Master Masons?

[timdsmith72]

Arlington Lodge #438 here. I was raised as a Master Mason in 1995. I use to help teach the memory work on study nights, but since I got married, I don't have the time to go over there the two nights a week plus the occasional degree. I have however, taught the memory work to a couple of Brothers here at work. I also attend degrees when I can and work in them when needed.

[AEA]

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.

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

Thanks for the info it was helpful...

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."

[Purplehood]

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?

[RottenApple]

I found two things interesting in that article:

separation of church and state

While I do agree that the State should stay out of the church, I do not think that it is necessary, and in fact is detrimental, for the <insert-house-of-worship> to be separate from the State. And I think our Founding Fathers would agree. After all, they kept the federal government from establishing a state religion, but did not prevent various religious groups from participating in government.

Council of Kadosh

Kadosh (in Heb. "קדוש") is Hebrew for Sacred or Righteous. So this would literally be a "Council of the Righteous" or a "Councel of Righteousness".

Kinda neat to find that out.

[AEA]

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.

[RottenApple]

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?

Looking at the article, I would say you are correct.

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.

So if you are interested in becoming a Mason and you are Christian you can (should?) become a York Rite Mason. If you are Jewish, Moslem, etc. you should become a Scottish Rite Mason. At least that's my reading of it. But I am not a Mason so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

[timdsmith72]

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'll try...

I am a Blue Lodge Mason and have not gone into the Scottish Rite or York Rite. However, I have asked many questions because I am planning on going further. So...
To join the Blue Lodge, believing in a Deity is sufficient. The Scottish Rite also only requires that you believe in A Deity. However, if I understand it correctly, once you get so far in to the York Rite, you must pledge to defend Christianity specifically. Therefore, you must be a Christian.

I think I have that right. Hopefully someone will come along and correct me if not.

[The Annoyed Man]

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?

Quoting the above article:

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.

I was first accepted into Masonry as an Entered Apprentice in about 1988-'89. I was raised a Master Mason in about 1990-'91 (I think....I'm not absolutely certain of the dates, except that I know I was already participating before 1990 because of a job change that occurred then). I originally posted that it was '93-'94, but on reflection, that's not correct.

Anyway, I never went beyond being a Blue Lodge mason. I was a Master Mason for several years, but then I eventually lost interest, and at some point I stopped paying dues and let my lodge memberships lapse (I belonged first to the one I previously mentioned in Alhambra, and then I later joined a lodge in Pasadena). The reason I lost interest had nothing to do with the goodness or badness of Masonry. To this day, I bear Masonry no ill-will, and I think it is an honorable pursuit. What happened to me was that, although I believed in a generalized "deity," I came face to face with Jesus Christ in 1994, and I made Him the centerpiece of my life. Masonry filled a need I had in my life. When I met Jesus, He filled that need more completely and richly. If the teachings and lifestyle promoted by Masonry were gold, becoming absolutely committed to Jesus was like diamonds. For me. So it wasn't that I left something bad behind. It was simply that I gave myself completely to something that was better. For me.

There was at the time several godly men who were both active members of my church, and active members of my lodge. They were able to combine the two things into their lives, and it worked for them. For my own part, I found that once I had given my life to Christ, I couldn't give part of it to anything else. I want to be very clear that I am only talking about my life. I have never steered anyone away from Masonry, nor would I do so. I have been asked in the past about it by people who knew that I was one and who were curious as to how to go about getting themselves involved. My answer at the time was that, although I was no longer participating in Masonry, I would be happy to introduce them to someone who was, so that they could pursue this if they wanted to; and I always liked the idea of masonry's motto of "making good men better."

Purplehood, all of this is to say that I am not now a practicing Mason nor am I a member of either the Scottish or York Rites. But here is my understanding, based on my past experience, and which I think is supported by the above quote: A belief in a deity is a requirement to Blue Lodge masonry. This includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Bahai, Zoroastrians, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc., and practitioners of pretty much an religion you can think of (except the religions of atheism or possibly satanism). A belief in a deity, along the same lines as for Blue Lodge masonry is a requirement to being a Scottish Rite mason. This would include pretty much any religion you can think of also. But the York Rite specifically requires Christian belief.

That is my understanding.

[JNMAR]

I pretty much share your exact sentiments TAM. I asked one of my Great Uncles on my 21st birthday how I could become a Mason, he just happened to have a petition in his pocket. Went through the three degrees of the Blue Lodge early in 1967, followed by York Rite then Scottish Rite, then Shriners. I later had a dual membership in two blue lodges and was very active in all five for many years before I finally realized I couldn't serve two Masters much less six. But with that said, they're great organizations and do a tremendous amount of good stuff.

