In a blog entry titled Cooties, Bro. Greg of the Masonic Traveler blog has written about an article from the Grand Lodge of Montana warning Big Sky Country Masons to avoid attending meetings with or holding Masonic discussions with a Brother (male or female) from a Co-Masonic Lodge.Montana Grand Master Jack D. Anderson warns that anyone who vouches "for a member of that organization [Co-Masonry] to allow him to visit one of our lodges... would surely subject himself to a Masonic Trial and subsequent discipline of reprimand, suspension, or expulsion."
I posted a comment to that article on Bro. Greg's blog that I am reprinting here. In the post I discuss the preface to the obligations that all Masons take — the assurance by the Worshipful Master that the obligations do not supercede the duties we owe to ourselves, to others and to God.
Not being able to communicate with, Masonically or otherwise, or share Light with, one of God's children because a Grand Lodge said so simply strikes me as wrong. I wrote:
Those obligations, at least for me, were prefaced with assurance from the Worshipful Master that the obligations which I was about to accept would in no way affect the duties I owe to myself or my neighbors, or to God.What do you think? Should regular Masons be forbidden from discussing Masonic principles with others who legitimately consider themselves to be Masons? Men from the United Grand Lodge of America and from Prince Hall lodges, men from non-recognized Grand Lodges from overseas, such as the Grand Orient of France, as well as men and women from Co-Masonic Lodges, all consider themselves to be Freemasons just as much as any man raised in a Blue Lodge under the jurisdiction of one of the 51 Antient, conventional Grand Lodges in the United States. We swore obligations to help, aid and assist, and to show brotherly love to, fellow Masons. The policies and politics of a Grand Lodge's prejudices should not affect our practice of Masonry.
As a Mason, and as a member of the human race, it is my duty to share Brotherly Love (as well as Relief and Truth) with other Masons, and to mankind at large. This duty supercedes any promise I made to any Grand Lodge. If their politically-inspired recognitions and withholdings of recognitions interferes with the performance of a duty to a higher power (myself, my neighbors, my God) then I can safely and Masonically do so, despite their claim that I'd be breaking an obligation. No breaking of an obligation has occurred, and no conviction for unmasonic conduct in a Masonic trial would be legitimate.
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From the very beginning all true Free-Masons have sought the brotherhood of man under the All-Seeing Eye of Deity. Any Grand Lodge that stands in the way of this is, by definition, anti-Masonic. Forbidding Free-Masons from interactions with other human beings is un-Masonic and inhuman. How low will the 'Antient' Grand Lodges stoop for the sake of power and ego?
ReplyDeleteAww c'mon!!! We ain't masons 'cause we won't kiss the rosey-red a*s of every self-absorbed, hill-billy bumpkin-king-of-the-small-pond, money-hoarding, son-of-an-incestuous-encounter, purple-wearing Grand Lodge Master-pretender that sits in the East!
ReplyDeleteANY FREEMASON THAT WOULD RULE BY EDICT OR PREVENT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HUMANS BOUND BY LIKE CONSCIENCE IS NOT A FREEMASON!
This is why the foundations are starting to crumble and the cracks are starting to show.
WHEN YOU STRIP AWAY THE PURPLE AND THE GLITZY RINGS AND THE FANCY, ARCAHIC SOUNDING TITLES... YOU GET A MAN...A FRIGHTENED, INSECURE MAN. THESE DEGENERATES HAVE TURNED FREEMASONRY INTO THE HIGHEST FORM OF CRONEY-ISM!
Sorry if that sounded "impolite"... Haven't had my medicine today, so I get a bit "cranky". Have a nice day! :)
Darren Simpson
And you have heard from me in the past. The Wife and Daughter of past masters of the Canadian Freemasons.
ReplyDeleteThere is a pride in the brotherhood which comes totally from never putting oneself above another human being.
This is not gentry it is a fraternal order for growing men and philanthropy.
In Canada there are no such divisions in the lodge.
Being a woman do I wish to become a Mason? No. I dont wish to have a,(whispers) you know, penis... either.
Do I wish to be in the Eastern Star? Not really. Is it because I am appauled that a brethren chairs the Eastern Star? Certainly not. It is because I have my own things I am in to.
But these are only my opinion. My opinion and 97 cents will get you a crappy coffee.
