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Acacia Lodge #1 |
Questions and Answers About Esoteric Freemasonry
Q - Is Esoteric Freemasonry legitimate?
A - Yes
Q - What makes it legitimate?
A - Our Charter from the Sovereign Grand Lodge
Q - Is the Sovereign Grand Lodge legitimate?
A - Yes
Q - What makes it legitimate?
A - Their Charter from the Grand Orient made the Sovereign Grand Lodge legitimate in the beginning. The Grand Lodge then became an independent Masonic organization under the umbrella of the Universal Gnostic Church which continues to support and recognize the Sovereign and Independent Grand Lodge of Ancient, Accepted and Esoteric Freemasons.
Q - Does Esoteric Freemasonry recognize other Masonic organizations?
A - Yes, to our knowledge and belief all Esoteric Freemasonry Grand Lodges recognize all other Masonic bodies and jurisdictions.
Q - Do these other Masonic Organizations recognize Esoteric Freemasons?
A - No. Most so-called regular Masonic Lodges do not recognize Esoteric Freemasonry Lodges as being legitimate and classify Esoteric Freemasonry Lodges as clandestine
Q - What is a Lodge of Clandestine Masons?
A - Most regular Masonic Lodges consider any Lodge in competition with them as being clandestine whether the competing Lodge uses the same rituals or not and whether the competing lodge is legally constituted or not. Calling another Lodge clandestine is prejudicial and intended to deprecate the offending Lodge.
Q - Do any regular Masons belong to Esoteric Freemasonry Lodges?
A - Yes, we have several members who are also regular Masons. So do other Esoteric Freemasonry Grand Lodges. Many regular Masons join Esoteric Freemasonry Lodges so their wives and daughters may also become Masons.
Q - How do the regular Lodges react to their members joining Esoteric Freemasonry Lodges?
A - Most regular Masonic groups expel any of their members who also join an Esoteric Freemasonry Lodge. For this reason, most regular Masons keep their membership in an Esoteric Freemason Lodge a secret . Others do not take any of the optional obligations of an Esoteric Freemason thus avoiding the dual membership problem. A few regular Masons do join openly because their Lodge doesn't mind.
Q - How many of the obligations in Acacia Lodge #1 are optional?
A - All of them. No Esoteric Freemason is ever required to take any obligation.
Q - If they don't take an obligation, how can they become a member?
A - Any regular Mason can become a member anytime by asking. Taking an obligation does not make a person a member. Asking to become a member does. Any regular Mason can go through all the degrees without becoming a member.
Q - How and whom does a person ask to become a member?
A - By filling out an application and paying the lifetime fees for membership.
Q - Do I receive a membership card when I pay my dues?
A - No, we do not send out membership cards.
Q - What do I receive for my money?
A - All of the teaching materials and rituals of the Lodge. When you become a Master Mason, you may help other people become Master Masons. As soon as you and two other Masons ask for a Charter, the Grand Lodge will issue you a Charter for your own Esoteric Freemason Lodge. All along the way, you have access to volunteers who will assist you in any way possible.
Q - How do I find other people near me that want to be Masons?
A - You can ask. You're free to invite anybody in your life to consider Esoteric Freemasonry. People under the age of 18 may become members with the permission of a parent. Any person you know is eligible to become an Esoteric Freemason as we do not discriminate against seekers after Divine knowledge.
Q: Is the Master of the Lodge a Dictator?
A: Yes, but with reservations. The Master of the Lodge must abide by the Grand Lodge requirements, which are:
1) to follow the rituals of the Grand Lodge or submit the rituals your lodge prefers to use for Grand lodge approval, (the Grand Lodge almost always approves)
2) to assure each member of the Lodge is a member of AA&EF,
3) to treat each member of the lodge fairly and squarely and be on the level with every member,
4) to rule the lodge benevolently and compassionately
Q: I'm a member of AA&EF, can I attend any Masonic Lodge?
A: No. When you join AA&EF you automatically become a member of Acacia Lodge #1 and you can remain a member of that lodge as long as you want. You can also start your own lodge once you complete the third degree and become an Esoteric Master.
You may ask the Master of any lodge to accept you as a member or visitor, but that lodge may be closed to you. All speculative (regular) Masonic Lodges consider AA&EF to be "clandestine" and will not allow you to visit their lodges. However, a few of our members have petitioned for membership in a regular Masonic lodge and been accepted. Some of your members were regular Masons before they joined us. Some co-masonry groups will allow you to visit and join their lodges. Some lodges affiliated with AA&EF are "open" and will allow you to visit or join their lodge. Most lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge are closed and will not accept you as a visitor or member with rare exceptions.
Q: How are AA&EF affiliated lodges run?
A: Each affiliated lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge is chartered in the name of the founding Master of the Lodge. The Founding Master has the authority to run his or her lodge. Some Masters run their lodges democratically. Most reserve the right to make the final decision. A few run their lodges by consensus. However the lodge is run is ultimately the decision of the members of that lodge.
Q: What can I do if the Master of our Lodge is a cruel dictator?
A: Discontent members are free to obtain their own charter and start their own lodge anytime after they complete the third degree of Esoteric Masonry. They also have the right to contact the Grand Lodge with their concerns and ask the Grand Lodge to negotiate a favorable situation with the Master of th Lodge.
Q: Do I have to rent a Masonic Hall to start my own Lodge?
A: No. Your lodge may meet anywhere you decide. Some libraries have space available for small groups to meet at no cost. You can meet in private residences. You can meet in chat rooms or virtual classrooms over the internet. Where your lodge meets is up to the members and Master of the Lodge.
Q: I'm not interested in Speculative Masonry.Why do I need to read all their materials and learn their rituals?
A: You don't. All of the Speculative Masonry materials on our website are optional. You are never required to read any of those materials. You may do so if your like.
Q: Do I need to learn any rituals at all?
A: No, you don't. All of our rituals are initiations which will help you on your own spiritual path. But you are never under any obligation to learn any of those rituals.
Q: Can I open and close a Lodge daily as part of my spiritual practices?
A: In the opinion of many of the Grand Lodge leaders, opening and closing a Lodge of Esoteric Masons is a good way to open and close your daily spiritual practices. Some of the Grand Lodge members open an Esoteric Masonic Lodge first thing every morning and close it shortly before retiring for the evening.
Q - How do I receive answers to my other questions?
A - You may join our discussion group or send us an email at info.masons @ Gmail.com.
A: Send an email to: info.masons@gmail.com
Thank you for asking!
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