The seemingly prejudicial Grand Lodge of Arkansas is at it again.
Once again a Grand Lodge, this time the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, has taken steps to make Freemasonry exclusive rather than inclusive; parochial instead of universal.
In past moves around the Masonic spectrum we have seen African Americans blocked, Pagans and non Christians ejected, those employed in the liquor industry removed, women obviously barred, Democrats and Liberals prohibited access, Catholics and Jews prohibited. Now it seems members of Shrine International are out. Pretty soon, if you stand there and let them get away with this nonsense, you will be out.
This is the Grand Lodge that declared a generic Prince Hall produced Masonic license plate clandestine. This is the Grand Lodge that prohibited its members from E-Mailing or communicating with one another electronically with one another. This is the Grand Lodge that deliberately shut down its own website (you can see a review of the original site here).
Notice once again that if you violate the Grand Lodge you must SELF EXPEL yourself.
If you choose not to then they will expel you WITHOUT A MASONIC TRIAL . That’s the same choice they offered Derek Gordon.
Do northern Grand Lodges not see the light after Florida? And now this? What will it take to create some kind of mutuality of purpose and means?
These rouge Grand Lodges are practicing a kind of bogus Freemasonry AND MAINSTREAM MASONRY NEEDS TO PULL RECOGNITION FROM THEM!
The letter from the Arkansas reads:
The M. W. Grand Lodge of Arkansas
Free and Accepted Masons
November 1, 2012
M:.W:. Robert L. Jackson
Grand Master
700 Scott Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
To: All Master Masons of Arkansas
To: All Subordinate Lodges in Arkansas
To: All Appendant Masonic Bodies in Arkansas
To: All grand Jurisdictions
To: Shrine International
After carefully considering the facts, I have made the determination that the Imperial Shrine has essentially engaged in the creation of clandestine masons. The reasoning is that the Imperial Shrine requires as a prerequisite to membership that the person be a Master Mason. When this Grand Lodge, and others, has taken action to expel a man from the Fraternity, the Imperial Shrine has made provision to keep him as a member. Essentially, they create the expelled person a Master Mason. This very action is in conflict with the Ancient Landmarks, and the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. As a mason creating organization, the Imperial Shrine is not a setting member, or recognized by the Conference of Grand masters of North America, and is therefore itself clandestine.
Given our long-established prohibition against clandestinely made masons, it is my decision, and I so order that no member of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas may fraternally associate or communicate with, or be a member of any club, temple, center, or subordinate body of the Imperial Shrine. Further, according to past affirmed decisions of the Grand Lodge, to do so constitutes the penalty of immediate expulsion from our Fraternity. I remind you that each Master Mason is charged by his Obligation to safeguard the Fraternity.
Further, I order all Grand Lodge Arkansas negotiations and communications cease with the Imperial Shrine until such future time as the delegates of an Imperial Session may vote to correct the actions of the Imperial Shrine and seek recognition of this Grand Lodge. Let me make this position very clear, this is not an issue that can be negotiated to make allowances for the Imperial Shrine to continue the actions that led to this end. Correction of this situation will require the legates of an Imperial Shrine Session to restructure their laws to align with principles of the Masonic Fraternity, particularly relating to the sovereignty of the individual Grand Lodges within their respective jurisdictions.
A copy of the Masonic agreement with the Imperial Potentate Al Madsen, Shriners International and the Grand Master of Arkansas is being sent to each Lodge Secretary in this Grand jurisdiction for your reading. It s a document we had agreed to, but Shriners International would not allow him to sign the agreement.
Therefore, Master Masons of this Grand Jurisdiction must make a choice to either be a Master Mason or Shriner by December 15, 2012. If you choose to be a Shriner, and you are a Master mason of only the Grand Jurisdiction of Arkansas you will be required to Self-Expel to avoid violating Masonic Law and being Expelled from the Fraternity. If you are a Master Mason who holds dual masonic Membership with another Grand jurisdiction as well as your Arkansas membership and you want to remain a shriner in another jurisdiction, then you will be required to withdraw membership from the Arkansas lodge or Lodges. Thus no Arkansas Mason will be a member of the shrine. This must be done to safeguard our membership from violating our Masonic Law.
