Comments on: “Benevolent” Elks Discriminate Against Sweet Lady

By: Lady

Lady — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:21:47 +0000

I just found this link today, because I was ask to join the Elks lodge last week ! hey I had some questions about who could join because of being black and not knowing anyone black ever being a member so I got on line to look up the Elks lodge memberships to see if there were black members, to my surprise yes! Wow!! but now! I find out that someone who is Atheist was denied membership
My point is that the person who ask me to join doesn’t believe in the (Christian God )when question about it she told the elks member that their believe is in just a GOD, that was except by the board members, am a little confused about the GOD parts. So any God believers can join???

By: David A Greaves, Past Exalted Ruler

David A Greaves, Past Exalted Ruler — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:23:46 +0000

As a Past Exalted Ruler, and an active member of an Elks lodge in CT I feel complied to add my 2 cents. The Elks are a GOD based organization. We pledge to the flag of the USA “one nation under GOD” We pray to GOD during meetings for guidence in all our deliberations. We sing “GOD bless America” after every meeting. We reference GOD in a great many things we do. I respect every persons religious beliefs (or non beliefs) that is our right as American Citzens. Was this paticual lodge wrong for banning Billie from all events..in my opinion yes. I question though, if you are so against GOD, why would you even attempt to join a group that cherishes him so? Churches are private organizations. Why not join them? They hold events, some have swimming facilities ect. I applaud Billie for doing what she thought was right as to her beliefs , but don;t see why people here consider Elks so narrow minded because we all don’t agree on the same beliefs.

By: Johnny M.

Johnny M. — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:13:17 +0000

My Mom belongs to the Elks and uses their swimming pool and when she mentioned today that membership was only $75 a year I couldn’t wait to join. What an incredible deal!! But now I learn that they won’t even take my money, just because I read “The God Delusion” and went from agnostic to atheist?? ELKs, you should be ashamed of how childish and uncharitable that rule is.

And Prof. Richard Dawkins, you owe me a pool membership. :’)

By: Friendly Atheist » For Atheists, Even Portland Can Be Unwelcoming

Friendly Atheist » For Atheists, Even Portland Can Be Unwelcoming — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:54:31 +0000

[...] writing about an atheist denied admission into the Elks club because of her lack of faith, reporter Margie Boulé was contacted by an atheist [...]

By: Skeptigator

Skeptigator — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:24:18 +0000

So out of one end they say,

“We’re not saying we’re going to exclude you from our friendship, we’re just going to exclude you from our membership”

,and out the other they tell an 80-year-old woman that she can’t even be a guest? Umm… clearly theists have a different definition of friend.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:29:16 +0000

Wow, what a pioneer! An 80-year-old female atheist – she defies the stereotypes, doesn’t she? I’m proud of her.

Y’know I often see articles lamenting how these older community organizations are dying out. And then you see things like this that show how bigoted and discriminatory they are, and how slow they’ve been to change even on racial and gender policies.

If that’s what they are like, they deserve to die out.

By: Siamang

Siamang — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:50:00 +0000

That’s religion for you. It’s all about “we know what you should think better than you do.”

By: valhar2000

valhar2000 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:19:10 +0000

Who wants to join that piece of shit?

By: The Sirens Chronicles » Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

The Sirens Chronicles » Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:15:49 +0000

[...] Little old lady gets the boot from the Elks Lodge… “Benevolent” Elks Discriminate Against Sweet Lady–Friendly [...]

By: Lysander

Lysander — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:14:29 +0000

Underlying the issue is the question of why atheists are excluded. Is someone worried atheism is contagious? Or dangerous?

I can see the ad now:

[queue some beautiful setting somewhere you wish you were] "Do you feel like you're missing something in life? Or do you love life, and simply want to make it even better? If so, non-prescription CredereDeumEsse (powracrystcompelzya HCl) may be able to help...." [cut to fun & relaxation clip] "Only your theologian can tell you if non-prescription CDE is right for you. Why wait? Speak with yours today." Narrator: "Side effects may include nondisillusion and tithes. In rare cases, hemorrhoids occured in adolescent males. These claims have not been verified by the FDA, FFRF, or any sane person."

Er, back to the issue at hand...

Billie has not threatened a lawsuit. She actually feels bad for her friends who sponsored her application . . . . Still, she's glad she didn't lie. "I'm not ashamed of my atheism," she says. "In fact, I think people need to know we don't have two heads. We're good people. We have ethics." We know right from wrong, Billie says. And this feels wrong. "I don't want to cause them trouble.

A lot of "us" are friendly! In my experience, it's the norm.

". . . the Elks should get rid of the required belief in God.

But if they do that, they'll have to change their name to the Benevolent & Protective Suggestion of Elks." Wait. I've got a better idea! Let's form a new club and call it the Benevolent & Protective Order of Wapiti! B-POW!