Freemasonry is a post-collegiate mostly-all male fraternity dedicated to the social development of the member to form a broader sense of the self and their community.
The song bring out the clowns starts to ring in my head when ever I start to think about the Shrine in a large way. Not out of any misanthropy but because of their excellent work and commitment to the happiness and well being of so many children.
To say the name of the Shrine International and instantly the image of charity, children’s hospitals, and Red Fez’s comes to mind, but behind those iconic images is an organizational powerhouse that, some suggest, drives the future of the Masonic fraternity.
Joining Masonic Central this week is Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder who is Imperial Outer Guard for Shriners International to talk about all things big and small as it relates to the Shrine. Of particular interest:
The History of the Shrine – How it formed, why it formed, and how its original formation has evolved.
The Present Day ShrineInternational – The Hospitals, Conventions, the 1.8 million a day in Charity, The iconic Clowns, and some of the recent controversy.
The Future of the Hot Sands – Growth, Diversity, and Its lineage to the ancient fraternity.
So many questions have swirled about the connections of the Shrine and the blue lodge that its time to put them to task and ask them of the Shrine themselves, and Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder has graciously stepped up to explore these topics and more about the “world’s greatest philanthropy.”
You can join the live Masonic Central program on Blog Talk RadioSunday May 2nd, at 6pm PST/9pm EST and join our live interactive chat room to send us your questions and talk about the program, or you can call in with your live questions to 347-677-0936 during the show.
It promises to be an interesting and entertaining evening to say the least and a great way to discover more about this charitable powerhouse of the Masonic family. on Blog Talk Rad
This is a bit of shameless self promotion but I wanted to get the word out.
After a lot of effort and energy, hand wringing and procrastination, I can truthfully say that with enough thought, you can manifest your intentions into being. I present to you my humble journal of a Masonic Traveler.
Its been a long road, a journey of unknown adventure and destinations. Its not a travelogue, but a collection of thoughts on things of interest to all Masons discovered on the road of the blog masonictraveler.blogspot.com
The book is an adventure that has taken me through thousands of pages in hundreds of books. An adventure that has allowed me to meet and befriend a hundreds of brothers from around the world, and find resonate fraternity in places I was long told there was none to be found.
And after so much time on the virtual road, there was bound to be a physical destination…
I like to think of it not as journey’s end, but just the first stop on the trail. So, without further adieu, I make this gentle announcement about my new book Masonic Traveler which is printed and in hand now!
If Freemasonry had a specific dogma Albert Pike would of been one of its most profound Prophets. As it stands, he sits in a pantheon of others such as Mackey, Wilmshurst, Webb, and Preston, just to name a few.
The reason I mention Pike in this way, is that for many years his work Morals and Dogma was the field manual given to all Scottish Rite masons for years, so much so that the deep red tomes still frequently show up in used book stores and on Ebay fetching a fair price for such an old body of work.
But the reason I mention Pike and M&D is that amongst the strum und drang of what some states (read Grand Lodges) are doing to some of its members or the shock and surprise that one state picked up a former (read expelled) member of another, Pike talked about these very things in his commentary to the Rite’s degrees. Essentially, had we (Freemasonry) done our homework or applied the degrees so judicially bestowed upon us, that maybe we could see through the smoke that we ourselves are generating over these epic events.
Truthfully, I was surprised in coming across the passage while doing my work for the Guthrie Scottish Rite College of the Consistory. Surprised because his wide spread distribution in the past and the little regard given to him today.
Let me just say that Pike was talking about the very things we face in adversity today more than 100 years before it was ever an issue in the 50+ jurisdictions of Grand Lodges. So say what you want about Pike, personally I’m finding much in his ideas on how masonry should govern itself.
What I found was a small passage in the 10th degree that speaks to how a Freemason should see other faiths, that
“No man is entitled positively to assert that he is right, where other men, equally intelligent and equally well-informed, hold directly the opposite opinion.”
In that passage, Pike is asserting his idea of toleration to the aspect of religion, that no individual can assert that another individuals outlook of the divine spark is any more right than their own, asking the impossible to answer question “What is truth?”
Asking that question make me wonder if the same question can be extrapolated up to establish the definition of what truth means.
In the degree, Pike says (again about religious toleration):
Real knowledge never permitted either turbulence or unbelief; but its progress is the forerunner of liberality and enlightened toleration. Whoso dreads these may well tremble; for he may be well assured that their day is at length come, and must put to speedy flight the evil spirits of tyranny and persecution, which haunted the long night now gone down the sky. And it is to be hoped that the time will soon arrive, when, as men will no longer suffer themselves to be led blindfolded in ignorance, so will they no more yield to the vile principle of judging and treating their fellow-creatures, not according to the intrinsic merit of their actions, but according to the accidental and involuntary coincidence of their opinions.
Whenever we come to treat with entire respect those who conscientiously differ from ourselves, the only practical effect of a difference will be, to make us enlighten the ignorance on one side or the other, from which it springs, by instructing them, if it be theirs; ourselves, if it be our own; to the end that the only kind of unanimity may be produced which is desirable among rational beings,–the agreement proceeding from full conviction after the freest discussion.
What stands out to me, especially in this instance with so much hand wringing and heated exchanges, is the second paragraph, even more specifically:
Whenever we come to treat with entire respect those who conscientiously differ from ourselves, the only practical effect of a difference will be, to make us enlighten the ignorance on one side or the other.
The key here seems to be the idea of treating with respect those who differ from ourselves, which applies to all sides in this discussion.
Pike in his conclusion cites a Roman quote saying:
Men in no respect so nearly approach to the Deity, as when they confer benefits on men. To serve and do good to as many as possible, there is nothing greater in your fortune than that you should be able, and nothing finer in your nature, than that you should be desirous to do this.
Which is, after all, the reason for being a Mason, right?
