Black, White Masons In South Struggle With Racial Separation - Page 3

D. W. Brown · 03-09-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAPeterson

Bro. Brown,

Please allow me to correct myself. Last year we changed to a two negative vote rule as well. I appologise for the misinformation.

It is interesting to note that if a petitioner is rejected, he must wait 6 months before petitioning another lodge in our jurisdiction. Unless of course that has changed also. I will consult our code and report back when I am more confident in the process.

Fraternally,

Bro. Arthur Peterson

Hehe No Problem.. I'm still learning all the rules so sometimes I get aggrivated that we have gravitated into so many versions of Free-Masonry. I'll have to check on the 6 month rule as well because I know, if that is true here, we have been breaking it.

BrAPeterson · 03-09-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HARVEY COLA

Once again, ignorance rears it's ugly head. How can there be unity amongst us? How can any man call himself a mason, who harbors racism in his heart? Any mm out there reading this and uses his T#$^@L, What ties could there possibly be? HE IS A HIPPOCRATE.

Bro. Harvey,

I hope you were not refering to me as a hippocrate. If you were perhaps it is because I did not explain my point of view clearly.

Based on my personal experiences, education, and religious convictions, I harbor no hatred or bias for anyone based on anything beyond their control. This includes race, sex, sexual preference, life style, religion, culture, or creed.

This is my view on life though. I can not begrudge anyone for having a differing view, because I have not experienced life as they have, nor, have they benefited from enjoying the lessons of life that I have.

Bro. Harvey can you say without hesitation that if you were born white and brought up to believe without a doubt that you were superior, and then had that philosophy reinforced in your adulthood to the point of being ostracized by your friends and family if you went against it, that you too would not have been a racist?

I honestly don't know If, under those circumstances, I would have the personal fortitude to think the way I do now.

As far as Masonry having no room for racism...

Racism is not new to Masonry. How many Masons owned slaves in the past? How many Masons fought for the confederacy in the civil war? How many Masons were for segregation regardless if they were up north on down south?
How Many Masons assisted in the slaughtering and forced removal from their lands of the Native American people?

There were at the same time Masons opposed to all these things while it was going on. When the numbers of those opposed out number those who are for it, change takes place.

The point is we are all still brothers, we just have drastically differing views on what is right and wrong.

I long for the day that mankind is truly free to live how his own conscience dictates he should live. Unfortunately that will never happen.

Mankind will always have one group forcing their beliefs on another. This in my opinion is the greatest unmasonic behavior.

The truely rightious path in life, is the one that the majority supports! Is the battle cry of todays society in America.

Where as when our country was founded we had thoughts like this one:

"I may not believe what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it" - Alexander Hamilton

Fraternally,

Bro. Arthur Peterson

P.S. Bro. Harvey if you are in this part of town and need a brother, I am here.

BrAPeterson · 03-09-2007, 11:10 AM

Bro. Brown,

To clarify:

If the ballot comes back with only one negative vote, it is immediately reballoted. If it comes back again with only one negative vote, the petition is rejected.

If the initial ballot has two or more negative votes, the petition is rejected.

Also

2. No lodge shall receive the petition of one who has been rejected for the degrees within six months from the date of his rejection.

Our code on-line http://ncmason.org/code/Chapters.html

Fraternally,

Bro. Arthur Peterson

sprince32 · 10-05-2007, 03:12 PM

I am a Prince Hall Mason, and I personally do not see a difference between the grand and subordinates lodges that are devided based upon color, but our society does dictate how we continue to stay devided from each other. I love all my brothers, even the brothers I have not yet met in my travels. It's a good feeling to know you can go anywhere in the world, and if you are in distressed for any reason, I have someone to call. A basic defintion of "freemasonry" usually starts out by saying one of the oldest and LARGEST fraternities in the world. I am not so sure this will be the case when our children takes are place when we are called to see the giver of all good gifts and graces. If we all, outside of lodge, take the time to really get to know each other as human beings, then we can move forward in the lodge as one. I onced belonged to the Washington jurisdiction, which recognizes Prince Hall Masons. It was the most beautiful thing to see a lodge packed with brothers of all ages and colors. We seemed to get more things accomplished when we had the support of both sides of the race. Well, this is just my in-sight on the matter. Is it possible for us all to come together? Time isn't getting any longer, so we must act quick.

1-Luv

Michaelscribe · 10-10-2007, 05:51 PM

Greetings My Brothers:

Since joining Freemasonry, I have always attempted to be a better man and portray the image Masonry teaches, preaches and wants us to project. Regardless of color, creed, ancestry or race, you are my Brother and I will treat you as an equal.

If all Brothers would only practice what Freemasonry teaches, then regardless if you are A. F. & A. or A. F. & A. M. or PHA there should not be a problem and everyone will get along.

During my travels, I have visited PHA Lodges and have enjoyed the culture, tradition, camaraderie and Brotherhood. Regardless, each individual Lodge and Grand Lodge has a lot of history, education and light to shed. We should all work together and treat each other as a Brother.

Let's all keep the spirit of Freemasonry alive!

jasonhuber · 10-22-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michaelscribe

then regardless if you are A. F. & A. or A. F. & A. M. or PHA

Michael - thanks for the comment.

Isnt it F. & A. M. ?

I am a member in lodge in both. What do I do now?

Join a PHA lodge I guess...

(I agree with your comments)

Saelia · 10-23-2007, 10:25 PM

All I can say is as the old Masons die out, new Masons will take their place, and these old archaic ideas of racial separation will fade away.

Harry M. Miller · 10-27-2007, 11:47 PM

Hi,
I am Bro Miller of King Uzziah lodge #225. I plan to visit as many different lodges as possible for further light in masonry in my local area of Salisbury,N.C..
I have been reading this forum for about three months. I surf the webb for all cites pertaining to masonry. I seek a deeper understanding of all masonic symbols and rituals. My lodge is in Landis,N.C. but I have been visiting two other lodges for further education and training. I am a Master Mason who wants greater understanding from a religious perspective. I plan to visit lodges that were/are presently all white. I have gotten much knowledge from searching their internet pages. Wish me luck. Thanks

D. W. Brown · 10-29-2007, 04:13 PM

Brother Miller,

If you don't mind, I have just a couple of questions for you, in reference to your post.

1. Where are you from? I know you live in NC now but were you born and raised?

2. In your response you state, "I am a Master Mason who wants greater understanding from a religious perspective.", I'm curious, do you believe or have you been told that religion is accessible through Freemasonry?

3. You also state, "I plan to visit lodges that were/are presently all white.", would you elaborate here, please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry M. Miller

Hi,
I am Bro Miller of King Uzziah lodge #225. I plan to visit as many different lodges as possible for further light in masonry in my local area of Salisbury,N.C..
I have been reading this forum for about three months. I surf the webb for all cites pertaining to masonry. I seek a deeper understanding of all masonic symbols and rituals. My lodge is in Landis,N.C. but I have been visiting two other lodges for further education and training. I am a Master Mason who wants greater understanding from a religious perspective. I plan to visit lodges that were/are presently all white. I have gotten much knowledge from searching their internet pages. Wish me luck. Thanks

sprince32 · 10-31-2007, 04:49 AM

Yes, please elaborate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by D. W. Brown

Brother Miller,

If you don't mind, I have just a couple of questions for you, in reference to your post.

1. Where are you from? I know you live in NC now but were you born and raised?

2. In your response you state, "I am a Master Mason who wants greater understanding from a religious perspective.", I'm curious, do you believe or have you been told that religion is accessible through Freemasonry?

3. You also state, "I plan to visit lodges that were/are presently all white.", would you elaborate here, please?