as requested

brandt · 07-05-2008, 08:34 AM

http://www.grandorientusa.org/news.asp

This should clear matters up.

Brandt

chgregory · 07-05-2008, 09:33 AM

Congradulations to the GOUSA. As someone said in this forum not long ago, Masonry comes in my sizes and shapes and not one size fits all. I think this is a super thing to happen.

Best,

brandt · 07-05-2008, 08:34 PM

Thank you very much Brother Cliff.

Brandt

Mystic knight · 07-12-2008, 03:08 PM

How is Grand Orient Masonry different from regular Masonry? What is better about it? Is it considered a different organization like Prince Hall?

D. W. Brown · 07-13-2008, 11:14 AM

Mystic Knight,

There is a BIG difference in Grand Orient Free-Masonry and Antient Freemasonry. There are many discussions and essays on here to explain those differences but you will see Grand Orient Free-Masonry also referred to as Modern Freemasonry. Modern Freemasonry is actually older than Antient and more closely follows the ancient ways of Free-masonry. It is much more elitist, whether people want to admit it or not because it sounds degrading to some in the Antient system. It doesn't take long to see that though just look at some of the study material required before joining.

chgregory · 07-13-2008, 12:05 PM

Bro Dale,

That sounds like an interesting take, I had no idea of the differences between the two branches. How do they relate in accepting one another? I only ask because of the issues with Brother's Haas and Martin. I am not at all being flipant, I just want to understand and decide the issue on actual merit rather then emotion or history.

F & S,

Cliff

D. W. Brown · 07-13-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chgregory

Bro Dale,

How do they relate in accepting one another? I only ask because of the issues with Brother's Haas and Martin. I am not at all being flipant, I just want to understand and decide the issue on actual merit rather then emotion or history.

F & S,

Cliff

Well Brother Gregory, it's pretty obvious that the Antient (MSM) system of Freemasonry, will probably never recognize the GOUSA as a legitimate Grand Lodge, at least in my lifetime. The exact reasons for that I would prefer not to speculate, as each jurisdiction is different and may not recognize for different reasons.

Even though I not aware of this question coming up within the GOUSA I "would" speculate that they will have no problem recognizing Antient GLs in the U.S. as long as they do not support the separation of races. I'm sure there would be other questions asked but that seems to be one of the biggest differences. I would also "assume" that they would want the GLs that do recognize PHA or allow Blacks into their lodges to remove recognition from those states who still don't. That is PURE speculation on my part as I've heard no discussion of that within the GOUSA. The Grand Orient of the USA is very open and liberal in their ideals, as I believe all Freemasons should be. They place all the real Power of daily operations within the lodges and not at the GL level. The GL is only there to support the local lodges not rule over them. The GL cannot own property and all funds collected at the end of each year I believe must be sent back to the local lodges.

I do admit I disagree with one thing within the GOUSA and I voiced my opinion, that is not allowing females to join. Though they do allow inter visitation with female masons and whole will heartedly support them in any way they can. I believe the concern there is not that females are inferior as some jurisdictions believe, but that it could cause sexual tension between members.

Emeth1 · 07-17-2008, 10:00 AM

Brother Dale,
I believe one of the other reasons for not allowing women into the 'male obedience' GOUSA, is that there are already two msaonic institutions in the U.S. that are modern in nature and allow this, the George Washington Union, and the LDH. I persoannly feel that the GOUSA would not want to infringe upon those organizations, after all the support they ahve given us during our founding. Just my humble opinion of course.

chgregory · 07-17-2008, 10:22 AM

My Brothers,

I found a list complied by some one in the GOUSA that shows at least many of the masonic groups that either accept women or are for women only. It is sectioned to Women only and co-masons (I am not 100% certain what that term means, but purhaps someone else can offer that clarification.) I thought it might add some interesting information to this thread.

S & F,

Women-only

Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (UK): www.hfaf.org
Order of Women Freemasons (UK): www.owf.org.uk/
Women's Lodges in the US: www.womenfreemasonsusa.com/
Women's Grand Lodge of France: www.glff.org/internet/fr/cois&devp.htm
Women's Grand Lodge of Switzerland: www.glfs-masonic.ch/

Co-Masonry

Le Droit Humain (LDH) International: www.droit-humain.org/
American Federation of Human Rights: http://www.co-masonry.org/
Australian LDH: www.australianco-masonry.netfirms.com/
Belgian LDH: www.droit-humain.be/
Brazilian LDH: www.droit-humain.org.br/
British LDH: www.droit-humain.org/uk/
Canadian LDH: www.dhcanada.org/
Danish LDH: http//droit-humain.org/scandinavia/danmark/
Eastern Order of Co-Masonry: http://comasonic.net/
French LDH: www.droithumain-france.org/
German LDH; www.droit-humain.org/deutschland/
Grand Lodge for Men & Women (UK): www.grandlodge.org.uk/
Grand Lodge Mixed Swiss: www.masonic.ch/GLMS/index_FR.html
Icelandic LDH: www.mmedia.is/samfrim/
Italian LDH: www.droit-humain.org/italia/
Netherlands LDH: www.droit-humain.org/paysbas/
Norwegian LDH: www.droit-humain.org/scandinavia/
Portugese LDH: www.droit-humain.org/portugal/
Spanish LDH: www.elderechohumano.org/
Swiss LDH: www.droit-humain.org/ch/
US LDH: www.comasonic.org/

jpeffer2007 · 07-17-2008, 12:55 PM

Co-Masonry is mixed obedience. They allow men and women to join.

Jamie