Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Yes, especially in this day and age.
My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Interested in Brothers thoughts on opening membership to 18 year olds.
- Thread starter Symthrell
- Start date
Bloke
Premium Member
I'm no good to you then
For discussion sake, which values prohibit exclusion based on sexual orientation? Note, we already exclude on the basis of gender, on religious belief, on political belief, on physical and mental disability. How is this form of discrimination any different?
JJones
Moderator
It's 18 here in Texas and (I think) it was 21 back when I joined. The requirement to be 21 was probably a throwback from when lodges allowed alcohol at some point but I also think men are (somewhat) more mature at 21 than they are at 18.
I've never seen an 18-year-old go through the degrees and stick around but that's probably more of an issue of guarding the West Gate. Which brings me to my point, I don't mind 18-year-olds being able to petition so long as we are diligent in our investigations.
I've never seen an 18-year-old go through the degrees and stick around but that's probably more of an issue of guarding the West Gate. Which brings me to my point, I don't mind 18-year-olds being able to petition so long as we are diligent in our investigations.
I see this descrimination as masonically irrelevant, where as the others have a reason within the organisation.
Warrior1256
Site Benefactor
Mostly I agree, but limiting Lodges to Christianity, monotheism, or political rliefs?
Symthrell
Registered User
I know that in my home state they have now changed the age to 18. I have no problem with it, as stated by some, if you are old enough at 18 to enlist and serve your country then who am I to stop you from petitioning for membership. Sadly it has become about numbers and my state thinks this will help bring in more people to join. I think they are pushing the wrong solution. That, however, is a topic for another thread and I am sure there are quite a few of those in the archives of this site.
I would argue that we don’t limit lodges in the ways of Christianity or monotheism, sure our teachings are structured in that framework however is isn’t really required that you profess a literal belief an a single overacrching Christian god but rather you are given a wide freedom of interpretation on what god is to you and given the alagorical nature of the craft there is a lot of flexibility there.
as for the political belifes I’m not too sure what your are referring to specifically.
Actually, we have GLs which are specifically Christian and some which are specifically monotheistic. We also have symbolic degrees using a Christian Rite in some GLs. We also have those specifically excluding certain political beliefs.
Interesting, can’t say I’ve seen anything like that in my jurisdiction, is this a US specific occurance?
What benefits are gained from Christian exclusive freemasonry given the works of standard freemasonry?
I find many references to freemasonry and then American freemasonry due to the many cultural differences.
I can't address the benefits. We have I think two brethren on this list which practice the Swedish Rite. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Rite
Some GLs allow the Rectified Eccosais Rite to be worked (Brazil, Portugal).
Some US requirements:
Texas requires on it's petition for the degrees a belief in the US Constitution and the divine authenticity of the volume of sacred law. http://grandlodgeoftexas.org/assets/uploads/2015/10/26.pdf
Kentucky forbids those who believe in the overthrow of the government.http://www.mastermason.com/mckee/newpetition.pdf
Oklahoma requires a belief in the one true and living God , prohibits support of the overthrow of the government and requires that one support the Constitution and agree to defend it. http://www.gloklahoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/petition2011.pdf
Florida asks if you believe in the one ever living and true God. It also prohibits a belief in the overthrow of the government. http://grandlodgefl.com/docs/GLF_Forms/GL 601 Petition for the Degrees.pdf
See also North Carolina http://www.grandlodge-nc.org/storage/wysiwyg/Form 17.pdf
Louisiana "abhors" Communism and will expel Communists: https://la-mason.com/wp-content/themes/mason/documents/PETITION_FOR_DEGREES_3_19_2014.pdf
Virginia recognizes only those Grand lodges who are monotheistic. http://bessel.org/masrec/recstand.htm
PHA WA:
Title 113, Section 113.01
"Every Candidate applying for the degrees in Masonry must have the senses of a man; especially those of hearing, seeing, and feeling; be a believer in God and a future existence..."
....
Section 113.04
"A candidate who is unable or unwilling to express a belief in the existence of God and a resurrection to a future life lacks the essential qualification for the degrees to Masonry..."
Interesting, I’m not familiar with the Swedish rite, heck I’m barely familiar with the blue lodge.
it’s interesting to see the local cultures manifest in the wording of obligations. We are obligated to obey the laws and government of the land, that’s a paraphrase but you get the idea. I guess it just perplexed me that they would descriminate based on something irrelevant to the fraternity.
Last edited:
Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
But is it? Irrelevant that is. Could it. Not be see as immoral? Thus making the gay man not a just and upright Man?
There are many different books on Masonic alters, Does your life conform to all measures of morality? I know mine dosent.
Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
No not at all...I'm playing devils advocate. Just Saying. It could be seen that way. ..what about a pedophile?
Sent from my SM-G386T using My Freemasonry mobile app
That’s not really apples and apples.
Ripcord22A
Site Benefactor
Ok one that hasn't acted on it? Or an alcoholic?
Sent from my SM-G386T using My Freemasonry mobile app
Sent from my SM-G386T using My Freemasonry mobile app
Actully when freemasonry came to Sweden and in the culture in wich the Swedish rite was created was in a culture dominated by christianity so the development of a mono-religous freemasonry in such an enviroment is not that difficult to understand.
Again, not apples and apples.
I’ll have to read up on the particulars of the Swedish rite, you can imagin in Australia it’s not common.