FAQ: What is Co-Masonry?

[Larry the Mason from Holbrook]

The Freemasonry FAQ

Version 1.0
August 2006

This Frequently Asked Question comes from the weekly USENET MASONRY FAQ, posted to alt.freemasonry every Friday at 08:00 Pacific. Please refer to the weekly FAQ for other resource and contact information.

08
What is Co-Masonry?

Co-Masonry, also known as Adoptive Masonry, refers to Masonic Lodges
that admit both men and women. Co-Masonry traces its heritage back to
the 19th century.

There are two Grand Lodges of Co-Masonry with jurisdiction in America:
Le Droit Humain, based in Paris, France and the original Co-Masonic
organization in the US; and the American Federation of Human Rights
(American Co-Masonry), based in Larkspur, Colorado.

The degree structure differs slightly from standard Blue Lodge
structure (i.e.: the Scottish Rite is worked as part of the regular
Lodge, not a separate organization), but in most things Co-Masonic
lodges function as regular Masonic lodges.

There are a few feminine grand lodges, which are considered by the
UGLE to be regular, with the exception of the initiation of women.

 

[Warrior1256]

There are a few feminine grand lodges, which are considered by the
UGLE to be regular, with the exception of the initiation of women.

I'm confused. How can it be considered regular in any way if it admits women?

 

[Glen Cook]

It would be better to reference the UGLE statement:

http://www.hfaf.org/hfaf-official/

 

[Ripcord22A]

They call themselves brothers? Wth? Why not sisters?

 

[Bill Lins]

They call themselves brothers? Wth? Why not sisters?

Mebbe they're genderically confused!

 

[Warrior1256]

It would be better to reference the UGLE statement:

http://www.hfaf.org/hfaf-official/

I guess.

 

[Mike Martin]

I'm confused. How can it be considered regular in any way if it admits women?

There are 2 things that must be made clear in this topic.

1) the statement by the UGLE has absolutely nothing to do with Co-Masonry! Co-Masonry is where men and women sit together in Lodges, the feminine Lodges referred to are women-ONLY (the HFAF and the OWF).

2) The UGLE's point was that the WORK and PRACTISES of the women-only Lodges is regular in everything EXCEPT that they are all women. The women-only Lodges work the same Ceremonies and Lectures that we do and have the same requirements of their Candidates.

 

[Mike Martin]

I'd also point out that Co-Masonry is not aka Adoptive Masonry at all. The Adoptive Rite was practised in France in the late 1700s and through the 1800s it was replaced by Co-Masonry. The Adoptive Rite put women under the protection of the men-only Masonic Order, Co-Masonry made the same women Masons. The closest thing to the Adoptive Rite today is the American Order of the Eastern Star.

 

[Warrior1256]

The UGLE's point was that the WORK and PRACTISES of the women-only Lodges is regular in everything EXCEPT that they are all women. The women-only Lodges work the same Ceremonies and Lectures that we do and have the same requirements of their Candidates.

The Adoptive Rite put women under the protection of the men-only Masonic Order, Co-Masonry made the same women Masons. The closest thing to the Adoptive Rite today is the American Order of the Eastern Star.

Thank you for the explanation brother. I understanding this subject better now.