Fraternally,
Robert L. Jackson
Grand Master of Masons in Arkansas
The Shrine International made their case in a video published on December 11th, 2012, on the matter, which is no longer on the web.
You can find the full report of the Shrines reaction in a report published on the Shriners Hospital website.
How does one get any information on past 1800’s Freemasons in Arkansas? I’m interested in the Robert E Lee Lodge #313 Jefferson County in the 1870’s.
Evidence that drug testing should be required for members of Grand Lodge.
Although I agree the GL of Arkansas has done some ridiculous things in the past, I don’t see the problem here.
The GM’s leter above he said, (and I’m paraphrasing) “The Shrine has made a provision that allows them to keep members who have been expelled from their Grand Lodge”.
The Potentate seems to have said in the video(and I’m paraphrasing), “Hello. We have a problem. We tried to fix the problem. Although I will not publicly say WHY we have a problem, rest assured we’re working on the problem. To circumvent the problem, we’re going to try to get you into another Grand Lodge. Thank you.”
So, if I got this right (and tell me if I’m missing something), every appendant body that I am in requires me to be a member of good standing in my subordinate lodge (and by extension, Grand Lodge). The Shrine, it seems, has recently come out with a rule to bypass this. The GL of Arkansas has decided this is unacceptable and pulled recognition.
Assuming I’m not missing some key issue, I just don’t see the problem here.
p.s. I agree the self expel thing is, at first glance, a bit ridiculous. But is the author seriously suggesting that we allow women into the fraternity?
Perhaps it is indeed time for Shriners to break away from Freemasonry. With everything that’s been happening in Freemasonry lately, it’s really not an organization I’m proud to call myself a member of. Self serving, prejudiced and ignorant grand lodges are destroying it.
“every appendant body that I am in requires me to be a member of good standing in my subordinate lodge (and by extension, Grand Lodge). The Shrine, it seems, has recently come out with a rule to bypass this. The GL of Arkansas has decided this is unacceptable and pulled recognition.”
Shriners requires members to be master masons in good standing with A lodge. A Shriner was a dual member. Arkansas expelled him but another state did not. Thus the Shriner was still a master mason in good standing with A lodge and thus still qualified to be a Shriner. The Arkansas fight should be with the other state that did not expel this member, unless of course the reason for Arkansas expelling him was bogus (hint: it was) in the first place. In reference to rectifying the situation, the member in question is no longer a Shriner. So now, everything that is happening, is happening out of spite.
You missed the point. The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has expelled Freemasons without cause or for very personal and bad reasons. Regarding the generic license plate produced by Prince Hall, for example, the GM employed a hit squad who would look at all the auto plates of Masons parked at their Lodge meetings. If one had an Arkansas Masonic license plate then the next day that Mason would be expelled without a trial. Talk to a Prince Hall Mason – say hello and out you go!
If Arkansas is expelling Masons for un-Masonic reasons just as Florida has done on the religious issue – then maybe the Shrine is not so far out of line to not follow suit but keep them as members.
Somebody has got to react to this Masonic purge by Confederate Masonry.
The article said “women obviously” but if you look at the history women have been Freemasons for over a 100 years.
The northern GL’s are just as bad in their own ways. The GL of CT has openly declared itself a religion– even allowing Masters of Lodges to conduct weddings. And it has determined that being an active pedophile not only is acceptable but that masons should participate in covering up known pedophiles– even bestowing ‘honors’ (such as the 33rd on them).
