Thread: Masons Unite

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

^
The color bar exists only in some States' Lodges. Predominently in the South. Lodges I visited in CA, MN, TX didn't exclude Blacks. Louisiana & Mississippi do.

They figure Blacks have their own Lodges so...

If I recall correctly there was an all black Lodge in the early 70's in Thailand - in Pattaya I believe - mainly American military etc..

Patrick

Originally Posted by Patrick

If I recall correctly there was an all black Lodge in the early 70's in Thailand

why would that be necessary? what do Masons get up to that requires colour segregation?

According to data compiled in 2008, 41 out of the 51 mainstream US Grand Lodges recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges.

The mainstream state Grand Lodges that do not recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges are located largely in southern states: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina and West Virginia.
Prince Hall Freemasonry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

^ And there you have a list of the most backward states in the US, although I am surprised to see Fla & Georgia amongst them. BTW, 'black' masonic lodges are called Prince Hall lodges in the US. There are still plenty of them, but they are no longer segregated. Of course it is a product of racial segregation in the US- which supposedly ended in the 60's, and mainly associated with the deep south.

The 'daddy' lodge of them all is United Grand lodge of England, and as far as I'm concerned they should declare these racially segregated redneck lodges irregular, ie not recognised as a proper masonic lodge. I would certainly refuse to attend one- they are the opposite of what masonry is all about.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by Patrick

If I recall correctly there was an all black Lodge in the early 70's in Thailand

why would that be necessary? what do Masons get up to that requires colour segregation?

As others have said segregated Lodges are against the basic tenets of Masonry and I too would never attend a Lodge which worked in this way.

My Mother Lodge here in Thailand has, or has had, black members as well as Indian, Middle Eastern, Japanese and of course Thai and Chinese members.

Patrick

Originally Posted by lom

So there is a risk that they have a ritual which you wouldn't like?

Not at all.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by lom

So there is a risk that they have a ritual which you wouldn't like?

Not at all.

The rituals - or "floorwork" to give it the correct term - can vary from Lodge to Lodge in many ways and it can be interesting to observe the differences. For example in my SC Mother Lodge here in Thailand any member taking part in the floorwork was expected to be letter perfect in his contribution, the EC Lodge to which I affiliated in Nigeria when I worked there was pretty shambolic in comparison, but interesting non the less.

Patrick

Do you get to wear a uniform? Shiny belt buckle and spit shinned shoes? I just got the drift of this post, Masons not morons....OK I know a few, but I ain't talking.

Not when you first join.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

The Staircase Lecture given at the Fellowcraft Degree is an example.

good example

now we are all illuminated

the real Freemasonry lodges are French, aren't they ? isn't that where the thing started ? anything outside France and England seems to be a bit of a fraud,

I mean, a lodge in Thailand ? sounds like the Rotary Club of Pattaya

interesting

The oldest jurisdiction on the continent of Europe, the Grand Orient de France (GOdF), was founded in 1733.[9] However, most English-speaking jurisdictions cut formal relations with the GOdF around 1877, when (following the Lausanne Congress of 1875) the GOdF removed the requirement that its members have a belief in a Deity. The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF)[10] is currently the only French Grand Lodge that is in regular amity with the UGLE and its many concordant jurisdictions worldwide.

Due to the above history, Freemasonry is often said to consist of two branches not in mutual regular amity:

* the UGLE and concordant tradition of jurisdictions (mostly termed Grand Lodges) in amity, and
* the GOdF, European Continental, tradition of jurisdictions (often termed Grand Orients) in amity.

In most Latin countries, the GOdF-style of European Continental Freemasonry predominates,[citation needed] although in most of these Latin countries there are also Grand Lodges that are in regular amity with the UGLE and the worldwide community of Grand Lodges that share regular "fraternal relations" with the UGLE. The rest of the world, accounting for the bulk of Freemasonry, tends to follow more closely to the UGLE style, although minor variations exist.

I wonder just how many True Masons are on this thread or are they just wannabee"s ,Why are you even discussing it. " At my initiation i was taught to be cautious " ??????

Like the military, no medals till you actually kill someone, huh? I do like the idea of promised uni's and shinny boots.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

the real Freemasonry lodges are French, aren't they ? isn't that where the thing started ? anything outside France and England seems to be a bit of a fraud,

I mean, a lodge in Thailand ? sounds like the Rotary Club of Pattaya

Masonic Lodges are all over the world.

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

I wonder just how many True Masons are on this thread or are they just wannabee"s ,Why are you even discussing it. " At my initiation i was taught to be cautious " ??????

A good deal of information is in the Public Domain.

Cautious, yes.

More dumbing down I spose? Will Rodgers said that. Any club that would have me as a member isn't much of a club. Perhaps it was Lee Trevino?? Can't remember.

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

At my initiation i was taught to be cautious

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Cautious, yes.

cautious about what? if it is so open, why be cautious?

Originally Posted by ltnt

Any club that would have me as a member isn't much of a club

"I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me as a member "

Groucho Marx

Originally Posted by DrAndy

cautious about what? if it is so open, why be cautious?

"Masonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets"

Boon Mee sounds like an advertisement for Free Masonaryship.

T'was a lodge who congregated where I come from - I know most of them by name and used to serve them beer years back.

Bunch of jumped up dinner ladies in my opinon.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

After one takes the first 3 degrees at the Blue Lodge level (United States) they have the option to take advanced degree work - Scottish Rite or York Rite to reach 32nd degree

At which level do you get the black belt?

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Groucho Marx

Thanks Doc, anal retentive I spose. You're a mason now regarding your recent build.

What's an "Eastern Star?" Ladies Aux. I suppose everyone's got to be somewhere. Just had to add this to the conversation. Needs a feminine touch or two. Where's Bettyboo when you need her?

Originally Posted by ltnt

What's an "Eastern Star?" Ladies Aux. I suppose everyone's got to be somewhere. Just had to add this to the conversation. Needs a feminine touch or two. Where's Bettyboo when you need her?

Eastern Star are simply all female clubs, (not Lodges) and not recognised by any Grand Lodge.

Patrick

met my neighbour yesterday on the way to his fancy car
all dressed up with black dickey bow, fancy white shirt, black suit and shoes
and he was off to a meeting
with the Masons.
a really ok guy by the way.
did surprise me though.
was gonna say' oh, can i come' but thought better not to. secret an all that.