Brothers, we must mourn a tragedy

[Hyksos]

Brothers,

I am sad to report to those who do not know, that the Norway mass-murderer Breivik was also a Mason in Norway. Apparently he had only attended a small number of meetings, but nonetheless his reputation has stained our fraternity. See Breivik in his Masonic regalia.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2017851/Norway-attacks-gunman-Anders-Behring-Breivik-right-wing-extremist-hated-Muslims.html

The Grand Lodge of Norway has apologized for his actions, and suspended his membership immediately. In the words of the GL, The exclusion reflects that the acts he is accused of having carried out, and the values that appear to have motivated them, are completely incompatible with what we stand for as an Order.

http://www.frimurer.no/ordenen/15-aktuelt/1192-the-norwegian-order-of-freemasons-expressing-compassion-and-care

Brothers, please, if you hear anyone speaking of this monster and his association with Freemasonry, be ready to defend Masonry's good name and distinguish this murderer from the rest of us. So mote it be.

[Chuck66]

This was in a Wiki article on him, for what it's worth, considering the source. Sounds like a lot of good damage control was done, assuming this was all true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik

"...His manifesto said that he took three degrees of Freemasonry and commended them as "keepers of cultural heritage" while also criticising it for being “not in any way political.”[136]
"..........during the four and a half years he was a member he only took part in four meetings and held no offices or functions within the Lodge."

And if this info is true, then the pic is way off, as it has him in the Master's regalia, and if he never held an office, he shouldn't be wearing that emblem. That combines with my opinion(and other's) that that photo, along with several others of him, is a photoshop, to lead me to the conclusion that they guy is a total wannabe, in more ways than one.

[Hyksos]

This was in a Wiki article on him, for what it's worth, considering the source. Sounds like a lot of good damage control was done, assuming this was all true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik

"...His manifesto said that he took three degrees of Freemasonry and commended them as "keepers of cultural heritage" while also criticising it for being “not in any way political.”[136]
"..........during the four and a half years he was a member he only took part in four meetings and held no offices or functions within the Lodge."

And if this info is true, then the pic is way off, as it has him in the Master's regalia, and if he never held an office, he shouldn't be wearing that emblem. That combines with my opinion(and other's) that that photo, along with several others of him, is a photoshop, to lead me to the conclusion that they guy is a total wannabe, in more ways than one.

Norway follows the Swedish Rite, which is a different Masonic system based solely on Christianity. The Swedish Rite is the only place I know of in the world where one MUST be a Christian in order to join. It is possible that the regalia he is wearing IS proper Swedish Rite regalia. They have some system with like 11 degrees.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Rite

[deputy tom]

Thanks for the heads up Brother.Talk about bringing bad press to the Lodge's door-step.tom.

[Chuck66]

Yeah, I considered that it may be different from US Freemasonry, and it may just be the case. Even if the emblem is correct, I still have no doubt that the pic is photoshopped.

My thought on him putting his head on the WM's body was that he obviously had some delusions of grandeur, or was trying to create that image for himself, either to please himself or impress others, so he'd go to the top position.

[Javelin]

Evil people seeking power will find all ways to obtain it and exploit it through deceit and chaos.

[Badger1911]

Thank you for making us aware of this Hyksos. Sounds like a very appropriate response by the Grand Lodge of Norway.