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Recommending Comasonry

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JJones

Moderator
So I've noticed a trend elsewhere on the internet (mainly on Reddit) and I wanted to ask opinions.

So what happens it typically a woman would ask something about Freemasonry and, almost without fail, someone will suggest she join a co-masonic lodge (allowing both men and women) if she wants to learn more.

I just read something along these lines today and it always bugs me but I'm beginning to notice it more and more often. I'm pretty straightforward in my opinion about it: it's not Freemasonry and suggesting anyone join a clandestine lodge goes against my obligations...but I've been wondering what everyone else thinks about this?
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
How does it go against your Obligation? Mine only talks about what where I can/cant be, what i can/can't talk about in regards to women. How is it different from a Freemason in Georgia telling a black man that he should probably seek out a PHA lodge?

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GKA

Premium Member
My obligation is the same as Ripcord22a, I only agreed to not sit at the making of a woman a mason, personally, I like the idea of co-masonic lodges, at least as an option for women to be involved, it is a shame that our GL should feel so threatened by co-masonry or clandestine lodges for that matter.
 

JJones

Moderator
How does it go against your Obligation? Mine only talks about what where I can/cant be, what i can/can't talk about in regards to women. How is it different from a Freemason in Georgia telling a black man that he should probably seek out a PHA lodge?

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I feel like I'm permitting someone to become a clandestine Mason if I'm suggesting it to them as an alternative. By not suggesting it, it is within my power to prevent it from happening. Yes, they may learn about it elsewhere but that is outside my circle of influence.

I believe that, by suggesting something, you are condoning it.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I've never recommended anyone join a co-masonic group. I have recommended women join feminine Masonry. See, the statement issued by UGLE – 10th March 1999:


There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice. There is also one which admits both men and women to membership. They are not recognised by this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, discussions from time to time with the women’s Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern. Brethren are therefore free to explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men(even though this Grand Lodge does not itself admit women). Further information about these bodies may be obtained by writing to the Grand Secretary.


The Board is also aware that there exist other bodies not directly imitative of pure antient Masonry, but which by implication introduce Freemasonry, such as the Order of the Eastern Star. Membership of such bodies, attendance at their meetings, or participation in their ceremonies is incompatible with membership of this Grand Lodge.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I've never recommended anyone join a co-masonic group. I have recommended women join feminine Masonry. See, the statement issued by UGLE – 10th March 1999:


There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice. There is also one which admits both men and women to membership. They are not recognised by this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, discussions from time to time with the women’s Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern. Brethren are therefore free to explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men(even though this Grand Lodge does not itself admit women). Further information about these bodies may be obtained by writing to the Grand Secretary.


The Board is also aware that there exist other bodies not directly imitative of pure antient Masonry, but which by implication introduce Freemasonry, such as the Order of the Eastern Star. Membership of such bodies, attendance at their meetings, or participation in their ceremonies is incompatible with membership of this Grand Lodge.
this.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
I sooo want to reply, but it is best that I do not
Everyone has a right to an opinion.

My feelings towards comasonry is that it could undermine the family unit if the husband or wife are not in the lodge together. Especially if the marriage is on tough times.

To address it another way: I'm sure my wife would not be too happy if I was leaving her alone at home with our son while I was going to lodge to socialize with other women.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I feel like I'm permitting someone...
I cannot and do not permit the actions of other adults outside my authority. In these matters, I have no authority.
...to become a clandestine Mason if I'm suggesting it to them as an alternative.
Alternative Freemasonic bodies are available to those who wish to join them; this is a fact. When they are publicly known, they are not clandestine. Even though these organizations are not recognized by my organization, they are not bogus, they are regular in their practices and they are viable options for those who cannot join my organization and who want the lights, rights and benefits of what Freemasonry can offer to them outside the one to which I belong.

Yes, there are bogus organizations too, but these are not the focus of this thread.
By not suggesting it, it is within my power to prevent it from happening.
By recommending select alternative organizations with caution, I properly inform the other parties and empower them to make better informed choices and decisions so that they don't join a bogus organization that will harm them.

They will soon become brothers or sisters in these organizations. That is within my power to assist, especially if alternatively not assisting them may harm them. If it is in my power to prevent harm, I should exercise that power fully. They cannot join my body. They are seeking alternatives. I should direct them to the best ones possible for their situation.

