Is this woman a Freemason? It depends who you ask.

[Tamrin]

Is this woman a Freemason?
It depends who you ask.


[Excerpt - National Heritage Museum - Linked Above]

In the world of Freemasonry, 'recognition' and 'regularity' are important. Some Masonic bodies don't 'recognize' other Masonic bodies because they consider them 'irregular.' That is, one Masonic organization will not - for various reasons - consider another Masonic organization legitimate. Tony Pope explains the concepts of 'regularity' and 'recognition' fairly succinctly in his essay At a Perpetual Distance: Liberal and Adogmatic Grand Lodges, and so I quote him briefly:

"Regularity

Every autonomous Masonic body has its own tests of regularity, based on its perception of its own character. Thus, each Grand Lodge considers itself to be regular, and requires its constituents to abide by its criteria, whether clearly defined or not. Consequently, every Mason considers himself to be regular because he (or even she!) was ‘regularly’ initiated in a ‘regularly’ constituted lodge, chartered by his (or, indeed, her) Grand Lodge."

[Azaziel]

Hi Philip,

From my GL perspective, no she is not, however from my own viewpoint, yes she is.

BTW I dont buy into regularity as it can and has been abused way too often, and often the only reason given for being irregular is that "she" is female, thats all.

As freemasons we are taught all about being honourable, doing the right thing, say , truth, brotherly love, relief, etc, but that seems to go out the window if your female, strange isnt it.

Regards
Terry

[Tamrin]