Side Note:
I’ll be publishing more in the days to come, but the book Masonic Traveler is available now at MasonicTraveler.com – look for more soon!
Ohio Grand Master Terry W. Posey has posted on his blog some more reasons for Ohio’s decision regarding former West Virginia Grand Master Frank Haas. Let us not forget the issues in this case and become so caught up in protocol and procedure that we forget about civil and human rights, inalienable rights given to us by God. And let us remember that no one over rules God.
Withdrawl of Recognition by the Grand Lodge of West VirginiaOn April 22, 2010 the following was sent to those member Grand Lodges of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America.
I write to provide some explanation of the actions taken by Steubenville Lodge #45, regarding the Masonic membership of Frank J. Haas.
Frank J. Haas was Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia in 2006. The following items were proposed to be changed by him and those changes passed at the 2006 Grand Lodge Session held in Wheeling, but the vote was abruptly set aside less than two weeks later. This was and is again the current Masonic law under The Grand Lodge of West Virginia.
1. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia forbids the Pledge of Allegiance at lodge meetings.
2. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia is the only Grand Lodge to refuse by law to allow DeMolay, Rainbow, or Job’s Daughters to meet in any lodge rooms. Their lodges are forbidden from donating any money to any charitable organization, including Masonic youth organizations or permitting them to earn money on the lodge premises.
3. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia is the only Grand Lodge in the United States not to belong to the Masonic Service Association.
4. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia forbids the charter of a Royal Arch Chapter to hang in its lodge rooms. No Masonic art that includes symbols of any other Masonic organization except the symbolic lodge can hang in West Virginia lodge rooms (this includes portraits of Past Grand High Priests and Past Grand Commanders). The Grand Lodge of West Virginia has banned books, movies, slideshows, songs, CD’s, an Ohio singer, and websites.
5. Family members cannot be pallbearers at a Masonic Funeral in West Virginia unless they are Masons. The ashes of a deceased brother cannot receive a Masonic Funeral in West Virginia, because it is by their Masonic law declared “undignified.”
6. Almost no one with a physical disability can be elected to receive the degree of Freemasonry in a Lodge under The Grand Lodge of West Virginia. The cause of the injury, be it military service or anything else, does not matter.
The above-referenced reforms were passed as part of the “Wheeling Reforms” at the 2006 Grand Lodge Session of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia but were set aside by the succeeding Grand Master less than two weeks later. That action has brought about the turmoil in the Craft in West Virginia and ultimately resulted in the expulsion of Frank J. Haas, the Grand Master who proposed the reforms.
All of these topics have been the subject of much discussion on the websites, including http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com and masonic-crusade.com and blogs and the Philalethes publications. This has also been widely reported in detail in the popular press by the Associated Press and with a color spread in the New York Times.
I have observed the situation for two and a half years. In a most respectful tone, I wrote to three Grand Masters of West Virginia and offered my good offices to mediate its conflict. All offers were ignored or rejected.
Steubenville Lodge #45 regularly received and investigated a petition from Frank J. Haas to receive the degrees of Freemasonry in that Lodge.
He made a full disclosure of the Notice of Expulsion by the Past Grand Master of West Virginia and answered all questions presented to him by the Steubenville Lodge’s Committee of Investigation. The Lodge did the necessary background work, including a home visit. They were convinced that he was a good man and true, and he met all requirements, including residency for the requisite time, for membership.
I thoroughly researched the Code of The Grand Lodge of Ohio and determined that there is nothing to prevent his receiving the degrees. Inasmuch as he is an Ohio resident, the Constitution of The Grand Lodge of Ohio confers jurisdiction over his membership to The Grand Lodge of Ohio.
After he was unanimously elected to receive the degrees by Steubenville Lodge #45, I concurred with the Lodge that the laws of The Grand Lodge of Ohio had been complied with, and the Lodge proceeded to confer the three degrees of Freemasonry on Frank J. Haas, who for years had been an honorary member of that lodge. On April 17, 2010, he received the three degrees of Freemasonry in Steubenville Lodge.
On the next business day, the Grand Master of West Virginia withdrew fraternal relations with The Grand Lodge of Ohio because of the action taken by Steubenville Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of West Virginia has withdrawn its fraternal recognition of other Grand Lodges before. In 1991, Charles E. Forsythe, then Grand Master, issued two edicts regarding Prince Hall Masons. His edicts forbade members of The Grand Lodge of West Virginia to be present in Lodges under the Grand Lodges of Connecticut, Wisconsin, Nebraska, State of Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota, all of which had recognized the regular Prince Hall Grand Lodges in their states.
Despite the unfortunate action taken by The Grand Lodge of West Virginia, I am convinced that Steubenville Lodge #45 acted consistently with the Code of The Grand Lodge of Ohio, and I find no fault on their part or that of Brother Haas.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio acted consistently with Ohio law. We ask our sister Grand Lodges to respect our law.
Fraternally,
Terry W. Posey
Grand Master
Addendum to Blog Article on 4/23/2010:
I have been informed by the Grand Master of West Virginia that this withdrawl does NOT interfere with fraternal relations of appendant bodies and that members can continue those relationships.
A quote by Martin Luther King: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about those things that matter.”
http://gmohio.blogspot.com/2010/04/withdrawl-of-recognition-by-grand-lodge.html – No Longer live, archive page.
One of the other violations Haas was convicted of is discourse with a clandestine Lodge. Haas met with Prince Hall leaders to discuss recognition. He did not go to the Grand Lodge building of Prince Hall nor did he invite them to the building of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Rather they met at a neutral site – a hotel.
If it is illegal to even talk to Prince Hall Masons then it is impossible to ever negotiate recognition. By codifying non Masonic discourse outside Mainstream Masonry you have institutionalized racism.