“Shriners requires members to be master masons in good standing with A lodge. A Shriner was a dual member. Arkansas expelled him but another state did not. Thus the Shriner was still a master mason in good standing with A lodge and thus still qualified to be a Shriner. The Arkansas fight should be with the other state that did not expel this member, unless of course the reason for Arkansas expelling him was bogus (hint: it was) in the first place. In reference to rectifying the situation, the member in question is no longer a Shriner. So now, everything that is happening, is happening out of spite.”
This makes more sense. My next question would be, “What was he expelled for?”
“You missed the point. The Grand Lodge of Arkansas has expelled Freemasons without cause or for very personal and bad reasons. Regarding the generic license plate produced by Prince Hall, for example, the GM employed a hit squad who would look at all the auto plates of Masons parked at their Lodge meetings. If one had an Arkansas Masonic license plate then the next day that Mason would be expelled without a trial. Talk to a Prince Hall Mason – say hello and out you go!
If Arkansas is expelling Masons for un-Masonic reasons just as Florida has done on the religious issue – then maybe the Shrine is not so far out of line to not follow suit but keep them as members.
Somebody has got to react to this Masonic purge by Confederate Masonry.
The article said “women obviously” but if you look at the history women have been Freemasons for over a 100 years.”
I have heard of the GL of Arkansas doing some pretty ridiculous stuff. I am also aware of the recent actions of the GL of Florida. Being a member of a subordinate lodge under the GL of AL (F&AM) I would appreciate it if you didn’t call it “Confederate Masonry”. If any of us spend enough time we can probably find fault with ANY Grand Lodge’s actions if we go back far enough. I know plenty of Alabama Masons who disagree with the GM of Florida, for example. I know plenty who would disagree with the GM of Arkansas (if they knew about it).
“The northern GL’s are just as bad in their own ways. The GL of CT has openly declared itself a religion– even allowing Masters of Lodges to conduct weddings. And it has determined that being an active pedophile not only is acceptable but that masons should participate in covering up known pedophiles– even bestowing ‘honors’ (such as the 33rd on them).”
From the GL of Connecticut’s website:
Is Masonry A Religion?
No, it is not a religion. This is not to say that masons do not have religious beliefs. One of the tenets of the Masonic Fraternity is that its members are free to express their beliefs in the religion of their choice. However, it is also a condition of membership that each recognize that the wonders of the universe are not here as a result of our doing. But rather as a result of a Supreme Being, who brings order and purpose to our existence.
I do agree that Grand Lodge and the Potentate need to establish clear cut rules regarding interstate membership. But to use the expression “cutting off your nose to spite your face” would not go far enough to describe this situation. It seems the Grand Lodge is punishing hundreds of good men because of a cross jurisdictional recognition issue. Why should any member in good standing be forced to choose between their mother lodges and an organization they may have been in for decades, whose sole purpose is to help children?
And was any thought given to the impact on the hospitals? Many Arkansas Shiners have raised money and volunteered at the hospitals. Is there any plan to fill the void made by the loss of an entire states worth of support? Will any of the children be negatively effected because what seems on the surface to be a technicality?
This decision does not promote peace or harmony.
Just my humble opinion.
The GL of CT has openly declared itself a religion– even allowing Masters of Lodges to conduct weddings.
Citation needed.
And it has determined that being an active pedophile not only is acceptable but that masons should participate in covering up known pedophiles– even bestowing ‘honors’ (such as the 33rd on them).
Citation needed, again, and, oh, look, GLs don’t confer 33rd.
I read the letter from the Arkansas Grad Master and I commend him for his position. As a Pennsylvania mason, I am not knowledable of all the above mentioned history in Arkansas. I do know that the issue regarding the Shrine has bothered me for some time and more Jurisdictions should address this.
The northern GL’s are just as bad in their own ways. The GL of CT has openly declared itself a religion– even allowing Masters of Lodges to conduct weddings.
Ed, you really need to think carefully about what you just wrote; you are making baseless accusations. I’m pretty familiar with the GL up here in Conn, and if there has been any talk about “openly declaring” itself to be a religion, then it has been lost on the rest of the membership.
