Recently there was quite the uproar among some groups of bloggers and religious groups regarding the US Government recognizing the Wiccan Religion and allowing Government issued tombstones to have the Wiccan Pentrgram placed upon them
.To this brother its about time! During my time in the military Ive known many fine Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that were Wiccan. In some ways they were more secrative than the few gays I knew!
What might suprise many people is that there are 98, thats ninety-eight religions/symbols that are authorized to be on a government tombstone! You can see the full list HERE.
I am amazed on almost a daily basis of the amount of prejudice, hate, bile and intolerance in our Glorious Craft. I dont know if its me expecting too much, me misunderstanding meeting on the level or if there is just a high level of hypocraciy. As Masonry is a reflection of society as a whole a lot more than we care to admit, I tend to believe its the later.
We as Ancient Free & Accepted Masons should be the epitompy of tolerance of all things. Terms like racist, religious intolerants, bigots and other such terms should NEVER be heard describing a brother or our Craft! Unless it be to say we do not have any of them among us.
I just realized an irony in this that Im not happy about... by saying this, Im not being tolerant of the racist, bigots! For this I appologize, but I do not see the Fraternity of Freemasonry and these types of people as being compatible. In fact it is a violation of our oaths and obligations.
As we meet on the level, we need to ensure we are parting on the square and using our working tools as intended!
The lessons come from the journey... So Mote It Be!
