Georgia freemasons at loggerheads over admission of black man to lodge

The Guardian ^ | 03 July 2009 | Chris McGreal

[BGHater]

• 26-year-old African American admitted to Atlanta lodge • Issue headed for Masonic trial and state courts

There is much about Freemasonry that remains shrouded in mystery to the outside world. But a group of members in the US state of Georgia appear to have clarified one thing - the supreme being in which all Masons are required to believe is not likely to be black.

Freemasonry lodges in Georgia are at loggerheads over the admission of a "non-white" member to an organisation that was founded on the principles of the Enlightenment but which is apparently still struggling to catch up with the latter part of the 20th century.

Now the issue is headed for a Masonic trial and the state courts after some lodges in Georgia sought to revoke the charter of one in Atlanta for admitting Victor Marshall, a 26-year-old African-American army reservist, last autumn.

The Atlanta lodge has fought back in the state courts by seeking to block the move on the grounds that is based on "racial animosity and hatred".

The row blew up after Marshall attended a celebration in Savannah in February to mark the 275th anniversary of a lodge in the city. Although there are other Masons of colour in Georgia, including Asians and Hispanics, some members were disturbed to encounter a black man and laid a complaint that he did not belong.

"There were ill-informed brethren who were surprised that there was an African-American brother," David Llewellyn, a Freemason and lawyer for the Atlanta lodge, told the New York Times, "and some of them were very upset".

The stipulations to join the Masons are that members must be male, not slaves, of good character and have faith in a supreme being but no mention is made of racial origin.

[uglybiker]

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Gee whiz. Everything pops up when I'm on vacation and I'm away from the 'puter. :-(

[panaxanax]

Thanks for the ping, uglybiker. Hope you had a nice vacation.

[mnehring]

Good post, I was struggling what to say, both out of anger as well as frustration but you put it well. I will certainly shoot off a letter. The fact that this is even an issue counters everything Masonry stands for. The history is one of transcending nationality, race, and religion to find a brotherhood based on shared values. I see no place for this type of attitude in the craft, not to mention in this country. This is most likely the bias of a few members. I believe they need to read up on Prince Hall, what he stood for, and what he gave his life for.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Race has never been a issue at my lodge.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Thanks for the Ping

[BlackjackPershing]

Blacks should not be allowed. That’s why they have Prince Hall Lodges.

[Candor7]

Of course they should not admit black men. Now black women, well thats another matter. The Queen of Sheba may have an in.

[Candor7]

Yup. And Chinese only lodges too.

[absolootezer0]

black women... that brings a question, is there a black version of eastern star?

[servantboy777]

>>Race is SO not an issue in NM grand lodge.<<

It surely is here in Southeast Texas.

In fact, one of the brothers of “the craft”, made a point to acknowledge, that Barak Obama, member of the Prince Hall lodge, was merely a (Clandestine member).

Very interesting the look on his face when it was mentioned that Barak Obama was a Freemason.

No, I don't think so, he says. Blacks don't become members, only clandestine members.

It appears the brothers, don't like the brothers.

Funny stuff.

[TheThirdRuffian]

That’s stupid.

I’ve visited a number of Texas lodges in West Texas and Pan Handle.

The master of the big lodge (1448) in Midland, TX is black. He’s also a big wig (33) in the Scottish Rite out of Lubbock.

[servantboy777]

What ever you say.

I can only tell you from MY experiences.

Sorry that upsets your sensibilities.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Yes, masons who are bigots are a disgrace to the fraternity.

It is also a violation of their charters under the Texas Grand Lodge.