Search found 4 matches

by AEA
Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:57 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Master Masons?
Replies: 48
Views: 8661

Re: Master Masons?

Purplehood wrote:Fascinating article.

I am a little confused by the following:
Good men of other religions (Jews, Moslems, Hindus, etc.) believing in Deity may become Scottish Rite Masons.
I was under the impression that belief in a deity, period, was "sufficient". I got the impression that being a member of a particular religion was not a requirement of the Scottish Rite. Have I got that wrong?
I cannot answer that question as I am a Blue Lodge Mason (York Rite) and have no personal knowledge of the Scottish Rite.

I only posted that fine article by Bro. Duncan as a short description that there are differences between the two Rites with regard to Rituals and acceptance.
by AEA
Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:38 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Master Masons?
Replies: 48
Views: 8661

Re: Master Masons?

Medic624 wrote:
AEA wrote:
Medic624 wrote:I want to become a Mason... how do I go about it??...
To live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God.
Well, I did my best to have already done that these last 43 years and I'd sure like to know more about others who do also.

Seriously, I'm going to have to find the local lodge and maybe catch someone coming out and talk to them about it because since moving here in March I really don't know many people. :lol::

Maybe I will get "Freemasons for Dummies" by Christopher Hodap and see what's what.... :thumbs2:

Thanks for the info it was helpful...
:patriot: :txflag: :patriot:
What you may not know is that there are two "Groups" or "Rites" of Masonic Order.

York Rite and Scottish Rite.
When discussing your interest in becoming a Mason, you may like to ask questions as to the difference between the two.

"The York And Scottish Rites
J. Howard Duncan, 32, K.C.C.H.
Lecompton, Kansas

The Master Mason wishing to expand his Masonic associations should benefit from this Brother’s concise comparison of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite.

What are the differences between the Scottish Rite and the York Rite, two major Bodies of extended Masonry? An answer to this question, if attempted without limitation, would soon bog down in a myriad of details. In the intricacies of each Body’s rituals, for instance, there are hundreds of differences.

An answer to the question, where it might better serve to inform the Blue Lodge Freemason considering continuation of his search for Masonic Light, requires backing away from the details and illustrating the bigger picture. My perspective is from having held most of the local offices of the two organizations without any state or national service.

First, the overriding similarities should be noted. Both groups are Masonic organizations dedicated to the benefit of society through improvement of the individual. By morality lessons and peer association, they promote behaviors which civilize the man and strengthen his society. This is consistent with the Blue Lodge lessons which teach a man to be a better husband, father, son, neighbor, churchgoer, and citizen.

It is in the focus of their objectives that the two organizations can most easily be seen to differ. Scottish Rite Masonry is the champion of individual freedoms and citizenship rights as well as responsibilities. York Rite Masonry in its concluding Degrees or Orders is the champion of Christianity. A man must pledge to defend Christianity to become a Knight Templar Freemason in the York Rite. Good men of other religions (Jews, Moslems, Hindus, etc.) believing in Deity may become Scottish Rite Masons. The Scottish Rite Mason is urged to take an active leadership role in the promotion and protection of individual rights: government by democracy, free speech and press, equitable treatment before the law, freedom of religion and the individual, and separation of church and state.

York Rite Freemasonry has three separate and autonomous Bodies: Chapter, Council, and Commandery. These Bodies each have ritual and conduct meetings. The officers lines are not much different from Blue Lodge, but with differing titles. The top officer in the three Bodies are respectively formally called Excellent High Priest, Illustrious Master, and Eminent Commander. As the title Brother is used in the Blue Lodge, the title Companion is used in the Chapter and Council and the title Sir Knight is used in the Commandery.

Scottish Rite Masonry has four coordinate Bodies: Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council of Kadosh, and Consistory. The business affairs of all four Bodies of the Scottish Rite are conducted in the Lodge of Perfection. The top officers in the four Bodies are respectively formally addressed as Venerable Master, Wise Master, Commander, and Venerable Master of Kadosh.

While some Blue Lodges use costumes, most do not. But both the Scottish and York Rites emphasize the theatrical by use of elaborate costumes, stage props, and often actual stages with scenery backdrops to heighten the dramatic impact of each Rite’s morality lessons. This Degree work tends to be done by men well rehearsed in the roles they are performing rather than by the current Lodge officers.

Another noticeable difference from Blue Lodge is the attire sometimes worn by the ordinary members. Most striking of these are the uniforms worn by York Rite Commandery, complete with ceremonial swords. The uniforms are reminiscent of what was worn on formal occasions by naval officers a century ago. The chief characteristic is a large, folded-brim hat, called a chapeau, with ostrich plumes. The other two York Rite Bodies sometimes use modern blazer jackets, red for Chapter and purple for Council.

Scottish Rite limits its nonritual attire to a hat with ornamentation including the symbolic double-headed eagle and gold-colored braiding. The hat is of the pillbox type without bill or brim. Black is the basic color of the hat worn by the majority of the Scottish Rite members who are 32 Masons. The two honorary Degree classes have different identifying colors. Red is used for the man recognized as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour and labelled as a 32 K.C.C.H. Mason. The supreme honorary recognition of 33 Freemason is titled Inspector General Honorary and includes the identification of a white hat. The white Scottish Rite hat is rare representing slightly over 1% of the membership. In even smaller numbers are the purple or magenta hats worn by the 33 Active Members of The Supreme Council.

Both of the Rites practice charity and have their favorite projects. York Rite Masons have several charities, among them the Royal Arch Masons Auditory Research Assistance Program and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation which makes it possible for needy persons with sight problems to get medical help. The Knights Templars also support a Holy Land Pilgrimage program which sends ministers on tours dedicated to the locales important to Jews, Christians, and followers of Islam. Scottish Rite Free- masons support their 122 Childhood Learning Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs and their hospitals in Dallas, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, treating children with orthopedic, neurological, and learning disabilities. All groups practice local charity and usually sponsor educational scholarships.

Polity also differs. The Scottish Rite is hierarchical and oaths of loyalty are required to the Order’s national leaders whereas the York Rite is democratic in its polity.

In the final analysis both groups are champions, like Blue Lodge Masons, of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth."
by AEA
Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:42 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Master Masons?
Replies: 48
Views: 8661

Re: Master Masons?

Medic624 wrote:I want to become a Mason... how do I go about it??...
How does a man become a Mason?

Some men are surprised that no one has ever asked them to become a Mason. They may even feel that the Masons in their town don't think they are "good enough" to join. But it doesn't work that way. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. We can talk to friends about Masonry, we can tell them about what Masonry does. We can tell them why we enjoy it. But we can't ask, much less pressure anyone to join.

There's a good reason for that. It isn't that we're trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing. Joining Masonry is making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways. To live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share and care about others, to trust each other, and to place ultimate trust in God. No one should be "talked into" making such a decision.

So, when a man decides he wants to be a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition or application. He fills it out and gives it to the Mason, and that Mason takes it to the local lodge. The Master of the lodge will appoint a committee to visit with the man and his family, find out a little about him and why he wants to be a Mason, tell him and his family about Masonry, and answer their questions. The committee reports to the lodge, and the lodge votes on the petition. If the vote is affirmative -- and it usually is -- the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree. When the person has completed all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.
by AEA
Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:13 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Master Masons?
Replies: 48
Views: 8661

Re: Master Masons?

Whiteway Lodge #8
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

I am no longer active.

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