XPost: calgary.general, can.general, tor.general 
 XPost: van.general 
 From: klunk@theothershoe.org 
  
 > Pardon my ignorance but didn't the Greeks bring democracy to the world? How 
 > exactly were the masons a driving force in that? 
  
 Greek "democracy" was a democracy for the ruling elite (philosophically, 
 this 
 was its birth as an intellectual exercise in governance, but it was not 
 applicable to the lower classes). Many of the American founding fathers whom 
 wrote the bill of rights (and extended this concept to ALL people 
 regardless of 
 social and/or economic status) were known Freemasons, including Benjamin 
 Franklin. (Also note the masonic "all-seeing eye" on the back of the US 1$ 
 bill.) 
  
  
 >>> Schwep, are you a Freemason? 
 >> 
 >> hey TC, I'm not a Freemason, but I will tell you this... the term 
 originated 
 >> from "free thinkers" and "masonry workers" whom were the original builders 
 >> for our societies.... and if you look closely at the origins of Democracy, 
 >> you will be able to notice that "Freemasons" were actually the primary 
 >> drivers behind the development of a social structure based upon individual 
 >> rights and freedoms. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)