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Visiting lodges that aren't in your jurisdiction

Capricornguy

Registered User
So I ran into another mason that worked in my area. He sported the jacked mason jacked, wore the ring, and necklace. I started talking to him. He claimed he was a 32nd degree scottish rite mason. I was like cool: You got your dues card? I showed him mine he showed me his. Mine was brown and his was Blue.

I showed him mine he showed me his. We talked. Then I talked to my teacher about his lodge. He said his lodge is "recognized" under the GLofTX but not part of our jurisdiction. So It wouldn't be a good idea to talk to him about masonic stuff.

We looked up his lodge online(facebook) and sure enough it looked like it was a group of people who just made a lodge and formed their own work and claimed to be masons. I am curious if this is common.

I was also told he couldn't attend our meetings nor the grandlodge meetings, and I wouldn't be able to attend theirs.

After our encounter he didn't wear any masonic apparel at all and avoided me since. We didn't have a bad chat we talked about how masonry improved our lives etc. Never spoke of the work.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Pretty common in Texas (especially Houston), Chicago, & NYC. The only other Grand Lodge in Texas that's recognized by GLoTX is the Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) Grand Lodge of Texas which is based in Fort Worth. We can intervisit & hold Masonic discourse with them, but with no others.
 

Thomas Stright

Premium Member
I showed him mine he showed me his. We talked. Then I talked to my teacher about his lodge. He said his lodge is "recognized" under the GLofTX but not part of our jurisdiction. So It wouldn't be a good idea to talk to him about masonic stuff.


If they are recognized what is the issue with masonic discussion?
 

XUSMICO

Registered User
So I ran into another mason that worked in my area. He sported the jacked mason jacked, wore the ring, and necklace. I started talking to him. He claimed he was a 32nd degree scottish rite mason. I was like cool: You got your dues card? I showed him mine he showed me his. Mine was brown and his was Blue.

I showed him mine he showed me his. We talked. Then I talked to my teacher about his lodge. He said his lodge is "recognized" under the GLofTX but not part of our jurisdiction. So It wouldn't be a good idea to talk to him about masonic stuff.

We looked up his lodge online(facebook) and sure enough it looked like it was a group of people who just made a lodge and formed their own work and claimed to be masons. I am curious if this is common.

I was also told he couldn't attend our meetings nor the grandlodge meetings, and I wouldn't be able to attend theirs.

After our encounter he didn't wear any masonic apparel at all and avoided me since. We didn't have a bad chat we talked about how masonry improved our lives etc. Never spoke of the work.
****
Common, PHA and other clandestine lodges try and infiltrate regular lodges. I have noted that many clandestine lodges are big into wearing Masonic clothing, large gaudy necklaces. hats ect. Each year I have my lofgr get the YELLOW BOOK" that has the listing has all the regular & recognized lodeges. Keep it in my truck or travel bag to help when meeting a suspected Mason
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
****
Common, PHA and other clandestine lodges try and infiltrate regular lodges. I have noted that many clandestine lodges are big into wearing Masonic clothing, large gaudy necklaces. hats ect. Each year I have my lofgr get the YELLOW BOOK" that has the listing has all the regular & recognized lodeges. Keep it in my truck or travel bag to help when meeting a suspected Mason
PHA is NOT clandestine and they are a regular lodge. Indeed, the GL TX , the jurisdiction of the OP, is in amity with PHA Texas.
 
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Capricornguy

Registered User
They appear not to be recognised. His was a mis-statement.

I guess my teacher meant "Acknowledge" them but they aren't under the Grand Lodge of TX.

So People actually create lodges and then.

This lodge is

he was trying to tell me they were the first, I asked my teacher and he said no we were the first in texas under the GLofTX. Maybe in his "Own" Jurisdiction. So how can I spot "real" masons and ones that are not in my jurisdiction. My mentor told me they have a book they go on and a dues card.
UMW Scottish Rite Grand Lodge Af & AM of Texas Inc In Houston is his lodge he was referring to.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I guess my teacher meant "Acknowledge" them but they aren't under the Grand Lodge of TX.

So People actually create lodges and then.

