Why are so many young Black people in the Army claiming they are a Mason?

Question by RG: Why are so many young Black people in the Army claiming they are a Mason?
I know of some guys and they are loud, rude, and throw the word n***er around all the time. They show no courtesy to others and drive their vehicles with music blasting profanity, while displaying either license plates or hats with the Mason symbol. Here are what real Masons stand for Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest fraternal societies.
It is made up of men who are concerned with moral and spiritual values and who pursue a way of life that complements their religious, family and community affiliations. They seek a better way of life and treat all men as equal regardless of race, religion or social standing.
Freemasonry requires that Candidates hold a belief in the Divine Creating God Who is Creator of the Universe and Giver of its life. The Masonic Ritual explains and teaches that Faith in the Divine is given expression in the life of the man who acknowledges his dependence on God by invoking His aid on all his undertakings, and who prays to the Almighty Creator for guidance to live faithfully in His service. This is further explained in the Masonic Ritual as the loving relationship a Freemason has with the Almighty Creator in which the Freemason prays to the Almighty for His continual guidance and “Divine Wisdom”. He prays for the “grace” that his life will “unfold the beauties of true godliness” to the honour and glory of the Creator’s Holy Name. This, therefore requires that whatever a man’s creed may be it shall clearly state that, by whatever name, the Divine is known to him as the Creator and Giver of Life. Those writings which reveal the Divine Creator, His works and His Will for mankind are deemed Sacred Writings (Volumes of the Sacred Law) for Freemasonry. While Freemasons hold religious beliefs they do not promote a particular religion.
Every true Freemason:
•seeks ways to share in building a better community;
•shows tolerance and respect for the opinions of others
and behaves with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures;
•practices charity care for the community as well as his own family,
through charitable giving and by voluntary work; and
•strives for the truth, requiring high moral standards
and aiming to achieve them in his own life.
Freemasons believe these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
The Essential Qualification for Membership
The essential qualification for admission and continuing membership of Freemasonry is a belief in a Supreme Being and a desire to strive for:
* high moral standards;
* kindness in the home;
* courtesy in society;
* honesty in business; and
* fairness in all dealings.
What do Freemasons do?
Freemasons are deeply involved in helping other people. They hold Lodge meetings once a month to share each other’s company and follow their pursuit of a better way of life.
From its earliest days, charity has been the most visible Masonic activity, with Freemasons concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. Large sums are given to national and local charities, with Masons around the world giving away millions of dollars to various charities each day. They are also actively involved in a great deal of community volunteer work.
In South Australia, the charitable works of Freemasons are conducted through the Freemasons Foundation.
The Freemasons also are very significant providers of aged care facilities, which are operated through the Masonic Homes.
How old is Freemasonry and how did it evolve?
According to the legends contained in the rituals of Freemasonry, the Masonic fraternity dates back to the construction of the Temple of King Solomon as described in the Bible – a project so vast that an organisational structure was devised to ensure that the Temple was built properly and completed on time. This led to the stone masons and architects being organised into various grades and classes, each with their own responsibilities.
Masons in the Middle Ages constructed many buildings, but particular attention has always focused on the great cathedrals of England and Europe. To build these marvels it was necessary for Masons to gather in large groups, sometimes moving from one finished castle or cathedral to the next.
To construct them, it was necessary to have considerable knowledge of geometry, arithmetic and engineering and as a result, bodies of Stone Masons – including architects – became one of the few places of learning outside of the clergy.
The term “Freemason” appears as early as 1375 in a City of London manuscript that includes regulations for the society; duties to God, church and country; and repeated references to brotherhood.
The Masons used a series of rituals and procedures to teach their trade and by the 17th Century, as their numbers and status grew, Lodges began accepting honorary members who were not actually stone workers. These same rituals and teachings were used to instruct non-working Freemas

Best answer:

Answer by J. R.
Not everyone claiming to be a Mason is in fact one. For that matter there is a very small segment of men who have been made Masons legitimately, but through their actions and lifestyle demonstrate themselves to in truth, still not be real Masons.

Due to the era of segregation, Masonry in the U.S. developed into two different traditions, “mainstream” Masonry for Euro-Americans, and Prince Hall Masonry for African-Americans. Although segregation is no more, the two different traditions of Masonry still exist, but are no longer regulated to be racially segregated. In general, Prince Hall Masonry is a great organization with unique history and culture all its own. Unfortunately, there exists a problem within PH Masonry of clandestine and illegitimate organizations, particularly within the inner cities, that lay claim to the Masonic name and traditions, call themselves Masonic Lodges, but are anything but Masonic. These illegitimate organizations prey on the perceived false image of Masonry, that it is a vehicle of or for financial success, and exploit young inner-city men with such promises of wealth and status. Like any scam, some fall for it… they give their membership dues to the “lodge”, spend some more money for regalia and such, and feel like big bad men thinking they are something they are not.
Being false Lodges, these men never actually learn about Masonry, or about what it is to be a Mason. But they gave up their money for an image, one that if they actually were Masons they would know to be a phony pop-culture creation, and not at all what the true scope and purpose of Masonry is about.

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