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Georgia Grand Lodge Caught In Open Racism

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
sounds like a knucklehead got some power and brought on some goofy charges.....seen that tatic used before just not this hot of topic cannot wait to see the outcome!
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
This ought to be a good one. Sounds like to me the WM made some Past Masters mad by change, because he is doing what he felt Freemasonry was set up to do. Wow. I can't think of an instance where I have witnessed this..... - Josh said sarcastically
 

Nate Riley

Premium Member
Seems to me that the "Violation of moral obligation of keeping peace and harmony in the craft" falls on the ones making the charges.
 

Luke

Registered User
I'm not really sure what went on.
So, the WM initiated, passed and raised a black guy. All of which was voted on by his lodge. He met any and all requirements and was made a mason. Then what happened? The WM paraded him around and this pissed off some REALLY old school people?

I don't understand. I think I'm in favor of the WM. Right?
Luke
 
J

JEbeling

Guest
Think its more stuipity.. ! bunch of ego's in the way.. ? Grand Master should be picking up a few due's cards.. ! don't need them in Masonary.. !
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
From what I gather the WM is suing GL of Georgia to strip them of their tax exempt status for allowing his charges to go to trial. Their tax exempt staus is based on the fact that they restrict no one from their membership according to their race, color or creed just like ours in Texas and since the charges brought on him are for allowing a black man to join he sued them to try and strip their tax status. I bet alot of purple from across the country and world have their eyes on this story.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
close...

Gate City is really asking for a restraining order to prevent their charter from being yanked. The end result may well be the tax exempt status getting pulled because of the charges being raised and the lodge asking to have it stopped.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
Goofy charters, so many Masons hold that more dear than the Brother sitting next to them, I guess that means Masonry is based on physical aspects and objects more than a mental objective at least to them.
In the end though I guess it takes all kinds of folks to keep this intresting and help make us all better people so, so mote it be!
 

TCShelton

Founding Member
Premium Member
Goofy charters, so many Masons hold that more dear than the Brother sitting next to them, I guess that means Masonry is based on physical aspects and objects more than a mental objective at least to them.

Well said.
 
J

JEbeling

Guest
like I said.. ! its time for the Grand Master to pick some "Dues Cards".. !
He needs in the middle of this.. !
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
Gates City is in the right on this one. They accepted the petition of a black man, voted him in, entered, passed and raised him. It appears that charges were filled and in some jurisdications if charges are filled the GL has no choice but to move forward with them. If this is the case in GA I do not know, but it is in some areas. The GM has apparently made the statement that Gates City lodge did nothing wrong and wants the charges dropped.

I do believe that there is plenty of room for discussion on taking this public but sometimes it seems we have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do whats right and in this case doing what we profess to do anway "treat all men on the level and by the square".
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
It was my understanding that, in TX at least, if a form 1 is filed it just means an investigation must be done. It doesn not mean that formal charges will be drawn as in this instance. I thought the GM has the call to dismiss the charges with out them being taken to this lenth and even punish the Brother for making the "false" claim. If this is the case what is stopping anyone from just getting mad and filling a form 1 on another Brother if there were no reprecussions.

My $0.02:
It sounds as if the GM could have been pressured by the multiple Past Masters in the area that filed the Charges to persue the charges. Sounds like to me the GM may have thought that he would keep the peace by allowing the charges play out with the intent to have them dismissed later or have a minimal repremand handed out just to please the multiple past masters that filed. Maybe he thought he would keep the "peace" of the Grand Lodge by doing this but didn't take into consideration the legal obligation. If thats the case maybe he should be at fault for not thinking this through and trying to play politics with such a moral issue. Regardless of the reasons I can tell you that this is not an isolated incident and happens in more than just GA. Maybe this will open some people's eyes.
 
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webstermason

Registered User
It made Sunday's Houston Chronicle- Section A. Couldn't find it online except to go to the Alanta Journal Constitution site and do a search.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
Black Member Tests Message of Masons in Georgia Lodges

It made Sunday's Houston Chronicle- Section A. Couldn't find it online except to go to the Alanta Journal Constitution site and do a search.

Here you go...

Black Member Tests Message of Masons in Georgia Lodges

Although the rules of Freemasonry do not say that members must be white, and there are numerous Hispanics, Asians and other ethnicities represented in lodges across the state, the Grand Master of Georgia decreed that the complaints would be heard in a Masonic trial that could have resulted in expulsion of a lodge or members of it.

But the rules do state what our members must be... Ah, answering in the negative; gotta love it :p

It just goes to show the old adage; If you don't take of politics, politics will take care of you. Does anyone recall the big deal re: the sailor from Corpus Christi? :rolleyes:
 
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