Years ago I was told by many a Mason to shut up, stop creating such a ruckus and let time heal all wounds, for in time all those racists and all these divisions will disappear as the Old Guard dies off.
The years have come and gone and now I am a senior citizen and the Old Guard has died off. But the racism in Freemasonry and the overbearing, over controlling, tyrannical Grand Lodges are still with us. Frank Haas and West Virginia, Atlanta’s Gate City Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia and Derek Gordon and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas have all been with us lately. And tomorrow we will be pointing to another horrific incident in the annuals of Freemasonry. And this will go on and on until we come to some sort of understanding that all the jurisdictions in the U.S.A. are one big family that needs to pull together. We can find a way to do that while still maintaining state jurisdictional hegemony if we put our minds to it, work together and approach this as a problem to be solved rather than something to be ignored because it’s not my jurisdiction.
It all started with somebody who was willing to break the code of mutual support…………no matter the deed. Most Worshipful Terry W. Posey writes on his blog:
“Frank Haas is a Judge in West Virginia and until several years ago was Grand Master of West Virginia. The story of his being expelled from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is well-documented in various Masonic and other publications. I have reviewed as many as were available, including West Virginia’s Proceedings, the New York Times and www.masonic-crusade.com .”
“He moved to Ohio last year. After that, he petitioned Steubenville Lodge # 45 for the degrees of Freemasonry.”
“I thoroughly researched the Code of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and there is nothing to prevent his receiving these degrees. Inasmuch as he is an Ohio resident, the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ohio confers jurisdiction over his membership to the Grand Lodge of Ohio and the lodge’s membership.”
“He made a full disclosure of the Notice of Expulsion by the Past Grand Master of West Virginia and answered all questions presented to him by the Lodge’s Committee of Investigation. The Lodge did the necessary background work, including a home visit. They were assured that he was a good man and true, and he met all requirements, including residency for the requisite time, for membership.”
“Steubenville Lodge # 45 gave a unanimous ballot approving his membership.”
“On April 17, he received the three degrees of Freemasonry in Steubenville Lodge.” http://gmohio.blogspot.com/2010/04/frank-haas.html – page archive
The response was for the Grand Lodge of West Virginia to withdraw recognition of Ohio. The Grand Lodge of Ohio’s website reports it thusly:
“The Grand Master of West Virginia, Gregory A. Riley, Sr., issued an edict on April 19, 2010 withdrawing fraternal recognition from the Grand Lodge of Ohio because Steubenville Lodge No. 45 elected Frank Haas to membership and conferred the three degrees of Masonry on him on Saturday, April 17, 2010.”
If West Virginia can withdraw recognition of Ohio so quickly and easily, why is it that some of the Grand Lodges in the United States who are really doing a wonderful job have not withdrawn recognition from West Virginia, clearly a rogue Grand Lodge, a long time ago? It seems to me that only the bad guys have the chutzpah to take action.
And if the Conference of Grand Masters is truly our national voice in American Freemasonry why has it not voted on a proposal to withdraw recognition from those Grand Lodges who trample on the civil rights of their Brethren and who refuse to recognize Prince Hall?
Why is it that American Freemasonry refuses to police itself? Are we waiting for the civil courts to step in? Do we really think that the actions of one Grand Lodge has no bearing on the public’s perception of all of American Freemasonry? Are we going to stand by and do nothing while one after another after another of these incidents of tyrannical power gone amuck , these actions of Right Wing Masonic Militia take place?
Will there be any national response to the plight of Derek Gordon?
The Beehive will wait to see further developments as this may be one of many battles to come. Widely rumored in Prince Hall circles is the story that the UGLE is seriously considering withdrawing recognition from all American Grand Lodges who refuse to recognize Prince Hall.
The Derek Gordon saga continues. The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has rescheduled Gordon’s Masonic trial but demanded he bring a copy of his military orders as proof he was performing duty for his country on the originally scheduled day. It promised Gordon that he would receive a new letter in the mail by Friday April 16, 2010, outlining charges and setting forth a new date. Friday April 16th has come and gone and Gordon has received no correspondence from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. This follows a pattern set by the Grand Lodge in the proceedings against Gordon. Gordon never received the first letter notifying him of Masonic charges. As Secretary of the Lodge he never received any notifications of changes made at the 2010 Grand Session. He had to go out and find brothers who had that information available because materials were taken when the charter was arrested. Also, the Grand Lodge of Arkansas refused to provide that information to him. The 2010 data was sent just last week after finding someone who had a copy.
You will remember that in their first letter to Gordon, which the Grand Lodge never sent directly to him either, stating the charges against him were: –
The sole accusation poised is based upon entry 4.0.61 in the digest. That states: “The…use of cipher rituals of the three Symbolic Degrees of Masonry is forbidden; and ANY Mason who shall hereafter…use anything purporting to be a cipher ritual or written, printed or otherwise delineated ritual or exposition of Masonry shall be expelled from Masonry.”
Now Gordon cannot remember ever having knowingly violated this provision of the Grand Constitution. So he asks for an explanation of the charges. He states that:
I stand accused of “un-Masonic conduct” for reasons that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas refused to delineate. The Grand Inquisitor (Chairman, Grand Lodge Trial Commission), John Penrod, was kind enough to inform me that I must determine the causes of action the Grand Lodge of Arkansas has against me. And, the Inquisitor refused to provide materials that might shed light on such issues.
Again after many attempts to reach the Grand Master by telephone Gordon finally is successful. He poses the same question. Please be specific and tell me where, when and how I have violated 4.0.61. The Grand Master refuses to answer. The Grand Master demanded that he come to the trial and answer all of their questions. At that time he would find out the details.
Now if you know Masonic procedure and basic legal procedure and civil rights, not to mention common decency, you know right away that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is not handling this process correctly.
