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GM Edict, Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association

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News Feeder

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January 6, 2011



To the Masons of Texas:



Grand Master's Edict



I have been advised that some Texas Masons presently belong to an organization operating under the name of "Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association". At the 2007 Grand Annual Communication this organization was denied recognition as an organization to which Texas Masons could belong.



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Benton

Premium Member
Out of curiosity, since I wasn't a Mason in 2007, why was recognition not granted? Does anyone know the reason?
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
My guess would be that it just didn't receive a majority vote to be recognized at Grand Lodge in 2007. I was not a Mason then either so it's just a guest, but it would have come up for vote at Grand Lodge in the form of a resolution. So there probably isn't just a single reason why people voted against it.
 

david918

Premium Member
If I remember correctly some of their chapters(none in Texas) had a patch with a scantly clad woman on it.It was first approved then reconsidered after someone brought up the patch and then it was voted down.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
Wow...
Really...
An jacket patch set this off?
And we're arguing about how Shriners behave... <shakes head>

Something tells me that there's a bit more to the story.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
No, I can see where a jacket patch would set it off. You are often forgetting the reason almost any man states when asked how he is able to do so much for Masonry, "Because my wife let's me." Shriners may do some things that catch some people wrong, but they wouldn't disrespect their wives in such a way.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Re: Grand Master Edict on Widows Sons Motorcycle Riding Club

Wow. I don't believe this. I thought it was ok to join based on previous discussion.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
Re: Grand Master Edict on Widows Sons Motorcycle Riding Club

Wow. I don't believe this. I thought it was ok to join based on previous discussion.

That's not how I recall the previous discussion. I'm surprised the GL let them go this long without enforcing the rules.
 
E

eagle1966

Guest
Re: Grand Master Edict on Widows Sons Motorcycle Riding Club

First
 
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tomasball

Premium Member
Re: Grand Master Edict on Widows Sons Motorcycle Riding Club

Real simple: In Texas, The Grand Lodge of Texas governs Masonry. You can't just go out and start a Masonic club without permission of the Grand Lodge. Says so in the Grand Lodge Laws for everybody to read. Kiwanis and Lions aren't masonic organizations. The Widows Sons is a Masonic organization--it says so in their name and in all their literature. They knew about this rule, and applied for permission. Permission was not granted, so they decided to ignore the Grand Lodge and go on and do whatever they wanted. I gather they even have degree teams. It's almost always a bad idea for a Mason to say he doesn't care what Grand Lodge says.
 

david918

Premium Member
I don't ride my self but have a lot of friends in the FMRC and friends on Facebook who are members of the Widow Sons from other states.A few are planning to ride down this summer for our BBQ cook off.Now I'm wondering if those brothers would be welcome in Texas.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
No naked ladies on the patches here, no recognition needed because they are not Masonic, but they are popular and its not uncommon to see guy wearing a vest for them in some of the informal lodges.
 

HKTidwell

Premium Member
The difference from my understanding is that to be a member of this organization you must be a Master Mason, therefore making it masonic affiliation. The discussion I've heard has always centered around the patch and the fact that it had a scantly clad woman. Thus not something the Grand Lodge of Texas wanted to be a party of. If they turned a blind eye to it then they would be supporting a potential PR issue which could be said was part of Masonry.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I don't ride my self but have a lot of friends in the FMRC and friends on Facebook who are members of the Widow Sons from other states.A few are planning to ride down this summer for our BBQ cook off.Now I'm wondering if those brothers would be welcome in Texas.

Unless they are members of a GLoT Lodge the edict does not apply to them.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I don't ride my self but have a lot of friends in the FMRC and friends on Facebook who are members of the Widow Sons from other states.A few are planning to ride down this summer for our BBQ cook off.Now I'm wondering if those brothers would be welcome in Texas.

Unless they are members of a GLoT Lodge the edict does not apply to them.

---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------

First off I don't normally speak up but this needs to be addressed, how can a mason not be permitted to belong to an organization whose main purpose is
"The Widows Sons are an independent group of internationally based Master Masons and friends who ride motorcycles and have organized for the laudable task of aiding and assisting the Widows of Master Masons, promoting Freemasonry in the world of motorcycling, promoting motorcycling in the world of Freemasonry..."
is it not the internal not the external qualifications the recommend a man to be a mason? simply because a few who do not know anything about the Widows Sons and may be offended by a patch set the standard as to who can and cannot belong!
what's next you cannot belong to the Lions or Kwanias?

Art. 225a of the GLoT Law states, in part:

"Other Organizations, predicating membership on Masonic membership, recognized.

In addition to those organizations recognized in Art. 225, next above, as being entitled to use Lodgerooms and Anterooms of Subordinate Lodges, the Grand Lodge of Texas may recognize and authorize other organizations which predicate membership on Masonic membership. Recognition and authorization must take place by approval of the Grand Lodge in Grand Communication.
After an organization has been recognized and authorized by the Grand Lodge of Texas in Grand Communication, pursuant to this Art. 225a, Texas Masons may participate in, and be a part of, such organizations."
 

Hippie19950

Premium Member
Several of us on here are members of FMRC, but I don't know if anyone is WS. I personally prefer to NOT wear something "risque" in public while supporting Texas Freemasonry. My preference... I also read in tne statement posted at who they are, it was " The Widows Sons are an independent group of internationally based Master Masons and friends who ride motorcycles and have organized for the laudable task of aiding and assisting the Widows of Master Masons, promoting Freemasonry in the world of motorcycling" which to me means there are Non-Masons riding, and wearing the Patch/Shield. I appreciate their support, but I don't think a Non-Mason should be representing us. As for Shriners, I am not one, but I have and will support their efforts. I may not agree with some of their actions, but they are ALL Master Mason's. GLoT approves them, therefore, we can associate with them. GLoT does not recognize WS, so I cannot be one. I am sure they will be welcome in Texas, as well as at any of our events, but ONLY those who are Masons, will be able to sit in a Lodge here, as long as their Home Lodge is recognized by Texas. At any rate, I am Happy with what I have, need no more (well, right now anyway).
 
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