Masonic Society

[phantom22]

Artaxias,

 

Your distorted view is similar to that of the Turkish establishment. A number of hidden Jews, the Doenmeh, are key players in the Genocide, so you paint the whole Jewish "nation" with one brush. Morgenthau, Werfel etc. you conveniently forget. A number of Armenian youth, angry about the treatment of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey, bomb a few buildings and commit some other acts, so the Ittihadists commence a campaign to wipe out all the Armenians.

 

...and please don't say that the Jewish Holocaust did not occur. You sound like the Turks who deny the Genocide.

 

I believe in "Karma." One could say that the complicity of the hidden Jews in the Genocide led to the Holocaust of Jews a mere 25 years later.

[Artsakh]

The Nazi regime did slaughter Jews, but they were not the only victims of the Nazis. 6 million others like the gpysies were also slaughtered, but all we hear about is the "6 million jews". this is a double standard. And while i don't deny the Jewish slaughters, i still do not see any valid evidence that gas chambers existed at the time. Furthermore, the Jews had a lot of benefits coming from this tragedy, such as the establishment of israel and the immigration of jews to israel "who did not feel safe anymore in europe".

 

in anycase, yes there are good Jews. I respect Henry Morgenthou. Raphael Lemkin created the word genocide and cited the armenian experience as an example. there are individual jew historians, politicans, statement, etc.. who support our cause.

 

However, at the same time, it is also a fact that it was the Jewish lobby who stepped in and blocked the passage of the resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide at the request of Turkey. Am i suppose to overlook this or else i'm an "anti-semite"?

[phantom22]

Artsakh,

 

Stating facts about the lobbying of Jewish organizations for Turkey does not make one an anti-Semite.

 

The question is, how did we get to the point where the Jews consider the Turkish nation an indispensable ally, even in the face of REAL rising anti-Semitism in Turkey?

 

What mistakes have WE made whereupon these Jews will side with Turkey unconditionally?

 

It is very easy to blame others or outside forces for our being "asleep at the switch."

 

Sephardic writers claim that powerful Armenians caused the executions of Jews in Ottoman Turkey. They are caught up in the Turkish meglo-mania vis-a-vis Armenians. They have clearly distorted the facts to make it look that business rivalries directly led to the execution of Jews. A typical Turkish distortion.

 

Not one of our prominent historians has ever refuted these outlandish claims.

Edited May 28, 2005 by phantom22

[Artsakh]

here's an article my friend wrote:

 

Our Christian God, represented by Christ the son, was a deity known to all gentiles of Mesopotamia and Asia Minor within the ancient civilized world, prior to our common era. When are we Christians, especially evelgelicals within America, going to realize this obvious fact and stop preaching a theological paradoxy that is, in essence, known today as Judeo-Christian philosophy?

 

Christ had more in common with Zoroaster's Ahura Mazda than with Moses' Yahweh. Bible-Belt morons within America put too much emphasis on the shallow literal interpretations of traditional Jewish scripture and not enough on the vast and complex histories, philosophies and theologies of the ancient Near East and Asia Minor. Objective and informed analysis of Christ reveals that nothing within his nature and essence is Jewish. Though, he did live within the Jewish community of Palestine during the first century A.D., Christ was God on earth. Humanizing him, and making him out to be a mere Jew, or a Scandinavian for that matter, is an affront to the universal reality of an omnipotent God. Furthermore, Christ?s social philosophies and all subsequent theologies and rituals associated with orthodox Christianity are very and exclusively non-Jewish in nature.

 

The Christian Trinity?s universal nature has nothing in common with Jewish tribal divinity known as Yahweh. Moreover, the following theological rituals and concepts are not Jewish and/or Hebrew: the Holy Trinity; the Holy Spirit; the son of God; the nature and order of the angelic world; the need for universal proselytizing; nature of the spirit world; sainthood; the virgin giving birth to God; God descending to dwell with mankind; God being all-good compassionate and loving; last judgment at the end-days; clergy celibacy; prayers offered for the dead; cleansing and purification rites through water; partaking in a communal bread breaking ritual; and finnally, the nature of the demonic world, Satan and heaven/hell. Nevertheless, The aforementioned theological concepts and rituals were existent and fully developed within Babylonian, Hellenistic and, especially, Zoroastrian traditions.

 

The apostles, most of whom were Hellenized Jews, seemed to have gone to great lengths to directly connect Christ to Hebrew scripture within their writings in order to convert the Jews from their primitive and corrupt faith. Unfortunately, our present day understanding of Christ is primarily based on this very contrived attempt. The attempt of the apostles, however, would prove to be a futile effort. For Christ, as God on earth, was such an indigestible theosophical concept for a great majority of Jews that he was mercilessly put to death. I for one am not surprised how quickly Jews crucified Christ, they simply did not and could not recognize him for who he was. Christ represented something that did not exist within Jewish mindset and culture.