“Aside from everything else, the internal judicial process of GL of Arkansas appears to resemble more the traditions of the Soviet Union than the best principles of the Common Law and legal heritage of England, which informs all public and other judicial process in both our countries.”
An accused person must be so under a pre-existing statute or rule (That is, no law no crime.)
What is not forbidden is permitted
All charges shall be clearly stated and given to the accused well in advance of any further process or trial
The accused is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty
In civil law on a preponderance of the evidence and in criminal law beyond a reasonable doubt
The accused is entitled to full disclosure of all evidence known or collected well before a hearing or trial
The accused is entitled to know all the prosecution has, whether it is to be used in court or not
The accused is entitled to subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance and testimony under oath
The accused has the right of appeal to a superior bench or tribunal on points of law or new evidence
The accused has the right of professional or expert counsel or representation
The accused has the right to know all his/her rights at the time of arrest or at the start of any proceedings
* Evidence itself collected illegally or improperly cannot be admitted in the case against the accused
Perhaps GL of Ark. needs a course in basic civics.
Gordon thought at first that he was being charged with violation of a brand new Grand Lodge ruling made in the 2010 Grand Session because that is what Sebastian Lodge #706 was charged with.
The sequence of events and their close proximity to their execution hold the whole Grand Lodge process in suspect. First you had webmaster Gordon posting the Grand Master’s directive prohibiting the purchase of Arkansas Masonic license plates on Sebastian Lodge’s website with provision that this was not necessarily the point of view of Sebastian Lodge. Just a few days, literally 3 days, later Grand Session convenes and a new anti electronic law is passed followed by in just a few more weeks until the closing of Sebastian Lodge by the Grand Master and the initiation of charges against Gordon. A good case could be made that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas instituted the new legislation for the sole purpose of expelling Derek Gordon.
The Grand Master uses this new law to pull the charter of Sebastian Lodge and close it down.
What is on Sebastian’s website has been put there by Gordon. So it is only natural for him to initially think that the charge is related to the posting of Masonic information for public view. But Gordon is able to demonstrate that all that he has posted on Sebastian’s website he has drawn from the Grand Lodge website and other chartered Lodges of Arkansas linked on the Grand Lodge website.
THEN THE GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS PROMPTLY CLOSES ITS WEBSITE. So, there is no lasting proof that Gordon can point to. (The website has since relaunched)
And to further weaken the validity of its position the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is prosecuting, using a brand new law, before it has informed all its constituent Lodges that the new law was made. Sebastian Lodge receives the notification of the anti electronic communication addition to Grand Lodge’s by-laws along with the letter of charges filed against Gordon and a Masonic trial date all at the same time. That means that the Grand Lodge is proceeding against violators of its new law before anybody has been notified that the new law exists. That fact strengthens the position that the only reason they created the new law was to prosecute Gordon.
Gordon searches for another reason the Grand Lodge might be prosecuting him and remembers associating with Black Masons at Mainstream Lodges in Oklahoma and Prince Hall Masons in the military service. Since he has so informed Grand Lodge of these activities and suggested to Grand Lodge to pursue Prince Hall recognition he wonders if this is the real reason for charges being filed against him.
When you sift through all this information you have to ask yourself if this is a normal manner for a Grand Lodge to act. If you are a Mainstream Mason in say Vermont or Illinois or California or Iowa or Minnesota would your Grand Lodge be going through these contortions to purge members? And I will play a little Bill O’Reilly here – “And you say?”
The Grand Lodge of Arkansas proudly announces its purge of others also.
There are other more overriding issues here. It is not just about racism, although that surely is a component. It’s just as much about the abuse of power, un-Masonic conduct by Grand Masters and Grand Lodges, in short tyrannical leadership.
From the earliest of Speculative Masonic ages the Royal Society and Freemasonry were connected. From 1640 into its formal formation in 1660 Freemasons like Elias Ashmole, Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Robert Moray and Dr. Desaguliers brought the Royal Society and Freemasonry together in the pursuit of light. Free thinkers, leaders in the arts and sciences, political and societal action in behalf of the worth of the individual, the philosophy of the Enlightenment all characterized what Freemasonry was all about and its unique ability to harmonize many diverse elements in one body under one roof.
But as practiced in America, many Grand Lodges are no longer receptive and accepting of different opinions, practices and lifestyles. They are exclusionary not only purging Blacks, Jews and Catholics but casting out anybody who wishes to think for themselves.
Some Mainstream American Grand Lodges refuse to allow a Master Mason in their jurisdiction to express what Freemasonry means to them, to talk about Freemasonry or to think for themselves. They demand that their Brethren shut up and let the Grand Lodge do their thinking for them. They squash openness and reforms at every opportunity they get.
The power that American Mainstream Grand Lodges possess today is far stronger than 50 years ago. Before 1960 Grand Lodges were more like equal partners with their chartered local Lodges. The Local Lodge and its Worshipful Master stood supreme in the governance of its own affairs. Oh, yes there were Grand Lodge requirements, Grand Lodge forms to fill out and send in and a Grand Constitution to uphold. But rarely did a Grand Lodge attempt to mess in the affairs of a chartered Lodge under its jurisdiction. The Worshipful Master was supreme in his own Lodge and the Grand Lodge handled affairs on a District or state level while also offering advice and help when a local Lodge asked for it.
The 1960’s saw American Masonic membership take a nosedive. In response to what Grand Lodges saw as the sluggishness of its constituent Lodges to take the necessary measures to boost membership, Grand Lodges jumped in and began making demands on subordinate Lodges. Grand Lodges made the case that only they could, by pooling resources, initiate large expensive programs to attract new members. They used this excuse to then make more demands on local Lodges and take over some of their Lodge’s decision making.
