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Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) emerged, briefly, from the chamber. A genial 60-year-old with bushy eyebrows, the diminutive Rahall didn’t look anything like a medieval crusader. In fact, his family roots are in Lebanon, not Europe. But Rahall is also a 33rd Degree Mason, who joined the secretive society about five years before he ran for Congress in 1976. “When I joined, there were a great deal of older individuals who helped me along the way and to whom I am deeply indebted to this day,” he said. “We call each other ‘travelers,’” Rahall explained. “To become a 32nd or 33rd Degree Mason, there are a whole slew of degrees before that, and it’s a long road we’ve taken together.” Rahall said he achieved his 33rd Degree status by two routes: through the Scottish Rite and through the York Rite, where he participated in the Commandery. That’s the portion of the Freemason tradition that makes Rahall a Knight Templar. And although he hadn’t read the Dan Brown book, Rahall says he understands why the Masons attract so many conspiracy theories. “It’s because, particularly in the early days, there were code words to get into the lodge, and everything is done by rituals,” Rahall said. “The Masons themselves helped perpetuate the myth, knowing it was just that — a myth.” The reporter screwed up his courage to ask one final question. So is there a global conspiracy? “No.” But you wouldn’t tell me if there was, would you? “That’s right,” Rahall said with a smile. Chuckling, the Knight Templar traveled back though the portal to the ancient floor of the House of Representatives.
Originally posted by adifferentbreed
I'd rather have a Mason in congress than a muslim, and yup we have on of those in there as well. I wonder why so much time is taken up hating on the Masons on here? There are far worse people in office.
Only 14 were Master Masons. (LBJ only took the first degree before he dropped out...)
Originally posted by InvisibleAlbatross
reply to post by alphaphysics
Only 15 presidents were Masons.
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[H]is family roots are in Lebanon, not Europe. But Rahall is also a 33rd Degree Mason, who joined the secretive society about five years before he ran for Congress in 1976. “When I joined, there were a great deal of older individuals who helped me along the way and to whom I am deeply indebted to this day,” he said.
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Rahall said he achieved his 33rd Degree status by two routes: through the Scottish Rite and through the York Rite, where he participated in the Commandery.
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[H]e hadn’t read the Dan Brown book
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So is there a global conspiracy? “No.” But you wouldn’t tell me if there was, would you? “That’s right,” Rahall said with a smile. Chuckling, the Knight Templar traveled back though the portal to the ancient floor of the House of Representatives.
To flesh that out a bit, going through the York Rite was not a prerequisite for his 33° in the Scottish Rite; he would have needed at least 8 years in the Scottish Rite before he would be considered for 33° honors, so the fact that he was elected in only 5 years means that he gained office as a 32° Scottish Rite Mason (or, conceivably a Knight Commander Court of Honor, which is a stepping stone to 33° that requires at least 4 years of SR service for eligibility).
Originally posted by vcwxvwligen
So, basically, Rahall didn't become a 33rd Mason until he'd finished the Scottish and York Rites. He also said that he wouldn't tell the reporter if there were a global conspiracy, so his previous denial was effectively voided. He only needed to be a Mason for 5 years before he was elected to public office.
Originally posted by 13th Zodiac
Originally posted by adifferentbreed
I'd rather have a Mason in congress than a muslim, and yup we have on of those in there as well. I wonder why so much time is taken up hating on the Masons on here? There are far worse people in office.
Oh jez ,sigh .The are many, many ,many Muslim masons .
Help this guy out network dude .