 

Concurrently, I am not surprised how fast Greeks, Assyrians, Armenians, Copts, Ethiopians and Romans embraced the faith, for they DID recognize God?s message. Moreover, realize that the first people on earth to worship the infant Christ were three Zoroastrian priests (known biblically as Magi?s) who traveled into Palestine most probably from Persia or Armenian. The social egalitarianisms, universality of God and the theological concepts represented by Christ were familiar to the ancient gentiles of the civilized world. This, in essence, explains the unprecedented and astronomically fast spread of the faith.

 

In short, Christ was the God known to all gentiles under different names and forms at different times and, for reasons yet unknown, he was born in Palestine. However, it is crucial to remember that Palestine at the time was heavily populated by Greeks, Romans, Armenians, Phoenicians, Assyrians and Persians, in addition to Canaanites (Modern Palestinians) and Jews. Moreover, the general region of Palestine, which was adjacent to the great pagan theological centers of Alexandria and Babylon, was also home to many ?pagan? Greco-Roman and Zoroastrian centers of worship. What's more, the Jewish biblical traditions, which were compiled within the first century A.D., are not original theological concepts and are nothing more than the interpretations of the aforementioned pagan traditions that they were exposed to upon their migrations into the civilized world from the depths of the Arabian Desert.

 

It needs to be mentioned that ancient Babylon was a great center of religious worship within which existed good and evil, truth and lie, God and Satan. Abraham was a Babylonian, Noah was a Babylonian, the Garden of Eden was located north of Babylon (historic Armenia/Persia), and the world was repopulated after the Great Flood from the Armenian region of Mount Ararat. Thus, it is easy to see that our biblical foundations are exclusively non-Hebraic in nature and are actually Aryan in origin. It was during the captivity of the Hebrews (sixth century B.C.) within Babylon that the tribal deity Yahweh began taking more recognizable forms that are familiar to Christians today.

 

Observing religion within this context, it is easy to draw conclusions that Christianity was the natural continuation and/or evolution of the primordial realization by civilized man of the universal God. This pre-ancient realization by man clearly echoes the biblical accounts of the Garden of Eden, the Great Flood and the Tower of Babylon. The first civilized man lived, as the biblical and archeological sources attest, within Mesopotamia and Asia Minor, known universally as the cradle of civilization.

 

You would be interested to know that recent linguistic and archeological evidences are now pointing towards Asia Minor and Northern Mesopotamia as the original homeland of all Aryan Indo-European tribes prior to their epic migrations (see my article ?The origins of the Swastika? for further perspective). Thus, I light heartedly admit that, though pointless, it is not far-fetch to consider our God Christ as an ancient Aryan manifestation within Palestine. Christ, in essence, was a universal realty known to ancient man throughout the Near East. Christ said he was on earth to heal the spiritually sick. What nation do we know of historically that needed such help more than the Jews? Maybe that is why he chose Palestine as his birth location.

[Artsakh]

phantom,

 

Armenians had reigned over the ottoman empire in all sectors of economy and business. They practically ruled the country. We were more advanced than the Turks, and more literate and educated.

 

The donmeh Jews who were thrown out of spain and who came to the Ottoman Empire were in fact jealous of the Armenians. There was no business rivalries because the Armenians were on top, they didn't need to compete with anyone. It was the donmeh jews sought to take over the businesses. Preaching pan turkism and islam, many secret donmeh jews incited the muslim turks against the Armenians. After the genocide, all the property of the Armenians were seized by Turks and donmeh jews alike. Thats another reason why even after the genocide Armenians were not allowed to return to their homeland, because they would demand their property which the turks would not want to give up.

[Artsakh]

and yes i recognize that the modern jews disown the donmeh.

[Artsakh]

but in anycase i think we're getting off subject, this thread was suppose to be about freemasonry i think. So phantom, what can you tell me of these people? I am interested in the topic of masonry and have done quite a bit of research, but i always like hearing all sides of the story. So if in fact they were the Knights Templars, why do they allow non-christians among their ranks?

[phantom22]

Artsakh,

 

Please do some independent reading. I think that you only read what confirms what you have already been taught. Do you really know about the Jews of Ottoman Turkey? Are you a Richard Hovanissian or a George Bournoutian on these subjects? You remind me of myself when I was about 20 years old. I will ask you the same thing I asked TMNT--"How old are you?"

 

I was a De Molay. I am sworn to secrecy. I can only discuss what is in the public domain on the internet, that the Masons emerged from the Knights Templar. Read the history of the Templars and you will be able to answer your own questions.

Edited May 29, 2005 by phantom22

[Dave]

I don't know if it has been mentioned here, but Dan Brown's next book, "The Solomon Key", will feature freemasonry in it.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Solomon_Key

[DeLaLa]

hello hello hello ... i have so far only read the wildest speculations about freemasonery in this thread but almost nothing which bases on the truth .