The result of this power shift also had a profound influence on the financial well being of local Lodges. As Grand Lodges assumed more and more power they not only were able to reap the rewards of giant, state-wide fundraisers which only they could afford to finance but also financial backing, donations and gifts bypassed local Lodges and went directly to the coffers of Grand Lodges. Subordinate lodges became more and more financially strapped and Grand Lodges refused to send any money back down to them. As local Lodges pleaded for financial help, Grand Lodges would only provide help with strings attached. Those strings enabled them to make decisions in local Lodges that in days past would never have been allowed.
There is an old saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Now Grand Masters always have had supreme power, but the boundary line of their duty was always spelled out so that there were many avenues that were off limits to them. Once any limits to Grand Lodge power were eliminated it paved the way for a small Oligarchy to control a whole jurisdiction.
There are benevolent dictators and there are oppressive dictators. The latter sitting in the Grand East act like the potentate of a Right Wing Masonic Militia. There are many examples of this abuse of power, among the most recent are:
1) The Grand Master of West Virginia expels Past Grand Master, Frank Haas without a trial, for his reforms and policies while he was Grand Master. The Grand Master calls Frank Haas a few days before his Lodge’s Communication and asks him if he will be attending as he is going to visit the Lodge, but he gives no hint as to the nature of his visit. Then before Brothers and friends he blindsides Hass with an expulsion by edict. This Grand Lodge prohibits any discourse with “clandestine” Masons. If you can’t even speak with Prince Hall Masons it makes it pretty hard to start the process of recognition. But what is most distressing about this Grand Lodge is not just its racism but its ability to stop Master Masons from speaking out or discussing any Masonic matter.
The Millennial Mason had this to say about the situation in West Virginia at the time:
“As I am sure most of you are aware, it is a terrible, repugnant state of affairs within the borders of West Virginia for the average Mason. If he voices support for M.W.B. Frank Haas’ case, he is expelled through edict. The Grand Lodge is using hidden codes within their communications to flush out critics of their policies if that critic should give the communication to the Masonic Crusade. It is truly a story that even a fiction writer could not have invented.”
2) The Grand Lodge of Georgia through devious means convinces two Worshipful Masters to prefer charges against Gate City Lodge and its Worshipful Master for raising a black man in direct violation of the Grand Lodge statue that says non whites cannot become members. This method demands a Grand Lodge trial and bypasses the local Lodge handling of this affair. It also shields the Grand Master from direct involvement in taking this action. Eventually the charges were dropped after Gate City Lodge sued the Grand Lodge in civil court.
This brings us to the present state of affairs in Arkansas. The Grand Lodge of Arkansas is bringing Derek Gordon to trial and possible expulsion, but they refuse to be specific about what he has done wrong. In so doing they follow a pattern illustrated by Georgia, West Virginia and a host of others before them. The pattern may involve racism and, also, cultural and religious discrimination all of which are abhorrent and un-Masonic. Yet the overriding ability to act in such an un-Masonic manner can be laid at the bed of the enormous all-pervasive power Grand Lodges have assumed.
This absolute power has led some Grand Lodges to act in an arbitrary manner including some or all of the below:
All Masonic trials are initiated by the Grand Master
All Masonic trials are conducted by a Grand Lodge tribunal
The Grand Master can expel by edict or on sight without a trial
The Grand Master can pull the charter of a Lodge and close it down without having a reason or giving prior notification
Masonic discourse outside the jurisdiction is prohibited
Publicly discussing Masonic matters is prohibited
Using electronic means to discuss Masonry is prohibited
Disagreeing with the Grand Master is grounds for immediate expulsion
Owning operating or posting on a Masonic website is prohibited
Organizing and creating a group, club or organization of Masons outside of Lodge Communications for whatever purpose without the approval of the Grand Master is strictly prohibited.
Writing and publishing Masonic articles, papers or books that haven’t been first approved by Grand Lodge is disallowed.
Submitting to an interview by the press or going on a radio or TV show dealing with Masonic matters must have prior Grand Lodge approval.
The theme that runs through all this is fascism which is anathema to Masonic tradition. Those members of the Royal Society who were also Masons centuries ago were not stopped from speaking their mind. Freemasonry has always prided itself on being inclusive, not exclusionary, of permitting differences in all aspects of society to co-exist in a big tent philosophy. Some of the great free thinkers of the world, some of the greatest mystics, some of the greatest spiritualists, many of whom were never conformists, were Masons and were never expelled for their views.
Here is another way in which the Grand Lodge of Arkansas wants to cement its control as was passed in the 2010 session.
Again I have to ask is muzzling Masons a proper use of Masonic authority? And you say…………………………
Is ethnic (or individual) cleansing a permissible Masonic policy?
And you say……………………..
Should any racism be tolerated in a Masonic jurisdiction?
And you say…………………..
Do we all live on a Masonic island or is American Masonry all interconnected?
And you say………………………………
American Freemasonry has failed Derek Gordon. There are too many Neros in American Freemasonry who will fiddle while Masonry burns.
And you say………………………
If you want to help Gordon don’t write to him or waste your time addressing the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. Write, call, E-Mail your own Grand Lodge and ask them to put a stop to this kind of Freemasonry.
The third day of the Phylaxis Society Convention in Arkansas was one of much celebration and fellowship but also one of some very interesting presentations.
A paper was delivered on A Black History Moment: A Phillip Randolph and the Sleeping Car Porters. Ah, the memories of those early railroad years brought back to real life in the story of sleeping car porters was fascinating and nostalgic.
Another paper was “The Reciprocal Effects of Illinois Abolitionists on Society.”
The paper which I will comment on in detail was The Masonic and French Connection of the American Mystery Tradition by Dr. Robert Uzzel.