The WM of a lodge can perform any ceremony he wants, but the *legality* of it with regard to recognition by the state is another issue. However, it’s not uncommon for couples to have lodge-hosted ceremonies, especially if they are active in OES.
I’m not even going to dignify the pedophile remark with a response. If you have something to say, then say it. If not, then what are you doing?
“I read the letter from the Arkansas Grad Master and I commend him for his position. As a Pennsylvania mason, I am not knowledable of all the above mentioned history in Arkansas. I do know that the issue regarding the Shrine has bothered me for some time and more Jurisdictions should address this.”
I am going to say this one more time. If the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is Masonically illegally expelling Masons, if it is expelling Masons without a good reason for doing so, if it is being tyrannical and unjust…then another Grand Lodge or Concordant Body supplying refuge is not out of line nor in my mind a Body to be criticized.
I can appreciate some of what you said, but not all of it. Masons need to be exclusive, we don’t want “everyone” and if you do, you are in the wrong organization and need to move on. Shriners help children and these folks need to get together and work this out and soon. Not all of the facts are out there, but what is showing through is that the Grand Master is not being fair and equitable and a little dictatorish. We are Masons and need to act like it.
The line of thought shows an openess to exploring the core of what Freemasonry is. As a great country where freedom of speach and freedom of assembly is guaranteed, the view of Potentates and GMs places the final decision at the feet of each member. Each contributor to this blog should be certain to base comments on facts not inuendo or rumor as it appears Ed has done. To imply any GL “encourages masons to cover up known pedophiles” smacks of, my opinion,a conspiracy theorist nothing more. Provide verifiable references when making controvesial claims, or keep quiet.
What did this guy get expelled for?
I feel everyone should review the history over the past 10 – 15 years. I have seen the Shrine gradually attempt to seperate themselves from our Fraternity. Please review the history my Brothers.
As a Master Mason from Arkansas, I have something to say about the situation between the Grand Lodge and Shriners International. The last time I looked, Shrines were APPENDANT organizations of Masonry. They do not make masons, only a blue lodge can do that. Their website states that one must be a Master Mason to be a Shriner. Now, here’s the rub….who has jurisdiction of Masons withing a grand Jurisdiction, …the Grand Lodge or Shriners International? The answer….referencing your obligations, what do they say about it? Is Shriners International violating a mason’s obligation? Would such violation on their part separate them from communion with the Fraternity? Should they(Shriners International) be considered clandestine? I believe that the Shriners have some serious soul-searching to do.
You have stated the case well for a legally expelled Mason for a valid Masonic reason. But what you have failed to take into consideration which destroys your argument is that if the Grand Lodge illegally expelled a Mason for an unmasonic reason then what you are asking the Appendant Body to do is sanction the illegality immorality and unmasonic behavior of the Grand Lodge’s action. You are asking the Shrine to become co-conspirators in a crime.
And when they refuse to do so you want to convict them.
Your comment comes late in the timeline here. You obviously have commented without reading the followup story which comes after this one. Don’t be so quick to judgment before you know all the facts. Either click the link under the video or read the next story.
Then use the brain that God gave you.
IM A UNMASONICLY EXPELLED MASON—-I KNOW THIS–JASPER LODGE NO.21 KNOWS THIS-GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS KNOW THIS—THE GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS IS NOTHEN MORE THAN A BUNCH OF POLITICIANS DRUNK ON POWER—-THEY HAVE SPIT ON THERE MASONIC OBLIGATIONS AND THEY WILL NEVER STOP—-WE STOP THEM—-OR THEY GET WORSE—ALL I HAVE EVER ASK FOR WAS A FAIR TRIAL—-NOTHEN MORE—WHEN YOU CANT GET A FAIR TRIAL—GRIN—THERE IS A REASON
Hilter was the grand master of Germany, did that make him right? There are Masonic rules to follow no matter what the circumstance. Any Grand Master is NOT to be a dictator showing partiality to anyone. If the Shriners need some soul searching then so does the Grand Master here and you know it!