 

for example :

 

That's not a surprising question. Even though Masons (Freemasons) are members of the largest and oldest fraternity in the world, and even though almost everyone has a father or grandfather or uncle who was a Mason, many people aren't quite certain just who Masons are.

 

The answer is simple. A Mason (or Freemason) is a member of a fraternity known as Masonry (or Freemasonry) . A fraternity is a group of men (just as a sorority is a group of women) who join together because:

 

 

There are things they want to do in the world.

 

 

There are things they want to do "inside their own minds."

 

 

They enjoy being together with men they like and respect.

 

it is NOT the oldest fraternity in the world !

 

many people aren't quite certain just who Masons are , BECAUSE many people like to read speculation crap books about freemasonery instead of seriously informing themselves !

 

"There are things they want to do in the world." lol , you can just use one word for what you meant here : HUMANISM !

 

i dont understand you posters here ... its very simple , anyone who wants to know what is masonery can go to a lodge nearby whereever you live and ask for information and you WILL get information . shat shat simple ! but please dont make all these speculative statements in here ... for example one poster wrote that there are women in mason-loges? that is not true . there is only one kind of real freemasonry in this world , the old scottish ritual loges ... which mainly are located in europe . women can not get freemasons because of traditional reasons . there are a lot of very old traditions and rituals of freemasonery which are practiced until today .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Lodge_of_Armenia

 

 

es nkar@ indz hishecnum a xoran@(khoran@)

[Balaclava]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Lodge_of_Armenia

 

 

es nkar@ indz hishecnum a xoran@(khoran@)

 

Կարծում եմ որմնադիրները պետք է վաղուց իհայտ գային հայության աչկին, քանզի նրանց մտածելակերպը հենց այն է, ինչ–որ մերը։

Եղբայրություն, քարտաշություն, թիկունքին կանգնել, գաղտնի կերպով ապրել հազարամյակներ հազար ու մի վայրենի վայրում եւ դեռ պահպանել ավանդները… Հայերից իսկական մասոներ դուրս կգային

 

 

[Ashot]

Hello my people, personally I think that Freemasonry in a way is a good thing in a way it's a bad thing! It's good because it's the most organized fraternity, and it's bad because it tries to take control of the world! but if you guys could give some true information based on history that would be awesome! We need more true information in here, rather then what I think or what we all think... What do you think?

[Balaclava]

Information shall always be just, however, due to ones judgement, it may be unfirm. And afterall, one shall believe in something.

 

Tell us, Ashotna, what do you expect to hear about freemasons? Or, ok, here's a better way to ask, what would make you think that the information is true? And just to open up a page of a history, with a document, attached herein. Shall we continue?

 

http://www.ljplus.ru/img/o/j/ojg/converse.jpg

[Aratta-Kingdom]

 

I think there is no black cat in the dark room And yet, who knows?... I could be wrong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Balaclava]

A new topic, similar to this one, has been posted at http://hyeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=17247&hl=

 

[Ashot]

Information shall always be just, however, due to ones judgement, it may be unfirm. And afterall, one shall believe in something.

 

Tell us, Ashotna, what do you expect to hear about freemasons? Or, ok, here's a better way to ask, what would make you think that the information is true? And just to open up a page of a history, with a document, attached herein. Shall we continue?

 

http://www.ljplus.ru/img/o/j/ojg/converse.jpg

I'd love to know the good things and bad things about freemasonry, but only based on true facts!!! Since many people have posted a lot of information i believe that would not be so hard to provide, right?

[Balaclava]

right

[Ashot]

Freemasonry is an initiatory society open to men and women of good will and high ethical standards. Its methods represent an access to perfectibility and to self-discovery through the use of universal symbols.

There have been women Freemasons from as early as the Eighteenth Century.

 

(so the fact that Freemasons have to be MEN and there aro no WOMEN is outdated!!! Lets continue)

 

In the latter half of the twentieth century, women's Freemasonry has grown with enormous vitality. Its importance today is greater than ever before, because its principles address universal concerns as well as the individual's quest for self-knowledge...

"Freemasonry is non dogmatic. It is not a political party, a sect or a social club. It values, above all, freedom of thought among women from all walks of life. It is universal in that it explores the language of universal symbols to guide one toward inner development. We, Freemasons, come from all ethnic groups and profess diverse religious beliefs or political opinions. We are united in the fact that we are all "seekers" and our discussions take place in an atmosphere of understanding and goodwill. Within the Lodge, we learn to exercise responsibility and search for truth. All opinions are freely heard, all nuances of thought are respected. We learn to think on our own, to search within ourselves, to express ourselves in a non-judgmental environment."

The building crafts occupy a privileged place in Masonic symbolism because Freemasons consider themselves the spiritual heirs to the operative masons, e.g. the cathedral builders. Today's Freemasons' cathedral is this inner Temple which each of us must build to contribute to a more enlightened world. The Lodge work cannot proceed in isolation. It aims to create a better future, as we develop in ourselves and in future generations a thoughtful mind, a sense of responsibility and teamwork as well as respect for others. While seeking inner peace, we hope to work towards this universal peace where the ideals of liberty and equality are fully realized.

