Issue 9 July 1996

The purpose of this newsletter is to help stop secret societies from abusing others and to help those who have been allegedly abused by the Masons and other affiliated groups.

This newsletter is not a substitute for other ways of recovery from ritual abuse. Readers should use caution while reading this newsletter. If necessary, make sure other support systems are available during and after reading this newsletter.

Important :
Resources mentioned in this newsletter are for educational value only. Reading the books cited may or may not help your recovery process, so use caution when reading any book mentioned in this newsletter. Some may have a religious or other agenda that may be separate from your own recovery process. Others may have valuable information on the Masons and other organizations, but have triggers or be somewhat sympathetic to that organization. Resources listed, quoted and individual articles, etc. and their writers do not necessarily support all or any of the views mentioned in this newsletter. Also, the views, facts and opinions mentioned in this newsletter are solely the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the opinion of this newsletter or its editor.

“The Greatest Revenge is to Heal,
then Turn Around and Help Someone Else.”
– from The Grapevine

“The Greatest Revenge is to Stop Abusers
from Making Victims in the First Place”
(Copyright 1998 – All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any material without written permission from the editor or individual authors.)

Neil Brick, editor of SMART, will be speaking at the next VOICES conference in New Jersey on August 2nd, 1996 at 3:45 PM. More information on this conference is in the resource section of this newsletter.

SMART is looking for more articles on alleged Masonic ritual abuse. These articles can be based on research or personal accounts. Therapists may also send in case studies with the patients permission. Please send written permission with each article.

The following article discusses the book “CULT AND RITUAL ABUSE – Its History, Anthropology, and Recent Discovery in Contemporary America” by James R. Noblitt and Pamela Sue Perskin. Please use caution while reading this article, it may be triggering.

This book is an excellent source of information for those interested in learning more about ritual abuse. It is extremely well researched and very objective. It includes 5 pages (pgs. 100 – 104) on the possible connections between the Masons and ritual abuse.

There are also excellent chapters on The Media, Multiple Personalities, Investigating Western Occultism and Cult and Ritual Trauma Disorder. This article will focus on the alleged Masonic connection to ritual abuse.

In the chapter on Cult and Ritual Trauma Disorder, page 167, it says, “Fraternal organizations which meet the criteria for destructive cults. These groups are often secret and may espouse particular philosophic, religious, or sociopolitical ideals (e.g., …and various subgroups within Masonry and other quasi-Masonic groups may meet this criteria).”

On Page 166, “The concept of mind control is an important feature of many destructive cults. But where does one draw the line between abusive mind control and normal persuasion? A distinction may be made where normal persuasion is defined as the use of logic or reason in an atmosphere often governed by compromise, negotiation, and mutual respect for the needs of the various parties involved. Coercive persuasion may be construed as the use of harm, threats of harm, or manipulation in order to motivate a person to do the bidding of another….Groups that use methods based on coercive persuasion with dissociation or trauma-induced dissociation with programming should always be classified as destructive cults in the sense that they are using abusive mind control techniques.”

In the chapter on Investigating Western Occultism, the authors discuss the mystery cults and Gnoticism (“various sects…based on a dualistic concept of good and evil as relatively independent forces in the material and spiritual universe…” pg. 96) Some Gnostics were accused of “…ritual cannibalism and communal sex acts. Some of these acts would clearly be considered ritual abuse.” (pg 97) The Gnostics also had a ritual handshake, identical or very similar to a modern Masonic grip “which some modern survivors of ritual abuse often respond to with an altered state of consciousness frequently without awareness of why they are doing so.” (pg 97)

The chapter also discusses that Alchemists may have known how to create alter personalities. The illusion of immortality was created by “handing down” alter personalities. Today, some ritual abuse survivors’ cults and families believe in this idea.

