Re: James Michener's "Texas" Politics and Masonry

Bro. Richard,I am unashamed to want to be able to know if a candidate
for office is a brother mason. I feel that I have the duty to support
my brother if all other things are equal, in his race for public office
as well as giving a merchant who is my brother my trade even if his
wares cost me a few cents more. And to answer another brother's
question ,If I would give a P H..Bro. the same consideration. Yes, I
voted for a Black Man For the U.S. Senate in early voting just last
Monday,he is a Democrat and a P.H. Affiliate. My Confederat ancestors
have not risen from the grave to haunt me yet. And for the record, he
is going to get my vote in the general election.

We have tucked our tails and endured all this B.S. from the religious
right and others who have some axe to grind , for way too long now.

Masonry had a huge spurt of growth just after WW2 and here in my county
the veterans many,many of them new masons ran for public office and
cleaned the "Jodies" out of our Courthouse, the lack of interest and
apathy that has plagued the fraternity for about twenyt-five years
confounds me more than asking such a question of my brethern. Last
decade we had a Democrat President who was a high achieving DeMolay,
and thank goodness that he did not seek the light of Masonry. He was
replaced by a Republican whos views on morality are to me are
impressive,but his high handed attitude turns me off,Gimmie another
Harry Truman, Anytime.
Richard White wrote:
"Wayfaring Man" <jdinwidd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
news:<1153988707.373242.181290@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>...
[...snipped...]

Why do we as Masons take the official stand that we are an apolitical
institution. It is considered bad form or at just short of unmasonic
conduct for a candidate to even mention his membership in his campaign
ads.

Sometimes I see a question .... and shake my head in despair when it is
asked by a Freemason.

I find it difficult to believe that a Freemason would not realise no brother
should ever attempt to use (let alone succeed in using) his membership of
the Order for personal advantage?

What possible reason would a Mason, who is a candidate in political
elections, have to mention his Masonic membership other than the hope that
by doing so he would get more votes and increase his chances of election?

(Of course LOL, in some constituencies it would be better to say one is not
a Freemason!)

Only a few of the uninitiated realise the significance of Harry Truman
kissing the Holy Bible after assuming the oath of office as President
of the United States I, for one, am longing to see a just and upright
man and Mason in the White House again, What is wrong with us getting
politically active and bringing the great influence of our fraternity
to bear for the good of our country?

Then there is the equally basic tenet of Freemasonry, of which every Entered
Apprentice should be just as knowledgeable, which is that politics (as well
as religion) have no place in the Craft.

Supporting politicians (and thus likely political parties and various of
their policies) *as_Freemasons* would necessarily lead to disharmony within
the Craft, since some brethren would support one candidate/party/policy and
other brethren another.

Let's leave political and religious campaigning to those irregular and
unrecognised "masonic" bodies such as the Grand Orient of France :-))))

S & F regards,

Richard White
PM Addington Lodge No. 5080
PM Old Olavians Lodge No. 5758

.

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