History

Freemasonry as we know it today was officially born in June of 1717, when four Lodges gathered in London to form a Grand Lodge. From England where it spread quickly, it was introduced in France after 1735. There, as in England, because a woman's legal status was that of a minor with no civil rights, women were refused membership in the Lodges. This did not sit well with women belonging to the nobility and even with some men, who noted the injustices in the arguments used to keep women away from the Craft.

France

Around 1740, the " Maçonnerie d'Adoption", or "Adopted Masonry" was created to "allow the fair sex to take part in charity and philosophy".

In 1774. the newly created "Grand Orient de France" recognized these adopted Lodges, but demanded that they be subordinate to men's Lodges and remain under their management and direction. The members were mason's Wives and their main activity was the organization of balls and charitable events. They recruited in the nobility and the Haute Bourgeoisie. For instance, the "Contrat Social" Lodge was presided over by the Princess de Lamballe.

During the French Revolution, Freemasonry became dormant, and so did the Adoptive Lodges. They were reopened under the Napoleonic Empire and the Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoléon I, was Grand Master of one of them. Although they were specifically designed for women, they were always presided by a man. The rituals were allegorical rather than symbolic. They evoked qualities such as modesty, candor, faithfulness and chastity.

Their main activities were social and philanthropic.

At the end of the 19th Century, men and women alike increasingly felt the need for an organization that went beyond balls and charitable receptions. Participation in the Lodges helped to develop a feminist consciousness and a taste for democracy. In 1892, the Lodge Les Libres-Penseurs in Le Pecq initiated Maria Deraismes, a well-known feminist writer and activist. This was against the rules of the Grand Orient which closed the Lodge. Maria Deraisme remained a close friend of Georges Martin who persuaded her to create a Lodge where both men and women could work in full equality. She gathered a small number of women and a few Freemasons, and in 1893, created the Droit Humain (DH), a Masonic organization open to both men and women, which eventually spread to all continents, including in the United States where it is known as Co-Masonry.

In 1901, an Adoptive Lodge was reactivated, but this time under the auspices of the Grande Loge de France. By the time of World War I, more and more women had joined the work force, replacing the men gone to the battlefield in offices and factories. Soon after the war, women obtained their voting rights. The emancipation of women was closely followed by the emancipation of women's Freemasonry.

Between 1911 and 1935, several adoptive Lodges were created, but they had nothing in common with those of the 18th and 19th centuries. They met regularly to discuss the same type of subjects as in the men's Lodges, although they still used Adoptive Masonry rituals. The Grand Master, a woman, worked with complete freedom, without the supervision of a Brother.

 

In 1935, the Grande Loge de France decided to grant complete autonomy to its adoptive Lodges. But the French Sisters did not feel ready and asked to be given some time to form a Secretariat and prepare a congress of all adoptive Lodges. Meanwhile, World War II started and all Masonic activities were suspended until 1944. On September 17, 1945, a new Masonic body was created, with the help of the Grande Loge de France. This Grand Lodge was independent and its membership was exclusively female. it was called the Union Maçonnique Féminine de France (The Women's Masonic Union of France), which in 1952 became the Grande Loge Féminine de France or G.L.F.F. (Women's Grand Lodge of France). The rituals in use in the adoptive Lodges were abandoned in 1959 and replaced with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The French Rite and French Traditional Rite were introduced in 1973.

Since then, the G.L.F.F. has been instrumental in the creation of other national Grand Lodges. Women's Freemasonry has spread to Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Canada, England, Africa and the Americas.

 

Belgium

1911 saw the creation of the first Belgian Lodge of the Droit Humain, in Brussels. The first women's Lodge, Irini, was created in April 1974 under the auspices of the G.L.F.F. The Grande Loge féminine de Belgique-Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium (W.G.L.B.) was founded in 1981 and celebrated its twentieth Anniversary in 2001. By that time, 35 Lodges with more than 1500 members had received their Charter from the W.G.L.B. Three of these Lodges are located in the United States: Universalis, created in 1992 in New York, Aletheia,in Los Angeles, and Emounah, in Washington, D.C.

 

England

There probably were a few androgynous operative and speculative lodges in the English Isles in the 17th Century and the beginning of the 18th Century. Indeed, the first known female speculative Mason was Elizabeth St-Leger, later Mrs. Aldworth, of Cork Ireland, who is said to have been initiated by her father in 1712, after she was caught spying on the Lodge's proceedings. She even received a Masonic funeral at the time of her death.

 

However, with the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and the publication of Anderson's Constitutions in 1723, women were barred from what became known as regular Free-Masonry. Mention is made of a Mrs. Bell, in 1790 in London, and a Mrs. Harvard, in Hereford, in 1770, but these are isolated cases and do not prove the presence of women in Masonic lodges. Usually, the story goes that these ladies were caught spying on a Lodge meeting and since they had learned the secrets of the Craft, the only way to prevent them from divulging them was to initiate them right then and there and make them take the oath of silence of a Free-Mason.

