The Blue Lodge - View Single Post - Is Free-Masonry really a 'Universal Brotherhood?'

jpeffer2007 · 03-11-2008, 05:28 PM

Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about this subject. Is Free-Masonry really the Universal Brotherhood it once was or has it grown into 100's of separate dysfunctional bodies more worried about what your dues card looks like, what kind of car the GM will get, how much money that can be drained from the subordinate lodges.... etc. The obligations are quickly forgotten in the average Blue Lodge. There is gossiping, back stabbing, and name-calling; it is all just so ridiculous.

One of the most serious of Masonic offenses is a crime of Moral Turpitude. Then you look at the Jester fiasco. It doesn't matter that these men were not in Lodge when this happened. A Mason is expected to be a man of morals at all times, perfect no, but should strive to be as good a moral man as possible.

We are charged with the following, "Remember that around this sacred altar, you have solemnly bound yourself to befriend and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance. You have promised in the friendliest manner to remind him of his errors, and aid a reformation.
These generous principles are to extend further; every human being has claim upon your kind offices; do good unto all; recommend it more especially “to the household of the faithful.”

But we forget about this as soon as the gavel sounds. The terms clandestine, irregular, and recognition, are used to weed out whom a Mason can and can't talk to, can and can't help if in need, and can and can't look upon as a Brother. These people who aren't "recognized" have a few things in common, they are either the wrong skin color, the wrong religion, the wrong sexual persuasion, or hold the wrong dues card.

This is complete hypocrisy and those who believe and practice this are complete hypocrites. I believe Free-Masonry is about loving your neighbor as a Brother no matter if he is a Mason or not, regardless of his color, sexual persuasion, or religion. I have found nothing in the old charges that state that Free-Masonry or good will is only for white, straight, men.

I have friends who are black, white, straight and gay. These men are also Masons. Some belong to mainstream lodges but have to pretend to be something they aren't. Some belong to so-called clandestine lodges and are treated as if they are lepers by those in the "mainstream." But all of these men have something in common as well...they understand and practice the true spirit of Brotherhood. They are the real Masons. They are better Masons.

It took me leaving my mainstream lodge to find any real Masons................

Jamie Peffer
VM Vulcan Lodge (Independent and Proud)
PM Bham Lodge 757 (demitted Grand Lodge of Alabama)

03-11-2008, 05:28 PM	#1
jpeffer2007 Member jpeffer2007 is Offline Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 56 Rep: Rep Power: 1	Is Free-Masonry really a 'Universal Brotherhood?' Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about this subject. Is Free-Masonry really the Universal Brotherhood it once was or has it grown into 100's of separate dysfunctional bodies more worried about what your dues card looks like, what kind of car the GM will get, how much money that can be drained from the subordinate lodges.... etc. The obligations are quickly forgotten in the average Blue Lodge. There is gossiping, back stabbing, and name-calling; it is all just so ridiculous. One of the most serious of Masonic offenses is a crime of Moral Turpitude. Then you look at the Jester fiasco. It doesn't matter that these men were not in Lodge when this happened. A Mason is expected to be a man of morals at all times, perfect no, but should strive to be as good a moral man as possible. We are charged with the following, "Remember that around this sacred altar, you have solemnly bound yourself to befriend and relieve every brother who shall need your assistance. You have promised in the friendliest manner to remind him of his errors, and aid a reformation. These generous principles are to extend further; every human being has claim upon your kind offices; do good unto all; recommend it more especially “to the household of the faithful.” But we forget about this as soon as the gavel sounds. The terms clandestine, irregular, and recognition, are used to weed out whom a Mason can and can't talk to, can and can't help if in need, and can and can't look upon as a Brother. These people who aren't "recognized" have a few things in common, they are either the wrong skin color, the wrong religion, the wrong sexual persuasion, or hold the wrong dues card. This is complete hypocrisy and those who believe and practice this are complete hypocrites. I believe Free-Masonry is about loving your neighbor as a Brother no matter if he is a Mason or not, regardless of his color, sexual persuasion, or religion. I have found nothing in the old charges that state that Free-Masonry or good will is only for white, straight, men. I have friends who are black, white, straight and gay. These men are also Masons. Some belong to mainstream lodges but have to pretend to be something they aren't. Some belong to so-called clandestine lodges and are treated as if they are lepers by those in the "mainstream." But all of these men have something in common as well...they understand and practice the true spirit of Brotherhood. They are the real Masons. They are better Masons. It took me leaving my mainstream lodge to find any real Masons................ Jamie Peffer VM Vulcan Lodge (Independent and Proud) PM Bham Lodge 757 (demitted Grand Lodge of Alabama) Last edited by jpeffer2007 : 03-11-2008 at 06:01 PM.