A Spurious State of Confusion now on Sale!!!

https://vimeo.com/108280629

To mainstream society, the fraternity of Freemasons is still often misunderstood even after the purpose of its existence has been publically known since the transition of the Freemasons from the operative science to the speculative in the early 16th century. Though enlightenment of the individual is the purpose of Freemasonry through the conveyance of certain philosophical truths through masonic ritual, discussions within the trust of Brotherhood, all guided by the moral law followed by each individual Mason, there lies immediately outside the doors of a regularly constituted Lodge an undermining existence of fraud, deception, and abuse. It knocks from the outside, unworthy to enter and instead of placing itself in a proper manner to enter, this force takes the shape of a leech. It lies on the surface of Freemasonry, hidden often in plain sight, and attempts to perpetuate its existence from the lifeblood of the Fraternity, its fellowship, its enlightenment, and its benevolence towards other members that has a residual positive effect on humanity. There are many reasons that spuriously practiced Freemasonry exists. The elements that are found in every civilization, in every culture and subculture, are those features that have spurned the existence of this fraud to which hundreds of men around the world, more specifically in the United States, fall victim to each month, and have since the late 1800’s. Ego, pride, denial, and mistrust, the necessary assistants to the growth of negative empowerment of the individual, is the engine that inspires the pursuit to own the representation of an honorable status, even if it means the desired attributes must be stolen rather than earned. Cultural isolation as a product of the inability to investigate and appreciate the differences between various cultures due to either prejudicial beliefs or a fear of understanding the previously unknown, has perpetuated denial of universally accepted ancient truths and the modern laws that protect the integrity of the institution. Misapplications and misunderstandings of masonic terms that describe aspects regarding the application of inclusion or exclusion, also contribute to the mass confusion as to who are actually legal Freemasons, and who are fraudulent Freemasons. It becomes necessary to examine from a 21st century perspective in an effort to garner proper context, using both qualitative and quantitative research, to answer many questions that are needed to protect the public from becoming victims of this unregulated practices presuming itself to be legal Freemasonry, and to gain an updated universal understanding for members within the Fraternity. Exactly what defines a mason, lodge or grand lodge to be spurious? How does the term spurious, or bogus, relate to the definition of a clandestine mason, ritually and organizationally? What is irregular and regular Freemasonry? What are the impacts of unregulated Masonic practices presenting itself as lawfully practiced Freemasonry both culturally and financially? What laws have existed nationally and internationally, and what laws still need to be pursued and established, to protect the integrity of the Fraternity for future generations to enjoy? In this book, we will explore all of these questions from the most factual stance, disseminating fact from fiction, and logically drawn conclusions with supported evidence from emotionally based conclusions drawn from associative knowledge. We will explore the research of many respected Masonic scholars and establish from whence they have brought the Fraternity, to where Masons can collectively head to ensure the integrity of the institution will morally progress into infinity.

Did you know that a very pronounced barrier to effective communication between cultures is called ethnocentrism? You might be saying ethno what? Explained by Dr. Fred E. Jandt of California State University, "To be ethnocentric is to believe in the superiority of one' own culture." An extreme condition of this exists in the United States in the aspect of both race relations, and most recently, police and civilian relations. It leads to a rejection of the richness and knowledge of other cultures. It impedes communication and blocks the exchange of ideas and skills among peoples because it excludes other points of view.

When extreme ethnocentrism exists and communication is inhibited, ideas become based solely on perception without an insightful and educated foundation. In this manner of existence, there can be no reasoning between ethnically isolated cultures that produce an effective and lasting complete resolve to conflicts. Consider the issues our county have been recently presented. How can a person or group with a clear conscience, who permits this form of conception, presume to have answers for the conditions experienced by another group or culture incorporated into their conclusions? They can make the attempt, but in all reality, the results will be bias. Not out of spite, but the inability to step outside their convictions and arrest their perceptions to formalize an impartial conclusion. I have been born and guided in my years in a unique manner as I am a product of a Black Father and White Mother, and have existed in both capacities to explore these biased conclusions from culturally isolated minds for 40 years, in many isolated constructs. This sounds a lot like the problems that have existed for centuries in many countries where irrational ideas result in such conflict that civil wars occur.

In the United States, the sounds of Ferguson, New York, even Sanford, Florida, have calmed in footage from the media. But beyond the cameras, there exists everyday struggles and many more incidents occurring that are a result of extreme ethnocentrism and a severe lack of cultural understanding due to the inability to perceive soundly cultural perceptions of the incidents to derive morally progressive solutions.

