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Regularity
Main article: Regular Masonic jurisdictions
Regularity is a constitutional mechanism whereby Grand Lodges
or Grand Orients give one another mutual recognition. This
recognition allows formal interaction at the Grand Lodge level,
and gives individual Freemasons the opportunity to attend
Lodge meetings in other recognised jurisdictions. Conversely,
regularity proscribes interaction with Lodges that are irregular.
A Mason who visits an irregular Lodge may have his membership
suspended for a time, or he may be expelled. For this reason,
all Grand Lodges maintain lists of other jurisdictions and
lodges they consider regular.[11]
Grand Lodges and Grand Orients that afford mutual recognition
and allow intervisitation are said to be in amity. As far
as the UGLE is concerned, regularity is predicated upon a
number of landmarks, set down in the UGLE Constitution and
the Constitutions of those Grand Lodges with which they are
in amity. Even within this definition there are some variations
with the quantity and content of the Landmarks from jurisdiction
to jurisdiction. Other Masonic groups organise differently.[12]
Both of the two major branches of Freemasonry consider their
Lodges to be "regular". Both branches consider the
other to be "irregular". As the UGLE branch is significantly
larger, however, the various Grand Lodges and Grand Orients
in amity with UGLE are commonly referred to as being "regular"
(or "Mainstream") Masonry, while those Grand Lodges
and Grand Orients in amity with GOdF are commonly referred
to "liberal" or "irregular" Masonry. (The
issue is complicated by the fact that the usage of "Lodge"
versus "Orient" alone is not an indicator of which
branch a body belongs to, and thus not an indication of regularity).
The term "irregular" is also universally applied
to various self created bodies that call themselves "Masonic"
but are not recognised by either of the main branches.
[edit] The Masonic Lodge
Main article: Masonic Lodge
A Lodge (often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge
in Masonic constitutions) is the basic organisational unit
of Freemasonry. Every new Lodge must be warranted by a Grand
Lodge, but is subject to its direction only in enforcing the
published Constitution of the jurisdiction. A Lodge must hold
full meetings regularly at published dates and places. It
will elect, initiate and promote its own members and officers;
it will own, occupy or share premises; and will normally build
up a collection of minutes, records and equipment. Like any
other organisation, it will have formal business, annual general
meetings (AGMs), charity funds, committees, reports, bank
accounts and tax returns, and so forth.
A man can only be initiated, or made a Mason, in a Lodge,
of which he may well remain a subscribing member for life.
A Master Mason is generally entitled to visit any Lodge meeting
under any jurisdiction in amity with his own, and a Lodge
may well offer hospitality to such a visitor after the formal
meeting. He is first usually required to check the regularity
of that Lodge, and must be able to satisfy that Lodge of his
own regularity; and he may be refused admission if adjudged
likely to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge. If he wishes to
visit the same Lodge repeatedly, he may be expected to join
it, and pay a membership subscription.
Freemasons correctly meet as a Lodge, not in a Lodge, the
word "Lodge" referring more to the people assembled
than the place of assembly. However, in common usage, Masonic
premises are often referred to as "Lodges". Masonic
buildings are also sometimes called "Temples" ("of
Philosophy and the Arts"). In many countries, Masonic
Centre or Hall has replaced Temple to avoid arousing prejudice
and suspicion. Several different Lodges, as well as other
Masonic organisations, often use the same premises at different
times.
Early Lodges often met in a tavern or any other convenient
fixed place with a private room.[7] According to Masonic tradition,
the Lodge of medieval stonemasons was on the southern side
of the building site, with the sun warming the stones during
the day. The social Festive Board (or Social Board),[13] part
of the meeting is thus sometimes called the South.[14]
Most Lodges consist of Freemasons living or working within
a given town or neighbourhood. Other Lodges are composed of
Masons with a particular shared interest, profession or background.
Shared schools, universities, military units, Masonic appointments
or degrees, arts, professions and hobbies have all been the
qualifications for such Lodges. In some Lodges, the foundation
and name may now be only of historic interest, as over time
the membership evolves beyond that envisaged by its "founding
brethren"; in others, the membership remains exclusive.
There are also specialist Lodges of Research, with membership
drawn from Master Masons only, with interests in Masonic Research
(of history, philosophy, etc.). Lodges of Research are fully
warranted but, generally, do not initiate new candidates.
Lodges of Instruction in UGLE may be warranted by any ordinary
Lodge for the learning and rehearsal of Masonic Ritual.
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