[OldSchool]

Not me, however my Dad worked his way through all of the degrees. Masonic rites were a very nice (and unexpected for me) touch at his funeral.

I didn't anticipate the local lodge (Bend, OR) showing up and doing the rites for my father.

I have considered joining over the years but am absolutely convinced that I would never be able to memorize what needs to be memorized.

Dad's lodge was a short ways below you (not giving too much away). My Mom was born within a stone's throw of where you are.

[LedJedi]

wow, i'm really glad you guys started this thread. I have a few friends who are masons and I've asked a few questions here and there and i've even expressed an interest in joining, read a few books on the subject (both conspiracy theory and stuff written by masons), but i never really felt like it was something for me.

I believe in the basic tennants my buddies would talk about (the stuff they could talk about) but i have an inherant distrust of an organization that intentionally bathes itself in secrecy. I think the input here from the folks on the board, some of whom i have a great deal of respect for, may be pushing me over the tipping point of investigating a lodge. We are due to move later this year. I may investigate the local lodge near where we land.

Thanks guys, i always learn something when i visit this forum.

[OldSchool]

wow, i'm really glad you guys started this thread. I have a few friends who are masons and I've asked a few questions here and there and i've even expressed an interest in joining, read a few books on the subject (both conspiracy theory and stuff written by masons), but i never really felt like it was something for me.

I believe in the basic tennants my buddies would talk about (the stuff they could talk about) but i have an inherant distrust of an organization that intentionally bathes itself in secrecy. I think the input here from the folks on the board, some of whom i have a great deal of respect for, may be pushing me over the tipping point of investigating a lodge. We are due to move later this year. I may investigate the local lodge near where we land.

Thanks guys, i always learn something when i visit this forum.

There have been, and are, several "secret" organizations, over hundreds (thousands) of years, with members who have also been excellent members of society. Grange, Oddfellows, Masons, Rebekahs, et al. You've probably read the books that show the number of intelligent leaders during the 1770's rebellion who were Masons. As you've probably noticed, there have been many reasons at specific periods of time for secrecy due to outside threats; however, I'd say this "secrecy" (which has become quite porous recently for all of those groups) and ritual also foster a more tightly-knit internal society. Secrecy in these organizations has never been a threat to society or personal dignity (actually, quite the opposite). In fact, it's often kinda fun!

[Hammerdown15]

Past Master, 2010-2011, Port Neches #1163, Port Neches, Texas

Great thread. Plenty more CHL bretheren out there, just not members of this forum...yet.

[Beiruty]

Let me ask:
Why there are 2 rites? When the split if any happened, who are the shrines? I have heard about allied organizations? Who are those?
Why the york rites has to defend Christianity where the Scottish rite do not? Who is has the upper echelon in all those rites? Most likely there should be supreme figure over all the Masons.

One member above mentioned Aribia and El-Mina (means port in Arabic)? Who are those Shriners?

I have interest in Masonry, since one of my best friend became a Mason. He is highly educated and intelligent person. A very loyal friend that helped me a lot. What still a Mystery for me is all the Conspiracy theories floating around Masons.

And what is the relationship between Kinghts Templar who massacred hundreds of thousands in the Holy land a the time of crusaders and the York Rites? Are they the same organization under new name? Also, the new mass shooting in Oslao and most likely shooter is York Rite's Kinght or so he claims.

How one can better the good man when he resort to extreme violence (mass murder and terrorism)?

[apostate]

I believe in the basic tennants my buddies would talk about (the stuff they could talk about) but i have an inherant distrust of an organization that intentionally bathes itself in secrecy. I think the input here from the folks on the board, some of whom i have a great deal of respect for, may be pushing me over the tipping point of investigating a lodge. We are due to move later this year. I may investigate the local lodge near where we land.

Thanks guys, i always learn something when i visit this forum.

There have been, and are, several "secret" organizations, over hundreds (thousands) of years, with members who have also been excellent members of society.

True but irrelevant to the question whether an outsider should trust "an organization that intentionally bathes itself in secrecy." I also understand the reluctance of potential members to walk in blind. After all, unless recruited by a close friend or family member, how can they know whether they want to commit to an organization whose goals are kept secret from them? (A comment on "secret societies" in general, and not any particular organization.)