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The Widow's Sons

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tomasball

Premium Member
The image doesn't actually have a stripper pole. The woman depicted on it is wearing something skin-tight...perhaps a leotard. Shows some cleavage. She is crouching, and appears to be scratching her head, or adjusting her hair. The members of the WS who have commented on our concerns about this image say that it depicts their vision of a Mason's widow. Personally, that is enough information for me to make my decision.

For the information of some new masons who are posting here, the GLoT reserves the right to control the entire Masonic community within its geographic jurisdiction. No group based on masonic membership can exist without our permission. Shrine, Scottish Rite, DeMolay, all are subject to our approval. We enforce that control by agreeing that none of us will join any organizations that the whole group, acting as a Grand Lodge, doesn't vote to approve. Not all Grand Lodges take that position, but in Texas, you can't set up a masonic organization without getting our okay. And if we don't approve of it, then it's a violation of masonic discipline to join it.
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
Brother Varnell, our lodge (George B. Dealey # 1312) is not a memeber of any of the groups mentioned and not sure we would even entertain the idea (we don't think that you have to ride with a club to ride togeather). We do however have a large number of riders. Granted at this time all are Master Masons but it is not required. Just the love of riding on 2 wheels and most of all the love of Masonry. We have group rides from time to time, including riding to other lodge stated meetings. You are more than welcome to come visit and to ride along with us if you would like.
 
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eagle1966

Guest
If I understand your question correctly, my answer would be that I would obey all valid & lawful edicts issued by the Grand Master. If I know an edict is not valid and lawful, I do not consider myself bound by it. BTW, edicts are only in effect until voted upon by the members of the Grand Lodge at the Grand Annual Communication. The Grand Master must present them to us & explain why he issued them. If we approve them, they remain in effect. If not, they expire immediately.

Re; GM edict 2011 concerning Widows Sons; was this considered in Dec 2011 Grand Lodge or as quoted in above post is this edict no longer in effect?
 

jvarnell

Premium Member
Brother Varnell, our lodge (George B. Dealey # 1312) is not a memeber of any of the groups mentioned and not sure we would even entertain the idea (we don't think that you have to ride with a club to ride togeather). We do however have a large number of riders. Granted at this time all are Master Masons but it is not required. Just the love of riding on 2 wheels and most of all the love of Masonry. We have group rides from time to time, including riding to other lodge stated meetings. You are more than welcome to come visit and to ride along with us if you would like.

My line of thought was started when I was at Bikes Blues and BBQ in AR and saw several WS/MC groups from all over had a way of knowing who to hangout with and feel they are brothers and would not cause trouble that I did not want to be around.

Also it looks like your lodge is meeting at another lodges (1314) location. when do y'all meet?
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
Our stated meeting is the 1st Tuesday but we are there almost every Wednesday night (our study night). Yes, we rent from Mike H. Thomas Lodge until we can get another building.
 

jvarnell

Premium Member
Our stated meeting is the 1st Tuesday but we are there almost every Wednesday night (our study night). Yes, we rent from Mike H. Thomas Lodge until we can get another building.

Alot of y'all ride? I will come by some wednesday I am only a FC at this time.
 

mcr1975

Registered User
@Mac, you are very welcome. I am glad that I was able to assist.
@Stephen, it is always a privilege to ride with other fellow Masons and please do get in touch if you're ever in the Chicago area.
@KS (and others who have confused the categorization), the Widows Sons is a "Riders Association". We're quite simply NOT a Club of any sort. The simplest difference is that we buy our patches and have not done anything to "earn" them other than simply being Freemasons. Our allegiance to the WS is one of friendship and Masonic brotherhood. Nothing more. This is a strong bond but something quite different than what may be expected in an MC. We recognize but don't judge the differences between categories. We simply state who we are and what we do. "We are Masons who ride motorcycles. Masons are active members of the community who believe in civil duty, charity, brotherhood, and God. That is why we ride together." As for setting up a riding group that wears patches, it is not uncommon for the protocol to be determined by the dominant MC in the area. I would advise becoming a regular at neutral riding advocacy group functions such as ABATE if they exist in your area or looking into HOG meetings for Harley riders. Both are a good way to meet members of local groups and to find out the rules in the area. Other Widows Sons chapters and Grand Chapters (in States other than Texas) will also be able to offer counsel. Once there is a Grand Chapter though operating within a State, they are frequently the ones who resolve issues with Clubs, establish what is safe to wear, and then simply inform chapters how to proceed. We have chapters in well over 35 states now so MC's are increasingly familiar with our logos and patches. Finally, many Shrines do have motorcycle groups that are also worth looking into.

Best of luck to everyone though regardless of the path you choose and stay safe!!!