Co-conspirators….committing a crime……It seems that some like to put a dramatic twist to something that should have been clear-cut. It appears that BeeHive thinks that any disciplinary action meted out by a Grand Master of any jurisdiction, is and should be superseded by Shriners International, Grottos of North America, Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, etc… Do not these appendant bodies require a man to be a Master Mason in good standing? So, if they make this a requirement then they must recognize the authority of that Grand Lodge. If that Mason commits an unmasonic act, it should be resolved through the blue lodge unless the act is so egregious that the Grand Lodge had to step in and take over. Since Shriners International overruled and reinstated an expelled mason/potentate, then the Shriners are now saying you don’t have to meet the requirement of being a Master Mason since the individual in question was not in communion with the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, and any association at the Shrine with him would cause otherwise good men and masons to potentially violate their Master Mason obligation through direct or indirect association with this expelled member.
The Grand Lodge of Arkansas is not to be help in high esteem as the primo example of how a Grand Lodge should operate. It has a lot of flaws that can only be fixed by those assuming power in the coming months.
Before lamblasting me, please review the YouTube video of the current Shriner International potentate on te subject at hand. You will notice that they do not assume any fault in the failure of the negotiations between themselves and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas.
Since Shriners International overruled and reinstated an expelled mason/potentate, then the Shriners are now saying you don’t have to meet the requirement of being a Master Mason since the individual in question was not in communion with the Grand Lodge of Arkansas
Hey, Romad – what about Mason who are members of multiple jurisdictions?
Not every GL will expel/suspend just because another GL did so.
In such a case, the accusation by the AR GM that the Shrine is “making” Masons is false, unless he is willing to go on the record and say that the failure of the other GL to automatically expel/suspend makes that GL clandestine. But he can’t, as he knows GLs CAN make Masons, and that he doesn’t have a leg to stand on in that issue.
So, he takes on the Shrine, and ignores, willfully, the status of the AR expelled Brother in another GL – a GL which is curiously silent on this issue.
OK MP. Let’s say you are expelled from your blue lodge, will another GL pick you up with open arms if they know you were expelled from another jurisdiction? That’s the problem here. The brother’s home jurisdiction was notified and chose to ignore the expulsion. That’s not how it is suppose to be. If you are expelled, you are expelled world-wide. If masonry is to be a fraternity of the select few that get in and work to change themselves into a better person, why would you or anyone else want to embrace an expelled mason? There is one thing that can maybe counter all of the confusion…a Grand Lodge of the United States. This is where appeals of suspensions and expulsions could be made. There should be a national database to show suspended and expelled masons so they don’t slip into another lodge in another jurisdiction. Would you be agreeable to that? There is a lot more to it than just this one person. But for anyone out there who thinks that the Grand Lodge of Arkansas is backward, prejudiced, and dictorial, please cite instances and explain what your Grand Lodge does. I also noticed that the Grand Lodge of Michigan had decertified the Shriners International as well.
Brother William, you are absolutely right about the Shrine trying to separate itself from masonry. Here in Arkansas a group of masons were attempting to do just that. They got their wish. They can remain Shriners, but they were warned and now they are expelled from the fraternity. Word had it that they were going to recruit right off the street anyone who wanted to join. So much for the requirement of being a Master Mason.
Only in Arkansas
That’s not how it is suppose to be. If you are expelled, you are expelled world-wide.
Only if that’s what your GL regulations say.
I’m a member of two different GLs.
Let’s say I were a member in New York and in Florida, and let’s say I were a Gnostic (not an agnostic).
By the recent ruling of Jorge Aladro, I’m expelled from Freemasonry in Florida, without trial.
