karey lakin says
FEBRUARY 27, 2019 AT 5:05 PM
PART 1: PLEASE PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF MASONS EXPRESSING RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY . IF NOTHING ELSE, GIVE US THEIR NAMES!
Salman, please provide at least one concrete example where another Mason (or Masons) displayed bigoted views regarding Islam, and people of your ethnicity. You alleged these Masons displayed these views via social media. Do you have a screenshot? Quotes? If not, tell us your recollection of what they said (that would at least be a start). Give us names too!
So far, you have provided no evidence of any kind. Offering the satement “x Masson expressed biggoted views” is not evidence that x Mason expressed bigotted views. It’s a circular argument.
These are serious allegations, and if true, may constitute unmasonic conduct. Specifically, defamatory/vile/indecent/profan/abusive/threatening language that causes material harm to a Mason or Masonry. Arguably (undoubtedly, in my mind), Masons publicly (through social media) expressing bigotted views against a particular religion, and against an entire race of people, causes material harm to Masonry (such behavior is antithetical to one of the most fundamental characteristics of Masonry, religious toleration). Racism is even worse. Especially in today’s environment, any Mason publicly expressing racist views harms Masonry as a whole because it indicates Masonry tolerates racism, especially if the offender isn’t held accountable.
In addition, the accused should have a chance to defend themselves (another principle we hold dear). Again, please give us names.
PART 2: YOU HAVEN’T PROVIDED PROOF BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE ANY.
My suspicion: you haven’t provided any factual evidence, or given any names, because you know you have a weak case. Probably, some Masons you know criticized some aspects of Islam they find distasteful, which offended you (understandable). You became resentful, and have decided to take it out on Masonry as a whole. You are here to sow
Why do I think this? If you you had solid proof, you would’ve presented it already.
Please prove me wrong. I will apologize on my knees if you show me clear proof of any of these brothers’ racism and religious bigotry. If you do this, I will fight for you the best I can to see justice done.
But until you do that, DON’T CALL ME BROTHER!
PART 3: WE ARE FREE TO DISCUSS/CRITIZE/BLASPHEME RELIGION IN OUR PRIVATE LIVES (SOCIAL MEDIA INCLUDED).
Social media has created a problem for Masons. It makes us more likely to see other Masons opinions on politics and religion, which are forbidden topics in lodge. Also, I’m assuming we are mostly polite enough not to criticize another Mason’s religion when fellowshipping outside of lodge.
Social media is public, but vis a vis Masonry, it’s part of our private life. I’m sure FDR offended many conservative and isolationist brothers via newspapers (and I’m sure we have plenty examples of famous Masons criticizing every religion there is). Social media today is the same as newspapers (unless it’s mason specific, like Fremasons Network).
We don’t have to walk on eggshells in our private lives, out of fear of being called a bigot for offering legitimate criticism. Such a state would constitute de fact anti blasphemy laws.
We certainly have no problem pointing out everything we dislike about Catholicism. The same standard should apply to all religions.
PART 4: I’M DISSAPPOINTED IN SOME MASONS’ UNCRITICAL ACCEPTANCE OF SALMAN’S ALLEGATIONS THAT MASON’S EXPRESSED BIGOTED AND RACIST VIEWS. (i.e. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY FACTUAL EVIDENCE, AND WITHOUT GIVING ANY MASON ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING THE RIGHT TO EXPLAIN THEIR CONDUCT).
Some of you have been quite hasty to condemn some of YOUR ACTUAL BROTHERS (faceless so far) without hearing them out, and without knowing what they actually said. Please put your critical reasoning caps on. Salman may have a legitimate grievance, but hasn’t given us good enough reason to justify beliving he does. And in the absence of clear evidence, I would think as Mason’s, our presumption should be in favor of Mason’s and Masonry.
