Shriners, Scottish Rite or York Rite

[MarkR]

...I do not suggest going for your 32nd until you are a Sir Knight in the Commandery.

I'm curious why you'd say this. I'm Venerable Master of the Scottish Rite Valley of Rochester, and I find my Scottish Rite involvement to be very fulfilling. Even if I decided to do any of the York Rite bodies, I have long decided that I wouldn't do Commandery for several reasons. I don't see where doing Commandery is some kind of prerequisite to doing Scottish Rite.

 

[KSigMason]

I have gone YR and SR and if I could choose just 1 then it would be the SR. I love the teaching and the philosophical ideas behind each degree. But at the same time I do not suggest going for your 32nd until you are a Sir Knight in the Commandery.

I'm curious why you'd say this. I'm Venerable Master of the Scottish Rite Valley of Rochester, and I find my Scottish Rite involvement to be very fulfilling. Even if I decided to do any of the York Rite bodies, I have long decided that I wouldn't do Commandery for several reasons. I don't see where doing Commandery is some kind of prerequisite to doing Scottish Rite.

Part of me wants to agree with him as that is the route I went, but each member must seek further light in his own way.

A lot of people don't join the Commandery for obvious reasons, but I will say as beautiful as the ceremonies are, they didn't affect my perspective when I went through the degrees of the Scottish Rite.

 

[scialytic]

Just the opposite here. I've been a Mason long enough to know I don't need more, and that's just me. I joined the Valley of Fort Worth around 2000 but have since demitted. The Lodge has all I need...to take from and give back to.

So what happens when you demit from an appendant body? Obviously you aren't going to be going to any functions. Because you've already received that Light along with the "Degrees," can you still refer to (or consider) yourself a "32nd Degree Mason" (not that that's "more" than a MM) if you demitted?

It's quite a conundrum...how do you lose something you've already attained?

 

[scialytic]

one of the many reasons I enjoy being a shriner

A Tale of Two Patients: Alissa Perkins and Kate Hickman - YouTube

Well if I don't join, I'll sure as hell donate! Thanks for making me cry. (I didn't cry...well, maybe a little...)

 

[MarkR]

So what happens when you demit from an appendant body? Obviously you aren't going to be going to any functions. Because you've already received that Light along with the "Degrees," can you still refer to (or consider) yourself a "32nd Degree Mason" (not that that's "more" than a MM) if you demitted?

It's quite a conundrum...how do you lose something you've already attained?

I don't know how the appendant/concordant bodies view it, but remember that in the Blue Lodge, your vows "can never be repudiated or laid aside." If you demit from a Blue Lodge and go inactive, you're a Mason who's not in good standing, as opposed to if you've been expelled, in which case you're no longer a Mason. I would suspect it's the same with Scottish Rite, because if you decide to come back, you'll just have to satisfy some dollar amount for past dues, not go through the degrees again.

 

[Bro_Vick]

I'm curious why you'd say this. I'm Venerable Master of the Scottish Rite Valley of Rochester, and I find my Scottish Rite involvement to be very fulfilling. Even if I decided to do any of the York Rite bodies, I have long decided that I wouldn't do Commandery for several reasons. I don't see where doing Commandery is some kind of prerequisite to doing Scottish Rite.

I did the opposite, I just went through the Scottish Rite, and did the York Rite first. I would say that in regards to the completion of the story of the 3rd Degree, the York Rite is they way to go, as the Scottish Rite tells it differently. For Commandery, it is completely independent (story line wise) from any of the other degrees, and isn't a pre-req to anything, and really doesn't complete your journey in the York Rite either.

But I wouldn't agree with the statement you need to be in the Commandery before you join the Scottish Rite.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

 

[dfreybur]

So what happens when you demit from an appendant body? Obviously you aren't going to be going to any functions. Because you've already received that Light along with the "Degrees," can you still refer to (or consider) yourself a "32nd Degree Mason" (not that that's "more" than a MM) if you demitted?