“The question of Masonic involvement in dark elements of occultism has been a long standing controversy. Masons have argued they are unfairly attacked…On the other hand, critics continue to accuse them of blatant acts of impropriety and abuse.” (pg 100) The concept of a god that is capable of good and evil, like Lucifer is considered Gnostic thinking. “Satan is sometimes considered a myth or metaphor, but one that must be “experienced” through abusive rituals to create sufficient suffering to achieve “enlightenment”. (pg 101) Survivors are also encouraged to go to church to develop a “light side” of their personalities.

“(Margaret) Smith and many survivors…have described elements of Gnostic thinking in this kind of cult. Many patients…have explicitly reported abuse where (alleged) Masonic regalia, ceremonies, or members were present.” (pg 101) The authors do not want to single Freemasonry as responsible for ritual acts of violence, but believe it may be true. They also believe it may be possible for cultists to operate in Freemasonry without the knowledge or consent of many of its members. And some cultists may imitate Masonic rituals during abusive ceremonies. The authors, however, are very perplexed by some things in the organization. The inverted pentagram of the Eastern Star is an example.

Masonry has clearly helped promote and preserve Gnostic thinking. It is alleged that the Hell Fire Club and Illuminati were both founded by Masons. The Hell Fire Club of St. Francis sometimes had orgies and Black Masses. The Illuminati have been referred to by patients as destructive cultists. The KKK can be allegedly be traced to a group of Masons and had many Masonic style initiation rites, symbols and handshakes. Survivors of ritual abuse allege traumatic experiences connected to KKK activities and describe the KKK as a cult. Aleister Crowley was also a high ranking Mason that allegedly engaged in ritual human sacrifice. The Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) which Crowley eventually was the head of, was also allegedly started by two high ranking Masons.

This is an excellent book for those interested in learning about cults and ritual abuse. It is well researched and documented. It can be ordered from: Greenwood Publishing Company, 86 Post Road West, Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881 (203)-226-3571 credit cards 1-800-225-5800. It costs $55.00 (US) For free review copies, ask for Judith Lipner. ISBN 0-275-95281-9, Praeger Publishers, August, 1995.

Resources

Voices in Action, Inc. will be having it’s 14th international conference , “Honoring Our Choices, Celebrating Our Voices, August 2-4, 1996 in Cherry Hill, NJ. This conference is for incest and sexual abuse survivors, pro-survivors and all helping professionals. The conference will feature Dr Charles Whitfield, author of “Memory and Abuse.” Neil Brick, editor of S.M.A.R.T. will be speaking on Friday, August 2nd, 1996 from 3:45 -5:15, about “Ritual Abuse and Secret Societies”. A variety of other speakers and performers will be present.

The conference will address recovery from incest and child sexual abuse, multiplicity and dissociation, relationships and sexuality, creative treatment methods, gay/lesbian survivors, spirituality issues, partners of survivors, professionals working with survivors, male survivors and more.

For more information, write Voices in Action, Inc., P O Box 148309, Chicago, Il. 60614, or call 1-800-7VOICE8.

Incest Survivors Resource Network International (ISRNI), has an international help line answered by incest survivors from 2-4 PM and 11-12 PM Mon. – Sat. ISRNI has a variety of resource lists for incest survivors and professionals, including books, articles, organizations and phone numbers.

For more information, call or write, ISRNI, P O Box 7375, Las Cruces, NM 88006-7375, 505-521-4260 (during the same hours).
Satanic Ritual Abuse and Secret Societies is an 88 minute video tape researched by David Carrico (Followers of Jesus Christ). The existence of Satanic and alleged Masonic Ritual Abuse are fully supported by facts, dates and court convictions. The video is Christian based with selections from the Bible.

S.M.A.R.T. has decided to sell this unique video. S.M.A.R.T. is non-sectarian and has no religious affiliation. We highly recommend this video, it’s information is invaluable in the fight against ritual abuse and the backlash against the incest recovery movement. It is very well researched and well done. To order, write SMART P O Box 60577, Florence, Ma. 01062 and send a check (US funds only please) for $20 + $3 (US S + H) or $6 (non-US S + H).

