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Grand Master of Florida Bans Certain Religions

widows son

Premium Member
And not only in Hinduism, and Odinism but Egyptian mythology, Persian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, Druidism,Aztec, Mayan, and many others.
 

Vikti

Registered User
Could the Grand Master of Florida be removed from his post (by a special tribunal of Past Masters if they sees fit) for trying to force his personal beliefs over all the lodges under the jurisdiction the Grand Lodge of Florida? Especially if goes against a standing Masonic law?

I just find it hard to believe that someone within Masonry can be this powerful. I'm all for letting the man taking back all he said and try to right any wrongs, we all make mistakes, but what if he doesn't want to and wants to try to expand on his ruling?

Damon
EA, Grandview Lodge #266
 

Raymond Walters

Premium Member
I feel more harm will be done to masonry by diluting our standards to increase membership numbers. The inclusion of Odinists, Wicca, Atheists or Islam goes against the masonic ritual. We have on our alter the Christian Holy Bible. Masonic ritual refers to passages from the Holy Bible in many occations. For example, Genesis 1:1-3 in the first degree, Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 in the 3rd degree and at masonic funerals. Also Palms 133 and Amos 7:8. No references from other religions or cults. I have recited these passages many times during obligating candidates. I would never allow a Muslim into our lodge or the Koran to lie on our alter. After all, it is not the Baptist or other christian religions that are placing bombs in super markets or on airplanes full of innocent people. You might recall right after 9-11-01 the entire Islamic world were cheering and dancing in the streets with joy after killing 3,000 people in America. Christians teach love not hate. My personal opinion is the Florida G M is correct. Like this or not everything I have said here is the truth.

I recall that in the Grand Lodge of Texas, that a [VSL] Volume of Sacred Law is placed on the altar, and that VSL is not restricted ONLY to the Holy Bible in use by Christians.

That is the only point I AM seeking to make with my comment.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
Ok Brothers, I have read each of the Posts, and decided to offer my thoughts on this issue. Brothers, in my humble opinion, the Grand Master in Florida over stepped his bounds. Masonry isn't a religion, and doesn't ask for a member to be a member of any specific denomination.

We have had Brethren quote Masonic Law, as well as Landmark while investigating whether the Brother in the GRAND EAST in Florida was TRUE AND JUST while creating this new edict. My humble opinion tells me that he was NOT, simply because all discussion involving Religion and Brethren SHOULD stop at the door. All that is required of a Man seeking entry into the Door is a belief in a Supreme Deity or Being.

If one has read and studied World Religions, one will come to realize while there are many differences in belief SYSTEMS, however, there are also quite a few similarities, in that MOST (not ALL) have a Supreme Being to which all praise or reverence is given.

A Man comes knocking at MY door, and expresses a belief in Allah, Quetzcoatl, Jesus Christ, GOD, or Krishna, I will accept his petition as I would any other, and if what is discovered through his Investigation is that his INTERNAL qualifications make him a Good Man, he will get my vote.

As a MASON, One should not say that just because a Man is a believer in ISLAM that he would not be qualified to get a vote. The VSL for Islam is the Koran, and sits on the Altar of many Lodges here in America along with the Holy Bible out of respect for our Brothers of the Muslim faith.

Part of the beauty of MASONRY is in its belief in the doctrines of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and DEMOCRACY, which were a few of the fundamental principles that formed the basis and structure upon which the USA was established.

Excluding a Man because of his religious beliefs is almost as closed minded as not giving a vote to a Man because of the Color of his Skin. And, we ALL know, this is STILL a delicate issue in quite a few Mainstream and PHA Lodges even today.

In 2012, Some STILL don't believe a Black Man has the RIGHT to sit in Lodge with a White Man, whether by receipt of petition or through Intervisitation, even if that Black Man hails from a PHA Lodge recognized by the UGLE. If someone can find the Masonic Law Violation that THIS presents, I'd be happy to see it. That's more a matter of Internal Conflict with a Man's personal beliefs than a violation of Masonic Law.

And, I have discussed this very issue with quite a few of you via PM and email. I stand strong on my opinion and conviction on that issue, and will continue to do so until EVERY MAN who hails from or petitions to a Recognized Body of Masonry is viewed equally in a Masonic Lodge setting.

