May I ask what the appeal of freemasonry is in 2023?
I understand that it was historically useful for “business”, what ever that means and that some workplaces were closed shops and anyone who isn’t a free mason wouldn’t be accepted for a job role.
If someone could give me the low down, I think I would find it quite interesting.
From the point of view of family who are in it, it acts today more like a social club with some religious elements in it. I can see participating in one if I was Protestant when I retired since it gives a reason to leave the house and do some good with others in your community.
I also found the Freemason’s funeral rites were the best ones I’ve personally seen.
I don’t see a reason why they shouldn’t, as AFAIK women can participate in rituals.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry_and_women
Section: Recognition of Women as Freemasons
In short, in some places women are accepted and in some they are not. As the Unified Grand Lodge of England does not recognise women as freemasons, women are not officially capable of reaching the 33rd degree. However, where women are recognized (i.e in Continental Freemasonry), women should be able to reach the 33rd degree.
Some quick research send like it highly depends on the lodge. From Wikipedia
Grand Orient de France, in addition to recognising women’s masonry, decided in 2010 that there was no reason that its lodges should not be able to initiate women, thus adding another strand to international co-masonry
So it seems some do allow for co-ed rituals such as initiation. That said the whole thing sounds pretty sexist to me. I’d probably just avoid the whole organization or any ties to them. No reason to give that group more power.