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GL of Louisiana withdraws recognition of GEKT

texanmason

Registered User
Brother Glen, can you shed some light on this statement by Bro. Rifleman?

"Shrine has never been an appendant body of Masonry. It is an independant organization based on Masonic principals that (formerly in Arkansas) operated 'in amity' with Freemasonry. "

I was under the impression that any body that requires Masonic membership is, by definition, an appendant body. Is this not the case?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I would avoid the label. Shrine is a body with a masonic prerequisite. Every grand lodge in North America reserves the right to authorise Masonic membership in bodies with a Masonic prerequisite. If you wanna call it an appendant body (as most GLs do) or if you wanna call it a rutabaga, it is still subject to the control, even caprice, of a GL.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Every grand lodge in North America reserves the right to authorise Masonic membership in bodies with a Masonic prerequisite. If you wanna call it an appendant body (as most GLs do) or if you wanna call it a rutabaga, it is still subject to the control, even caprice, of a GL.
Lol...Funny but still good info.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
Of course not. "appendant" means attached and in a subordinate capacity. You could start a bowling league requiring Masonic membership but that would not make it an appendant body.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I feel like it is far too early to write op-eds on this.
I really can't agree with this Brother. We are just having discussions on this subject and the article that you refer to added some detail that had not yet come out on this particular forum.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I really can't agree with this Brother. We are just having discussions on this subject and the article that you refer to added some detail that had not yet come out on this particular forum.

It is very likely that none of the details will ever come forth.

Knowing several of the individuals involved personally, none of which are easily forthcoming with information. There are so many hurt feelings over the whole situation, it has caused a very painful rift among many friends and Brethren. The two directly involved were both very influential members.

The reality is, this will sort itself out. The question is when. The best that we all can do is our best to not continue to “feed the fire”.

I no longer have a dog in this fight as a plural member, having demit from the MWGLoLA & O.K. Allen #33 for financial/attendance issues. I am however disturbed, hurt, and disappointed by the events.
 

Companion Joe

Premium Member
Much of what has been said in the last few posts affirms what I was talking about earlier. Yes, GMs have the final say in their state, and GLs hold sway over appendant bodies in their state, but when those authorities are used in broad strokes that affect a bunch of people who have nothing to do with the original problem, bigger issues arise, and people have choices to make. If you live in a state where everyone lives no more than about an hour and a half from another state and members choose to move their membership somewhere else, you might not have much of a GL left.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
If you live in a state where everyone lives no more than about an hour and a half from another state and members choose to move their membership somewhere else, you might not have much of a GL left.
Excellent point as one member on this forum has done exactly that.
 

LK600

Premium Member
Excellent point as one member on this forum has done exactly that.

Maybe because I'm so new, but I find it difficult to understand. Are there that many people who would leave their Blue Lodge(s) so they can continue to be in Shrine? Seems... sad I guess.
 

texanmason

Registered User
Maybe because I'm so new, but I find it difficult to understand. Are there that many people who would leave their Blue Lodge(s) so they can continue to be in Shrine? Seems... sad I guess.

Ordinarily, I would agree, but there's other issues going on in Arkansas right now - it's kind of a scary Grand Lodge to hold membership in right now. I can't really fault folks for finding their Masonry somewhere else right now.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
Warrior said: " I find it difficult to understand. Are there that many people who would leave their Blue Lodge(s) so they can continue to be in Shrine? "

As much as I love Masonry and being an MM, at one point I had to make the choice. Shrine or Masonry. I choose Shrine. But before I left the Craft I was able to demit and join a Missouri Lodge where I remain. But, the reason I would have chosen Shrine over Masonry was simple. Masonry, for the most part, does nothing except eat, meet and go home. Shrine supports the Children's Hospitals. My local club provides transportation for up to 70 children. Shrine has a very worthwhile goal of helping those children and Shriners are very proud of our hospitals and what we do for children. Hopefully I will never again be faced with that decision, but if I am it would be Shrine, hands down.
 

LK600

Premium Member
Warrior said: " I find it difficult to understand. Are there that many people who would leave their Blue Lodge(s) so they can continue to be in Shrine? "

As much as I love Masonry and being an MM, at one point I had to make the choice. Shrine or Masonry. I choose Shrine. But before I left the Craft I was able to demit and join a Missouri Lodge where I remain. But, the reason I would have chosen Shrine over Masonry was simple. Masonry, for the most part, does nothing except eat, meet and go home. Shrine supports the Children's Hospitals. My local club provides transportation for up to 70 children. Shrine has a very worthwhile goal of helping those children and Shriners are very proud of our hospitals and what we do for children. Hopefully I will never again be faced with that decision, but if I am it would be Shrine, hands down.

Warrior was just quoting my post, so that was me. I can totally understand upon reading your post. You were looking for a charity, which Freemasonry is not. Makes perfect sense. The Shrine appears to fit that need quite nicely (though I still am gray on the particulars on roles and rules lol). Thanks for your explanation sir!
 
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