ABSOLUTELY AND UNQUESTIONABLY!!!
If you can.
I could not.
I recognize that at age 21 the Original Poster probably became a Senior DeMolay, and since that time is past, I post for the benefit of others.
I stumbled onto this forum while seeking information on some older situations of child abuse and child molestion that occurred in the 1970s through 2000, specifically some that were unresolved or covered up.
DeMolay is technically, and more important, LEGALLY, not a Masonic Organization. DeMolay was ostensibly created as a Social Service work by a prominent Scottish Rite Mason, with the restriction that all DeMolay Chapters must be sponsored by a Masonic group.
I was a DeMolay with a bit of accomplishments through the ranks, and a great deal of experience on the state level, worked ritual and other functions in several states, and had a little experience with Supremes. Several prominent Masons in my home jurisdiction offered me the position of EO, but that is not a position I ever desired.
In the folly of my youth, I thought DeMolay could provide a valuable role to young people. In 1987, when I became aware of a large ring of pedophiles and groomers active in DeMolay, I privately recommitted myself to the ideals of the Order, and to helping young men grow within the stated principles and purposes, and to protect young men from exploitation by predators who seek out young males for their personal gratifications.
Iwas blind.
I failed, miserably.
Three “men” violated four young men at a Conclave.
I could not stop them.
One of them told me(A), that as a master mason, he could do anything he wanted to those DeMolays.
The executive officer would not stop them, other than to make a show for liability purposes.
The next morning, after receiving assurances they would leave the DeMolays alone, I went to prepare for breakfast the DeMolays were expected to attend, “a” went into the DeMolays’ room and forced one to strip and dress before him, and also went into the bathroom to watch another young man shower, to make sure the DeMolays, who had done no wrong, were not up to something.
At this time, I went nuclear, and the three men threatened the young men, and the “men” left me and two of the DeMolays to arrange our own transportation home, quite a long distance.
The three men left, and took two of the DeMolays with them. One of the alleged “men” (b), warned the two that rode home with them that the DeMolays needed to apologize to them for resisting the will of the “men”. I found this out later, and spent the next six weeks attempting to soothe the offended parents, with assurances from the eo that he would straighten all this out.
The worst offender, “a”, was to have faced DeMolay and Masonic charges, but he stopped hanging around DeMolay, and became a Shrine Clown, were he can have even closer access to vulnerable young people. I saw a picture of him holding a young boy the other day. “a” had already been run off from Boy Scouts, but they did not press charges either.
Of the other two “c-”, a very important mason, nominated “b” for Legion of Honor, and over the protests of Me, the Parents and the Advisory Council, the eo nominated a known child abuser for LOH, which ISC summarily granted. That killed my chapter, and most of the jurisdiction. The chapter got another advisor, who in my presence ran off an misogynist, homosexual spiel, and said it was from Proverbs 13:11-18, which I knew was not only a lie, but a reversal of Proverbs 31. (I am no scholar, but I do know Proverbs fairly well. I attempted to correct him, and did say something to the new guys. At that point, I decided my presence would only serve to expose more young men to corruption, because I was a very effective advisor.
I have not been back, even though a few Supremes have contacted me and made empty promises. I discarded all my honors, awards and regalia, except my Chevalier ring, to remind me of my folly(LOH regalia meant nothing to me anymore, although these days the gold melt value would buy a nice meal.
I have come to learn, predatory behavior is not exclusive to any jurisdiction, and am aware of quite a few cases, but I will not encourage any of those young men to take action, because I know from previous experience, the masons will thoroughly destroy anyone who complains, especially in regions 3 and 6. But if any of those young men I am aware haave been victimized decide to press charges with an understanding of the consequences to them, and the benefit to unknown future young people I will defend and support them completely and to my own death.
Masonry is fine if you want to throw your soul away, and want people to think well of you without actually having to be a good or decent human being.
Yes, I am familiar with Shrine Hospitals. Shrine Hospitals do some very good work. Most masons are not Shriners, and the good work the Shrine does is grossly contaminated by the wholesale child abuse and grooming in Masonry. DeMolay and Rainbow are viewed by very many prominent Masons as PR, a bugfet, and a petting zoo. Do not feel badly if you were not abused, they are very skilled at selecting targets. I was moderately prominent mason, but because I was such an active DeMolay Advisor, was acquainted with several extremely prominent masons in Shrine, SR, and RAM, and a few in UGLE and SRAM.
I was a blind fool for several reasons, but not anymore. I want to believe the best of people, but must disassociate myself from masonry, and will evermore be cautious of those who actively cultivate the appearance of goodness and decency to mask harmful behavior.
Presenting evil as goodness is the epitome of evil.
)? I have made very nice friends and I don’t want to abandon them if I don’t have to. But, if I have to, I will.
