*Sigh* A couple things about this bother me greatly.
First is the media's subtle spin on the story definitely goes for sensationalism (I know, I know, my mistake for putting any journalistic faith in the Daily Mail). Phrases such as "being hosted at a secretive masonic lodge" and "Battle Creek Freemasons... insisted that the orgy was not part of their rituals" are put in there in predictable sensationalist style to, I don't know, make some sort of "Eyes Wide Shut" kind of connection. It would be pretty funny if it weren't so insulting.
Secondly, I find the reaction of the lodge members themselves a bit disappointing. Rather than just stating that they rented out the space and had zero knowledge of what was going on (which yes they sorta said), they instead go all apologetic and really just cast more suspicion on the whole incident. Why even bring ritual into it? When I first started reading the article, it was more face palm, then when they themselves brought ritual into it, it kinda put the focus there. Bad PR. Pretty sure if a community civic center rented out a space and, say, a minor was caught with alcohol, the civic center would not be fined for the incident, but rather the people renting it out.
Honestly, I feel that if we want to quell some of the more stupid paranoia and CT drivel, we ought to be less apologetic and more direct and to the point when bad stuff does happen and not be so dodgy about it.