We can't narrow our scope and view on extremism to believers in Islam, folks. Some of the most troubling acts of DOMESTIC terrorism have occurred right under our noses, Brothers, and these Murderers were children born to what appeared to be normal, Non Muslim American households.

I'm no longer troubled by the image of the Muslim Extremist coming to kill and harm our babies; I'm MORE troubled and worried that Americans will continue to do more of these acts of Domestic Terrorism as we witnessed in Connecticut two weeks ago to FELLOW AMERICANS.

Those who are concerned enough about the issue in Florida should correspond to that Jurisdiction according to PROPER protocol and Masonic Law of the Jurisdiction to which you belong.

I would like to wish each of you who reads this Happy Holidays to you and your families. I hope the New Year provides MASONRY with more progression and solidarity, and also allows for the inclusion of more progressive VOTING on the part of both Grand Bodies, Mainstream and PHA. The progression I speak of involves a change in the thinking of many, and the courage of a few. If anyone has issue or question regarding my comments, feel free to PM me.

Fraternally,

Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Lodge Chaplain
Bayou City Lodge 228, Prince Hall Affiliation
Free and Accepted Masonry, Houston, Texas
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, Est 1878
 

widows son

Premium Member
Brother Vince, those are some great words. It's shameful that a black mason and a white mason, in 2012 still do see each other as brothers, even though both go to a recognized lodge. The GM of FL has most certainly over stepped his bounds, and should either revoke his decision, or be removed from office.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
In Mackey's Jurisprudence, it is stated that a "competent check" on matters that occur in Lodge/Grand Lodge is THE VOTE. This Man was elected, and he can be REMOVED by that same power of the VOTE, within the confines of that State's Const and By Laws. I pray that the Brothers resolve that matter in the most harmonious way possible. Vince
 

Robert G

Premium Member
The problem with the Florida GM's Edict No. 3: It removes the focus from the individual's suitability for membership to that of an entire religious group. It's like saying that since Timothy McVeigh was a terrorist and he was also a Catholic, all Catholics are terrorists. The great tragedy here is that in his sincere zeal to protect the fraternity from a few undesireable individuals from gaining membership he has caused a much greater harm by dividing the craft over religion....the very thing our Landmarks warn us against. The beautiful harmony and peacefulness of the masonic lodge is that we are spared from conflict over religion, politics and comparisons of wordly social standing. Now the craft is all in an uproar over this most-unfortunate edict. I truly wish that the GM would realize this and revoke the edict. It would be best for everyone and would show the GM to be the fine mason I'm sure he really is.
 

Robert G

Premium Member
If Edict No. 3 is not withdrawn by the next Florida GM, then that means that a precedent will have been set that any future GM can decide that he doesn't like any particular religion and any brother can be expelled or forced to resign who happens to subscribe to such a religion even if at the time of his initiation that religion was acceptable. I think that if the edict is not overturned, then any prospective petitioner must be informed that he risks being expelled anytime in the future on the whim of whatever GM is in office. This would definitely mean that it would be unwise to become a perpetual member or to count on being able to live at the Florida Masonic Home even after being admitted.

I truly do not believe that the current Florida GM thought out all the possible effects of his edict.
 
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chrmc

Registered User
If Edict No. 3 is not withdrawn by the next Florida GM,

Just a technicality question, but doesn't an edict naturally "expire" when that Grand Master leaves office? I though they were only good for that one year?
(but must admit that I've never really read up on Grand Lodge law on that issue)
 

Robert G

Premium Member
I don't know the answer. I had heard that so I went to the Florida Masonic Law Digest and researched it. I tried every way to find any references to the word "edict." The little I found did not state the nature of an edict, it's force in masonic law, or how long it would be in effect. You can search Florida's Masonic Law Digest at this site and see if you can find anything: http://www.glflamason.org/grandlodge/digest.html. Be sure to let us know if you find out the answer to your question.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
To bad I can only throw one thanks at towerbuilder7 on that Christmas Eve post.

I've re-read that post several times and have decided to throw another BIG FAT THANK YOU at him here.


There is hope for this world with such fine masons out there. Too bad towerbuilder7 is located here in Houston with me ... we might all be better served if he was in the Grand East a 8-900 miles to the east of our city limits.