 

In 1902, Annie Besant, who had been initiated in a Droit Humain Lodge in Paris created the Human Duty Lodge in London. This was the beginning of co-masonry in England. In 1908, a dissident group created the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry, whose membership was exclusively female and who adopted the Emulation Rite. In 1958, it changed its name to the Order of Women's Free-Masons. In 1913, a second Women's Grand Lodge was founded under the name The Honourable Fraternity of Antient Free-Masons. 1925 saw the creation of the Order of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for Men and Women.

 

Today, the two female English Masonic bodies count as many as 60 000 members. In March 1999, the Grand Lodge of England finally acknowledged their existence, recognizing that "Freemasonry is not confined to men" and stating that except for the fact that the Lodges consist of women, they are otherwise "regular".

 

United States

The most widely circulated story of a woman Mason in the U.S. is that of Catherine Babington, who lived in Kentucky in the 1800's. Near her house was a two-story building used by Masons as a Lodge room. Catherine is said to have concealed herself in the hollow pulpit at every meeting of the Lodge for more than a year, seeing all the degrees and learning all the work. She was finally discovered and on being closely questioned, she showed a remarkably proficient knowledge of the ritual. She was kept in custody for more than a month, while the Lodge decided what to do with her. She was eventually obligated but not admitted into the order. If the story is true, it is again an isolated case and is not indicative of the acceptance of women in Masonic Lodges.

 

It seems, however, that a Women's Lodge did exist briefly in Boston in the 1790's. Its Worshipful Master, Hannah Mather Crocker (1763-1829) has penned a series of letters on Free-Masonry which were published in Boston in 1815. She claims she had knowledge of the craft because "… in the younger part of life, [she] did investigate some of the principles of Free-Masonry" to assuage the fears of her friends whose husbands were Masons. And she goes on: "I had the honour, some years ago, to preside as Mistress of a similar institution, consisting of females only; we held a regular lodge, founded on the original principles of true ancient freemasonry, so far as was consistent for the female character." Another document mentions "A short address by the Mistress of St-Ann's Lodge".

 

It is believed that the first American Lodge of Adoption was formed in Philadelphia in 1778 by French officers in the Continental Army. In the 19th Century, Albert Pike, Supreme Commander of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, created a Rite of Adoption based on the French ritual. One of the first women to be initiated in his Lodge of Adoption was the sculptor Vinnie Ream Hoxie, who created the statue of Abraham Lincoln displayed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

 

Adoptive Masonry in the United States owes more to Rob Morris of Kentucky, however. In 1850, he published an Adoption ritual under the name "The Rosary of the Eastern Star", which would lead to the creation of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), a para-masonic body open to Free-Masons and their female relatives. The Eastern Star was based partly on the French Adoptive Rite and partly on several 19th century Orders in America which, in turn, were likely based on the French Order. Some of these early groups were Mason's Daughter, Mason's Wife, Heroine of Jericho, True Kindred, and others. Rob Morris first conceived and arranged the Star Degrees in 1850, simplifying the ritual in 1860. From 1865-1868, Robert Macoy recast the ritual and organized the Chapter system. The Macoy ritual is the foundation of the OES as we know it today. The OES claims a membership of more than one million members worldwide.

 

The first co-masonic Lodge was founded in the United States in 1903. In 1907, the American Federation of the Human Rights was incorporated in Washington D.C. It has several Lodges in the U.S. There are other co-masonic bodies, among them George-Washington Union and the Grand Lodge Symbolic of Memphis-Misraïm. We should also mention the existence, now or in the past, of Women's Lodges or Grand Lodges working exclusively in Spanish, French or German.

 

The three Lodges created by the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium since 1992 hope to one day form the Women's Grand Lodge of the United States.

 

Latin America

The first Chilean Lodge, Araucaria, was created in 1970 to "give Chilean women a space in which to develop intellectually and spiritually in a non-dogmatic framework free of religious prejudice." 1983 saw the creation of the Women's Grand Lodge of Chile which also seeded Lodges in Bolivia and Argentina thanks to its traveling Lodge, Cruz del Sur. Today, there are Women's Lodges or Grand Lodges in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela and Mexico.

 

 

"Freemasonry is an initiatory society dedicated to the study of universal problems. Through its symbolism and its philosophic approach, it teaches Freemasons their true relationship to Nature and to Humankind. It is an Alliance based on solidarity between all human beings."

 

Freemasonry opens its doors to all people of good will who wish to take part in the moral and intellectual improvement of humanity.

 

Freemasonry does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or belief, opinion, wealth or social standing. It demands only that its members be sincere in their search for truth and devoted to the well being of their fellow men and women. It is a school for wisdom, love and harmony.

 

Freemasons’ motto is : Liberty . Equality . Fraternity .

