An Alternative View on Freemasonry

 An Alternative View on Freemasonry

If you have Sky TV there has been a series of programmes about Freemasonry recently centred around the United Grand Lodge of England and its members. From the programme, you may be excused for thinking that you must be male, white and old to belong to the Freemasons, and although there were some exceptions, that would seem to hold true.

However, an alternative does exist, known as the Grand Lodge of Modern Mixed Masons, (GLMMM) and as the title suggests, we have both men and women in our order which is an anathema to those of the single-sex Orders. Most of our members were regular attendees but have chosen to take a more enlightened view on what must be described as a hobby, for Freemasonry is not designed, or intended to be used, as a tool for career advancement or personal gain, but more for the education of the individual.

Indeed, from the TV series, it has been stressed that Freemasonry is solely about building and improving the character of the individual and there is a strict order of priority which is family first, then work and lastly, Freemasonry.

Freemasonry has three core values, brotherly love, relief and truth and, as you progress through Masonry, these values are constantly being emphasised, and all Masons are actively encouraged to use these values in their everyday life. Almost all the implements that the ancient Masons used are now symbolically employed to shape and improve morals and behaviour. Consequently, a Mason should always be an upright person, not to overstep the mark, and strive to become a better person and to help those less fortunate where possible.

Given that, as human beings, we all have the same origins and should all have the same aims in life, I cannot see why, as male and female Masons, we cannot enjoy Freemasonry together and this is why GLMMM came into being and has now grown to have centres in Manchester, Chester, London, Leicester and Sussex with more being added around the world.

Whilst we don’t have the grand buildings of the more established Orders (we don’t have their expensive fees either) we have the same regalia and ranks and more importantly, the same ritual, so a Mason from anywhere in the world would recognise the ceremony being performed.

At GLMMM we welcome everyone regardless of race, creed, colour, sex and religion, the only essential requirements are a belief in a Supreme Being, a desire to work in harmony with your fellow Brothers and to improve your moral standards and education. As in all societies, cohesion and tolerance are important and, although we welcome everyone, not all who apply, whether a previous or current Mason or from outside Masonry, will be automatically selected. You will have to be interviewed by at least two of the senior Officers of the Lodge, which is not intended to be intimidating, but it is important that a possible Initiate is properly prepared as a lot of people will be putting in a lot of work on their behalf and none of us wants to be disappointed.

If you feel that you can fulfil these basic essentials and you would like to enrich your knowledge of yourself and help others with charitable works, whilst enjoying the company of other like-minded individuals, then please contact Peter, the Secretary, at illuminatus10@virginmedia.com