PRAXIS LODGE FAQ
Modern Free-Masonry is sometimes referred to as Contemporary, Continental, Cosmopolitan, “Red Lodge,” or Liberal Free-Masonry, though these terms do not all have equivalent definitions. In Europe this type of Freemasnory is typically called Contemporary or Liberal Freemasonry, not to be confused with "liberal" politics as we undestand the term in the USA. Modern Free-Masonry is derived from same Grand Lodge of England (1717) as Anglo, “Antient”, or “Blue” lodge Masonry. It is widespread in Europe with the Grand Orient of France at its center, and is now rapidly spreading to the United States.
Praxis Loge has eight basic Principles:
Above all, Praxis Lodge, as well as George Washington Union, defends the principle of absolute freedom of conscience in matters of religion and spirituality. This implies freedom of the mind and liberation in regard to all dogmas; the right to believe or not to believe in the existence of God, a Supreme Being, or any form of deity; and autonomy of thought concerning religious, political, and economical constraints. For this reason, and based on this fundamental human right, Praxis Lodge, as a secular lodge of Freemasonry, does not require that its members hold or declare any theological, metaphysical, or religious beliefs or dogma, such as the existence of God or gods, the immortality of the soul, etc.
What is the difference between mainstream or "Antient" Free-Masonry and Modern Free-Masonry? Many “Antient” Anglo-American Masons view Freemasonry as a religiously oriented fraternity dedicated to brotherly love, relief and truth. The Modern or Traditional Cosmopolitan Masons perceive Freemasonry as a secular but spiritual fraternity dedicated to the Enlightenment principles of human liberty and equality resulting in the universal brotherhood of all humankind. This is expressed in their motto: "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.“ Anglo-American lodges require belief in God or the “Grand Architect of the Universe” to become a member. Modern lodges have no such requirement. Anglo-American lodges do not allow discussion of religion and politics in lodges, whereas Modern lodges do. Anglo-American lodges typically place a Bible on their alters as the “Volume of the Sacred Law.” Modern lodges have no such requirement, and often use a blank book or whatever the lodge member agree to use. Anglo-American lodges use mainly variations of the Preston-Webb rite (with some lodges using the Scottish rite), whereas Modern lodges can use one of six different rites, and are open to others The Anglo-American system does not recognize women as legitimate Freemasons. The Traditional Cosmopolitan system is generally divided into three distinct groupings: Masculine, Mixed-Gender, and Feminine; this allows for the inclusion of women in Free-Masonry.
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.
*Prior to 1760,
even the Grand Lodge of England did not require the Bible in lodges
Do you have to believe in God to be a Free-Mason in Praxis Lodge? No. Praxis believes
in and promotes freedom of conscience for all people, which implies
tolerance of all theological worldviews and freedom of thought and
expression. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans,
atheists, agnostics, deists, pantheists, free-thinkers, and others
are all equally welcome in Praxis Lodge. Praxis Lodge is not concerned
with the religious, metaphysical, or philosophical beliefs of its
members. A person’s character, not his/her personal and private
theological beliefs, is the primary focus of Praxis Lodge.
Is the discussion of religion or politics forbidden? No. Free-Masonry is dedicated to furthering human understanding in all areas of knowledge. The only time that such a discussion would be disallowed is in the form of sectarian dissemination with the intent to proselytize.
What rite does Praxis Lodge use? Praxis Lodge practices the French Modern Rite, or just called the Modern Rite. In particular, this is the Reformed French Modern rite, which is intended to be very close to what was practiced in Europe in the modern 18th century. The French Modern rite is not radically different than the Preston-Webb rite, which is practiced by most all mainstream "Blue" lodges in the US, but it does have some interesting differences. It contains three degrees and much of the same symbolism, but is entirely secular.
Does Praxis Lodge prohibit the consumption of alcohol at lodge functions? No. As Free-Masons, we are taught to temper our passions and not to drink to excess. Each Lodge may choose whether or not to allow alcohol on the premises.
Is Praxis Lodge recognized by the Grand Lodge of Idaho? No. This highlights
one of the primary differences between Grand Orient lodges and mainstream
Anglo-American, “Blue”, or AF&AM lodges like the Grand
Lodge of Idaho. Anglo-American Grand Lodges are based on a "closed"
system, which means they only recognize their own lodges as "regular".
Grand Orient lodges are members of the "open" Masonic
system used by almost every other Masonic obedience around the world.
This means they recognize many obediences including co-gender Masonic
lodges, Prince Hall, Blue lodges, etc.
Does Praxis Lodge allow virtual members? Yes. Praxis Lodge is one of the few lodges that allows virtual membership, which means that people can be members from other States. Virtual members attend Lodge meetings via Skype (audio-video conferencing). However, the idea is not to create a lodge of virtual members, but to help brothers and sisters from a different state start a lodge of their own. Once they have the tools, minimum number of members, and ability to meet in a lodge setting, virtual members are assisted in the process of creating their own "triangle lodge" of at least 3 Master Masons.
What are the membership fees to join Praxis Lodge?
Annual, and degree fee funds are used to purchase degree and lodge supplies, materials, services, certificates, etc.
Do you have to demit from the Grand Lodge of Idaho to become a member of a Praxis Lodge? Demitting is not required by Praxis. The Grand Orient system is an "open" system which recognizes all Masonic obediences as regular. However, if the Grand Lodge of Idaho discovers that you are a member, it may expel you on grounds that you are a member of an "irregular“ or “clandestine” lodge. However, the Grand Lodge may not take any action. It is really up to a State’s Grand Lodge and its By Laws. Moreover, being expelled on the basis of membership of a Praxislodge is not a universal practice in Anglo-American "Blue" lodges. Many have chosen to demit from their Blue lodges before joining Praxis lodge, so this is up to you.
