THE DUPLICITIES OF HISTORY - AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. ROBERT JAMES, Ph.D. - SHORT

ENJOY THE FIRST NINE MINUTES of the Fourth Episode of THE WIDE MASONIC WORLD - Join hosts Robert Cooper and Mark Tabbert for a in-depth discussion with Dr. Robert James Ph.D. of New South Wales, Australia.

We discuss his paper:

THE DUPLICITIES OF HISTORY : THE CENTRAL PROBLEM OF FREEMASONRY

from his Book : "No More Conspiracy Theories" : https://www.amazon.com.au/More-Conspiracy-Theories-Bob-James-ebook/dp/B0F324X52C?s=digital-text

"The Reality of Freemasonry

For Grand Lodge decision-makers the lack of clarity has been a useful but accidental result of a need to satisfy factional agendas. The London fraternity of Freemasonry, aka ‘the Order’, was neither alone nor unique. The idea often labelled ‘freemasonry’ was a multi-faceted phenomenon, Already in the 18th century: ‘There were (and still are) many varieties existing side by side, practised simultaneously by different lodges.’

For some members, Grand Lodge was an energy centre of an exclusive but free-wheeling club scene, for some it was an arm of the government, for others it was a money-making exercise. Overlapping agendas, fluid alliances and uneven administrations threatened viability, even as its potential for political usefulness became clearer and was more fully harnessed. Unpredictable noble leadership damaged collective capacity to balance military, commercial and industrial demands until a manufactured mystique of Empire provided cohesion. Tensions between political and religious agendas have remained. Official ‘mission statements have made serious discussion of ‘the past’ impossible. For three centuries, Grand Lodge have claimed to be unified while being endlessly conflicted internally and externally. They have exhorted regularity and conformity while appearing in a multitude of guises and combinations; they have claimed to be passionate about learning while discouraging research and while insisting ‘it’ already knew everything humans needed to reach fulfilment. While preaching tolerance and openness they have been discriminatory and unwilling to publicly discuss its decisions. They have insisted they observed political and religious neutrality while being clearly in lock-step with the dominant elements of their respective society even as that ‘evolved’. "

For more than 20 years, Dr. Robert James, Ph.D. has published and lectured widely on Australian Masonic and fraternal history. He was born in Stockton, New South Wales, Australia, in 1940. He earned his BA with honours in Southeast Asian Studies at Australian National University, and spent most of his career as a primary school teacher. He earned his Masters again in Southeast Asian Studies from the London School of African and Oriental Studies, with an additional Master's in Australian History from La Trobe University in Melbourne. Since retiring as a teacher, he studied as an independent researcher while gaining his PhD in Australian history at the University of Newcastle. Dr. James is a Brother Freemason, and an Oddfellow, and a member of the Ancient Order of Druids, all of which are in New South Wales.

His other major publications is “They Call Each Other Brother” in 2010

https://www.amazon.com.au/They-Call-Each-Other-Brother-ebook/dp/B00SQLIGTM