BTW - This is not about me. It is about them and what I can do to assure they are best directed away from harm and toward the light that they seek.
Yes, they may learn about it elsewhere but that is outside my circle of influence.
I have influence the moment they come to me for guidance. I will give it to them fully and without reservation, especially when I know I can prevent them from going down a path of harm.
I believe that, by suggesting something, you are condoning it.
I condone any organization that practices Freemasonic principles and tenets, benefits all involved and that does not harm others by doing so. How could I not?
 

Elexir

Registered User
I agree with cochn in most of what he says (except regular becuse they are irregular and there is nothing wrong with that since irregular and clandestine are two diffrent things).

We dont (as far as I know) have any all female lodges in Sweden so if asked I would direct them to co-masonry. I dont see a problem with it since their choices will not affect me. Co-masonry will exist without us.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I dont see a problem with it since their choices will not affect me. Co-masonry will exist without us.
This makes sense. Logically it should not be a problem for me to recommend co-Masonry to a woman but emotionally it would make me uncomfortable to do so. I guess that I am a basket case, lol.
 
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Elexir

Registered User
This makes sense. Logically it should not be a problem for me to recommend co-Masonry to a woman but emotionally it would make me uncomfortable to do so. I guess that I am a basket case, lol.

I guess everyone is diffrent. I myself actully thought about joining LDH (le droit humain, international co-masonry) before I joined my current lodge so that might be what I can understand it.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I agree with cochn in most of what he says...
:D
...(except regular becuse they are irregular ...
They are irregular only to us due to the girlie thing. However, they are Regular in their practices as all Regularity is determined by the Regulating body. (As in, we are not Regular to a female craft lodge due to us accepting only males as they are not Regular to us because they accept only females. However, each organization is Regular to itself.)

BTW - The biggest mistake that most male-craft members make is leaving off the "to us" when talking about Regularity. I can say other organizations are "irregular or not regular" to us. However, I cannot rightfully say that they are "irregular or not regular" since their organization is not our organization, we do not dictate their regularity (and they do not dictate ours) and, most importantly, we do not seek recognition between the organizations. At least, not without looking ignorant.
...and there is nothing wrong with that since irregular and clandestine are two diffrent things)...
Exactly!
 
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Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I also have separate reasons for opposing co-Masonry, based on experience. We have seen expelled Freemasons of recognized lodges join these groups and there appear to be a disproportionate number of men with characterological issues seek membership there.

Note, that I have been an officer in a co-ed fraternal.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I also have separate reasons for opposing co-Masonry, based on experience. We have seen expelled Freemasons of recognized lodges join these groups and there appear to be a disproportionate number of men with characterological issues seek membership there.

Note, that I have been an officer in a co-ed fraternal.
I have noticed these very same "characterological issues" continually being expressed ad nausea in co-mason populated forums. Because of my experience of reading their posts and dealing super cautiously with the unbelievably dense thicket of sensitive landmines that go off when replying to them, I have never recommended co-masonry to anyone, even someone with "characterological issues".

However, I have found that female-craft members and those attracted to it appear to be less inflicted with these "characterological issues".

Male-craft members, and those attracted to it, appear to be less inflicted too. However, every once in while, there are some members who express "characterological issues" that make me wonder how they obtained the capacity to ask for a petition, much less know how to sign the bloody thing.
 
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GKA

Premium Member
Do you agree they also are prepared in the same manner for the degrees? Or are we to make special accommodations?

Symbolicaly, yes....ritual varies so much between jurisdictions as it is, that the actual practice should be of little concern
 

LK600

Premium Member
I personally would see no issue with an all female lodge(s), and those lodges being recognized as regular. I would not be for any form of co-masonry now or in the future. Further, I would not recommend to anyone to join a lodge (with one exception) that is irregular/clandestine.
 

Robert Marshall

Secretary, Waco 92
Premium Member
I've never recommended anyone join a co-masonic group. I have recommended women join feminine Masonry. See, the statement issued by UGLE – 10th March 1999:


There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice. There is also one which admits both men and women to membership. They are not recognised by this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, discussions from time to time with the women’s Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern. Brethren are therefore free to explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men(even though this Grand Lodge does not itself admit women). Further information about these bodies may be obtained by writing to the Grand Secretary.


The Board is also aware that there exist other bodies not directly imitative of pure antient Masonry, but which by implication introduce Freemasonry, such as the Order of the Eastern Star. Membership of such bodies, attendance at their meetings, or participation in their ceremonies is incompatible with membership of this Grand Lodge.
Wait. UGLE considers Easter Star to be impermissible? I had no idea. Am I reading this wrong? It says that UGLE members are NOT allowed to be involved with OES...?

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