It's quite a conundrum...how do you lose something you've already attained?

Masonry is sort of like the Marines. There's no such thing as a "former" Marine. When you demit from any Masonic order you're "on open demit". It means you can petition for affiliation to rejoin at any time and you're considered in good standing. A better status that going NPD. Get Suspended or Expelled and you're no longer in good standing.

To heal being on an open demit you just have to affiliate without any need to make up missed dues. You just didn't earn service time towards a 50 year pin.

To heal being suspended you do have to make up some amount of missed dues. To heal being expelled a lot more is involved.

 

[stuntman98]

I say consistory

PM Pride of Walton #110
SW Sons of Light #77
Spain Military Consistory Orient of Europe
Grand Technician WFOT

 

[Brother]

I have to say York Rite. But if you are not a christian Scottish Rite would probably suit you better. This is not a knock against Scottish Rite just my opinion.

Senior Deacon Empire Lodge 586
Haggai Chapter 53
Haggai Council 38
KT Sword Bearer McKinney Commandery 34

 

[Bro_Vick]

I have to say York Rite. But if you are not a christian Scottish Rite would probably suit you better. This is not a knock against Scottish Rite just my opinion.

I disagree for the mere fact that some of our most active brothers in the York Rite are Jewish, and not Christian. The belief that the Order of the Temple is some how the finishing of the York Rite is incorrect. You get the final word in the Cryptic Degrees, not in the Order of the Temple. I think that men see the Order of the Temple as being the capstone because in a lot of states you have to be a member of he Royal Arch and he Royal and Select Masters. Really, KT could just require you to be a Master Mason.

Just my $.02

S&F,
-Bro Vick

 

[Brother]

I agree that the cryptic degrees cap off the blue lodge work. But I have never met a fellow sir knight who was not a devout christian. I don't see how a Jewish person could fulfill the obligations taken during the order of the temple. Please note I have nothing against Jewish brothers, just don't understand how they could make such promises.

Senior Deacon Empire Lodge 586
Haggai Chapter 53
Haggai Council 38
KT Sword Bearer McKinney Commandery 34

 

[athelstane839]

Masonry masonry it's what your seeking but I advise you to join all branches so you can learn all there doctrines. Remember masonry does not ask you for you religion instead for your belief in god religion has nothing to do with masonry.


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[stuntman98]

Yeah.....but york rite is more religious based

PM Pride of Walton #110
SW Sons of Light #77
Spain Military Consistory Orient of Europe
Grand Technician WFOT

 

[crono782]

I'd suggest Scottish Rite is heavily religious based, but more of a "crash course in comparative religion and philosophy" kinda way.


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[Txmason]

Learn blue lodge first. Scottish rite is great if you are in business. I'd recommend spending at least a year in the blue lodge and try different positions. I have been the Marshal and will be master of ceremonies for the second time around.

I am a member of SR and Shrine. I suggest the SR first it is a great extension of the blade lodge degrees. If you have any questions just ask.


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[Nat Geo 357]

York Rite without a doubt for me. In the Scottish Rite you can become a 32nd degree overnight, but the journey in York Rite will last a lifetime.


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[crono782]

I wouldn't sell the Scottish Rite short. Most reunions when ALL the degrees are done properly will still take a 2-3 days. Granted that's still a lot of degrees in a short time, but the SR degrees are VERY meaty and can easily give two lifetimes of study and contemplation. I love YR as well, but SR is fascinating for me.


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[Nat Geo 357]

I agree I will never sale any Masonic body short, I truly believe both bodies offer something very unique and rewarding for the seeker of more light.


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[The Widows Son]

York Rite is the side I travel on....it should be no difference in YR or SR but time has changed things...Shriner is the fun house

 

[perryel]

I've travelled AASR thru 32 & YR thru R&SM. I prefer SR, but in PHA AASR NJ we still get the K--H, which makes a big difference IMHO.


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