S&F,
Matt Robinson
 
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jvarnell

Premium Member
the problem is thatTexas dosen't reconize the widios son because some on saw a back patch that was not the main stream back patch for the WC. I believe that Texas will never reconize the WS. The and the RC they will reconize won't publish time and dates of rides to anyone less than a MM. I gave up wanting to ride with masons. If I am up in your area I will send you a message and see if your WS chapter is riding.
 
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eagle1966

Guest
The only recognized motorcycle group in Texas is FreeMasonsRidingClub and this will be the only one ever recognized simply because most of the brethren donot ride and do not understand what it is to ride a motorcycle either alone or with a group of like minded individuals either masonic or not. IMHO
 

crono782

Premium Member
The only recognized motorcycle group in Texas is FreeMasonsRidingClub and this will be the only one ever recognized simply because most of the brethren donot ride and do not understand what it is to ride a motorcycle either alone or with a group of like minded individuals either masonic or not. IMHO

Either that or they don't watch enough (or too much) Sons of Anarchy.:13:
 

mcr1975

Registered User
My understanding was that this was a Masons only forum and too much has already been aired in this conversation. To see what I am referring to... [1.] Sign out of this site completely. [2.] Google the email address that you use to log into this page. [3.] Click on the www.masonsoftexas.com link that should appear in the results. You will find that anyone can simply Google YOUR email address to gain access to this site and conversation. This is as PUBLIC as online conversations get. Shouldn't access minimally require membership?
 
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crono782

Premium Member
Not to be snarky, but I took this directly from the Forum Rules/Guidelines sticky:

Masonic Related Rules, Regulations, and Notifications:
  • This website is not sponsored by, endorsed, or related in any way to any Grand Lodge, constituent lodge, or appendant body.
  • One of the overall purposes and goals for this community is to provide a place for Masons, their friends and families and those what would like to discuss and learn more about Masonry.
  • While as stated above that we are not related to any official Masonic body, using their rules and regulations as guide as to what would be acceptable on these forums would be prudent. The Freemason Connect team shall be the sole arbitrator of what does and what does not violate community standards.
  • Masonic ritual work ("memory work") shall not be posted on these forums, including the Quarry area.

I think most everybody is aware that this is an open forum. Being open to all is pretty much mission statemen level, hah.
 

Bro_Vick

Moderator
Premium Member
The only recognized motorcycle group in Texas is FreeMasonsRidingClub and this will be the only one ever recognized simply because most of the brethren donot ride and do not understand what it is to ride a motorcycle either alone or with a group of like minded individuals either masonic or not. IMHO

*Begin Sarcasm*

I am a member of the Directed Energy Professional Society (http://www.deps.org/\) I work with High Energy Lasers in my job and have presented in their conferences (I presented a talk at the last one if anyone wants to see it)

I want to start a Directed Energy Masonic Society, because Directed Energy research is such a part of my life. We will put the square and compasses on our Laser Eye Protection (LEP) wear, we will put it on our lab coats, and make our own insignia, with the square and compasses, of course. Then we will come up with our own goals, here they are:

1) Contribute to the relief of our Widows & Orphans

2) Raise Masonic Awareness in the world of Directed Energy

3) Introduce the concepts of Directed Energy to our Masonic Brothers

4) Support the Blue Lodge through regular attendance, and assisting with or attending lodge events.

Then we are going to apply to the Grand Lodge of Texas to be a recognized Masonic body, what does Directed Energy have to do with Freemasonry? Who cares? I like directed energy, it is a big part of my life, and how I make a living. I think that Masonry should directly embrace it too.

What? You don't think it is relevant to Freemasonry?

How dare you judge me! Do you know what it is like to shoot a 50 kW laser at a piece of metal to understand the reflective properties and calculate it's damage zone for retinal damage? No? Then how about you stop judging me.

What? You don't want Directed Energy professionals who don't have a real interest in Freemasonry joining my organization? How dare you be so judgmental, it is the internal, not the external, man.

*end sarcasm*

You get my point, while you enjoy dressing up in chaps and living an image, it has really nothing to do with Freemasonry. It is a fad, and is something that comes and goes. Our Masonic and Fraternal foundation has not changed, and we shouldn't dilute it with something that has no real Masonic connection beyond the members like something, and want to somehow cement it as something Masonic, when really it isn't.

Throw your rocks and be upset, but really I don't see how the Widow's Sons or any other Masonic MC does anything to spread light. I have the same stance on the Masonic Ragnering Companies that were established. It is wonderful you are a Texas Ranger (or related to one), that doesn't mean that it should become a Masonic organization.

So please, do enjoy your bikes, and friends. Wear Masonic insignia on your bike, your vest, helmet, face, whatever. But don't be upset when we don't want to consider it a Masonic organization.

