Good Evening, Brothers, I have read each of the posts, and this particular subject continues to boggle my mind also.......I would ask that Brethren please accept my post as one that I am submitting in the most respectful manner possible........Texas is in a unique situation. The GLoTX Brothers aren't prohibited from visiting MWPHGLoTx PHA Brothers and vice versa because one GL or the other is considered CLANDESTINE, it's more of a "it's not permissible because our Const/By Laws say so", ON BOTH SIDES. THE BIGGER QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE DELAY? WHAT ARE THE REEEEAL ISSUES IMPEDING PROGRESS? TIME TO CHANGE THE LAWS WHICH INHIBIT THE PROGRESS..........We have come HALFWAY across the bridge, in the establishment of "Mutual Recognition". However, this Mutual Recognition is HOLLOW, as it doesn't come with Intervisitation. This would only enhance the Masonic Education among those who choose to participate, and the Mutual Recognition Compact only satisfied the minimum requirements for the UGLE to acknowledge MWPHGLoTX as Regular and Recognized, and as having Mutual Recognition with the "Mainstream" GLoTx, AF&AM. (Regularity and Recognition being something we already had by virtue of the Original Charter)
The VOTE is the ONLY issue impeding progress on both sides, but the vote is standing in front of a LOAD of other issues----and I'll go ahead and put it out there-----mis-education, racism, fear of the unknown, and PRIDE, to name a few, all of which inhibit the Brotherhood from practicing TRUE Masonry in it's purest form----devoid of any and all prejudice, based on DEMOCRATIC values, and which thrives on FREE speech, FREEDOM of Religion, and Separation of Church and Lodge. The privilege of Intervisitation may not be one which ALL Brothers embrace-----however, it should be a privilege allowed for those of us who CHOOSE to visit and study/learn from one another.
We need to get out of the Time Warp, and in line with the majority of other States that have TRUE Masonic Recognition, and all of the privileges that come along with it................The States that have the least amount of progress are in the SOUTH, and sadly, that's not by coincidence. As a Fifth generation Texan, I'm far from naive about what some of our "Brothers" on both sides truly feel in their hearts about the issue, and will DIE with their vote. Oh, and for those who will NEVER "sit in Lodge with a Man simply because of his race/ethinicity", Lodges should really begin to consider what's more important------Internal Qualifications, or a Dues Check from a Man who will never accept positive change.........if the LIGHT shines in the right way, Men will ALWAYS be drawn toward a Lodge whose LIGHT shines brightly..........just my ten cents..........................Bro. Jones