This lodge is

he was trying to tell me they were the first, I asked my teacher and he said no we were the first in texas under the GLofTX. Maybe in his "Own" Jurisdiction. So how can I spot "real" masons and ones that are not in my jurisdiction. My mentor told me they have a book they go on and a dues card.
UMW Scottish Rite Grand Lodge Af & AM of Texas Inc In Houston is his lodge he was referring to.
He is, to be charitable, incorrect. Once again, the Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodge of Texas, based in Fort Worth, is the ONLY other Texas Grand Lodge recognized by the GLoTX. UMW is one of many clandestine grand Lodges in Texas.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
As an addendum, IIRC, the "Grand Medical Officer" of UMW is the doctor who was convicted of causing the death of Michael Jackson.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I guess my teacher meant "Acknowledge" them but they aren't under the Grand Lodge of TX.

So People actually create lodges and then.

This lodge is

he was trying to tell me they were the first, I asked my teacher and he said no we were the first in texas under the GLofTX. Maybe in his "Own" Jurisdiction. So how can I spot "real" masons and ones that are not in my jurisdiction. My mentor told me they have a book they go on and a dues card.
UMW Scottish Rite Grand Lodge Af & AM of Texas Inc In Houston is his lodge he was referring to.
If by “acknowledge “, he means awareness, that is likely true. If he in any way implies acceptance, that is not true. It is not a regular body.
 

Capricornguy

Registered User
Well, don’t harm your work relationship. To be fair, this may be what he has been told. Many of these group deceive their members.

How so deceive their members? Sorry I'm an FC at temple going to raised to MM soon but I did think a short time because I had time to spare so I'm still green in masonry.

This person does not work with me but works in our building that we rent from. I just want to know moving forward what to say and what not to say.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
How so deceive their members? Sorry I'm an FC at temple going to raised to MM soon but I did think a short time because I had time to spare so I'm still green in masonry.

This person does not work with me but works in our building that we rent from. I just want to know moving forward what to say and what not to say.
It is common among clandestine groups to make various misstatements half-truths:

They have a charter (it’s a charter to do business and not a Masonic charter);

That they are recognized (only by other clandestine groups);

That they can travel and visit other Lodges (only other clandestine lodges, not any large under the jurisdiction of UGLE, any state Grand Lodges, any PHA Grand Lodge...).

They are “Prince Hall,“ feeling to note that they are not Prince Hall Affiliated.

As noted above, there are only two Grand Lodges in Texas that are recognized: the Grand Lodge of Texas and Prince Hall Affiliated of Texas. No one else.

I would defer to brethren of your jurisdiction regarding precisely what may be discussed.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
As noted above, there are only two Grand Lodges in Texas that are recognized: the Grand Lodge of Texas and Prince Hall of Texas. No one else.
The only other Grand Lodge recognized by GLoTX is the Prince Hall AFFILIATED Grand Lodge. There are other, clandestine GLs here that style themselves Prince Hall XXXXX. ONLY PHA is recognized.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
The only other Grand Lodge recognized by GLoTX is the Prince Hall AFFILIATED Grand Lodge. There are other, clandestine GLs here that style themselves Prince Hall XXXXX. ONLY PHA is recognized.
Quite right. Thanks for the correction. I will amend the prior statement.
 

Capricornguy

Registered User
It is common among clandestine groups to make various misstatements half-truths:

They have a charter (it’s a charter to do business and not a Masonic charter);

That they are recognized (only by other clandestine groups);

That they can travel and visit other Lodges (only other clandestine lodges, not any large under the jurisdiction of UGLE, any state Grand Lodges, any PHA Grand Lodge...).

They are “Prince Hall,“ feeling to note that they are not Prince Hall Affiliated.

As noted above, there are only two Grand Lodges in Texas that are recognized: the Grand Lodge of Texas and Prince Hall Affiliated of Texas. No one else.

I would defer to brethren of your jurisdiction regarding precisely what may be discussed.

ok thanks for the tip I guess that’s why my mentor said I shouldn’t discuss masonry with these people. Their work is probably different then ours. Strange that they would make their own lodge. I’m surprised this happens and wonder why they don’t do this the regular way.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
In my experience, there are a number of reasons:

They don’t know any better when they join.

This is where there friends and family are. They are happy there.

They seek after the honors of men, a fault shared with regular masonry.

Petty pride and personality disorders. Some will have belonged to three different obediences with never moving.

Corruption and desire for money.
 
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