What if the GL of NY felt that that bigoted expulsion was un-Masonic?
They would not be required to expel me from NY Masonry.
The brother’s home jurisdiction was notified and chose to ignore the expulsion
Yes, because they felt it was a fabricated charge. Are GLs supposed assume that everything another GL does to a dual member is automatically correct? As far as I can tell that would violate the principle that every GL is sovereign unto itself.
I would like to ask a few questions. Do any of your Grand Lodges offer a “Self-Expulsion” form to those they are wanting to get rid of? Are your Grand Masters the only ones who can “Interpret The Digest”? Does your Grand Lodges during an Annual Communication, discard a legally presented resolution without first bringing it to a vote? If all that is being said about the GL in Arkansas is Masonically detrimental and “criminal” as one would put it, is there a procedure to decertify the GL of Arkansas or at the very least, force it into a type of Chapter 11 to get it to reorganize?
I look forward to your comments.
Regarding the Masonic license plates. Yes Prince Hall did petition the State Legislature for the plate. They do receive money from the sale of the plate, I believe. Prince Hall is not recognized in Arkansas as well in other states. It has been said we are bigots. Personally I don’t mind sitting in lodge with a black man, but I haven’t as of yet. I also think that some rules of the GL of Arkansas are antiquated and need to be changed. Unfortunately, this type of expression would ultimately cause me to be expelled. In the 3rd Section of the EA degree it is written, “Freemasonry unites men of every country, sect and opinion and consilitates true friendship among those who might have otherwise remained at a perpetual distance.” The key words here are, “every country”. If we are to believe this, we must practice it. Words mean nothing without actual execution.
Are your Grand Masters the only ones who can “Interpret The Digest”?
In some jurisdictions, the GMs are not subject to the regulations of the GL. They can make any ruling they see fit, and there isn’t any recourse to oppose it, just hope the next GM rescinds it.
is there a procedure to decertify the GL of Arkansas
Sure, the other GLs in the Conference of Grand Masters in North America (COGMNA) could choose to suspend recognition of Arkansas – they did it to Minnesota when that GL recognized the Grand Loge de France; they did it to Massachusetts in 1947 when that GL recognized the MA Prince Hall GL.
But you will note, I hope, that those GLs have not chosen to derecognize the GLs which have not yet recognized their PHA counterparts.
And I posed a hypothetical question to you – if a dual membership Mason (FL and NY) were expelled, without trial, in Florida, because of his religion, and the GL of NY refused to accept that expulsion, deeming it to be un-Masonic, what should the result be?
Furthermore, if the AASR, or the Shrine even, refused to expel that member, should Florida declare the AASR or Shrine guilt of making clandestine masons, which is exactly what the GM of Arkansas has done?
Brother MP, in regards to your first hypothetical question, my first question would be, “What was the question regarding religious belief?” If it were stated as, “Do you beileve in the one true and living God?” one would assume that the diety in mind would be the one of Judeo-Christian tradition as read in the Holy Bible. Should one profess Wiccan or Hindu beliefs, then their beliefs would be incompatiable with Masonry as they worship many gods. If they stated yes, but later refused to acknowledge God, then the GL of Florida may very well have been correct in expelling him. Not knowing all of the details, I am making an assumption. But, what about New York? What does their petition say? And, historically, how had the GL there handled similar cases?
In regards to your second hypothetical question, when should fraternalism factor into a Grand Lodge Disciplinary action? The fraternity extends far beyond our state’s borders. We tell our EA’s they are welcome in any lodge in the world. True or not? If we are all recipients of the same light, why are we not like-minded as well? If a man is put on trial and is found guilty of unmasonic conduct and expelled, what gives any other GL or appendant body to question and refuse to recognize the punishment meted out? What you are stating is that members are expelled on the whim of the Florida GL without trial. Since the masonic Law is suppose to be carved in stone for all to adhere to, sue the Grand Lodge. Grand Lodges are not above the Law, Masonic or civil. My first amendment rights are not left at the front door of the Grand Lodge. They may think that the Laws of our great land don’t apply, but as long as I live and breath, I will remember that I am to “comform to and abide by the laws of the land I may be in”. That means not only the civil law of Arkansas but the United States as well.
