Post by Tamrin on Jul 30, 2009 7:17:19 GMT 10
The United Grand Lodge of England has always maintained that its membership is open to men of good standing and sound judgement. International Co-Freemasonry, Le Droit-Humain, having its British headquarters in Surbiton, near London, admits both men and women.
From the point of view of the United Grand Lodge of England, International Co-Freemasonry is not a regular masonic organisation. Firstly, because it admits both men and women, and, secondly, since it adopts the system of Freemasonry prevalent in the country in which each Federation exists. In France, for example, it adopts the system of the Grand Orient of France, an irregular order.
But there are some fundamental principles that are strongly represented within this order and which make International Co-Freemasonry a truly masonic organisation. These are the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The understanding of Freemasonry as a “peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” is shared by Co-Freemasons. The Co-Masons declare that Freemasonry for them is not a religion, philosophy or a system of ethics or morals, but, taking from all of these, stands as a system of ideals which support the inner growth of the adept. Through the ritual and symbolism, this path of self-knowing is at the core of the teaching of Masonry within the order of Le Droit-Humain.
From the point of view of the United Grand Lodge of England, International Co-Freemasonry is not a regular masonic organisation. Firstly, because it admits both men and women, and, secondly, since it adopts the system of Freemasonry prevalent in the country in which each Federation exists. In France, for example, it adopts the system of the Grand Orient of France, an irregular order.
But there are some fundamental principles that are strongly represented within this order and which make International Co-Freemasonry a truly masonic organisation. These are the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The understanding of Freemasonry as a “peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” is shared by Co-Freemasons. The Co-Masons declare that Freemasonry for them is not a religion, philosophy or a system of ethics or morals, but, taking from all of these, stands as a system of ideals which support the inner growth of the adept. Through the ritual and symbolism, this path of self-knowing is at the core of the teaching of Masonry within the order of Le Droit-Humain.