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Post by timothyschru on Aug 27, 2007 12:50:45 GMT
I'm a rookie for this forum and quite interested in joining a lodge. I have a little question out of curiosity; why masonic loges are only for males? - I mean masonic groups have only male members?
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Post by lauderdale on Aug 27, 2007 13:16:14 GMT
They're NOT! My Obedience Le Driot Humain, is Co-Masonic, that is it considers women and men to be equal and indeed our current Grand Master, elected earlier this year, is female. UGLE and those Grand Lodges recognised by it are Male Only. This is from historical reasons as, in my opinion and that on many others, there is no logical nor deeper reason why a female cannot be a Freemason. There are also women only Masonic Bodies, such as OWF and HFAF. Send me a Private Message if you wish to know more about Le Driot Humain and Co-Masonry or access this link www.droit-humain.org/uk/
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 27, 2007 16:40:31 GMT
As Bro. Lauderdale pointed out, Freemasonry is not just for men. I am female and I'm a Fellowcraft. And I am soooooo not the only one ;D
A link to the HQ of my jurisdiction is in my sig line.
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Post by leonardo on Aug 27, 2007 17:24:54 GMT
Hi timothyschru, welcome to the forum. Thank you for your question. As the saying goes, "Ya never know, 'til ya ask." Like you I too was once unaware that there are lodges all around the world which accept both men and women, such as www.droit-humain.org/uk/ or for that matter those lodges which accept only women. I now know women Freemasons who are just as keen, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their Freemasonry as their male counterparts. Good luck in your search for truth.
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Post by maat on Aug 27, 2007 23:20:20 GMT
Another female here, Tim.
Male only lodges dominate throughout the world probably because in the past women were traditionally the home makers, the nurturers. As times change and women now stand beside men in the workforce, fields of battle and government, so too is Freemasonry progressing and opening up to women in certain areas.
If you are a young person, I would probably suggest you check out your local lodge, which will probably be male only.
If you are interested in the esoteric side of things, you will probably find Co-Masonry of some benefit, albeit the downside for you here will probably be that you find yourself among older people, and mainly female.
You will be able to learn what Freemasonry has to pass on to you from any lodge, providing you follow the clues. Just look for a company of people you feel some empathy with.
In the meantime, go on a voyage of discovery on this forum, it will keep you very busy in the meantime.
Maat
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 27, 2007 23:56:16 GMT
Tim, The majority of lodges in the "fraternity" are male only. Co-Masonry is one exception.
I studied Freemasonry for about 6 years before I decided to join...and for me, I chose to join a male only lodge which is recognized by all of the "regular" Grand Lodges in the US. My reason was so that I would have more opportunities to visit other lodges locally.
However, I will tell you the pro's and con's of that decision as I see them.
The pro is that I am considered by a numerical majority as being a regular Mason....ad there is light to be found there.
The con is that although there is light there, it can be hard to find.
In retrospect, I am glad I chose to join my lodge, but I have really enjoyed discussions with people who my lodge does not necessarily "recognize" as Masons.
I would not rush to join any lodge....look around and see what you think will suit you best.
In any case, all forms of Masonry contain light, and I believe that your search will be rewarded no matter which direction you chose.
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Post by timothyschru on Aug 28, 2007 0:20:20 GMT
Thank you guys... your answers really shed some light upon the matter. I'm exploring more... I'm getting very excited the more I know.. keep pouring in..
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 28, 2007 0:55:18 GMT
If you are a young person, I would probably suggest you check out your local lodge, which will probably be male only. (puzzled) K, I am no one of high rank, or official, in my jurisdiction, so I don't have any official numbers but . . . and, well, my lodge *is* a bit more female than male but age . . . I'm 44 and am the third oldest in my lodge. I do know some elderly BB in other lodges but the majority I know are in their 20s and 30s and 40s.
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 28, 2007 1:39:36 GMT
Yeah, but Bro.Karen... You're different...
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 28, 2007 3:12:04 GMT
(little giggles)
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Post by maat on Aug 28, 2007 3:51:57 GMT
. . . I'm 44 and am the third oldest in my lodge. As I said - "older women" ;D (Heh.. Imake, everyone over 30 looks old when you are 20+).
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 28, 2007 5:14:41 GMT
Maybe but they just doooooon't know ;D Uh, what were we talking about? Oh yeah. I hope we're talking about whether Freemasonry is just for boys and not talking about fixing him up. I mean, Co-Masonry is many things but, in general, it's not a dating service. Though joining Freemasonry to meet hot babes . . . well, I guess it's not the worst of excuses. I think I'll just shut up now
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Post by brandt on Aug 28, 2007 14:15:34 GMT
that is why I joined
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Post by devoutfreemason on Aug 28, 2007 21:42:30 GMT
Timothy, I have found in my experiance mainstream malecraft masonry did not offer me anything that the Elks, Moose or Oddfellows wouldn't. Male bonding is important and all good, just that the other groups have better food. ;D ON the other hand I have found Co Masonry and malecraft Masonry under the Grand Orient Of France to be more about the ancient knowledge and more to my specific need.
Happy Hunting.
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 28, 2007 21:51:07 GMT
I've not yet been to France (Bro. Fred, I *think* I'm coming in January ;D ) but, from what I hear, they seem to have the best model for candidate distribution. The GOoF has never initiated women but, should a woman approach them, she is directed to LDH or the Grand Lodge Feminine (Co-Masonry and Femalecraft Masonry, respectively). Likewise, the Grand Lodge Feminine has never initiated men but, should a man approach them, he is directed to LDH or the GOoF. Under this system, Male Masons may, of their own free will and accord, attend GOoF lodges and Co-Masonic Lodges. Female Masons, likewise, may attend Co-Masonic and Femalecraft lodges. No trumped up excuses. Nothing made to be difficult. No drama. Sounds fine to me
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Post by brandt on Aug 28, 2007 22:41:54 GMT
Sounds logical and reasonable, and downright ethical. It would never work here;-)
Brandt
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Post by maat on Aug 28, 2007 22:56:06 GMT
It would never work here;-) If something works successfully elsewhere, it can work successfully there, you just need to adjust the tiller a little to steer your vessel in that direction... just 1,000th of an inch or 100,000th of an inch WILL change the course of the hugest of ships. Maat
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imakegarb
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Post by imakegarb on Aug 28, 2007 23:34:52 GMT
Psssst. Bro. Ma'at, see Bro. Brandt's wink at the end of his post? I think it means he's kidding.
Or he realizes he's finally found the hot babes he joined up to meet ;D
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Aug 29, 2007 0:06:12 GMT
...and by the way, at least some masculine only constitutions in France, although initiating only men, allow their Lodges to have women visitors too.
Makes for quite a different sense for a couple to visit one of those Lodges where in other situations the man is 'odd-one out'!
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Post by devoutfreemason on Aug 29, 2007 0:32:46 GMT
As general practice for GoDF chartered lodges in North America they will allow female visitors.
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