|
Post by munkholt on Mar 31, 2005 22:20:22 GMT
Whilst lodges can hold discussions, colloquia etc, at which women are present, because the UGLE rules are that we are a men only order, there is I assume a similar order that women only GLs are for women. Proton I can certainly confirm that My Girlfriend's (future) lodge is affiliated to Women's GL of Belgium, and from what I have heard (looking forward to meeting them in person, so I can ask them directly), they exclude men in the same way that we (in UGLE amity) exclude women. But! I also get the impression that they are more lenient about "breaking" the Rules for intervisiting. @ Temple: by the same reasoning, UGLE could open their doors to women to expand their membership base, and potentially increase their "treasure".
|
|
|
Post by foxcole on Mar 31, 2005 23:56:12 GMT
All of these discussions are good. Through necessity, transition requires that some strictly adhere to the old while others completely embrace the new, and the majority fills the spectrum between, with very few exactly in the middle.
Transition has to work this way. If all mankind (or whatever subset participates in the transition) were to suddenly flinig itself into a newness, it would produce chaos, with nothing to build on or take meaning from in the newness. There would be no anchor, nothing to tie the change to. Old ways lend meaning and purpose to new, and new ways grow out of respect (not in the sense of liking, but in the sense of recognition) for the function of the old. Gradually the old way of thinking fades away, but not until its purpose is fulfilled.
The world is in transition, and it's necessary to have discussions, arguments, and conflicts. No other way can produce a real and lasting change. It's like physically building a muscle. The muscle grows strong quickly and without injury, under the right level of resistance.
I don't intend to force my opinion of male-only or female-only Lodges into anyone's rule book, but then, that's probably not my role. Others can do that; in fact, they must, and for a while, there should be some resistance. My role is to know the certainty of the outcome, to know that the change will occur and be strong, and to silently add my weight and influence in the forward direction.
|
|
|
Post by Temple on Apr 1, 2005 20:50:33 GMT
@ Temple: by the same reasoning, UGLE could open their doors to women to expand their membership base, and potentially increase their "treasure". Don't you think they'd be likely to lose more members than gain new ones? I'm sure there must be a huge number of men who join because its a female free environment. Actually, I don't blame them... I went to an all girl school so I can see their point. I didn't necessarily mean that women should join their lodges. By recognition, I mean, just actually officially recognising co-masons as brethren in the truest sense at the highest level the way I can see that members of this board already do. I don't have a yearning desire to partake in their rituals (although I'd love a look round their libraries ).
|
|
|
Post by munkholt on Apr 1, 2005 21:12:05 GMT
Don't you think they'd be likely to lose more members than gain new ones? I'm sure that's one reason why they're keeping their men-only policy. But on the other hand, I also think it will be one of the reasons they might change it in the future: should memberhip drastically decline over an extended period, opening the doors to women would not only signal a more current worldview and greater relevance, but also a large and instant increase in potential membership base. What I'm saying is, it could be both - we can only guess.
|
|
|
Post by Temple on Apr 1, 2005 22:34:52 GMT
You're right about that ;D
|
|
|
Post by whistler on Apr 5, 2005 20:26:54 GMT
We must never forget, the reason that many many men have become Freemasons, is because that they wanted to join a male only organisation, with a high Social Content. From observations on Forums, few knew of any esoteric content in the craft. We who have been attracted to Mixed Masonry because of its esoteric content, can not reasonably expect those Freemasons to want to change. IMO overtime Mixed or more open Esoteric Freemasonry will grow as the new generations of men and women become more aware
|
|
|
Post by ingo on Apr 8, 2005 8:02:32 GMT
Whistler When I got to know that freemasonry exists at the age of 18, I never expected that masonry could be anything else than a old esoteric way! Only my research at lodge evenings gave me the idea that male-only masonry could be only a club! I guess that a lot of male started at the same "research" level with me but ended up in clubs! Or went int he high grades afterwards and were attracted by the masonic esoteric there!
|
|
|
Post by taylorsman on Apr 8, 2005 10:22:59 GMT
"I guess that a lot of male started at the same "research" level with me but ended up in clubs! Or went into the high grades afterwards and were attracted by the masonic esoteric there!"
Ingo, that is about it as regards many UGLE Craft Lodges and their memebrs in my experience. Some stay only in Craft or perhaps join Royal Arch as well but are more into the Social "Club" Side with possibly the Charitable activities included. Getting to The Chair of their Lodge or as 1st Principal in their Chapter is their goal with eventual Provincial or if they are lucky Grand Lodge/Chapter Rank in time.
The others I have found join the various Higher Degrees and are more interested in the Symbolism etc of Freemasonry and recovering that which was lost at the Union of 1815 and by the actions of the Duke of Sussex as the first GM of UGLE.
|
|