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).
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).