A few KKK sites mention Pike but for the sake of agruement, I won't consider them. The true KKK-Masonry link is William J. Simmons (not Dr. Green as I mistakenly listed in an earlier post). He founded what is known as the 2nd Klan Era, in 1915, after D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" was released. The first and true Klan had been dead since the mid to late 1870's, after Northern Federal troops surpressed it (The 1st Era). William J. Simmons was a prominent Mason in Georgia. He was also a Knights Templar in the York Rite, a Knight Pythian, and an Oddfellow. He devised the new Klan including its rituals and ceremonies. Because the man who wrote the rituals was a fraternalist in several organizations, it was only natural that he adopted the ones he was familar with. Of course, the Knights of Pythias and Oddfellows were modeled off of Masonry, as well. So all these groups had a similar ritual even if their purposes were wildly different. This Klan had an altar, an American flag, an unsheathed sword, and a Bible opened to the 12th chapter of Romans, and new candidates swore that "I will rather die than divulge the same." This doesn't mean that Masonry is the KKK or the KKK is Masonry but that the founder of the 2ND ERA KKK happened to be in the Freemasons, Oddfellows, Pythians, etc. This new order became wildly popular and soon attracted 500,000 members, many of them happened to be Masons, as well. It is a natural thing that occured. It was a new fraternity. At this point in time, the KKK was not consider an evil organization. The 1st Era Klan wasn't even considered that evil. Do you really believe that the federal government cared about murdered blacks? They didn't like a group that was effectively saying "Long Live The South. Screw The North." But just as quickly as it boomed, the 2nd era Klan died out, because of corruption in its leadership, a realization of middle class Masons that they were associating with a white trash organization, and the Great Depression. By 1930, membership dropped to 35,000. A federal back tax bill for $685,000 in 1944, killed the 2nd Era Klan for good. This 2nd Era Klan is probably the only "Masonic" Klan. The founder happened to be a mason and the membership HAPPENED to have quite a few Masons. Any actual connection between the two, was just a deviation from the norm. Just like the 1st Era Klan that happened to have Masons in its charter group. The 3rd, 4th, and now 5th era Klans are completely unMasonic in words and deeds. In fact if it wasn't for the fact that some Klan members in the South HAPPEN to be Masons as well,the KKK would probably condemn us as a ZOG organization. Heck a lot probably do. The brings up another point, there is no one Klan. Some admit Catholics, some want to hang them. Some openly advocate violence. Others condemn violence. Some openly use the N word, other abhor the practice. Some even don't use robes anymore. Remember the publicity seeking Jerry Springer Klansmen are a bunch of hooligans looking attention. Compared some of the these groups' websites to the KKK Political party Website and you'll see the difference. So don't condemn all Klansmen for the actions of a few. No more than Masons should be condemned for a single incident in the 1830's. No more than Masons should be condemned for the actions of some drunk Shriners in the 1950's and 1960's. Ku Klux Klan is just a name. The truth is in actions an deeds. And as far as Pike goes. Who knows. Some KKK groups claim he was a Klansman. AASR Masons claim he isn't. What difference does it really make? The man is long dead. I am just a blue lodge Mason and not a AASR, so I really don't care either way. - Saint Merlin the Magical Mystical Wizard of the Land of Qwerty SOURCES: The International Encyclopedia of Secret Socities & Fraternal Orders By Alan Axelrod Copyright 1997 A&E Investigative Report Special on the KKK Et al sources DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