I hope that the lodge is not lost. Here my sons are excited waiting for their 21st birthday so they can join the lodge. And make another generation of history of the men on both sides of the family name.
There is a pride in our history here in Canada. We do not have to be ashamed.
I know your brothers in Canada will embrace your ideals.
In america, the land of the free, men and women should have the right to start any organization, with any stipulation on membership they want. As long as it is not a "gov't" sponsored group, then it should be open to all.
ReplyDeleteBut a private group should be able to set any restrictions or qualifications for membership.
Now on the topic of co-masonry. I feel any brother who has the interest in visiting, joining or fraternizing with this group should have the right without fear of repercussions. I personally want to be involved in a men's only group. I have no problem with a co masonic body. ANy time masonry/light may be spread, the better for all humankind, and is that not one 0f the goals of free masonry?
The betterment of humankind.
I can't believe that a mason would turn to stone or be damned if he sat in a co masonic lodge? It could only be educational, and should not that be the aim of all the masonic groups?
Educating each other.
If a man from a co masonic lodge wanted to attend a regular lodge meeting, he should be able to. He won't defile or desecrate our lodge meeting or members.
Let's keep our groups the way they are, just recognize these masonic bodies and let's spread the light together.
"ANY FREEMASON THAT WOULD RULE BY EDICT OR PREVENT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HUMANS BOUND BY LIKE CONSCIENCE IS NOT A FREEMASON!"
ReplyDeleteIf you read the article, he's not telling you that you can't interact with them (Co-Masons) just not on the subject of Freemasonry.
Why is this so hard to understand, Freemasonry is a Fraternity, not a Sorority. It's a Male Only Mystery School. Why does it have to come back on the Grand Lodge as a bunch of pompous "Purple Wearing" pieces of Crap.. These men work REALLY hard at making Freemasonry work, they aren't against it. In most Grand Lodges, the Grand Officers bust their asses to help Local Lodges, even their own Lodge.
Oh well, you don't like the rules so just go on and let everyone into Masonry, dilute Freemasonry so that everyone can join. Hell, I bet my kids would dig being Masons too, and my dog..
Don't hold back, Bro. Darren. Say what you REALLY think about Grand Lodge officers. LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: You say the GL of Montana didn't try to deny the right to converse with Co-Masons in general, but just about Masonry. That makes me wonder just what you think Masonry is? 25-year award cememonies and fish fries and a few grips and words? True Masons live Masonry daily... it's who we are. How can you separate it out and say I can talk about Life, the Universe and Everything with a co-Mason, except about Masonry (which is about Life, the Universe and Everything)?
I've never seen a Grand Lodge officer work, as you say, "REALLY hard" to make Masonry work. All I've ever seen them do is drive from lodge to lodge wearing suits and cheezy gold chains, be introduced like royalty, and smugly sit in the northeast corner (a suitable place) joking about having to buy their "ladies" new dresses if they forget to introduce them... that's not Masonry.
That's about all they seem to do... well, that, and attack good brothers who don't agree with them. A Grand Lodge officer led the attack to discredit me. Grand Lodge and former Grand Lodge officers led the attack on UGLA members, too.
"That's about all they seem to do... well, that, and attack good brothers who don't agree with them. A Grand Lodge officer led the attack to discredit me. Grand Lodge and former Grand Lodge officers led the attack on UGLA members, too."
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that your Grand Lodge Experance didn't measure up. I would hate to just equate all Grand Lodges in this way. See, alot of people who aren't Grand Lodge Officers don't see the goings on behind the stage so to speak. Yes, they go on visitions, where as you say "are treated like royalty" ect. But this isn't the end of the line, all Grand Lodge officers are part of commities.. Like for instance, Ritual, Charity, Jurisprudence, Fraternal Relations. They just don't sit back with their "Gold Chains" and get treated like Royalty.. They, for the most part are the Grand Jurisdictions most dedicated Masons. Serving not only the Grand Lodge but their Mother Lodge as well.
I know you feel you got screwed by your Grand Lodge, and I am sorry for that, but to lump all Grand Lodges in that same catagorie is Wrong.
"You say the GL of Montana didn't try to deny the right to converse with Co-Masons in general, but just about Masonry. That makes me wonder just what you think Masonry is? 25-year award cememonies and fish fries and a few grips and words? True Masons live Masonry daily... it's who we are. How can you separate it out and say I can talk about Life, the Universe and Everything with a co-Mason, except about Masonry (which is about Life, the Universe and Everything)?