The answer to these cultural conflicts does not reside in continual debates of who is to be blamed or a mass generalization that produces more “them versus us” rants. The answer lies is more people practicing the art of suspending their disbelief to effectively understand through listening, an opposing view enough for it to resonant. From there, a rational review of ideas presented must be measured through more universal moral means, meaning more use of philosophical conclusions of morality rather than religious dogmatic convictions that may tend to alienate the listener or presenter of the idea. A belief in a Deity and the democratic process is very beneficial, but neither political nor religious views can generate a universal answer that serves the needs of the many, but rather, it may only satisfy the few. And finally, a rational agreement or acceptance that has in it a more universal resolve. Always agreeing to disagree does not promote sound resolve. At some point, one has to accept errors in conclusions and allow the better resolve of the other, to be the standing conclusion.

And finally, how is this process to occur? It must take place amongst individual encounters of everyday persons and people like me, facilitating the discussions in black and white in mediums such as intimate group settings, and mediating the fair answers. Protests are a great beginning to bring notice to the problem, but in-depth qualitative understanding on all accounts must follow. The onus falls upon every member of humanity to view every problem resulting from a cultural clash from a perspective that is without bias. From there, every member of humanity should be looking at the most unselfish conclusion without keeping in reserve any past conditions of cultural conflict and the resulting emotions, from influencing the results in an effort to guide the best interests of humanity and not just one cultural group of people.

The problems in our country are readily identifiable. The incidents that occur are random and cannot be specifically predicted, but the circumstances that exist facilitating their occurrence is readily seen. The time is now to be vigilant in solving cultural clashes due to ethnocentrism. I boldly speak about these issues before every audience I am presenting for and the results of the discussions created are outstanding. I write about these issues in a manner that is understandable in my books and magazine articles. Use me or my writings to help you.

Charles M. Harper Sr.
www.freemsonryinblackandwhite.com

A Spurious State of Confusion on video!!!

Are you leading to impact society?

"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."
- Nelson Mandela

     When I chose to embark on my charitable journey to understand how the Masonic Fraternity could be used as a construct to combat and potentially diminish racism and prejudice to levels that could have a minimal affect on humanity, I questioned who was I to take upon myself such a daunting task. And then I considered the numerous people that have given of themselves for the greater good for the moral progression of humanity, the names of which are to great in number to list but of course, some that come to mind are such as Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, Rosa Parks, Gloria Richardson, and others are a few. I thought, why them and not me? Who am I to have them make such important investments of themselves into humanity that I should sit idly by and do nothing?

     We all have innate qualities, abilities that we possess naturally. We also have situations that occur that opens the door for these qualities to be of use for the world, as good things about us are meant to be for the betterment of humanity. On September 16, 2010, I had a back operation that changed the direction of my life, permanently. The Divine Creator was closing the door to my past and opening the one for my future. I had to now delve into my purpose of being. I had to search for who I was now. I turned to the philosophies and ancient wisdom found within the Fraternity of Freemasons, which has for centuries compiled such information into rituals and lectures to be explored and applied to the human condition. I had to return to college and major in history and philosophy to become academically educated to address this fire that began to burn inside me. In this exploration, I found who I was and what was to be my life's work. I could no longer be led, I had to assert myself as a leader.

     In 2013, I published my first book Freemasonry in Black and White, a narrative exploring the different misconceptions about Freemasonry and the racial composition of the Craft that had not been explored from the eyes of a man who was both Black and White, and had experienced a lifetime of racial adversity from both races simultaneously. I discovered that I could see and explain from a perspective that had not been demonstrated in a manner that was effective yet. Seeing the stirring of conversation about the racial dynamics presented in my first book, I then academically explored why this racism had been prevalent in the Craft and what were the means to abolish it and more importantly, what within the Fraternity could be used to influence a moral progression of humanity.

     I complied this information in the second book, A Spurious State of Confusion. Both books received great support from my colleagues and the editor of the magazine I write for, Robert Herd of The Living Stones Magazine found at www.livingstonesmagazine.com. I discovered that I had the voice to say things that needed to be said in a manner that was inviting and not shunning, and... I had found a solution that already existed, but simply was not being applied on a mass scale basis. I had to step out front.

     I am currently working on my third book in the Freemasonry in Black and White series, as well as a fiction book. I am completing a monologue to soon be presented in a theatrical performance. There is a television show in the works predicated on some of the information presented in my first book. And additionally, I travel quite extensively addressing the issues of racism and prejudice, and the masonic solutions that have been in the dark, but are now in the Li/G\ht for Masons and the public to use in a motivational speaking platform. This is what happens when you open your mouth with credible information to bring forth positive moral change to society.

     My question for you is, how are you leading and what positive effects are you having on the world? If you are not using your gifts yet, you should. If you have not found them yet, start looking. They are waiting for you to find them. Gifts are to be given. Find yours and give it to the world. Good luck.