Do Blue lodge Masons have to go through all the Masonic degrees again if they join Praxis lodge? No. Once a Mason, always a Mason. If someone is an Entered-Apprentice, Fellowcraft, or Master Mason in a Blue lodge, and they join Praxis lodge, they will not lose their degree status. New member will, however, be encouraged to internalize the key principles, beliefs, and practices of Praxis.
Is memorization of obligations and other Masonic text required by Praxis Lodge? No. Praxis Lodge emphasizes learning through the contemporary and progressive principles of adult learning theory, not rote memorization, which research has shown to yield a very low retnetion rate. The lodge promotes a pluralistic approach to learning that appeals to multiple learning styles, incorporates blended and multimedia instructional approaches, and allows maximum retention of information. Degree proficiency in Praxis Lodge is primarily accomplished via academic research papers or presentations, and contributing to the overall education of the Lodge.
Who can attend a Praxis Lodge meeting? Anyone Freemason in good standing and approved by lodge officers can attend a Praxis Lodge meeting. This includes Freemasons from any order or obedience, both men and women, members of local Blue Lodges, etc.. Praxis is an open lodge in this respect.
What will Praxis Lodge do for activities with its members? Praxis Lodge
will be a practical and “working” lodge. It will be centered
mainly around education and open dialogue amongst its members and
visitors. Hence, the lion’s share of lodge meetings will be
devoted to engaging and interesting discussions, lectures, and workshops
that support our key principles. In this sense, Praxis is an open
“think tank” of free expression and intellectual experimentation.
Does Praxis Lodge use a Bible during meetings and rituals? No, unless it
is for the purposes of education. Because Grand Orient lodges are
fundamentally secular, they do not require or use the Bible or any
other religious text as a “Volume of the Sacred Law”.
Some lodges use a white book, symbolizing freedom of conscience,
with blank pages so that members may interpret the meaning of “Sacred
Law” in accordance with their own worldviews. Other lodges
may decide to use Anderson's Consitutions or some other well known
ethical text (e.g., Aristotle's Ethics).
Does Praxis Lodge have any religious practices? No. Many outsiders have claimed that Freemasonry is a religion, probably because most mainstream lodges in the U.S. place a Bible on their alter, conduct prayers to the “Grand Architect of the Universe”, and use religiously oriented terms and concepts in their rituals. Praxis Lodge has no intention to substitute, replace, or overlap with any member’s private religious practices and beliefs. Praxis is therefore a secular lodge, promotes tolerance of all worldviews, but abstains from any religious or quasi-religious practices. Its main goal is to bring member together and focus on commonalities, wherever possible.
Grand Orient of France provides an adequate description of Freedom of Conscience, as part of its notion of "laïque": "The "laïque" humanism relies on the principle of total freedom of conscience. Freedom of the mind : liberation in regard to all dogmas; the right to believe or not to believe in God; autonomy of thought concerning religious, potitical and economical constraints; emancipation of life styles in relation to taboos, prevailing ideas and dogmatic rules. "Laïcité" aims to liberate children and adults from everything which alienates or corrupts their minds, particularly atavistic beliefs, prejudices, preconceived ideas, dogmas, oppressive ideology and cultural, economical, social, political or religious pressure. "Laïcité" aims to develop in human nature, within th framework of a permanent intellectual, moral and civic formation, a critical mind along with a feeling of solidarity and brotherhood. The freedom of expression is the corollary to total freedom of conscience. It is the right, and the material possibility to speak, to write and to distribute individual and collective thoughts. The new technics of communication make this requirement even more vital. However, in this field of information and communication, more than elsewhere, there must be a special vigilance in face of the powerful means of manipulation and perversion of the mind." What does the letter "G" mean inside of the Masonic symbol of the square and compass? There is no agreed upon meaning of the letter "G" by Masonic historians, and the letter is more prominent in mainstream versions of Masonry in the United States than it is in Europe. Some of the possible interpretation of the meaning of the letter "G" are "God", "Grand Architect of the Universe", "Geometry", "Gamma" (energy or the third letter in the Greek alphabet), "Ghimel" (the old 'gallows' square), and so on. One thing is certain, which is in no ancient language could "G" mean "God", and English Masonic lodges likely did not start stating this until the late 18th century. A good many historians now suggest that if searching for an English translation, "G" most likely means "Geometry". Do members have to memorize text to complete their proficiencies for degrees in a lodge of Modern Free-Masonry? No. This is a requirement only of "Antient" or Blue Masonic lodges. In the Grand Orient of the United States, members are required to write and present research papers on topics related to Free-Masonry in order to complete their degree proficiencies. In Praxis Lodge, members are also required to attend a series of workshops that address the key principles of the degree and other related educational topics. Memorization is an age old tradition in Masonic history and has sentimental value to some brothers. However, modern education science has proven that memorization of text is not the most effective approach to adult learning. Adults learn best "in context" and by means of multiple instruction methods that address diverse learning styles, which increases learning retention, comprehension, practical application, and integration of concepts into learner's lives. The most effective learning methodology is to teach, and consequently all Praxis Lodge members will eventually be required to help teach new members the concepts and principles of Free-Masonry. In Praxis Lodge, it takes 1 year for a member to complete a degree. How is belonging to a lodge of Modern Free-Masonry different than belong to any other organization, such as a Humanist of Secular organization? This is a very common question when Free-Masonry is presented as a secular organization. There are four points that differentiate Modern Free-Masonry from another secular oriented organization:
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