Ukrainian Parliamentarian Suggests Jailing Freemasons

I wonder why MP Taras Chornovil would make such statements, he must feel threatened by the masons for some reason?



source

He has submitted to the Rada a bill entitled “On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine”, according to which, membership of Freemason organizations, or any other organizations that require rituals and oaths of higher priority than the current law, must be punished by a jail sentence of up to three years.

The bill also reads that the members of Masonic organizations who are Ukrainian civil servants, law enforcers or military servicemen must be jailed for three to seven years.

If the membership in a Masonic organization causes deaths, a threat to Ukraine’s national integrity or its defense potential, members of the organization must be imprisoned for 10 to 15 years, the bill reads.

the masons in ukraine must have been trying to run the show in the eyes of this MP.

Is the Ukraine still Communist?

That could be why

There are two reasons why, imo, that some Ukrainian parliamentarians might want to limit or outlaw Masonry in that former Soviet Socialist Republic.

Considering the Ukraines' history of maintaining a severely authoritarian regime, "secret organizations" such as the Masons and, yes, even the Church (in this case, the Eastern Orthodox Church) might be frowned upon because of what they represent. Any "secret" organization might represent a "power base" which might be the root of any dissident movement. This might be especially true if one considers that there are many "hard liner" movements within the former Soviet Union that seem to seek a return top the old "glory days" of the USSR.

The second reason, though it might seem to contradict my first statement, might be that the Church (Eastern Orthodox Church) might still have some archaic, theological, liturgical or philosophical opposition to Freemasonry.
It is important to note that, during the Soviet domination of the Ukraine, the Church was and still exists as a strong element of control within that Slavic culture. In no small part, the Church was "the" power base for any anti Soviet/ anti Communist dissident movement. The Church, understandably, might want to reserve that position of power for itself. Thus, using it's influence, the Church might want to curtail the activities any possible rival for that power.

He has submitted to the Rada a bill entitled “On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine”, according to which, membership of Freemason organizations, or any other organizations that require rituals and oaths of higher priority than the current law, must be punished by a jail sentence of up to three years.

This is comic. Since freemasonry specifies that the law of the land supercedes a masonic obligation the above statement makes no sense, except as an attempt to whip up anti-masonic sentiment.

Perhaps he is refering to problems with some irregular masonic organizations in the Ukraine?

Originally posted by Trinityman


Perhaps he is refering to problems with some irregular masonic organizations in the Ukraine?

There have been no problems, and and only a handful of small Lodges exist in that country. It seems to be just a propaganda tool...Chornovil, an ultra-right nationalist, is considered controversial.

Originally posted by Masonic Light

Originally posted by Trinityman


Perhaps he is refering to problems with some irregular masonic organizations in the Ukraine?

There have been no problems, and and only a handful of small Lodges exist in that country. It seems to be just a propaganda tool...Chornovil, an ultra-right nationalist, is considered controversial.

I kinda figured that. It being a propaganda tool.

The other alternative is that it could be the Masons and other secret organizations who are behind the attempt to quickly move the country in the same direction the West wants them to go..... There is nothing illegal about a country wanting to be socialist or communist or anything of that sort. The country we live in has produced nothing but waste and consumerism. An alternative is needed. Not communism necessarily - but something more thughtful of the resources and other entities than ourselves.

Originally posted by god_of_wine
The other alternative is that it could be the Masons and other secret organizations who are behind the attempt to quickly move the country in the same direction the West wants them to go.....

This could certainly be happening, but masons wouldn't be involved as freemasonry is forbidden to get involved in politics. Outside of its remit, old chap.

Originally posted by god_of_wine
The other alternative is that it could be the Masons and other secret organizations who are behind the attempt to quickly move the country in the same direction the West wants them to go..... There is nothing illegal about a country wanting to be socialist or communist or anything of that sort. The country we live in has produced nothing but waste and consumerism. An alternative is needed. Not communism necessarily - but something more thughtful of the resources and other entities than ourselves.

Did the lesson of Stalin teach you nothing ?

Originally posted by god_of_wine
The other alternative is that it could be the Masons and other secret organizations who are behind the attempt to quickly move the country in the same direction the West wants them to go..... There is nothing illegal about a country wanting to be socialist or communist or anything of that sort. The country we live in has produced nothing but waste and consumerism. An alternative is needed. Not communism necessarily - but something more thughtful of the resources and other entities than ourselves.

I don't disagree with your criticism of modern capitalism, but a short answer to your question would be "No".

The individual who is sponsoring the outlawing of Freemasonry in the Ukraine is neither a socialist or a communist. He is a right-wing nationalist, and is considered a neo-fascist by the Ukrainian Left.

As for Ukrainian Freemasonry in particular, it is very small and uninfluential. The demonizing of Freemasonry in the Ukraine, I have no doubt, is simply more right wing propaganda.