The OES and Masonry

Astrivian

Bro. Samuel
As a young member of my Lodge (29) i thought i would post something that has bothered me, and my wife actually, ever since i joined. I feel the younger generation of masons (Generation Y and the Mellinials) are, or will be, rather put off by inequity of the OES and Freemasonry. This might depend on the States individually, but in Colorado the OES is not equal to Masonry.

Firstly, a woman must have a male relation in Masonry to even join! Personally, i think this is a bit hypocritical on our part. I would imagine the square and level would apply to both genders equally. And, if we are on the level with each other, why would the OES have this prerequisite?

I can see the logic behind having a Fraternal organization (i.e. men only), provided that women have an equal organization. As it stands now, in Colorado, the OES is subservient to Masonry, or it at least appears this way to others.

Again, in an effort to attract younger people to both organizations, i really think the two great societies need to come to an equal level with each other. The requirement of the OES to have a male Mason as a relation, to me, is similar to separating the Prince Hall Lodges from the body of Masonry (this is another rant, however).

I love being a Mason. However, i do think some of the older tenets should be reexamined in the light of the present (not the symbols and secrets, just some of the bylaws).
 

BG_TRBL

Watcher of the posts
As I can understand your intent of your feelings, I would have to say that the OES was established well after the F&AM fraternity was formed. It was formed with the intent to allow family members of the Masonic member an organization specifically geared and membered by masonic family members. This may be old style thinking, but I can not help but agree with the tenents behind it. Without some type of regulation of membership, the organizational structure behind it would start to crumble. I am not saying that it is out of the question or that everything needs to stay the same, just that as a whole I can't disagree with the predominant theory.
As for the equality of the members of the different organizations. It would speak for it self. They are different organizations, different by-laws, different structure. If you join the O.E.S. does that make you any less of a mason (I should hope not) For the females, Our fraternity does not allow their membership, Since they may not become members of our fraternity, there is no distinction of superiority.
This of course is only my humble opinion, and not to deter you from pursuing the path that you see fit.
Oh and just so you don't feel that I am speaking old school my age is 33
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Myself being a Freemason and , along with my wife , a member of the OES I have a few things to say on the subject . It was started for a place for wives of Masons and the Masons themselves to meet together . I cannot answer for your state but our ladies like it because of their ties to the Fraternity and would not have any other way . In Ky . it has been voted down time and again ,by the women , to open their doors to all women . My wife , who is 35 , is proud to be a wife of a Mason and that is why she became an Eastern Star , to be with other wives of Masons . She , herself has stated that she is against letting in all women .

As being subservient , I am an officer in the OES and I answer to the Worthy Matron . Her and her alone . And like BG_TRBL , so you don't think I'm old school , I'm 38 .
 

Astrivian

Bro. Samuel
Hmm, this is interesting. I see your points Brothers, and no i would not accuse you of being old school :)

Out of curiosity, do either of you know about co-masonry? I heard about on a UK forum.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Hmm, this is interesting. I see your points Brothers, and no i would not accuse you of being old school :)

Out of curiosity, do either of you know about co-masonry? I heard about on a UK forum.
Yes , I've read alot about co-masonry . I don't have an opinion one way or another , more power to them ,as long as they leave us alone . I joined the franternity to be around and to fellowship with brothers of a like mind as myself . And being a Ky. Freemason like most other state's regular Grand Lodges we consider co-masonry as clandestine and I can not converse Masoniclly with them .
 

rustybones49801

A Rough Ashlar
Actually Ashler, I believe you can coverse, but just not sit in lodge or reveal the signs/symbols/etc. There are several masonic forums where clandestine/co-masonry people are members, and the brothers on those forums dont seem to have a problem discussing a great deal with them. But this is just my opinion.....
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Actually Ashler, I believe you can coverse, but just not sit in lodge or reveal the signs/symbols/etc. There are several masonic forums where clandestine/co-masonry people are members, and the brothers on those forums dont seem to have a problem discussing a great deal with them. But this is just my opinion.....
Are you a Ky. Freemason ? Yes , I can talk to anyone I want , but not masoniclly , period . I very seldom use the term Brother on these forum sites . If I do so it is out of habit from e-mailing my lodge Brothers or that I know for sure my Grand Lodge recognizes their Grand Lodge . I will not talk about ritual ,signs and modes of recognition over the internet anyway . Yes , I know there are forums that have co-masons on them and that is why I don't go on there or have left them after finding out . What others do are between them and their GL .
 

rustybones49801

A Rough Ashlar
Point made Ashlar. No offense meant. I guess the point I was trying to make was, talking about masonry wasn't a violation of my OB, as long as the secrets remain secret, and are not revealed by me. I won't confirm or deny someone guessing the secrets, but talking about masonry when asked, even by a woman may help to clear up misconceptions. My wife askes a plethora of questions, but most of them I can not or will not answer. A Ky freemason? Nope, A cold and shivering Michigan Mason!!!!!!
 
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