S&F,
-Bro Vick
 
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crono782

Premium Member
EDIT: I get that it's not to be taken seriously, but...

Who *wouldn't* wanna shoot 50 kW lasers???
:45:
 
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mcr1975

Registered User
@tomasball and crono782, apparently I ought to have read the mission statement of the forum before posting anything. I happened to simply see the thread so I joined the site and commented because I was in a position to add a little insight to the conversation. It sounds like there is a lot of confusion about the organization as well as the order of events regarding it in Texas and I hoped to help. Frankly, my commentary online is always appropriate for non-Masons as well. I am not from Texas and have nothing to do with Texas Masonry other than to respect your Grand Lodge as the appropriate ruling body in your State. Having said that, whenever Lodge business is discussed it is generally intended to be done behind closed doors. While the majority of the conversations on here appear to be fine, some of this is members-only stuff. Not much but some.

@jvarnell: Thank you for posting actual images of our pages. However, there is no Widows Sons though in Texas so there isn't any way for them to post rides as such. Sort of a Catch-22 at the moment.

@Everyone who is involved in this conversation:
[1.] The Official Widows Sons website is "http://www.widowssons.com".
[2.] My chapter website is "http://357brotherhood.org".
[3.] My chapter Facebook page is listed under "Widows Sons 357 Brotherhood Chapter".
Anyone is more than welcome to request access to and to explore. We offer full transparency and I think you will be quite impressed by what you find. I am not taking a position on the particular politics of the organization's ban in Texas. I simply hope to eliminate some confusion over who and what the actual group is about, the nature of the logos, and absolutely to eliminate any suspicion of our activities or caliber as brothers. We meet on the level and part on the square and are becoming better and better each year.

@michaelstedman81: I cannot speak to individual chapter pages or even most Grand Chapter pages but our logo has never had a stripper. The original Widows Sons logo and center patch is what is frequently referred to as "Elvira". She is a woman with black hair and a red motorcycle racing uniform. I agree that it is non-Masonic and, frankly, would not have joined if I was required to wear it as a logo. The northern States and much of the country in the the last 5 years has gone with the standard "chicken wings" logo which includes the all-seeing eye surrounded by working tools inside a winged triangle with a radiant pyramid forming the top point of said triangle. I would love to see this, or something similar, become the standard Widows Sons logo worldwide. I agree that the square and compass is too direct an advertisement as a primary organization logo. As for strippers, the Illinois State bylaws state that we are not allowed anywhere near a strip club while wearing any Masonic markings. That technically extends beyond clothing to include jewelry. We certainly do not have strippers or exposed anything posted on any Illinois or Official Widows Sons websites as it would reflect poorly on our Grand Lodge, WS Grand Chapter, our individual Chapter, and us as Masons. Having said this, I cannot say what has or hasn't been posted in your State as our organization operates similarly to that of the Grand Lodges which are sovereign from State to State. I also hope that this is not misinterpreted to mean that the group spends a lot of time at this type of establishment. I have been involved for 5 years and have yet to go to a strip club with any fellow Widows Son.

@Bro_Vick: Who exactly was that commentary directed at? It sort of seemed like you were speaking to me but I'm not sure why there was so much hostility or anger. I'm certainly not upset with anyone. I understand your point about not agreeing that there needs to be a Masonic motorcycle organization. I find it a difficult argument for you to make though when we have numerous organizations in the fraternity simply devoted to eating. I suppose the difference is primarily one of numbers. There are a lot of Freemasons worldwide who ride motorcycles so it is natural for us to want to ride together. It's safer to ride in numbers because cars are more likely to see you, more fun to ride with brothers, and since Freemasonry is what unites us, the logical step was for there to be a Masonic motorcycle group. There are, by the way, many and the Widows Sons is not even the oldest. We simply were the most successful in terms of growth and general acceptance. So there is that. And finally, the point of being a Freemason is to carry the lessons into everything you do. No business or recreation is Masonic, per se. But similarly, unless it is immoral, nothing is unMasonic. I certainly have no desire or reason to debate the coolness of our hobbies of choice and am sure lasers can be pretty exciting. As for the Widows Sons in Illinois, we do have a strong relationship with our Grand Lodge and were recognized this year. So I absolutely will enjoy riding motorcycles with fellow Masons and remain grateful for the opportunity to do so. What Texas does really doesn't impact me one way or another. Besides, if you read my prior post I already acknowledged that the WS in your State made errors for which they are now seeing the results. The only point I saw in your post is that you begrudge the Widows Sons and are the one throwing rocks. Perhaps it is warranted. I don't know you or your relation to them in your area but it certainly isn't warranted with me. I have no ill will towards you and am more than happy to have a respectful discourse with you if you wish to discuss privately or through the forum.
 
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