"
Come on, Lets throw up another Strawman.. Of course you can talk to a Co-Mason about (life, the Universe and everything) but you can't go on discussing the deeper meaning of the 3rd Degree with a Co-Mason, and I'm not just talking the passwords and Grips. Why is this so hard to understand? Just because you left mainstream Masonry and want to tell Women all the Secrets, that's fine. Just remember that little part of your 3rd Degree obligation. Of couse, I am sure the UGLA has changed that too.
My God, I love how people make an assumption and suddenly think it's gospel.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said, "Just because you left mainstream Masonry and want to tell Women all the Secrets, that's fine. Just remember that little part of your 3rd Degree obligation. Of couse, I am sure the UGLA has changed that too."
1) How are you sure the UGLA has changed an obligation? Were you at a meeting? Did you read it on their website?
2) What secrets do I have to tell, other than grips and passwords? Maybe I missed the secret meeting where the deeper meaning of the 3rd degree which I'm not supposed to share with a Co-Mason was discussed.
3) I'm pretty sure women are wiser than men, anyway. I mean, if we told them our Biggest Masonic Secret (which is probably encoded in one of the brother's barbeque sauce recipe), I'm pretty sure most women would just smile and say, "Honey... I've known that all along."
— W.S.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"They just don't sit back with their "Gold Chains" and get treated like Royalty.. They, for the most part are the Grand Jurisdictions most dedicated Masons. Serving not only the Grand Lodge but their Mother Lodge as well"
dedicated for the wrong reasons. Title and hat collecting, Because if it was towards the betterment of the fraternity, would it be in the declining state it is now?
Just because someone has the free time and ass kissing abilitites does not qualify as dedication.
Although not a mason myself, I am very attracted to an idealized masonry. Yet I recognize how unlikely it is that masonry would live up to my ideals.
ReplyDeleteThe opposite of idealization is demonization. Any human endeavour is bound to reflect humanity, in all its glory.
Here's an interesting thought:
"Masonry has served you well. It has given you ideals to which to aspire and a level on which to operate.
Masonry must now change – as all things must. It will move out of the lodges and into groups and communities which will have no Masonic identity but will draw upon the wisdom held within the Masonic tradition.
If you would help the young, do not lament this development. See the lodges empty without regret, because a younger generation has to be more geographically mobile and respond quickly to events. Masonry has now to move onto the mental plane.
In your minds and hearts hold firm to the hope that what has meant so much to you can continue to serve the needs of different generations and different times. This can be your legacy.
All things must change, my brothers. Make your bequest with good will and love and let this be your last act as Masons."
This is a fascinating conversation, a veritable peek through the looking glass for me, because I am a member of Le Droit Humain. My obedience recognizes all U.S. Grand Lodge Masons, and puts no restrictions on me as to whether or not I choose to communicate with them. But of course the opposite is not true, and that has always saddened me, because I do consider all of you my Brothers.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that the Brother who maintains this blog has put forward this important question, and I appreciate even more that he and some of the other commentators appear willing to accept me as a fellow Mason. You have the vision to see that though some of the details in our working methods are different, our Truth remains the same.
I am a Mason. No one (in the U.S., at least) would think so to look at me, because I am a woman. Seven years of study and devoted service to my Lodge has made me who I am today. So it ticks me off, to say the least, to be told by other Masons that I am not a Mason. Thank you for this beam of hope.
Just the record, for those who mistrust what I am, let me say that Co-Masonry is such a tiny presence in the U.S. that in our lifetimes it will never be any threat to your brand of Masonry. Moreover, I can say with certainty that none of us Co-Masons has any desire or intent to convert, proselytize, guilt trip, sue, or otherwise interfere with Grand Lodge Masonry. We have our own fish to fry -- and more importantly, we recognize that there is room different ways of working. Some men prefer to work only with other men. Some women prefer to work only with other women. And some of us like the challenge of working together. Vive la differance!
I live in a Masonic community where my lodge is closely aligned with a Grand Orient de France lodge and a Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium lodge. Members of all three lodges socialize with one another, and visit back and forth. It makes our workings so much richer. We would love to include you all in our network too. Maybe someday.