 

 

The duties of a Freemason are: to think and speak well; to do good; to pursue truth; to learn in the Lodges the practice of liberty, equality, fraternity and apply it in daily life; to assist in mankind’s progress by studying the great moral and social problems; and to propagate fundamental Masonic ideals.

 

Freemasonry’s moral principles are common to all people and applicable in all situations. No limits are imposed on the search for truth. Freemasonry guarantees complete freedom of thought, refuses dogma and does not require its members to practice any specific religion or faith.

 

Freemasonry is not affiliated with any sect, nor does it side with any particular school of thought. Freemasons are tolerant in all matters philosophical, religious, social and political, in order to offer a haven where harmony and love can reign.

 

In all circumstances, Masons are duty bound to help, assist and protect one another and to fight injustice. A Mason must always remember that each human being is a brother or a sister.

 

Freemasonry requires all its members to obey the rules of their Lodges and the laws of the country in which they are free to gather.

 

Freemasons consider work as a human imperative.

 

If interested here are the Lodges

Lodge of New York - Universalis http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/universalis.html

Lodge of Los Angeles - Aletheia http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/aletheia.html

Lodge of Washington D.C. - Emounah http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/emounah.html

[Ashot]

By the way - what I wrote is a fact!!!

[Balaclava]

Freemasonry is an initiatory society open to men and women of good will and high ethical standards. Its methods represent an access to perfectibility and to self-discovery through the use of universal symbols.

There have been women Freemasons from as early as the Eighteenth Century.

 

(so the fact that Freemasons have to be MEN and there aro no WOMEN is outdated!!! Lets continue)

 

In the latter half of the twentieth century, women's Freemasonry has grown with enormous vitality. Its importance today is greater than ever before, because its principles address universal concerns as well as the individual's quest for self-knowledge...

"Freemasonry is non dogmatic. It is not a political party, a sect or a social club. It values, above all, freedom of thought among women from all walks of life. It is universal in that it explores the language of universal symbols to guide one toward inner development. We, Freemasons, come from all ethnic groups and profess diverse religious beliefs or political opinions. We are united in the fact that we are all "seekers" and our discussions take place in an atmosphere of understanding and goodwill. Within the Lodge, we learn to exercise responsibility and search for truth. All opinions are freely heard, all nuances of thought are respected. We learn to think on our own, to search within ourselves, to express ourselves in a non-judgmental environment."

The building crafts occupy a privileged place in Masonic symbolism because Freemasons consider themselves the spiritual heirs to the operative masons, e.g. the cathedral builders. Today's Freemasons' cathedral is this inner Temple which each of us must build to contribute to a more enlightened world. The Lodge work cannot proceed in isolation. It aims to create a better future, as we develop in ourselves and in future generations a thoughtful mind, a sense of responsibility and teamwork as well as respect for others. While seeking inner peace, we hope to work towards this universal peace where the ideals of liberty and equality are fully realized.

History

Freemasonry as we know it today was officially born in June of 1717, when four Lodges gathered in London to form a Grand Lodge. From England where it spread quickly, it was introduced in France after 1735. There, as in England, because a woman's legal status was that of a minor with no civil rights, women were refused membership in the Lodges. This did not sit well with women belonging to the nobility and even with some men, who noted the injustices in the arguments used to keep women away from the Craft.

France

Around 1740, the " Maçonnerie d'Adoption", or "Adopted Masonry" was created to "allow the fair sex to take part in charity and philosophy".

In 1774. the newly created "Grand Orient de France" recognized these adopted Lodges, but demanded that they be subordinate to men's Lodges and remain under their management and direction. The members were mason's Wives and their main activity was the organization of balls and charitable events. They recruited in the nobility and the Haute Bourgeoisie. For instance, the "Contrat Social" Lodge was presided over by the Princess de Lamballe.

During the French Revolution, Freemasonry became dormant, and so did the Adoptive Lodges. They were reopened under the Napoleonic Empire and the Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoléon I, was Grand Master of one of them. Although they were specifically designed for women, they were always presided by a man. The rituals were allegorical rather than symbolic. They evoked qualities such as modesty, candor, faithfulness and chastity.

Their main activities were social and philanthropic.

At the end of the 19th Century, men and women alike increasingly felt the need for an organization that went beyond balls and charitable receptions. Participation in the Lodges helped to develop a feminist consciousness and a taste for democracy. In 1892, the Lodge Les Libres-Penseurs in Le Pecq initiated Maria Deraismes, a well-known feminist writer and activist. This was against the rules of the Grand Orient which closed the Lodge. Maria Deraisme remained a close friend of Georges Martin who persuaded her to create a Lodge where both men and women could work in full equality. She gathered a small number of women and a few Freemasons, and in 1893, created the Droit Humain (DH), a Masonic organization open to both men and women, which eventually spread to all continents, including in the United States where it is known as Co-Masonry.