As far as the other appendant bodies mentioned, the only one to butt heads with any Grand Jurisdiction has been the Shrine. If they do not want to be in communion with Masonry then they need to say so. All they need to do is state that any person male or female, may make application to be a Shriner. Just eliminate all references to the requirement of being a Master Mason. Maybe this will solve the problem.
MY FATHER TOLD ME—NOTHEN IS GAINED IN ARGUMENT—HE IS RIGHT AS FAR AS I CAN SEE—I WILL REPEAT THIS AGAIN—NOT FOR ARGUMENT SAKE—-THE GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS ARE THE MOST UNGODLY PEOPLE I KNOW–THEY WANT THERE WAY AND FOR MEMBERS TO PAY FOR IT—NOTHEN MORE—OUR FAULT—-WE GAVE THEM TO MUCH POWER—-WHEN THERE IS NO NET FOR A MAN TO PROVE THAT HE HAS DONE NO WRONG—WELL YOU LET THE FOX INTO THE CHICKEN HOUSE
Ark GM is not acting like a Mason should, however, we in Texas think this whole thing is a joke as regards real Masonry. We would never do such a thing. Does your Shrine not take care of children with problems? Ya’ll need to do away with your petty behavior and at least try to act like Masons, and I mean it when I say we give no weight to Arkansas GL and what your GM is doing, can you imagine that anywhere else?
On December 31, you stated: “My first amendment rights are not left at the front door of the Grand Lodge.” in regards to an argument that any GL is not above the law. However, on Dec. 28, 2012, you stated “Personally I don’t mind sitting in lodge with a black man, but I haven’t as of yet. I also think that some rules of the GL of Arkansas are antiquated and need to be changed. Unfortunately, this type of expression would ultimately cause me to be expelled.” So by your comments alone, you have proven that your first amendment right does not exist within the GL of AR, if you will be expelled for expressing your beliefs on things that you do not agree with.
I try my best to stay away from the “who is racist, who is a bigot” conversation, because the ignorance exists on both sides of the fence (GL of State (what you may call “Mainstream”) and PHA). But in 2013, if the leader of an entire Grand Lodge cannot take time to learn the difference between clandestine and unrecognized, then someone needs to speak for him. The MWPHGL of AR is in no way clandestine, but in the edict released by the GM of AR at the time of the license plate issue, he referred to them as such. A simple trace of lineage would show that they can trace their lineage back to African Lodge No. 459 (later renumbered to No. 370), who can trace its lineage back to the Grand Lodge of England (aka, Premiere Grand Lodge of England, Moderns), which establishes their legitimacy. What are the reasons that the GL of AR refuses to acknowledge the MWPHGL of AR? And if they are considered to be clandestine, then why hasn’t the GL of AR pulled recognition from the United Grand Lodge of England and all the COGMNA Grand Lodges who have mutual recognition with their PH Grand Lodge counterparts? With the rationalization provided by the GM of AR for pulling recognition from the Shrine, I can’t understand why the GL of AR would ever associate with anyone who would associate with someone they deem “clandestine”.
This Shrine issue is just the tip of the iceberg for matters that need to be resolved in a timely and expeditious fashion. The Shrine was founded as a “fraternity for Masons”, so you can’t unlink the two, even if you tried. Shriner’s Intl has the right to make whatever provisions that is in the best interest of their members and without intrusion of any Grand Master from any Grand Lodge. Hopefully they will find a peaceful resolve.
Antoine Lilly
A.S. Hunter Lodge No. 825
MWPHGL of NC
Zafa Temple No. 176
AEAONMS
My previous post was for Romad Mark.