My hope is renewed by the posts I am reading on this thread. Here's a hope that everyone really researches their vote every year when selecting grand junior wardens the world over. Brethren, it has so much more to do with what is in a man than from whence he hails.
 

THurse

Premium Member
The letter is well put and I hope that their will be a positive resolution to these decisions, that were made. Believing in the Higher Being, is what should be asked at the start not after or how a Brother, believes and then to banish him or threaten to put him on trial.
 

naparuno

Registered User
[h=2]Tuesday, June 04, 2013[/h][h=3]Florida Overturns GM's Edict Re: Gnostics, Pagans and Wiccans[/h]

I'm back from a week in France. While I was gone, Florida's Grand Master Jorge L. Aladro's Edict expelling pagans, gnostics and Wiccans was overturned by Florida's Grand Lodge on May 28th, putting this episode behind everyone for now.


The passed resolution reverses the Ruling in its entirety, and concludes by affirming “that Florida Masonry hereby declares its eternal devotion to the religious toleration that is one of the immovable and Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry, never to be changed by any man or group of men.”


The Jurisprudence Committee had recommended rejection.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
So Mote it Be!

It has been my experience, here in Texas, that sound decisions are made at Grand Lodge proceedings. I commend Florida's jurisprudence committee for performing their duty and overturning an obvious mistake in judgement. Hats off to Florida!
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
[h=2]Tuesday, June 04, 2013[/h][h=3]Florida Overturns GM's Edict Re: Gnostics, Pagans and Wiccans[/h] I'm back from a week in France. While I was gone, Florida's Grand Master Jorge L. Aladro's Edict expelling pagans, gnostics and Wiccans was overturned by Florida's Grand Lodge on May 28th, putting this episode behind everyone for now. The passed resolution reverses the Ruling in its entirety, and concludes by affirming “that Florida Masonry hereby declares its eternal devotion to the religious toleration that is one of the immovable and Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry, never to be changed by any man or group of men.” The Jurisprudence Committee had recommended rejection.
Thank you, Brother, for that welcome update. It's nice to see that "the system" works. It's not so nice to have to admit that it had to be employed at all. How a Master Mason harboring such plainly evident fear and ignorance could rise to the status of Grand Master is something which we should be fervently asking ourselves. None of us is perfect, of course, but how is it that someone who so "does not get it" was able to rise to a position of such great responsibility? Where were those of us who were supposed to be offering counsel?
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I searched through their open email folder. Bingo.

http://www.glflamason.org/documents/Monthly%20Mail/06-Jun/2013/4%20Summary%20of%20Legislation%202013.pdf

To download the report.

Off the Grand Secretary link on the home page, Monthly Mail in the pull-down. Pick 2013. Pick June.

That is the confirmation directly from the GL of Florida web site that the religious bigotry edict has been repealed .

"6. Resolution for Revocation of Ruling and Decision No. 3 – The adoption of this Resolution will revoke Ruling and Decision No. 3 issued November 28, 2012, by M ∴ W ∴ Jorge L. Aladro, P.G.M."
 

4thGenMason

Registered User
When I moved to arkansas, a man petitioned the lodge who was an ordained priest in the pagan religion. It wasn't the same lodge that was mentioned by pscyclepath (nettelton lodge in jonesboro, AR) but only 45 minutes away. I was still only a visitor, therefore not responsible for the outcome. But I want some feedback about feelings towards it. He was a very nice man, married with at least one child, ex-army. But was rejected due to being pagan. Not one person "hated" or even "disliked" him, and the explanation was that paganism doesn't meet the criteria for masonry. That you must have ONE supreme being, not the many gods of paganism. It doesn't matter what you call him/her, so long as it's singular. And that you should pray, not cast spells or incantations.

Again, I was neither a member nor present. No one had an issue with his religion, just that they felt it didn't meet the requirements. I'm interested in hearing your views.

Fraternally yours,
Bro. Morris.
 

4thGenMason

Registered User
Interesting. I have to admit, paganism is a religion I'm relatively ignorant about. That's one of the reasons I've been keeping an open mind about it. It seems I will have to do some research on the subject to have a better understanding.
 
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