Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Government
Education
Search
Search:
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in region
Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
SINGAPORE: Freemasons in the region are celebrating 150 years of existence.
In Singapore, a brand new building, behind the current one along Coleman Street, is in the works to house the group’s growing activities.
Although they have been in existence in the region for more than a century, few people seem to know much about the Freemasons.
"I heard many conspiracy theories linking them with the illuminati, that they were bent on world domination, new world order. I never really believed all those notions," said a member of the public.
"I thought that they were some kind of cult," said another.
Such impressions come from the Freemasons’ rites and rituals.
Instruments used by them 100 years ago were for secret initiation ceremonies.
The group also has its own code of conduct.
Sir Stamford Raffles was a mason, so were Mozart and TS Elliot.
But most members want to remain anonymous.
"Some of our members may not want to be known to be members, particularly in certain counties where it’s sensitive. It can affect their business, it can affect their position, particularly, political positions and things like that," said Dr Yao Poh Hong, an orthopaedic surgeon who is a Freemason Grandmaster, eastern region.
Members must have a religion, but even then they can join only if they have been introduced by current members.
"They were really good people and they were doing good work in the community. So they were people I wanted to be associated with," saidNigel Brown, Grand Secretary of Freemason’s United Grand Lodge of England.
"The masons do a lot of charity work, although that is not our principle reason for existing," said David Fok, a lawyer and senior consultant and Freemason District Grandmaster.
In essence, the Freemasons want to be known as a group of men in the fellowship of "brotherly love, charity and truth".
— CNA/ir
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Singapore
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in regionChannel NewsAsia - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
Record number of students expected to collect free used textbooksChannel NewsAsia - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
Sustainability is key in deciding financial aidChannel NewsAsia - 2 hours 56 minutes ago
Ministry reviewing adequacy of town councils’ sinking fundsChannel NewsAsia - Sunday, December 7
NTUC urges firms to carry out "best sourcing" in economic downturnChannel NewsAsia - Sunday, December 7
Enlarge Photo
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in region
Most Popular – Singapore
Viewed
Diamond thieves pull off 100-million-dollar Paris heist
Do not disturb eggs: MP reveals Britain's oddest laws
Cruise ship runs aground in Antarctica
Oil price falls below $40
Amid depression fears, Congress sets up votes on auto bailout
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular