What happened in Ark. has no bearing on SC and many other states . The Shrine REFUSES to drop from their roles suspended/expelled MMs' . It goes on in my local Shrine temple and it goes on in many others . I have read the GM of SC's letter , have you ? Or are you just shooting from the hip and knee jerk defending the Shrine ?
--I have read the letter from the GM of SC. I find myself in agreement. The Shrine requires that ALL members be MMs in good standing. I support this requirement. (I have demitted from the Shrine, for some years, because of my international work). If a Shriner is legitimately expelled from craft Masonry, he should be also summarily expelled from the Shrine. When my career and life are more stable, I intend to re-join the Shrine. If the Shrine breaks entirely from Masonry, and permits anyone to join, I will not participate in the organization at all. Many people think that the Shrine was set up for the hospitals. Although I think the hospital program is fantastic, it is not the reason for the Shrine. The Shrine was set up in 1872, and the first hospital opened up in Shreveport in 1922, 50 years later.
I am tired of these Shrine apologetics , either the Shrine is for Master Masons in good standing or it is not and should break ties with Masonry and allow anyone and everyone in . I am not Shrine bashing , I would raise just as much hell if it was the YR , SR , OES etc; etc; , if you are open to Master Masons in good standing only , then these Master Masons should be in good standing , it does not take a rocket scientist to figure that out . (leaving Arkansas out of the mix) The term is not "elastic" , it means in GOOD FREAKING STANDING , if a man has not paid his dues and does not have a paid up , up-to-date dues card then he IS NOT in good standing . If he has been expelled , then he IS NOT in good standing .
--This is where the Arkansas situation comes in. A man was expelled from Arkansas Masonry, I believe improperly. The trial was a sham. The individual held dual membership with an Iowa lodge. The GL of Iowa decided not to recognize the Arkansas expulsion. Is the man a Master Mason in "good standing"? The Iowa GL says that he is. The Imperial Potentate of the Shrine says that he is. I have not yet made up my mind on this man, and I really have no opinion. What do you think about the Arkansas situation? Is the expulsion proper and in conformance with the regulations of the GL of Arkansas? Should Iowa recognize the expulsion, and also expel him from Iowa Masonry?
Do you Charles think it is fine for the Shrine to keep suspended Masons (some of whom who have been suspended for more than a few years in my local Shrine Temple and couple who were expelled for ...... never mind ) in good standing in the Shrine ? I believe I have read it myself on some forum where you have said that you would not be a member if they broke ties and allowed non-Masons in as members , well they are doing that very thing now ! A man suspended or expelled from Craft Masonry IS NOT a Mason .