Chicago Glenn
Registered User
Was the former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, ever expelled from Masonry after his felony conviction and incarceration?
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Rod Blagojevich
- Thread starter Chicago Glenn
- Start date
Winter
Premium Member
I had never heard that Rod Blagojevich was a Freemason. Got a source for that?
Jim Licquia
Registered User
Same would be true of former governor George Ryan. Was he expelled?
How have you come by the fact that they are/were Freemasons?
Jim Licquia
Registered User
OP stated or implied that Blago was a Freemason. The Famous Freemasons section of the Downers Grove, IL website states that George Ryan was/is a Mason. Blago is not listed. Here’s the link. https://www.grovemasoniclodge.org/index.php/secrets/famous-freemasons
Bloke
Premium Member
That's nice - but there are no footnotes. My (extensive) experience of web sites like this is they use all sorts of uncited sources to compile their lists and hence are not reliable.
In this instance they do actually cite a source - Source: usnews.com - and I have seen several instances where very reputable newspapers incorrectly say men are Freemasons when they are not. This would not meet my burden of proof when researching famous Freemasons.
W
Well I can see one non-Mason on there straight away which is Louie Armstrong. The Knights of Pythias are not Freemasonry.
CLewey44
Registered User
The media/news reporting things incorrectly?!?!? In the U.S., that's unheard of.
Sadly it’s not just the media, many Freemasons are too keen to believe claimed famous members. A recent couple are John Entwistle of the Who and Freddie Mercury, neither of whom were actually members.
I don’t understand the obsession with “famous” masons... in what world does it matter?
Bloke
Premium Member
I think the reason for it is that Famous members can be seen as legitimizing Freemasonry and also can demonstrate diversity.
I don't get it either, although there are some interesting historical Freemasons the rest of it is just a distraction really.
Its the same basic reason that people in general has an obsession with celeberties. Freemasons dont live in a bubble and are influenced by the society they live in.
Chicago Glenn
Registered User
The worshipful masters from two different lodges here in the north side of Chicago mentioned it. Interestingly enough one of the worshipful masters actually has a criminal conviction on his record. I just thought that was something that disqualified someone from becoming or remaining a mason.
Chicago Glenn
Registered User
Two different worshipful masters from two different lodges on the north side of Chicago mentioned it.
Being well aware of how these things happen I would have asked them about their source. Masters are no less likely to be mistaken than anyone else.
jermy Bell
Registered User
Well, that's the way it's supposed to be. But it's probably who he knows and how many in lodge are willing to look the other way. You don't want to give a buddy the boot.
You see?
Here is the kind of statement where, if I was in conversation with a person, I would ask them to clarify their source. As unless it has come first hand from a trustable source it is just "idle gossip". One of those things that a good Freemason should refrain from getting involved with.
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Lol!The media/news reporting things incorrectly?!?!? In the U.S., that's unheard of.