Greetings "Call Me Sister"
ReplyDeleteI think not. Not compared to the work WE do. The token of My grip says otherwise as well.
Fraternally yours and staying steadfast,
A member of AFHR
BROTHERS,
ReplyDeleteOf any race or sex, I personally, as a female brother, YES BUILDER, have stones to add to this universal temple under one sun. If you think not, then why are you alive ? Takes two. Like the sun and moon. My husband is a male craft member and I AM a female craft member and we respect one another. I also find many male craft members are confused to their masonic education. Social club or knowledge. Cards carry so much value. In fact we do not feel the need, in my obedience, to delve into such paper attachments. We work the knowledge. OR NO DEREE.
AFHR (if you can't figure the letting then have it at the below)
www.co-masonry.org
Member
et all,
ReplyDeleteMy red polished "claws" got in the way
typo = DEGREE
and tolerance is still my virtue and are you male craft members familiar with HOW us women came into you fraternity ?
Many theories
Fraternally,
Female Brother
www.co-masonry.org
MASONRY AS AN INVESTMENT
ReplyDeleteBy the most of us, investment has to do with money or its equivalent, but a Mason writes in an English magazine about "Masonry as an
Investment."
"You cannot buy Masonry, no man ever did or ever will. You do not buy it when you pay your fees or dues, you simply gain by these opportunities
to get Masonry. Where is your investment then, you ask. Let me tell you.
If you become a Mason you put into Masonry more than money, more than anything you have or possess, that you measure by pounds or
shillings, you put your life into it. Unless you can and do put your life into it, unless you let Masonry direct your life, you have no investment, you get
little or nothing from Masonry.
"Life is in constant conflict between good and evil. Masonry aids the Mason to choose the good rather than the evil. Dominating the Mason's life
Masonry creates the habit of choosing the good, with the result that it helps him to develop character. You may have wealth and put your money in
to paying propositions but you can make no investment that will pay you greater dividends than Masonry will if you make Masonic effort to build
character.
-------------
This Is My Duty
To use what gifts I have as best I may;
To help some weaker brother where I can;
To be as blameless at the close of day
As when the duties of the day began;
To do without complaint what must be done;
To grant my rival all that may be just;
To win through kindness all that may be won;
To fight with knightly valor when I must.
- S. E. Kiser
- ---------
Here is the actual letter. The author of the article here misrepresents what it says:
ReplyDelete"THE LEVEL -- Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana -- MAY 2006 -- NO. 422
Jack D. Anderson -- Grand Master 2005-2006
It is with trepidation that I must inform you of a disturbing fact. Co-Freemasonry has arrived in northwestern Montana and this organization is clandestine to us. I feel I must warn you of the danger that it supplies. This order of Masonry comes from France and has been around since 1893 and will open its doors to you to visit and/or affiliate with them by simply showing your current dues card. For those of you who are on the web, the address to the frequently asked questions is http://www.comasonic.org/faq_text.html . It is obvious that we cannot have any "official" or unofficial contact with Le Droit Humain. I am asking that all Montana Lodges please conduct some Masonic education with your members and remind them of their third degree obligation, particularly the fifth I furthermore ... "will not be present at." and the sixth I furthermore ... "will not visit ... or converse with ...". Our brothers will thus be reminded that visiting them, affiliating with them, or discussion Masonry with their members is prohibited by our obligation as well as the Code of Statutes Sections 46020 C4, and 46020 E. We must not vouch for a member of that organization to allow him to visit one of our lodges. Any brother doing any of these things would surely subject himself to a Masonic Trial and subsequent discipline of reprimand, suspension, or expulsion. In summary, we should inform our Brethren of this development; we should not make any public statements or give any sign of confrontation outside of the Lodge towards them. Legally, in these Great United States of ours, they have as much of a right to exist as we do. Our examination committees MUST be more vigilant to be ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that any visitors to our Lodges are members of a Grand Lodge that is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Montana. Use the current "List of Lodges -- Masonic 2006" booklet mailed to you this spring. Guard well the west gate my Brethren!"
It does not specifically mention women Masons. At all. It does point out that co-Masonry is clandestine, but it does not speak ill of them. At all. It does point out that co-Masonry is clandestine or at least unrecognized.
