KFerguson84
Premium Member
Hello Brothers,
I ran into a situation recently that has troubled me very much and I just wanted to get some other opinions or see if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Before I became a Mason, I had joined the Knights of Columbus (I am a practicing Catholic). This was not so much for me, but for my soon to be father-in-law since he was a member. I have nothing against the Knights, but I did not intend to participate fully as an officer or anything. My desire was to simply be a card carrying member to have a bond with my father-in-law.
A few months after being initiated into the Knights, I became a Mason. Masonry was in my family and was something that I had always loved and wanted to be a part of. I saw no qualms with this since it did not say anywhere in my Knights of Columbus initiation that I couldn't join other organizations. Now, just to clarify, I love Freemasonry. I would have left the Knights in a second to become a Mason if Masonry had such a requirement, but obviously they do not.
Anyways, a few months after becoming a Mason, I get an email from the local KofC Council asking me if I was a Mason and if I was I would have to terminate my membership in the Knights since the two organizations were "mutually exclusive". There was nothing in Freemasonry that prevented me from being a KofC (especially since I wasn't very active) and there was nothing that prevented me from being a Catholic man. If anything, Freemasonry encourages me to practice my faith.
I guess what I am looking or here is has anyone else on here been a victim of discrimination simply because you are a Freemason? How did you handle it? I appreciate any responses that anyone might like to give.
Kyle Ferguson
Kingsbury Lodge #466
Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania
Dunmore, PA 18512
I ran into a situation recently that has troubled me very much and I just wanted to get some other opinions or see if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Before I became a Mason, I had joined the Knights of Columbus (I am a practicing Catholic). This was not so much for me, but for my soon to be father-in-law since he was a member. I have nothing against the Knights, but I did not intend to participate fully as an officer or anything. My desire was to simply be a card carrying member to have a bond with my father-in-law.
A few months after being initiated into the Knights, I became a Mason. Masonry was in my family and was something that I had always loved and wanted to be a part of. I saw no qualms with this since it did not say anywhere in my Knights of Columbus initiation that I couldn't join other organizations. Now, just to clarify, I love Freemasonry. I would have left the Knights in a second to become a Mason if Masonry had such a requirement, but obviously they do not.
Anyways, a few months after becoming a Mason, I get an email from the local KofC Council asking me if I was a Mason and if I was I would have to terminate my membership in the Knights since the two organizations were "mutually exclusive". There was nothing in Freemasonry that prevented me from being a KofC (especially since I wasn't very active) and there was nothing that prevented me from being a Catholic man. If anything, Freemasonry encourages me to practice my faith.
I guess what I am looking or here is has anyone else on here been a victim of discrimination simply because you are a Freemason? How did you handle it? I appreciate any responses that anyone might like to give.
Kyle Ferguson
Kingsbury Lodge #466
Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania
Dunmore, PA 18512