In 1901, an Adoptive Lodge was reactivated, but this time under the auspices of the Grande Loge de France. By the time of World War I, more and more women had joined the work force, replacing the men gone to the battlefield in offices and factories. Soon after the war, women obtained their voting rights. The emancipation of women was closely followed by the emancipation of women's Freemasonry.

Between 1911 and 1935, several adoptive Lodges were created, but they had nothing in common with those of the 18th and 19th centuries. They met regularly to discuss the same type of subjects as in the men's Lodges, although they still used Adoptive Masonry rituals. The Grand Master, a woman, worked with complete freedom, without the supervision of a Brother.

 

In 1935, the Grande Loge de France decided to grant complete autonomy to its adoptive Lodges. But the French Sisters did not feel ready and asked to be given some time to form a Secretariat and prepare a congress of all adoptive Lodges. Meanwhile, World War II started and all Masonic activities were suspended until 1944. On September 17, 1945, a new Masonic body was created, with the help of the Grande Loge de France. This Grand Lodge was independent and its membership was exclusively female. it was called the Union Maçonnique Féminine de France (The Women's Masonic Union of France), which in 1952 became the Grande Loge Féminine de France or G.L.F.F. (Women's Grand Lodge of France). The rituals in use in the adoptive Lodges were abandoned in 1959 and replaced with the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The French Rite and French Traditional Rite were introduced in 1973.

Since then, the G.L.F.F. has been instrumental in the creation of other national Grand Lodges. Women's Freemasonry has spread to Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Canada, England, Africa and the Americas.

 

Belgium

1911 saw the creation of the first Belgian Lodge of the Droit Humain, in Brussels. The first women's Lodge, Irini, was created in April 1974 under the auspices of the G.L.F.F. The Grande Loge féminine de Belgique-Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium (W.G.L.B.) was founded in 1981 and celebrated its twentieth Anniversary in 2001. By that time, 35 Lodges with more than 1500 members had received their Charter from the W.G.L.B. Three of these Lodges are located in the United States: Universalis, created in 1992 in New York, Aletheia,in Los Angeles, and Emounah, in Washington, D.C.

 

England

There probably were a few androgynous operative and speculative lodges in the English Isles in the 17th Century and the beginning of the 18th Century. Indeed, the first known female speculative Mason was Elizabeth St-Leger, later Mrs. Aldworth, of Cork Ireland, who is said to have been initiated by her father in 1712, after she was caught spying on the Lodge's proceedings. She even received a Masonic funeral at the time of her death.

 

However, with the creation of the Grand Lodge of London and the publication of Anderson's Constitutions in 1723, women were barred from what became known as regular Free-Masonry. Mention is made of a Mrs. Bell, in 1790 in London, and a Mrs. Harvard, in Hereford, in 1770, but these are isolated cases and do not prove the presence of women in Masonic lodges. Usually, the story goes that these ladies were caught spying on a Lodge meeting and since they had learned the secrets of the Craft, the only way to prevent them from divulging them was to initiate them right then and there and make them take the oath of silence of a Free-Mason.

 

In 1902, Annie Besant, who had been initiated in a Droit Humain Lodge in Paris created the Human Duty Lodge in London. This was the beginning of co-masonry in England. In 1908, a dissident group created the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry, whose membership was exclusively female and who adopted the Emulation Rite. In 1958, it changed its name to the Order of Women's Free-Masons. In 1913, a second Women's Grand Lodge was founded under the name The Honourable Fraternity of Antient Free-Masons. 1925 saw the creation of the Order of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for Men and Women.

 

Today, the two female English Masonic bodies count as many as 60 000 members. In March 1999, the Grand Lodge of England finally acknowledged their existence, recognizing that "Freemasonry is not confined to men" and stating that except for the fact that the Lodges consist of women, they are otherwise "regular".

 

United States

The most widely circulated story of a woman Mason in the U.S. is that of Catherine Babington, who lived in Kentucky in the 1800's. Near her house was a two-story building used by Masons as a Lodge room. Catherine is said to have concealed herself in the hollow pulpit at every meeting of the Lodge for more than a year, seeing all the degrees and learning all the work. She was finally discovered and on being closely questioned, she showed a remarkably proficient knowledge of the ritual. She was kept in custody for more than a month, while the Lodge decided what to do with her. She was eventually obligated but not admitted into the order. If the story is true, it is again an isolated case and is not indicative of the acceptance of women in Masonic Lodges.

 

It seems, however, that a Women's Lodge did exist briefly in Boston in the 1790's. Its Worshipful Master, Hannah Mather Crocker (1763-1829) has penned a series of letters on Free-Masonry which were published in Boston in 1815. She claims she had knowledge of the craft because "… in the younger part of life, [she] did investigate some of the principles of Free-Masonry" to assuage the fears of her friends whose husbands were Masons. And she goes on: "I had the honour, some years ago, to preside as Mistress of a similar institution, consisting of females only; we held a regular lodge, founded on the original principles of true ancient freemasonry, so far as was consistent for the female character." Another document mentions "A short address by the Mistress of St-Ann's Lodge".

