Masonic Order of Liberia

History

Expansion and political dominance

Prohibition and reinstatement

In 1990, Samuel Doe in turn was murdered by Prince Johnson, one time ally of Charles Taylor, in an internationally televised display. To prove that Doe was not protected by black magic, his ears were cut off, then some of his fingers and toes, and finally he was murdered by decapitation and buried (his body was later exhumed and reburied). The spectacle of his torture was videotaped and seen on news reports around the world. The video shows Johnson sipping a beer and being fanned by an assistant as Doe's ear is cut off.

During and after the civil war

During the First Liberian Civil War, the Grand Masonic Temple in Monrovia was the scene of many battles, and its ruins became home to thousands of squatters. On trial, President Charles Taylor made light of allowing his troops to post human heads and skulls of enemies at checkpoints, saying it was no worse than the display of skulls in “Western fraternal organizations.”

The Masons evicted squatters from the Grand Lodge by 2005, and the Masonic Temple has resumed to hold meetings for the subordinate Lodges in the Blue Lodge Room, quarterly Grand Communications in the Grand Lodge room as well as meetings for the Order of Eastern Star and its subordinate Chapters in their respective rooms within the Temple. According to the Grand Lodge's 2015 reports, there are 19 Subordinate Lodges in Liberia with a total membership of 1,750. Benoni Urey, a Freemason who is considered Liberia’s richest man and a possible candidate for the Liberian presidency, has said he wants to see the Masonic Order of Liberia return to prominence in Liberian politics.

References

References

1. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/liberia/monrovia-mason.htm Monrovia – Masonic Grand Lodge]
2. [http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/tragic-history-of-freemasonry-in.html The Tragic History of Freemasonry in Liberia], Chris Hodapp, Freemasonry for Dummies Blog
3. ''[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/liberia/monrovia-mason.htm Old Ruling Elite Making a Comeback in Liberia]'', Tim Sullivan, [[Associated Press]], September 29, 2001.
4. ''[https://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/thestory.html Liberia- No More War]'', Jessie Deeter, [[Frontline (PBS)]], May 2005.
5. Hodapp, Chris. (29 June 2015). "The Tragic History of Freemasonry in Liberia". freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com.
6. "Grand Lodge of Liberia A.F.& A.M.". Grand Lodge of Liberia.
7. Yates, Charles. (29 June 2015). "Presidential Candidate Urey Wants Freemasons to Control Liberian Politics". Bushchicken.com.