Brother Robert L. Uzzel is a very interesting Mason. He possesses a BA in Religion and Sociology, a Masters in Church-State Studies, a PHD in World Religions along with graduate work in Political Science. He teaches college courses in Religion, History and Political Science while at the same time he is Pastor of an A.M.E. Church – college professor, ordained minister, active Freemason and also a noted author. He is a Fellow of the Phylaxis Society, holder of the Dr. Charles H. Wesley Medal of History and a Blue Friar. Just the sort of fellow I like to pick the brain of.
His presentation was based on his book “Eliphas Levi and the Kabbalah” which I got an autographed copy of after the lecture.
Uzzel says that he chose to write about Levi because it all starts and ends with him. Uzzel tells us Levi was a major source of Albert Pike’s “Morals & Dogma.” He also explained that Levi drew a comparison between Tarot Cards & the Kabballah.
But Levi’s influenced stretched much further and wider according to Uzzel. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in Great Britain claimed Levi as its inspiration. Crowley also claimed kinship with Levi.
Theosopohical Society founder Madam Blavatsky admitted to being influenced by Levi, Uzzel expounds. And the Levi also was a big influence on the Rosicrucians.
All this and more made a fascinating lecture on a subject I needed to know more about.
Noon time saw us gather for a Phylaxis Society Luncheon with all the Phyllis Chapters with us. It was a mini awards luncheon with the big awards coming that night at dinner. Presentations were made to winners of the 4B awards – Books, Business, Ballots and Brotherhood.
After lunch we were all honored with a Grand Master’s Forum where presiding Grand Masters took the hot seat and we peppered them with any and all questions.
Late in the afternoon we all retired to our hotels to freshen up and then return for the Annual Awards Banquet. The major awards given out were the Chapter of the Year, Man of the Year, Brice E. Simmons Award and the John. G. Lewis Medal of Excellence. The keynote speaker was Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe.
After all the ceremonies were over many of us gathered in groups and took pictures, exchanged contact information and parted with that embrace of fellowship that so endears the heart.
There are many aspects of the Derek Gordon story that deserve to be exposed and laid out on the table for all to see. There are also far reaching ramifications as to what the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is doing to American Freemasonry.
As to the former, the failure of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas to state specifically to Gordon how he violated Grand Lodge statues, to leave it as an enigma that he is supposed to figure out is far from playing a straight hand. The fact that they would much rather spring it on him at the time of trial means they revel in toying with their accused. Is this the high moral standard that is supposed to guide Freemasonry?
And shouldn’t the punishment fit the crime? It is not glaringly obvious what Gordon even did. It sounds as if it could be some minor infraction. To not only expel Gordon but to come in and pull the charter of his Lodge and close it down is over kill. Doesn’t Arkansas ever use suspension or other forms of discipline?
The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has a despicable track record of expelling Brothers and closing Lodges. It has done this many times over. Gordon won’t be the first nor the last. And the sad part of it all is that Good American Freemasons and good American Grand Lodges have done absolutely nothing to put an end to such shenanigans.
Oh no, say all the Good Masons, we can’t interfere in the workings of another Grand Lodge. That’s their business. So we let Arkansas do whatever it wants. We let Ohio do whatever it wants. We let New Jersey do whatever it wants. We let Alabama do whatever it wants. We let Georgia do whatever it wants. We let West Virginia do whatever it wants. No matter how grave the injustice we turn a blind’s eye.
While all of Mainstream Masonry supports the absolute right of any other Grand Lodge in the U.S.A. to have absolute power to do anything within its jurisdiction, it even goes so far as to enforce the decisions of one Grand Lodge in all the other Grand Lodges. This is what is known as the Good Old Boys Network. So if Gordon is expelled from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, no matter how odious and wrongful the process and the final decision, all the Grand Lodges across the entire country are going to also join in and support that ruling. Not only will Gordon be expelled from Arkansas but he will be blackballed from joining any other Grand Lodge jurisdiction.
This policy can, as it may in this case, sanctify injustice and it does nothing to dissuade rogue Grand Lodges from operating in the same evil manner over and over again. There is no mechanism in place to discipline a rogue Grand Lodge. No matter what it does it will be blessed by the rest of the Grand Lodges across the country. This drives a lot of good men into clandestine Masonry.
American Mainstream Freemasonry is out of control and the lack of any common standards agreed upon across the board only emboldens those who abuse power to do so repeatedly with impunity. This leads some Grand Lodges to make up crazy rules and regulations precisely because there is no one who will tell them they cannot nor anyone who will even comment on what is obviously wrong never mind take any action like withdrawing recognition. So you have Grand Lodges limiting Masonic discourse (especially with Prince Hall Masons) or prohibiting the use of electronic media in their jurisdiction, even E-Mail, shaking hands with other obediences, visiting Lodges out of state who permit other visitors who are not recognized by that Grand Lodge, admitting any person with an unapproved religion like Wicca, allowing Rainbow and DeMolay to meet at Masonic buildings, openly disagreeing with the policies of a Grand Master whether verbally or in print, joining an internet Masonic forum and a whole host of other regulations that should be no part of Freemasonry.
The sad part of all this is that what one jurisdiction does has a bearing on all jurisdictions. The American public and the non Mason do not distinguish between California Freemasons and Arkansas Freemasons. To them Freemasons are Freemasons no matter from what state they hail. So in essence a few un-Masonic Grand Lodges can give the whole fraternity a black eye.
That being said it would seem that it would behoove all Grand Lodges to come together with some sort of agreement as to proper conduct and certain standards. This would have no bearing on ritual or any ceremonial practice. Neither would it involve a National Grand Lodge but rather a written compact of common principles and methods of operations. However, somewhere along the line in order for the agreement to work there has to be some teeth in it. United States Grand Lodges would have to agree to pull recognition from those who don’t want to go along or those who operate in an un-Masonic manner.