Songs of Life, Love and Ritual Abuse is a 20 minute tape of songs written by a survivor of alleged Masonic Ritual Abuse. Two songs are about alleged Masonic ritual abuse. The tape was digitally recorded and mixed. The style is primarily folk/rock and it is primarily a solo effort. To order, write: SMART, P O 60577, Florence, Ma. 01062 and send $3.50 per tape + $1.50 (US S + H), or $3.00 (non US S + H), US funds only please, make all checks payable to SMART.

Atty. Helen L. McGonigle has sent me the following letter asking for support RE: Borawick v Shay. (The letter has been edited for length.)

The legal rights of individuals who previously have been hypnotized are in jeopardy, and those professionals who use hypnosis may now be inhibited from using this valuable tool…

In the case of Borawick v. Shay, both the lower court and appellate court adopted tests of admissibility for therapeutic hypnosis having broad application for any person who has been hypnotized and any professional using hypnosis… The decision potentially jeopardizes the legal right for any individual who has undergone therapeutic hypnosis….

In the underlying case, I represent an adult survivor of severe childhood sexual abuse. The alleged assaults in Ms. Borawick’s case are particularily heinous in nature. The case was summarily disposed of by the lower court, without a trial on the merits or any evidentiary hearing because Ms. Borawick underwent hypnosis on the advice of her medical doctor for the treatment of chronic illness and stress. The court barred Ms. Borawick form testifying in her own case because of the hypnosis….

Update: SMART has heard that the United States Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari without opinion on May 28, 1996. However, the justices did review the amicus brief. The court expresses no opinion and this sets no precedent. Few petitions (2 – 5%) are granted by the court.

To learn more about this case and to help with other legal battles in the future, you can write or call Helen L. McGonigle, Atty., P O Box 326, Brookfield, CT 06804-0326, phone 203-740-0074, fax 203-740-1171, E-MAIL: ATTYMCG@AOL.COM

MANY VOICES has a newsletter for therapists and survivors dealing with Dissociative Disorders, a resource guide and free ad listings for survivors. For more information write: MANY VOICES, P O 2639, Cincinnati, OH 45201-2639, phone 513-531-5415, fax 513-531-9075.
Getting Through The Day written by Nancy Napier has an excellent chapter #4, pages 73-91, called Identifying Triggers – Why Am I So Scared. The chapter does not specifically deal with ritual abuse but has excellent ideas for dealing with triggers.

Believe the Children is sponsoring a visual display, “Shattered Dreams: Bearing Witness to Sexual and Ritual Child Abuse.” It will feature artwork and poetry, using the pillowcase as a canvas. The pillowcases will be displayed at BTC’s 1997 conference. For more information, write: BTC, P O 797, Cary, IL 60013, 708-515-5432.

Ritual Abuse Consultancy has audio tapes workshops on Ritual Abuse/Organized Sadistic Abuse. For more information, write RAC, P O Box 94, Warrawong NSW 2502 Australia, Fax-Phone 044-488351.

The American Coalition for Abuse Awareness has a newsletter and fights child abuse on a national level. For more information, write: ACAA, P O BOX 27959, Washington, DC 20038-7959, or call 202-462-4688, fax 202-462-4689.

Family Research Laboratory announces Trauma and Memory: An International Research Conference, July 26 – 28, 1996 at the New England Center, Durham, New Hampshire. For information, call 603-862-3541, fax 603-862-1122, e-mail frl96.conference@unh.edu. (from ACAA newsletter)

Morgan Night is compiling an original book of poems, prose and artwork created by women survivors of sexual assault, molestation and incest. Send submissions to: Morgan Night, P O BOX 207, Goodlettsville, TN.3770, E-mail Morgannite@aol.com.

October 12, 2008 · Filed Under Newsletter 1996 - Issues 6 - 11