 

It is believed that the first American Lodge of Adoption was formed in Philadelphia in 1778 by French officers in the Continental Army. In the 19th Century, Albert Pike, Supreme Commander of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, created a Rite of Adoption based on the French ritual. One of the first women to be initiated in his Lodge of Adoption was the sculptor Vinnie Ream Hoxie, who created the statue of Abraham Lincoln displayed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

 

Adoptive Masonry in the United States owes more to Rob Morris of Kentucky, however. In 1850, he published an Adoption ritual under the name "The Rosary of the Eastern Star", which would lead to the creation of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), a para-masonic body open to Free-Masons and their female relatives. The Eastern Star was based partly on the French Adoptive Rite and partly on several 19th century Orders in America which, in turn, were likely based on the French Order. Some of these early groups were Mason's Daughter, Mason's Wife, Heroine of Jericho, True Kindred, and others. Rob Morris first conceived and arranged the Star Degrees in 1850, simplifying the ritual in 1860. From 1865-1868, Robert Macoy recast the ritual and organized the Chapter system. The Macoy ritual is the foundation of the OES as we know it today. The OES claims a membership of more than one million members worldwide.

 

The first co-masonic Lodge was founded in the United States in 1903. In 1907, the American Federation of the Human Rights was incorporated in Washington D.C. It has several Lodges in the U.S. There are other co-masonic bodies, among them George-Washington Union and the Grand Lodge Symbolic of Memphis-Misraïm. We should also mention the existence, now or in the past, of Women's Lodges or Grand Lodges working exclusively in Spanish, French or German.

 

The three Lodges created by the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium since 1992 hope to one day form the Women's Grand Lodge of the United States.

 

Latin America

The first Chilean Lodge, Araucaria, was created in 1970 to "give Chilean women a space in which to develop intellectually and spiritually in a non-dogmatic framework free of religious prejudice." 1983 saw the creation of the Women's Grand Lodge of Chile which also seeded Lodges in Bolivia and Argentina thanks to its traveling Lodge, Cruz del Sur. Today, there are Women's Lodges or Grand Lodges in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela and Mexico.

 

 

"Freemasonry is an initiatory society dedicated to the study of universal problems. Through its symbolism and its philosophic approach, it teaches Freemasons their true relationship to Nature and to Humankind. It is an Alliance based on solidarity between all human beings."

 

Freemasonry opens its doors to all people of good will who wish to take part in the moral and intellectual improvement of humanity.

 

Freemasonry does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or belief, opinion, wealth or social standing. It demands only that its members be sincere in their search for truth and devoted to the well being of their fellow men and women. It is a school for wisdom, love and harmony.

 

Freemasons’ motto is : Liberty . Equality . Fraternity .

 

 

The duties of a Freemason are: to think and speak well; to do good; to pursue truth; to learn in the Lodges the practice of liberty, equality, fraternity and apply it in daily life; to assist in mankind’s progress by studying the great moral and social problems; and to propagate fundamental Masonic ideals.

 

Freemasonry’s moral principles are common to all people and applicable in all situations. No limits are imposed on the search for truth. Freemasonry guarantees complete freedom of thought, refuses dogma and does not require its members to practice any specific religion or faith.

 

Freemasonry is not affiliated with any sect, nor does it side with any particular school of thought. Freemasons are tolerant in all matters philosophical, religious, social and political, in order to offer a haven where harmony and love can reign.

 

In all circumstances, Masons are duty bound to help, assist and protect one another and to fight injustice. A Mason must always remember that each human being is a brother or a sister.

 

Freemasonry requires all its members to obey the rules of their Lodges and the laws of the country in which they are free to gather.

 

Freemasons consider work as a human imperative.

 

If interested here are the Lodges

Lodge of New York - Universalis http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/universalis.html

Lodge of Los Angeles - Aletheia http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/aletheia.html

Lodge of Washington D.C. - Emounah http://www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/emounah.html

 

Cool!

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Interesting. If what you said is a fact, then the rumors about Louise Simon Manoogian being kind of like a queen to the Armenians- chosen/elected* by the members of the secret societies could also be true...???

[Ashot]

Might be Aratta jan, that is a topic where I have not been close to, but i'll look into it sooner or later!

[Aratta-Kingdom]

Yete gaxtniq chi Ashot jan, inch axbyuric es jur xmum ?

 

Lav ari mitqs parz asem. Indz asvel er vor bolor qagaqakan kusakcutyunner@, neraryal hayastani karavarutyan andamner@, ira hrahangov en arajnordvum?

[Ashot]

Yete gaxtniq chi Ashot jan, inch axbyuric es jur xmum ?

 

Lav ari mitqs parz asem. Indz asvel er vor bolor qagaqakan kusakcutyunner@, neraryal hayastani karavarutyan andamner@, ira hrahangov en arajnordvum?

Um?