This is not without precedent for when Minnesota decided to recognize the Grand Lodge of France it was met with other Grand Lodges who pulled recognition. If any United States Grand Lodge were to pull the requirement for a belief in deity I dare say you would see a host of American Grand Lodges pulling recognition. While God is important race and civil rights doesn’t seem to count for much. But if American Freemasonry hopes to flourish it needs to pay more attention to how Black men are treated and how to fairly mettle out justice.
If American Mainstream Masonry fails to police itself then it will severely stunt its growth. Gen X and the Millenials are color blind and they will not join an organization which is discriminatory nor one that is a hiding place for KKK who have gone underground nor one that fails to protect them from the abuses of tyrannical power and the absence of common decency.
Lastly it is high time that American Freemasonry took on an American identity. Few Americans are born and die in the same town in the same state anymore. We are a highly mobile society and state distinctions are increasingly of diminishing importance. American Freemasonry grew with the formation of this country. Its method of government followed the civil model of strong states rights but stopped there, where the civil government proceeded to a stronger national federal presence. Without that strong federal presence those school doors in Little Rock would never have been opened to Black children to this day. The progress that the United States has made in the field of civil rights, gender rights, sexual rights, rights of the handicapped have come from the insistence of federally mandated across the board uniform codes of conduct and human rights. The fact that Freemasonry does not have the same accomplishment in those fields that are applicable is its failure to operate in some fashion in a manner that seeks common compliance in basic codes of conduct and methods of governance in all jurisdictions. That is the challenge which awaits 21st century Mainstream Freemasonry. Meeting that challenge may well decided whether it lives or dies.
An updated version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen
Once upon a time there was a Worshipful Master who was so fond of his Lodge that he spent most of his time rehearsing degrees and attending meetings. There was plenty of fun going on in the Lodge where the Master lived. Bills and minutes were read time and again, and the Brethren thrived on hot pasta dishes.
Visitors occasionally visited the Lodge. One day there came two representatives from Grand Lodge. They said they wanted to help the Lodge, but first the Master would have to hold fundraisers for the Grand Master’s charity and support his agenda. The Master found the GL representatives hypnotic, especially when they promised to increase membership, offset the Lodge’s growing financial burdens, and simplify the operation of the Lodge. Not only were their promises unusually attractive, but their programs had the peculiarity of being invisible to anyone who was not fit for his post or who was hopelessly stupid.
“I say! These must be wonderful ideas,” the Master thought. “If they are true, I would have the best Lodge in the jurisdiction. Yes, I must implement these programs all at once.” And he set the Craft to work under the guidance of the GL representatives.
And so it came to pass that the programs were implemented immediately. Spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, and fish fries became the norm. The Lodge dug into their pockets and produced handsome sums of money for the Grand Master’s charity. Lodge delegates attended Grand Lodge functions and followed the party line unquestioningly.
“Well, now, I wonder how everything is going?” the Worshipful Master said to himself. But there was one point that made him feel rather anxious, namely, that a man who was stupid or quite unfit for his post would never be able to see the benefits that had been produced. Not that he, the Master, need have any fears for himself – he was quite confident about that – but all the same, it might be better to send someone else first, to find out how things were going.
“I’ll send my honest old Secretary to check on the results as promised by the Grand Lodge representatives,” the Master thought. “He’s the best one to see what is going on, for he has plenty of sense and experience, and nobody fills his post better than he does.” So off went the honest old Secretary to a meeting with the Grand Lodge representatives who assured him that everything was going well. “Lord, bless my soul!” thought the Secretary, with eyes staring out of his head.
“Why, I can’t see any improvements in the Lodge.” But he was careful not to say so.
The two Grand Lodge representatives begged him to take a closer look – wasn’t the Lodge running just fine? Although the poor old Secretary opened his eyes wider and wider, he couldn’t see a thing, for there wasn’t a thing to see. “Good Lord!” he thought, “Is it possible that I’m stupid? I never suspected that, and not a soul must hear of it.”“Well, what do you think of it?” one of the representatives asked.
“Oh, it’s excellent! Things couldn’t be better!” the old Secretary said, looking through his spectacles. “I shall certainly tell the Worshipful Master how pleased I am with it.”
By and by, the Worshipful Master sent another honest Brother to see how the Lodge was running. The representatives accompanied him on his journey. As they traveled throughout the Lodge, the representatives made sure that the Brother saw only what they wanted him to see. He saw the Craft working on obscure projects, money being collected for the Grand Master’s Charity, and attendance at Grand Lodge workshops. “But our membership is still in decline, apathy among the Brethren is getting worse, and our financial situation is becoming dangerous,” the Brother thought to himself. And then he praised the programs, which he knew were compounding problems for the Lodge. “Yes, it’s quite sophisticated,” he said to the Worshipful Master when he got back.
The splendid programs became the talk of the district. And now the Worshipful Master himself said that he would check into the new programs himself. Quite a throng of select people, including the two honest old Brothers, went with him to where the Grand Lodge representatives were overseeing the programs.
“Look, isn’t it magnificent!” the two honest Brothers said. “What’s this?” the Worshipful Master thought. “I don’t understand a thing – this is appalling! Am I stupid? Am I not fit to be Master? This is the most terrible thing that could happen to me…”
“Oh, it’s quite wonderful,” he said to them. “It has our most gracious approval.” And he gave a satisfied nod. All the courtiers who had come with him looked and looked, but they made no more of it than the rest. Still, they all said just what the Worshipful Master said, and they advised him to discuss the programs for the first time at the next Lodge communications that was to take place shortly.
On the eve of the meeting, the Grand Lodge representatives sat up all night preparing a report for the Worshipful Master to read on the results of the programs.
Then the Worshipful Master went to the communications with the representatives and explained the programs to the Craft. Not wanting to appear unfit for their positions or to seem stupid, they all praised the Worshipful Master for the programs. “Marvelous! Sensational!” they all said. Never had the Worshipful Master’s programs been such a success.
