2006-12-04 06:10:11 · 10 answers · asked by Ken R 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Ken, American Co-Masonry -- Freemasonry for women and men -- has never discriminated on the basis of race. Then again, we do not discriminate on the basis of gender, either. So if you are ok with that...
Co-Masonry evolved as a part of the French Grande Loge Symbolique in the late 1800s. It soon caught the interest in the more esoteric folks like Annie Besant and Mary Russak who helped bring it throughout Europe, India, and America.
You must be of age (usually 21 or older), believe in a Supreme Being, be tolerant of other beliefs and races, be of good moral character, and wish to improve the world by improving yourself.
We work the traditional Blue Lodge (first three degrees), Mark and some York Rite, along with some Scottish Rite advanced degrees. Advancement is by work and merit.
If I can be of any further help, feel free to write me. Please click on the link below to read more and to inquire about American Co-Masonry if you are interested.
Hearty Good Wishes,
A Master Mason
Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)
Adamant Mark Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
2006-12-04 12:35:12 · answer #1 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the jurasdiction (state or country) that you are in -- having said that it may also depend on the particular lodge or mason you talked to. Most Grand Lodges (the controlling body for a given state or country) have or should have a non-discrimatory policy which dates back to the early days of masonry i.e. "Any man reguardless of religion, creed or race" may join. Now in practice, indiviuals and lodges may feel (primarly because the average age of most masons is in the high 60's) that the separation between Prince Hall and blue Lodges is the way that it should be.
As a mason, I have sat in Lodge with many men of various races and religions and most of the Lodges I know are working to ensure that membership is truely available to all good men.
Not sure if I've explained this the best, but the thing to understand is that Masonry and its tenants do not discriminate but sorry to say, some indiviuals still do.
2006-12-04 06:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do need need to ask a Mason but any will do. If you join Prince Hall, than yes they are all black members. Email me for help.
You have Masonic lodges that recognize eachother and ones that don't. It comes down to rules nothing to do with color.
Co Masonry is not recognized by standard freemasonry since they changed a rule.
Prince Hall is not recognized by some Masonic grandlodges (12 states) due to members voting it against. I remember being told early when we(connecticut) recognized Prince Hall that brothers got flack when traveling down south. Why these lodges vote down prince hall is beyond me. I think it should be combined lodges and prince hall lodges should just be lodges versus being only black.
Prince Hall started a lodge for all black members. You can join ANY masonic body. It doesn't have to be prince hall.
2006-12-04 06:25:42 · answer #3 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be white to be Free and Accepted, nor, it is my understanding, must you be black to be Prince Hall. If you petition an F&AM lodge that happens to have racially predjudiced members, you are unlikely to be accepted. Regardless of our past and the division thereof, I reccomend Masonry in any of it's forms, with the exeption of those irregular lodges that do not require the belief in a Higher Power.
You do not have to ask a black Mason to be a black Mason.
2006-12-05 16:48:54 · answer #4 · answered by Dom Tuaca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't, as a mason in Virginia, any man who believes in a supreme being can join freemasonry, regardless of race. However, many African Americans choose to join Prince Hall Freemasonry because the membership is predominantly African American.
Prince Hall was the first African American Mason in the US, and thus it is appropriately named
In the eyes of Freemasons in Virginia (varies by state), Prince Hall Masons are a Clandestine body
2006-12-07 06:14:58 · answer #5 · answered by Eric D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Masonic organiztions are still cutomarily segregated by race. Most black and white masons in the north and west have reciprical recognition. But throughout most of the old traitor states white masons have voted continually not to extend recognition to the black masons.
2006-12-04 06:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about Freemasonry? They have weird rules, and you would probably get in trouble for asking that on here if they knew.
A friend of mine worked for a mason, and whenever another mason came around and started talking about masonry, the boss would say, "It's raining today" to let him know there were non-masons around. Weird rules all around!
2006-12-04 06:13:07 · answer #7 · answered by Esma 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Masonry is broken down to many levels and they have masonry groups that are majority black and majority white. You don't have to.
2006-12-04 06:14:35 · answer #8 · answered by Casey D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you don't ask to become a mason, you are approached.
niggies over here, chicken-boinkers over there!
2006-12-04 06:14:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure. You should probably ask the person who told you that.
2006-12-04 06:13:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