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!

Edict issued by the Grand Master of Kentucky

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
EDICT ISSUED BY GRAND MASTER
The following Edict has been issued by Grand Master, Herman M. Forrester;
23rd June 2009

That no negative reference is to bemade by any officer or member of any lodge chartered under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F.&A.M. in reference to a petitioner’s faith, creed or race at any time in the conferral of the Degrees—i.e. lectures, obligation, by proficiency lecturers, etc.—or during any lodge Communication.

Further, it is the responsibility of the Master of each lodge constituted under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F.&A.M. to insure strict compliance with this edict, and, further, have it read by the lodge Secretary at the following three Stated Communication of the lodge following its reception.

http://www.grandlodgeofkentucky.org/publications/MHJ-PDF/MHJAUG2009WEB.pdf
 

Joey

Co-Founder
Staff Member
I agree 100% Bro. Blake. The Grand Lodge and/or Grand master should do something like that here as well.
 

drapetomaniac

Premium Member
Premium Member
A similar one was passed in Georgia, but my understanding is it expired because it wasn't agreed to in GL. My understanding is all of his edicts and proposals failed.
 

TexMass

Registered User
I'm sorry, I've never encountered the need for an edict like that in Texas.
Pesonally, I haven't required the need for it either but I have been in the presence of a few who needed it or should have been expelled for their harsh racial remarks and threats. I do belive TX needs this if only to remind a few what equality is all about.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Unfortunately racism is alive and well. Just a few months ago there was a Lodge whose members refused meet upon the level with a "black man". I was told that a PGM tried to intervene but was unsuccessful. :32:

Last week I attended a district breakfast and sat next to an older Brother. He started ranting on how Obama is a Muslim and "ain't no Christian" and that "I don't like him because he's a Ni**er...I just don't like him". So much for this Brother being a Mason, much less a Christian eh?

What would you do if a Member of your lodge...

Made it apparent they would not sit in Lodge with a black man
Made racist statements about a Brother Mason
Was vocal in bashing a Brother Masons religion different from his own

How would you deal with that kind of person? What tools do you have at your disposal?
 

RedTemplar

Johnny Joe Combs
Premium Member
I have found over the years that one of the best tools we have is the Masonic Burial Service. If you think it is bad now Brother Blake, be thankful that you are not old enough to have been a Mason thirty years ago where this issue is of concern.
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
Unfortunately racism is alive and well. Just a few months ago there was a Lodge whose members refused meet upon the level with a "black man". I was told that a PGM tried to intervene but was unsuccessful. :32:

Last week I attended a district breakfast and sat next to an older Brother. He started ranting on how Obama is a Muslim and "ain't no Christian" and that "I don't like him because he's a Ni**er...I just don't like him". So much for this Brother being a Mason, much less a Christian eh?

What would you do if a Member of your lodge...

Made it apparent they would not sit in Lodge with a black man
Made racist statements about a Brother Mason
Was vocal in bashing a Brother Masons religion different from his own

How would you deal with that kind of person? What tools do you have at your disposal?

How would/did you deal with that kind of person?

Like our philosophy recommends; whisper good consul to the brother. After the offending brother made even more bombastic statements, I again consoled him and mentioned how offensive he had become. As we knew his Masonic aspirations and cut him off by voting him out of line. He left in a huff after throwing a hissy fit in the south; to wit he threatened that if he ever became DDGM that he would pull our charter.
It was later explained to him the warnings and the reason why he was derailed out of line; because he was “out of line”. Needless to say our charter was not pulled by this little Hitler and he still is a racist, religious bigot that thinks he’s the best mason that walks the face of the earth. It’s really sad that he’ll never be a true mason at heart. Hence the nom de plume…
 
Last edited:

cemab4y

Premium Member
I am a Kentucky Mason. I am delighted to hear of this edict. I hope that every Kentucky Mason, can live up to it, in letter and in spirit. Unhappily, there are very few Masons of color, in Kentucky F&AM lodges. Also, Kentucky Masonry considers Prince Hall Masonry to be "clandestine". Any Kentucky mason who visits a Prince hall lodge, even for an informal dinner or fund raiser will be suspended or expelled from Kentucky Masonry.
 

Squire Bentley

Premium Member
Well the tool I used was to demit from The Grand Lodge of Texas and join The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas.
 

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
LOLOLOL. nice, bentley.

did you have to go through the degrees again?
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
If it kept a good man practicing regular masonry , absolutely.

I have to wonder if things would have moved faster if men reacted more strongly in the past, especially when GLs took explicitly immoral stances on brotherhood.

I too have to wonder if more mainstream masons would have "pushed" for recognition if this could have happened sooner rather than later?
I could have demitted too but that would have changed nothing. Doing some of the things I did however brought some of the issues forward. Avoidance I feel, is not the answer.
 

drapetomaniac

Premium Member
Premium Member
I too have to wonder if more mainstream masons would have "pushed" for recognition if this could have happened sooner rather than later?
I could have demitted too but that would have changed nothing. Doing some of the things I did however brought some of the issues forward. Avoidance I feel, is not the answer.

I can understand that point of view, especially today.

But - the most commonly cited plan of action is "wait it out." Which is a degree of tolerance and active support.

If there was zero recognition, there was no way in hell I would have joined AF&AM. I did because there was movement, and I'll stay so long as there is movement and progress.

Waiting it out is a good alternative for those who can tolerate the situation and pace - but when there's a perfectly good alternative it benefits the one single sub-institution more than the man.
 
Top