Granted, it's a poor choice of wording to say Masons cannot communicate 'about' Masonry with anyone. There would be no way to get any candidate or to spread the word about the good work Masons do. The obligation keeps us from 'communicating Masonically' with the profane. To communicate Masonically means to communicate in a tiled lodge. We cannot do that. It does not mean we can't help them, or even talk Masonry with them. If we couldn't, we couldn't help anyone.
This article is a gross misrepresentation of what the letter says, if it is an honest mistake on the part of the writer.
There is no forbidding of befriending, working with, drinking with, eating with, or any other 'with' aside from a tiled lodge meeting.
Les Droit was one of the first things I researched when I became interested in Freemasonry. I have since found that the English system is right for me. While I'm intrigued by much of the Les Droit and Besant's systems, I also disagree with them greatly on what Masonry is all about and its origins. There are other matters aside from women that are a point of contention between the systems. That being said, I would not have taken the obligation if it conflicted with my duties to god, my country, myself, or my neighbor. It does not. In any way.
As the letter says, they have the legal right to exist as much as anyone. I celebrate that right, and hope they can get even the smallest percentage of what I get out of Masonry. There are many, many organizations that claim Masonry. The claim, as it says in the song, '...you read it in the Bible, it ain't necessarily so.'
Mary and the Widow's son said:
ReplyDelete"I've never seen a Grand Lodge officer work, as you say, "REALLY hard" to make Masonry work."
I HAVE seen more than one GL officer work "REALLY hard" to make Masonry work. I even recall calling a GL officer for a difficult favor I needed the next day. He lived out of town, but he got it done. Not being on or aspiring to the GL, I know many good MASONS and BROTHERS on the GL that are well educated, devoted, and sincere. I've also seen (some of) them work REALLY hard to make Masonry work.
My first impression of GL was the year I joined and the Grand Master pushed hard to bring PHA into recognition. Honestly, I disagreed with some of the GL proposals (they failed when the brethren voted). I also had the privilege to sit in lodge with an honored guest from Africa. It is sad that you have not seen the dedicated men on our GL, even though I may not always agree with them. They are all BROTHERS and MASONS. I understand that not all GLs are full of good brothers. I understand that all Blue Lodges are not full of upstanding Masons. I try to be the best brother and Mason I can and to live up to my oaths.
I will say this, I personally admire the work and dedication that the officers of my lodge do.
ReplyDeleteBut I cannot say or I personally do not feel it is right to judge on what you do not know.
I do know one thing, I am extremely pleased and impressed with the education I get from my obedience. I would like to visit and simply learn more from other Lodges. Maybe one day ...
While there is education, and admittedly it's not likely enough, I prefer to read and consider on my own and being responsible for my own education. This 'frees' me to educate in the manner I wish, and to read material that is not specifically of a Masonic thrust (although isn't everything when so considered?). I'm reading four books right now, and none are specifically 'Masonic'. I cannot comment deeply on the co-Masonic path, as I've only met with it in passing. I have read C.W. Leadbeater, whom I think is interesting and speaks in earnest, though I think his enthusiasm allows him to delude himself, but that's just an opinion. I like him. I'm reading likewise SECRET TEACHINGS OF ALL AGES. There is much intriguing about co-Masonry. For me, it just is not fitting for my purpose in life. I have a high level of skepticism and have difficulty accepting anything at face value. This partially due to being highly credulous as a child and having an older sister that abused that credulity. *smiley face*
ReplyDeleteSomeday, we may sit in lodge together. Until the day that my oaths are not in violation to do so, I am free to discuss Masonry with you. Make no mistake, that it is I who desire that I live up to my oaths. No threats from the GL form my decision to try to keep true to my word. I have in my younger years seen people lie, cheat, and steal. While I cannot keep others from doing this, I can endeavor to avoid doing so myself. I took my oaths knowing that I did not necessarily agree entirely, but I also knew those things I wasn't certain on were acceptable to my frame of reference and my world view.
On education, I do prefer to learn on my own. This arrives from a distrust in education systems. In 3rd grade or so, I remember our teacher telling the class, 'I know your teachers told you that you couldn't divide 3 by two, but we lied.' I've always thought since then, 'why the *insert appropriate expletive* did you lie about it? Why couldn't you say you'd tell us later?' It is perhaps silly, but I've never forgotten. I've never forgiven
ReplyDelete