“But you still haven’t solved your problems!” a young Entered Apprentice said. “Our membership is in decline, Brothers are staying away from the Lodge, and our finances are diminishing rapidly. At this rate, we’ll have to close our doors soon.”
“Goodness gracious, do you hear what he is saying?” the Craft whispered from one to the other. Then they all shouted, “But you still haven’t solved our problems!” And the Worshipful Master felt most uncomfortable, for it seemed to him that the Craft was right. But somehow he thought to himself, “I must go through with it now. I have too much invested in it already.” And so he drew himself up still more proudly, while the Grand Lodge representatives chased after him with him with more new ideas, even in spite of the obvious.
Keep the Faith.
Freemasonry From the Edge
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
“A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” Originally published in 2008.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
The true story about “un-Masonic conduct*” of a respectful brother.
By: Brother Derek Gordon Last updated on: April 5, 2010.
“After much reflection, I have concluded that the true crime for which the Grand Master wishes to accuse me has come to light. And it is a violation that I take no shame in committing.”
“As my brethren around the world have now seen, I did not provide secret information on the Sebastian Lodge website but used information from other Arkansas lodges and as well as the Grand Lodge itself. The Grand Master’s claim has been defeated by the massive trove of evidence gathered by many Masonic brethren in support of me.”
“As I was denied my right to due process, I am left to my own devices to determine why on this great earth and in this great country I would considered for expulsion. And then it occurred to me…what my violation will be. In a conversation with Grand Master Warren Martin I spoke of attending lodges in the presence of Black Masons. I openly shared my reflection of the warm conversations we had. The lodges were not in Arkansas but rather in 2 other states as well as overseas. All were mainstream lodges. I have not been invited to a Prince Hall Lodge; however, because of this process I can say that I would be honored to do so.”
“I realize now that I overlooked one of the most obvious arguments. I gave the Masonic handshake (and another common sign of brotherly affection) to well over twenty Black Masons. I have sat in lodge with at least thirty Black Masons. I have spoken with a Prior Grand Master of a Prince Hall jurisdiction. I have long-running Masonic relations with several Black Masons who served with me in the United States Air Force. They are some of my dearest friends and brothers.”
“The sole accusation poised is based upon entry 4.0.61 in the digest. That states: “The…use of cipher rituals of the three Symbolic Degrees of Masonry is forbidden; and ANY Mason who shall hereafter…use anything purporting to be a cipher ritual or written, printed or otherwise delineated ritual or exposition of Masonry shall be expelled from Masonry.”
“There is only one possible way to accuse me of violating the above quote from my Notice of Trial letter. Simply put, I would have to be accused of knowingly sitting in a lodge, mainstream aside, with Black Masons. And, being that the brothers were Black Masons, it is reasonable in the eyes of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas to assume those men must be Prince Hall. I must humbly point out to the Arkansas leadership that Black men can be Mainstream or Prince Hall; Arkansas tends to frown upon certain races, religions, or origins, yet this does not mean that all other Mainstream jurisdictions must act as a unified bigot. “
“These United States have stood in solidarity against tyranny for greater than nearly 250 years. The Civil War and great Abraham Lincoln brought emancipation to all nearly 150 years ago. Just over 50 years ago, Arkansas was at the epicenter of the death of segregation when “the Little Rock 9” entered a high school for white students supported by the 101st Airborne Division. How can it be that Arkansas is one of the three states that still forces segregation of the brotherhood? Why is this tolerated? Who will stand up to such hatred? “
“Let your voices be heard along with mine. Tell Grand Master Martin Warren and Grand Secretary James Weatherall what is truly “for the good of the Masonry**.” As the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called out “Let Freedom Ring” and this time let it ring from the capital of Little Rock, Arkansas. “
“Whether the Grand Master still believes that my expulsion is “for the good of the Masonry” is for him to determine. In my heart and with a clear conscience, I can say that I will always hold the values of the Free Masons… the truly “free” Masons.”
* I stand accused of “un-Masonic conduct” for reasons that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas refused to delineate. The Grand Inquisitor (Chairmen, Grand Lodge Trial Commission), John Penrod, was kind enough to inform me that I must determine the causes of action the Grand Lodge of Arkansas has against me. And, the Inquisitor refused to provide materials that might shed light on such issues.
** The Grand Master assured the Worshipful Master and other brethren of Sebastian Lodge that revoking its charter, and my expulsion, was “for the good of Masonry.” I would disagree with that statement; but, I’m unworthy in their eyes of being a Mason.
Added note: The phone call discussing Prince Hall Masonry with the Grand Master of Arkansas took place on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 8:23P.M. CST.
The song bring out the clowns starts to ring in my head when ever I start to think about the Shrine in a large way. Not out of any misanthropy but because of their excellent work and commitment to the happiness and well being of so many children.
It all started with somebody who was willing to break the code of mutual support…………no matter the deed. Most Worshipful Terry W. Posey writes on his blog:
The Derek Gordon saga continues. The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has rescheduled Gordon’s Masonic trial but demanded he bring a copy of his military orders as proof he was performing duty for his country on the originally scheduled day. It promised Gordon that he would receive a new letter in the mail by Friday April 16, 2010, outlining charges and setting forth a new date. Friday April 16th has come and gone and Gordon has received no correspondence from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. This follows a pattern set by the Grand Lodge in the proceedings against Gordon. Gordon never received the first letter notifying him of Masonic charges. As Secretary of the Lodge he never received any notifications of changes made at the 2010 Grand Session. He had to go out and find brothers who had that information available because materials were taken when the charter was arrested. Also, the Grand Lodge of Arkansas refused to provide that information to him. The 2010 data was sent just last week after finding someone who had a copy.
