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What is the difference between af&am and f&am?

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
The letter "A" is the difference.

Arkansas is F&AM
Alabama is F&AM
Alaska is F&AM
Arizona is F&AM
California is F&AM
Florida is F&AM
Georgia is F&AM
Hawaii is F&AM
Kentucky is F&AM
Louisiana, the Grand Lodge that gave birth to Texas is F&AM even though Texas is AF/AM
Mississippi is F&AM
Nevada is F&AM
New Hamshire is F&AM
New Jersey is F&AM
New York is F&AM
Ohio is F&AM
Pennsylvania is F&AM
Rhode Island is F&AM
South Carolina is AFM or Ancient Free Masonry and neither F/AM or AF/AM
Vermont is F&AM
Tennessee is F&AM
Utah is F&AM
Washington is F&AM
Washington D.C. is F.A.A.M.
Wisconsin is F&AM


There are actually 25 F/AM states beating the 24 AF/AM states.

It has nothing to do with lodges being divided by color at all.

My experience is that you should travel to as many different jurisdictions and within that jurisdiction as you can. You will be surprised at how much lodge varies.

In Scotland, where the Grand Lodge does not control ritual, you can go to a different MM degree every week and never see the same degree even close twice.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
Nope. They can be wildly different. Scotland is awesome in a way. They have the proof of the oldest existing speculative Masonry we know of...but they have always been fiercely independent and decided that even after 1717 they didn't need a Grand Lodge to do what they had been doing for a hundred years and was still working. When they broke down and formed a GL, they gave it little power over the lodges and most of what the GL can do is make suggestions to things...but even then the hackles can go up and their power is tenuous.

I like the idea of strong individual lodges loosely united under an umbrella...there is something wonderfully democratic about it.
 

SeeKer.mm

Premium Member
Nope. They can be wildly different. Scotland is awesome in a way. They have the proof of the oldest existing speculative Masonry we know of...but they have always been fiercely independent and decided that even after 1717 they didn't need a Grand Lodge to do what they had been doing for a hundred years and was still working. When they broke down and formed a GL, they gave it little power over the lodges and most of what the GL can do is make suggestions to things...but even then the hackles can go up and their power is tenuous.

I like the idea of strong individual lodges loosely united under an umbrella...there is something wonderfully democratic about it.

I am torn with this idea...in a way I do like the democracy and the freedom of the lodges to act individually, however, to me, there is something special about being able to go to Lodge far away from home and still hold a like connection to my Brothers. I don't know...I think is a good idea for a poll though! Thanks for sparking such an interesting concept and topic Frater Porter.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
I appreciate the post, Brother. That gives an answer to Brothers who wanted LIGHT from a worldwide perspective regarding the difference between F&AM and AF&AM Mainstream Lodges, and the post I provided simply alluded to the schism we encounter as Prince Hall Affiliation F&AM Brothers with the Black AF & AM Lodges and their "Grand Lodges" here in the U.S. I wish the answer you provided would be ALL that WE had to explain to a Man when he asks PHA Brethren the difference between FREE AND ACCEPTED, and ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED LODGES in the Black Community.

Bro. Vincent C. Jones, Sr., Bayou City Lodge 228, Prince Hall Affiliation
Free and Accepted Masonry, Houston, Texas
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
With Prince Hall Affiliate lodges I always make sure they are just that when I visit. PHA. If the lodge is not a Prince Hall Affiliate, then it is likely considered irregular by PHA in Colorado. The way our agreement works in Colorado, we consider regular all PHA lodges considered regular by PHA Colorado, Utah and Wyoming (one GL under PHA).
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
Anytime, Brother..........It's my duty to share the LIGHT I have obtained with the Brotherhood.........If I can enlighten at least ONE Brother with a post i have submitted, then I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to..................BRO. JONES
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
yes sir...............Bayou City Lodge #228 was re-opened with permission and dispensation of the Grand Master of MWPHGLoTx, Bro Wilbert Curtis......We received dispensation to re-open in April 2011, and at Grand Session LAST summer, Brothers were issued the Charter..........Our Lodge was originally Chartered in 1919. There is at least ONE Past Master that is still living, and we are in the process of attempting to make contact with him. He is obviously one of the Elders in the State by now. We meet at the True Level #226 Building at 4212 Lyons, In 5th Ward, on 2nd and 4th Mondays.....................Bro Jones
 

bushwickrich

Registered User
Very good answers Towerbuilder7, very very true.

I was made a Mason in Valor Lodge #271 Three Rivers, Mississippi
Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge


Bro. Richard 4°
 

Txmason32

Registered User
Awesome post brothers I an going to borrow some of the info to add light to others if that's cool

Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App
 

Blaster

Registered User
I try not to explain the difference because we all serve the same purpose , "Making good Men Better">>>
i can't really say what purpose a clandestine club serves. it's not the issue at hand though, so i don't have an opinion on whatever they're doing.
 
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