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, 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, often hidden 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 positive residual 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 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 as well as without the doors. 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 the fact from fiction. Logically drawn conclusions with supported evidence from associative knowledge will be presented. 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.
About the Author: Charles M. Harper Sr., BLA, M.P.S., is a Master Mason from the State of Illinois who maintains active memberships in two Illinois Lodges. He serves the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois as a member of the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl Committee. He is a member of Internet Lodge no. 9659 subordinate to the United Grand Lodge of England. He is a member of the Medinah Shriners. He is a member of Keystone Chapter U.D. R.A.M., Lafayette Chapter No. 2 R.A.M., Chicago Cryptic Council No. 4 R.S.M., and St. Bernard Commandery no. 35 KT, of the York Rite. He is a member of the Valley of Chicago Scottish Rite, a member of Illuminati Council No. 495 Allied Masonic Degree Council of the United States of America where he has received the rank of Esquire by the Supreme Grand Faslairt, Royal Order of the Red Branch Eri. He serves as a speaker for the Valley of Chicago Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research and an Honorary Member of African Lodge no. 459 Prince Hall Affiliated. He holds memberships is the Masonic Society, the Scottish Rite Research Society S.J., the Phylaxis Society, the Philalethes Society, and the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle. Charles M. Harper Sr. is the author of the controversial book Freemasonry in Black and White, as well as he is a monthly featured writer for the Living Stones Magazine. He has appeared on the Whence Came You podcast and the Roundtable Table Discussion Live. Charles Harper's introduction Video to his book is available at M.A.T.S.O.L., Masonic Awareness at the Speed of Light, as well as the Lewis Masonic Video Library. The book Freemasonry in Black and White has inspired talks to create a documentary about spurious Freemasonry and currently, a show is in the works. Charles M. Harper Sr. travels around the United States giving well-received presentations on various culturally relative aspects of his book using moral philosophy found within the Masonic ritual. He delivers an insight of his experiences having held memberships in both the dark world of spurious Freemasonry and traditional Freemasonry. He illustrates the impact of ethnic isolation and lack of intercultural communication within the Craft, which allows the manipulation of such by spuriously practiced Freemasonry, which undermines the moral progression of the Fraternity as a whole and its positive effect on humanity.