Toronto Society for Masonic Research (TSMR)

Whereas Masonic Research in the past has been antiquarian, anecdotal, and decorative, for the edification of Freemasons, the TSMR today seeks a critical, unbiased understanding of the past and present, to inform the future, for the benefit of all humanity.

The Future of Universal Freemasonry in Society is history. [X] [X] -- see the rest at Future

BE SURE TO READ: NEWS & VIEWS Recent Items: World Conference considers serious Questions; Black Mason Leaders welcomed at historically White Leaders Conference in Kentucky; Haas goes to Washington; Secular Freemasonry; The Winnipeg Code; France - Women; Religion; Cuba Symposium, Women; Religious Peace Talk, UGLE Doctrine on Regularity etc., West Virginia Expulsions -- Haas; Revolution & Reforms, Liberty, Royal Society, Nonsensical Landmarks, Women, Progressive Free-Masonry; Grand Orient of the USA; US Lodges secede: Halcyon, OH; Euclid, MI.

In Toronto, someone who wishes to be a Freemason, has several options (corrections, comments, and questions invited):

GLCPO -- Male, religious; does not recognize 150,000 Black Masons; "regular"; 10,000 members in Toronto.
PHGLON    -- Male, religious, mostly Black; "regular". (This, and the following, have under 100 members in Toronto)
OWF     -- Female, "works on the lines of regular male Freemasonry"; recognizes no others.
GO USA     -- Male,   absolute freedom of conscience, cosmopolitan, progressive; [X] cf: GOdF GWU GLFF GLFG WGLB
GWU          -- Mixed, absolute freedom of conscience, cosmopolitan, progressive; cf: GOdF & GLFF
DH -- Mixed, relative freedom of conscience
GLI    -- Mixed, Italian-speaking, AASR
M+M    -- Mixed, deeply esoteric.
Theosophy -- Not Freemasonry, but may be of interest to some (potential) Freemasons. [X] [X] [X]
Freethought -- Are Free-Masons free-thinkers? [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]

The GLCPO has 100 lodges in the Toronto area. Most are the same. (Demographically, one might expect over 200 lodges in Toronto.) About 250 Masons are initiated in Toronto each year. In 15 years, 20,000 joined the GLCPO, 30,000 died, and 20,000 quit. [X] 1/3 quit before the third degree. Who quit? When? Why did they join? Why did they quit? Perhaps it's best to know what the options are, to do thorough research, to get involved informally, and to have realistic expectations, before applying? Perhaps a potential applicant should take care to thoroughly investigate the following:

Attitudes about women, about race, about religion. Governance. Integrity between principle and practice.

The TSMR is an Autonomous Association of Individuals, committed to the Freedoms of Conscience, Association, Communication, and Enquiry, who wish to nurture Learning, Knowledge, and Understanding of Freemasonry through Research.