Kkk In West Virginia (Charleston, Mason: violent crime, big home, construction)

[appalachiangirl]

I can see your point about law and order,but that would explain why the Klan may have come about in the 1800s,but not why it continued into the 20th century and still exists today (although the skinhead groups seem to be taking up the slack).

[David Kennedy]

Secret Societies have existed through the ages...the clan was filling a vacuum in Wv as it did in the deep south.

Belonging is a need that drives the individual...inclusion.
When the economy of the USA was rural and farming, the family unit needed protection to succeed. America, for the most part, was a society of white land owners...Virginia and English Law had set that course.

Voting was another...the power of the community and the nation were vested in those ideas...
When Hitler took Germany, he did it at the voting precinct...filled the voting booths with his people and took the country without a shot...copied the american system and rigged the elections...the rest is a sad history...

Why do these hate groups still exist?
A certain percent of the population gain from them. Irish Republican Army..one of my favorites...killed at random for 75 years...now a part of the English Government...
If they succeed on a large scale, we have a Mao or a Stalin in the history books.

One of the very great cases in history was the spreading of the Muslim religion after 800 AD. Swept across the old Roman Empire with the sword held high...your choice was simple...convert and be a slave or have your head detached...Almost a mirror image of the Roman Catholic with its purges and inquisitions and crusades to keep the race pure...another group was the Khans of Asia...similar...

and every group has persecuted the Jews...the first free people...

It's an issue of limiting personal freedom..hate groups cannot allow that. It diminishes the power taken from the people by the leaders who are seeking gain of some sort...be it money or influence.

[phoenix_talons]

I have a "What if" question. Will RaHoWa happen? I've heard talks about it but it's status quo as before. Just something for them to get angry about. Will they ever be galvanized as a militia and fight this war they have so long been touting?

[David Kennedy]

It's happened before...in the late 1960's the biggest ever English band became jukies and took an entire generation of music lovers into the drug culture with them...I think the industry is in more control now...want the money to remain unchanged for decades if possible...

[appalachiangirl]

I've wondered why Catholics aren't supposed to be Masons (not comparing them with the Klan ) one side of my family that is Protestant(my mom's) and are fairly active in the Masons,but the other side of my family (which is more Catholic) didn't believe in them (not sure if it's due to religious beliefs or Masons not allowing Catholics--I don't know if they do or not). My dad's family are active in the Knights of Columbus,which I gather is similar to Masons only it's a Catholic organization. Just curious.

[David Kennedy]

During the 1870's a number of fraternal organizations came into being...did the same thing as insurance companies do now, but with a lodge and membership. Men wore capes and swords and feathered hats and had crazy rights of initiation. The regalia was certainly victorian and a copy of the royalty of Europe. I have a family picture of a cousin from that time period and he looks like an english prince in blue velvet. ha ha.

Religious fraternities were segregated and played the same role....took care of the poor.
Kinghts of Malta and the Holy Grail thing...those were the days before movies and TV and the fantasies of people were played out in their minds...shows the place of disposable income and an excess, to an extent of wealth and free time to belong to those clubs...
Now we have Rotary, Lions, Elks, Moose and the others...some social...some to help pet causes...all losing ground because of societal evolution. People are locked into their jobs and have no interest in things outside their immediate group....

[Retired Navy]

Originally Posted by appalachiangirl

I've wondered why Catholics aren't supposed to be Masons (not comparing them with the Klan ) one side of my family that is Protestant(my mom's) and are fairly active in the Masons,but the other side of my family (which is more Catholic) didn't believe in them (not sure if it's due to religious beliefs or Masons not allowing Catholics--I don't know if they do or not). My dad's family are active in the Knights of Columbus,which I gather is similar to Masons only it's a Catholic organization. Just curious.

Catholics are welcome to join the Masons as are men of just about any religeous belief. All that is required in that regard is a professed belief in God. One of the Popes, don't remember which one, issued a Papal Bull forbidding Catholics from joining the Masons because they were perceived as a religious organization. That has long been recinded and the church more or less accepts the Masons as a fraternal organization. Until relatively recently Black men were not accepted in the lodge but that has changed, or is changing, in most states. Basically, today, the Masons are a benevolent organization of men striving to improve themselves and society, ethically and morally, by adhering to the tenets of the organization. Catholic men have the Knights of Columbus which is very similar to the Masons and Black men have the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge which is virtually identical to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons have always been seen as a "secret" society but the only secrets are a few words or signs whereby one Mason can recognize another as such. Politics or religion are never discussed in open lodge. I am a Past Master of Anchor and Ark Lodge 1027 in Waukegan Illinois and have visited lodges in several states and citys. I can assure anyone that a Masons personal political or religious beliefs are in no way influenced by the organization nor are they trying to "take over the world". The Shriner's Hospitals are one good example of what the Masons are all about. Any child with severe orthopedic problems will be accepted and treated until age 18. Excellent doctors and facilities and the only thing they don't have is a cash register. It's all funded by the Shriners.

[David Kennedy]

While never belonging to the Masons, many friends and relatives have...I passed up the opportunity twice...both times wanting to give all of my free time to my family...as a young Marine eons ago, a friend from Zanesville and myself would dress in our Blues and visit the kids at the Masonic Hospital in San Francisco...was the best of liberty...the masons will always get my vote for the good things they do...

[Retired Navy]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

While never belonging to the Masons, many friends and relatives have...I passed up the opportunity twice...both times wanting to give all of my free time to my family...as a young Marine eons ago, a friend from Zanesville and myself would dress in our Blues and visit the kids at the Masonic Hospital in San Francisco...was the best of liberty...the masons will always get my vote for the good things they do...

It's not too late David. I believe you would really enjoy it. Men from all walks of life, from janitors to judges, are Masons and all respected equally. And......we don't pass out free degrees to politicians or their kin. We get them the old fashioned way....we earn them!!

[David Kennedy]

Thanks...and I really mean that, but our little Lions Club has me involved and I'm dodging them this month...elections for next years staff...I've been Pres. twice and its time to give it to some of the younger ones...