My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Shrine Outlaws Confederate Battle Flag

The Shrine has outlawed the Confederate battle flag in its parades and events:


SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL
Special Order No. 4
Series 2015-2016

To the Potentates, Officers and Members of Shriners International, fraternal greetings: Attention has been drawn to the political debate over the Confederate Battle Flag in the wake of the recent incident in Charleston, SC. As a result, in my opinion, as Imperial Potentate, I believe it is in the best interest of the Order and the Nobility that no temple, unit, club or member of Shriners International shall display in any form the Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag.
Under the circumstances, it is my opinion, as the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, that the following order with respect to the Potentates, Officers and Members of Shriners International should be, and hereby is issued.
ORDER
Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by § 206.5(a) (1) and (5) of the bylaws of Shriners International, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG PROHIBITION
No Noble (in his capacity as a member of Shriners International) or club, unit, organization of Nobles or affiliated or appendant organizations of Shriners International, shall display any Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag in Shrine or Civic Parades, Temple activities or in Shrine or non-Shrine public appearances.
No Noble (in his capacity as a member of Shriners International) or club, unit, organization of Nobles or affiliated or appendant organizations of Shriners International, shall participate in non-Shrine public appearances in which a Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag is expected to be displayed by the organizer, promoter or by those in control of the premises or facility of the non-Shrine event.

Dated this 10th day of August, 2015
Jerry G. Gantt, Imperial Potentate
ATTEST: Jack H. Jones, Imperial Recorder


Continue reading...
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
SHRINERS INTERNATIONAL
Special Order No. 4
Series 2015-2016

To the Potentates, Officers and Members of Shriners International, fraternal greetings: Attention has been drawn to the political debate over the Confederate Battle Flag in the wake of the recent incident in Charleston, SC. As a result, in my opinion, as Imperial Potentate, I believe it is in the best interest of the Order and the Nobility that no temple, unit, club or member of Shriners International shall display in any form the Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag.
Under the circumstances, it is my opinion, as the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, that the following order with respect to the Potentates, Officers and Members of Shriners International should be, and hereby is issued.
ORDER
Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by § 206.5(a) (1) and (5) of the bylaws of Shriners International, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG PROHIBITION
No Noble (in his capacity as a member of Shriners International) or club, unit, organization of Nobles or affiliated or appendant organizations of Shriners International, shall display any Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag in Shrine or Civic Parades, Temple activities or in Shrine or non-Shrine public appearances.
No Noble (in his capacity as a member of Shriners International) or club, unit, organization of Nobles or affiliated or appendant organizations of Shriners International, shall participate in non-Shrine public appearances in which a Confederate Battle Flag or any image that reasonably can be construed as a reference to the Confederate Battle Flag is expected to be displayed by the organizer, promoter or by those in control of the premises or facility of the non-Shrine event.

Dated this 10th day of August, 2015
Jerry G. Gantt, Imperial Potentate



*****REPOSTED TO MAKE LEGIBLE TO READERS*****
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Eventually this order may need to be changed in detail to allow activities at museums. For example at some historical sites in Texas there are displays of the 6 flags that have historically flown over the region. In such a case it becomes just a piece of history not a statement of identity or policy.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
At this point my hobby of reenacting is over, and those of us with related tattoos are "in violation" no matter the reason.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
It does not effect reenactors. I doubt if there are that many Shriners with a visible confederate flag tattoo.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
It does not effect reenactors. I doubt if there are that many Shriners with a visible confederate flag tattoo.

Well, Civil War reenactments "display" several versions of Confederate Flags, including the Battle Flag.... So, no per the second paragraph as a non-Shrine event where....

As for tattoos, it would depend upon event and attire.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
At this point my hobby of reenacting is over

Thus my comment on the exact wording. One paragraph but not both mention "in their capacity". So according to one paragraph Shriners can't attend. And according to the other paragraph we just switch to our MM ring, take the Fez out of the trunk to leave it at home.

Reenactments are your hobby. Going to museums is my hobby. Both are hobbies affected with this wording.
 

LAMason

Premium Member
How does the Shrine define: "in his capacity as a member of Shriners International"? I am not a member of the Shrine, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but it seems to be an overreach and overreaction, saying that someone can not display something in/at a Shrine activity is one thing, to say they can't do it just because they are a member of the Shrine is an entirely different proposition.
 
Last edited:

vangoedenaam

Premium Member
I dont understand the fuss about this at all. I can flag as i want in my country. Freedom of flagch. Why is a 'picture' on a piece of cloth suddenly a problem? Sounds like the mohammed cartoons problem to me. Seems kinda backward. Of course, im no american, so i might be missing something here...
 
  • Like
Reactions: GKA

JJones

Moderator
I dont understand the fuss about this at all. I can flag as i want in my country. Freedom of flagch. Why is a 'picture' on a piece of cloth suddenly a problem? Sounds like the mohammed cartoons problem to me. Seems kinda backward. Of course, im no american, so i might be missing something here...

Because the possibility of offending someone, even if it is due to their own ignorance, has become an unthinkable crime here. Better to do away with anything that might have the remote possibility of upsetting someone...it's the politically correct thing to do, even if you don't happen to be a politician.
 

GKA

Premium Member
This is a ridiculous overreaction
If you had outlawed the flag prior to the events in SC, then that would be a different matter
As it now stands, it looks like you are punishing those brothers who were legal before your edict, just to make a social political statement
What a shame
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
This generic PR "cover" statement is not a correct interpretation of the verbiage of the Order. If so, then it needs re-written in such a manner that even dumb folks like me make absolutely no mistake with "interpretation".

If I can mis-it, so can a Temple...
 

BroBook

Premium Member
I have one thing to say brothers, and will not go further, whatever anyone feels or think, the basic rule is my hood my colors, as far as countries go, if I win you can not fly your flag unless you are ready to go to war!!!
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
The thing is, this whole "Order" should not have even come up. This was not an issue within the Shrine, and now it is because a leader of a stated non-political group has taken a political stance.

We've come a long way in out great Fraternity to make everyone equal, including tearing down years of walls and misunderstanding. This going to do nothing more than drive folks away.

There is a very good reason why politics & religion are not discussed and candidates are admitted solely by the content of their inner character. And I am completely happy with the foundations of our Brotherhood.


That's just my humble 2-cents, I'll not comment further.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Well, Civil War reenactments "display" several versions of Confederate Flags, including the Battle Flag.... So, no per the second paragraph as a non-Shrine event where....

As for tattoos, it would depend upon event and attire.
No, as you are not participating as a Shriner. I doubt if there are that many Shriners with a visible Confederate flag tattoos. I actually doubt if there are that many Masons with such visible tattoos.
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
I have one thing to say brothers, and will not go further, whatever anyone feels or think, the basic rule is my hood my colors, as far as countries go, if I win you can not fly your flag unless you are ready to go to war!!!
I fly my flag in front of my house.


Sent from Mossy Oak Swamp Bottom.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I fly my flag in front of my house.

"My" flag, if we're talking battle flags, is the US Navy flag of the Cold War era (no change since then so this is the current US Navy banner). Plus the banner from my squadron and maybe the banner from my boot camp company. Just saying ...

My non-battle flags are the US flags during the time I have been alive (I'm a year younger than two states, so the 48, 49 and 50 star versions). Plus the state flags of every state I have lived in long enough to have established residency.
 
Top