A FORMER member of a
secret society intimately linked with the Orange Order yesterday
revealed the bizarre and degrading “unchristian” oaths and rituals
which intimidate members .
Paul Malcolmson said he
was exposing the underground world of the Royal Arch Purple Order in
his book Behind Closed Doors to “break through the veil of mystery”
which surrounds the order.
An evangelical
Protestant, Mr Malcolmson said he believed the order’s rituals were
“incompatible with the Protestant faith” and wanted to let members
of the Orange Order “know what they were getting into” before
joining the shadowy group.
He explained that the
Orange Order was a “kindergarten” for the Royal Purple, which in
turn is a recruiting ground for the Royal Black
Preceptory.
He confirmed that senior
politicians...
belonged to the
order which he said had a “colossal” membership of about
95,000.
“I joined the Royal
Purple because of the mystery of advancement,” Mr Malcolmson
said.
He added: “I believed it
was a Christian organisation but I found it was a highly degrading
and deeply offensive ritualistic experience.”
Quoting from scripture,
Mr Malcolmson explained how each stage of the initiation procedure
contravenes Protestant beliefs which it purports to
uphold.
One of the stages called
‘riding the goat’ involves the candidate receiving a “violent push
backward” on to a blanket.
“Here he undergoes one of
the most painful and humiliating experiences within the Royal Arch
Purple ceremony when he is brutally kicked and tossed upon the
blanket by the assembled chapter for a number of
minutes.”
Mr Malcolmson describes
this as a “demeaning farce” and “an irreligious sham”, asking how it
can promote “holy living or respect for one’s man”.
Although the Royal Purple
oath threatens punishment by death for divulging its mysteries, Mr
Malcolmson said he was not aware of any threat against his
life.
“Now that I have left the
order they can’t do anything against me. But the only fear I have is
fear for God.”
