Is Modern Free-Masonry considered “irregular” by Blue Lodge Masons? Has it always been that way in the USA?
Yes. Modern Free-Masonry is considered irregular by most all Blue lodges in the USA, meaning Modern Free-Masonry is not recognized as legitimate Masonry by Blue Grand Lodges. This was not always the case. Prior to 1869, Grand Lodges in the US recognized both the Grand Orient of France and Modern lodges in the U.S, and allowed visitations. However, in 1868, the Grand Orient of France recognized a lodge in Louisiana, which allowed members to join regardless of nationality, race, or color. That was the beginning of Blue lodges not recognizing Modern lodges (based on the GOdF s philosophy against racism and slavery), but the split formally occurred in 1869 when the GOdF passed a resolution that neither color, race, nor religion should disqualify a man for initiation, and was further reinforced in 1877 when the GOdF declared its principle of absolute freedom of conscience and eliminated both belief in God as a membership requirement and use of the Bible in lodges.* However, over 25% of Blue
Related Questions
- How is belonging to a lodge of Modern Free-Masonry different than belong to any other organization, such as a Humanist of Secular organization?
- Do Blue lodge Masons have to go through all the Masonic degrees again if they join a GOUSA lodge?
- Do Blue lodge Masons have to go through all the Masonic degrees again if they join Praxis lodge?
