Dan Brown's Lost Symbol

So unless you've been living in a hole, under a rock, in a cave on the dark side of the Moon, you've heard about this book. Pondering the effect that it will have on our beloved fraternity I came across some startling leaks that hint at the nature of the book.

Here someone claims that the new book will be about George Washington's near traitorous act of turning over the Continental Army to the British during the War. He goes on to examine some of the Twitter hints and finds that this plot may be consistent with the hints.

I think that every time we get something like this book, it is a dual edged sword. I am sure that even tough Opus Dei didn't care for the light that Dan Brown shed on them, they still received publicity. And we all know that there is no such thing as bad publicity. If this leak is true and Bro. G. Washington is portrayed in a bad light, it will be very uncouth and probably over-boil my patriotic pot, but, if at the end of the day it brings good men the door of our lodge, then so be it. We all know that Washington was the Greatest Patriot, and people will lash out at Brown for his remarks, but we as a Fraternity need to keep our passions encircled, and be pillars of reason.

 

I have been wrong before,but, even in 2009 I don't think portraying George Washington in a bad light is a way for Dan Brown or anybody else to win friends in America.

 

God save the queen!!

 

True!

This book is going to create a buzz about masonry. We need to be ready with our individual pitches about the good in masonry. Hopefully, we will see an increase in petitions.

 

Was there any buzz generated by National Treasure? Did anyone report seeing an influx?

 

just ordered it as an ebook so I can read it for myself the day it comes out - plus it is only 9.95 that way

 

I know in many investigations the subject National Treasure has come up as what rekindled their longing to be a Mason and they petition shortly after, I can think of 3 recently and since that is as far as I can think back this is all I can report! :}

 

I'm traveling to florida when it releases, so didn't want to have it delivered while it was gone.

So, I'll be hunting for it in a strange town the day it comes out to read it while traveling.

Has anyone's lodge discussed handling an uptick in interest? (I believe others have held open book discussions on similar things in the pasts, or increased "open house" events.

 

Here is a website that should be most interesting.

http://www.freemasonlostsymbol.com
It is by Chris Hodapp and sponsored by The Masonic Society.

 

Masonry in a good light!!!

This is from the article that is the frontpage of yahoo right now.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_en_ot/us_books_brown_masons

"I have enormous respect for the Masons," Brown told The Associated Press during a recent interview. "In the most fundamental terms, with different cultures killing each other over whose version of God is correct, here is a worldwide organization that essentially says, `We don't care what you call God, or what you think about God, only that you believe in a god and let's all stand together as brothers and look in the same direction.'

"I think there will be an enormous number of people who will be interested in the Masons after this book (comes out)," Brown said.

Later:

Brown is not a Mason, but said that working on the novel helped him imagine a time when religious prejudice would disappear and added that he found the Masonic philosophy a "beautiful blueprint for human spirituality."

He was tempted to join, but, "If you join the Masons you take a vow of secrecy. I could not have written this book if I were a Mason," he says.

And now?

"They've let me know the door is always open."

 

Re: Masonry in a good light!!!

bah humbug! less is more!

edit: hey, where the heck did this avatar thing come from? I don't remember adding that, did you do that Blake?

 

Did anyone rush out today and pick up a copy? Here's a link to a story I saw online



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_en_ot/us_books_brown_masons

 

I did not but saw a story on the national news today, about 3 minutes or so and it was all about Freemasonry. I saw the S&C at least 12 times and D.C. is gearing up for the rush of tourist like others recieved from Da Vinchi Code. Our website got a few dings today, who knows but Tom and I are convinced the book had something to do with it seeing as we had 10 contact us today we are meeting with 7 possible Thursday! Getty up, I hope your lodge has a good website b/c the rush is about to hit and the web will be their portal to us.

 

Time to step up the investigations as well.

 

+1

 

Think I'm gonna see if I can find a copy tomorrow, although I have to finish this touchy-feely book for my class first.

 

Yes I brought it up tonight at our stated meeting and we discussed some of the possible reactions, telling our guys how to handle the questions and reminded them of the EA charge.