Is this Masonic oath real?

Question

And does it mean what it sounds like it means? "Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating of an old man in dotage, a young man in nonage, an atheist, irreligious libertine, idiot, madman, hermaphrodite, nor woman." Surely there's an alternate interpretation that I'm missing?

It's putting women in the same category as senile old men, idiots, and crazy people. How has no one called this out as offensive and degrading? How can men take this oath, then go home to their wives? It sounds like they think very little of women. Wives/partners of Masons, what do you think of your partner saying this about you? It makes me feel ill picturing mine saying this - "Sorry, sweetie, you're no different than that drunk I saw on the bus."

Answer 1

That oath is never used in or by Freemasons.



I am a Freemason

Answer 2

As some have said already Freemasons don't take oaths. They take obligations. Semantics...Maybe but important distinction.



You are looking as something that some one wrote and interpreting it out of context. In other obligations Mason also promise not to lie, cheat or violate other Masons female relatives. Now this may seem arcane and in a way it is, however in light of how old the obligations are it makes perfect sense.



Every Mason I know that is involved, engaged or married has the utmost respect for their significant others or wives, as the case may be. But since Freemasonry is a Fraternity and by definition a men only organization, this is just to promise that some Masons somewhere don't allow a women or a an old man in senility, or an atheist or an idiot/lunatic to be made a Mason. Different and distinct things. If we had to separate each out in the obligation we'd be there for ever.



If you had a girls club would you let an idiot or lunatic in? I think not. Also if it's a women only org (and there are many) men would be excluded also and there is nothing wrong with that.

Or maybe you believe that we should take togetherness to even more ridiculous levels that it has already.



Oh and I forgot to mention that every Mason is told his obligation to his wife and family come way before Freemasonry. In my mind it's God, Country, Family, Career, Freemasonry in that order without exception.

Answer 3

Nope. Freemasonry doesn't have any oaths. So that can't be 'real.'



I'm not sure where you're getting your interpretation from, but what it sounds like to me - as a Freemason - is that the person taking that oath will only be present at the initiating of men who are of legal age, who believe in a Supreme Being, and who have the mental faculties necessary to understand what it is they're agreeing to. They won't show up or endorse anyone unless those conditions are met.



I suppose it could be considered offensive and degrading if a woman interprets this as if she's being put in the same category as senile old men or crazy people. But only an idiot would think that, and the offense and degradation is upon the teachers who didn't educate that particular chick so that she could read and comprehend simple English.

Answer 4

I won't confirm or deny the accuracy of what you've quoted, but it doesn't matter. You have inferred meaning that was never intended. It is true that a Master Mason swears never to be present at the making of a Mason of a woman, or an atheist, or a senile old man, or a madman. But that does not imply any equivalence between those groups. The ONLY thing they have in common is that they don't meet the qualifications of membership. Women cannot be made Masons because Freemasonry is a fraternity, which by definition is for men only. That is not a reflection of our level of respect for women.



Imagine a group of male friends getting together to watch a football game without bringing their wives. It's not because they don't respect women, they're just engaging in male bonding and there's nothing wrong with that. I'll bet they wouldn't want any lunatics there, either...that doesn't mean they think women are the same as lunatics.

Answer 5

I am a Freemason.



I have never heard anyone say anything similar to your "quote",let alone swear it as an oath.



Freemasons put their wives and families before anything else.

Any man who thinks otherwise is not suitable for membership of our fraternity.

Answer 6

Your opinions are interesting.

However, they have nothing to do with fact.

As you have been told by other answerers, you are imposing your misinterpretations based solely on your prejudice onto something you do not understand, and drawing conclusions that do not apply to reality.