What do masons think of women

This made St Leger the first recorded female freemason in an organisation dominated, like most, by the history and influence of men. Freemasonry comes wrapped in a quilt of symbolism, icons and rituals. Behind the popular images of strange ceremonies and imposing buildings, the masons describe themselves as not so much secret as private.

Women were often relegated to fundraising and organising charity events. There is, however, one order of freemasons whose ethos is equality and the inclusion of both sexes. We do not treat women on the fringes. We do not insult them by asking them to do the catering, or washing-up, or sell raffle tickets.

We afford them equal status. Roberts says the traditional male focus changed in France in , when a woman was initiated. This prompted the formation of a mixed order there in Annie Besant , a theosophist and champion of equal rights, was initiated in She brought Le Droit Humain to Britain.

It is now in 60 countries. Why would women join such a secretive, male-dominated organisation? The idea is to work for the benefit of the human race and make the world a better place for everybody. The collapse of Propaganda Due or P2 , an order that linked Silvio Berlusconi to the Italian central bank and the heads of all three secret services until it was closed down in the s, did little to end suspicions. Given this double whammy of conspiracy and mockery, it is no surprise that all parts of the fraternity are looking for a rebrand.

Or the fact that Co-Freemasons want to disassociate themselves from the main branch, employ a PR company and launch a "recruitment drive" specifically aimed at attracting younger women. Brian Roberts, a retired businessman who works "eight days a week" as the British grand commander, says that, by meeting the requirements of the Equalities Act at least, Co-Freemasonry "fits with the current age".

But everyone knows why you join golf clubs. Why would anyone want to become a freemason? A morning spent talking to four master masons makes an organisation that members still call a fraternity sound like church without the hymns. But Rees says, "It's dangerous to associate it with religion. We accept people with any or no religion. We follow a religious path outside religion. There has been a long and often bitter history of mistrust between organised religion and freemasonry.

At its most benign it led to a spat between freemasons and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, when he suggested their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity. He then got into trouble for appointing a freemason to be bishop, thereby proving many avenues are open to freemasons but still closed to women.

But there are obvious similarities in the way adherents speak about their beliefs. Nikki Roberts, Brian's year-old granddaughter, is held up as an example of the new kind of freemason with her Facebook page and media-friendly ways.

We come together in an open lodge to study brotherly love, relief and truth. According to these three principles, we offer friendship, support and social events in the fellowship of a well-run lodge and its associated social programme. You have the chance to do good for the community by contributing either time or money to various charities.

And we offer you the chance to learn how to recognise your own truth by studying the philosophy of Masonic thinking and taking part in the rituals. There are many misconceptions about us. But we definitely do not hate women. There are separate Orders of Women Freemasons whose lodges share halls and social functions with the men.

As the weird and wonderful ritual of the Third Degree involves bearing both breasts I can understand why some of our lady brethren may choose to meet separately, but there is an Order of Co-Masonry which accepts both male and female members in its lodges. Freemasonry is not a religion, it is a philosophical system. It asks only one important question of anyone who wants to join it: do you believe there is some sort of supreme order and purpose to the universe?

The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons meet in lodges such as this one. Image source, Order of Women Freemasons. She joined the Freemasons seven years ago. It is not something Ms Penn says she recognises. Christine Chapman says the secrecy is what makes the Freemasons "special". Freemason facts. Image source, United Grand Lodge of England. There are about 4, female Freemasons in the UK, compared with about , male Freemasons Freemasons meet in a temple, which they call a "lodge", as it is understood that is where ancient stonemasons met when working on a church or cathedral They wear masonic aprons, dating back to the theory that freemasonry evolved from the stonemasons, who wore them for protection from stone chipping The "third degree" is the final stage before becoming a fully fledged Mason.

Related Topics. Women Religion. Published 9 March