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Shriners, Scottish Rite or York Rite

Scottish Rite, York Rite or Shrine

  • Scottish Rite

    Votes: 44 29.3%
  • York Rite

    Votes: 46 30.7%
  • Shrine

    Votes: 14 9.3%
  • Grotto

    Votes: 1 0.7%
  • OES

    Votes: 4 2.7%
  • Lodge only...no time for anything else.

    Votes: 41 27.3%

  • Total voters
    150

MikeMay

Premium Member
If you could only join one, which one would you join? (If your finances/time were limited and you still want to be active in the Lodge)

For those of you who are in several, which would you give up if you could only do one?

I added OES for those who are married and your spouse is involved, but if you want to exclude that and pick another that's okay...I'm just curious.

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------

This one is hard for me, my grandfather was a Ben Hur Shriner...but I think if I had to chose now, it would be the Scottish Rite...I'm Scottish. ;-)
 

Ashton Lawson

Premium Member
The Scottish Rite is French :laugh:

This is easy for me. Personally, I have zero interest in the Shrine. It offers no learning or education whatsoever from what I've seen and been told, however, it does offer multitudes of fun fraternal and charitable activities if that's your thing.

I have done the York Rite degrees, and thoroughly enjoyed them, though the York Rite in Texas seems to be struggling to survive from what I've seen so far.

I am currently going through my Scottish Rite degrees, and they are without question the most enjoyable of anything I've done as Mason. They are very educational, deeply mystical, and filled with layer upon layer of meaning and depth.

If I had to choose one of your three, for me, it'd be the Scottish Rite, without hestitation.
 

Txmason

Registered User
I am considering either York Rite, Scottish Rite or Shrine. Are York and Scottish active in the community like the Shrine? I'm a photographer and would love to join a group that I can do photography with. Any suggestions?

Best,
Jerry
 

MikeMay

Premium Member

dpteskeys

Registered User
York Rite for me. I like be part of the degrees personally, instead of sitting at a table for a day watching acting on a stage ( Scottish rite) also most York rite bodies meet at blue lodges, instead of going to a huge stated meeting with alot of other guys who always ask you to join a unit (shrine)
 

RobinWinslett

Registered User
Many in my Blue Lodge are involved in the Shrine, but for me, I enjoy learning more. So that's why I went to the Scottish Rite. It's been a great decision, I feel, as I've been heartily welcomed and I've found a place where I can continue the quest for light.
 

tom268

Registered User
York Rite for me. I like be part of the degrees personally, instead of sitting at a table for a day watching acting on a stage ( Scottish rite) also most York rite bodies meet at blue lodges, instead of going to a huge stated meeting with alot of other guys who always ask you to join a unit (shrine)
In Germany, the AASR also works the degrees and meet in the same buildings as blue lodges. There is no "stage work", always "floor work" with one to five candidates. I know that of other european AASR too. It seams, that it is typical US development. AASR is of french origin, but what we know as AASR nowadays, is of american origin. And as most european supreme councils were chartered by Charleston, it irritates me, that traditions are that different.

Does anyone know, when the US supreme councils changed from standard degree work to this stage performances of today?
 

AAJ

Registered User
I am just a member of the blue lodge; I haven't been a Mason long enough to feel i need more. I am sure that eventually I will join both but I am not sure yet which I will join first. York rite is popular at my Lodge, but I like what I have read on the Scottish rite. I have little interest in Shrine, Grotto, OES, etc.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
The Scottish Rite is French :laugh:

This is easy for me. Personally, I have zero interest in the Shrine. It offers no learning or education whatsoever from what I've seen and been told, however, it does offer multitudes of fun fraternal and charitable activities if that's your thing.

I have done the York Rite degrees, and thoroughly enjoyed them, though the York Rite in Texas seems to be struggling to survive from what I've seen so far.

I am currently going through my Scottish Rite degrees, and they are without question the most enjoyable of anything I've done as Mason. They are very educational, deeply mystical, and filled with layer upon layer of meaning and depth.

If I had to choose one of your three, for me, it'd be the Scottish Rite, without hestitation.

I can't commit on the York Rite as I haven't dabbled to date. I do see the valued work done by the Shrine and do lend a hand in the fun raising activities. But my heart is indeed in the Scottish Rite. These are my interests and this is my home away from (blue lodge) home.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I voted for York Rite. If there was no Blue Lodge, there would be no York Rite in Texas or in many other States here in the U.S.

Of course some of US are lucky enough to enjoy both Blue (YR) and Red (SR) Lodges....
 

Ashlar

Registered User
My vote goes for York Rite . Though I am a member of both YR and SR , I found the YR degrees by far more beautiful and meaningful . Also there is a few things I do not agree with concerning the SR that I will not go into , I am only a member because of a dying wish of a man I respected , if not for that I would not be a member .

The Shrine , I want nothing to do with for a few reasons and though I am a Past and present WP in the OES and enjoy it , if my Chapter turned in it's Charter tomorrow , I would lose no sleep over it .
 

Traveling Man

Premium Member
At the present rate of attrition this poll may become irrelevant; or maybe it might just be pointing out the problem?
 
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Christopher

Registered User
I'm surprised that the Shrine has had such a bad showing so far. About half of the active members of my lodge are active in the Shrine and love it. Maybe more than half. About half are member of SR and YR but I think I'm the only active member.
 

gnarledrose

Registered User
I went with Blue Lodge, but my area's in a bit of a pickle-- Scottish Rite meets 50 miles away, York Rite is barely hanging onto our local Chapter/Council/Commandery, and Shrine's not much "fun" when there's only four of you doing all the work.
 

SWATFrog

Premium Member
I joined the York Rite and have enjoyed my experience there. I enjoy being involved in the festivals. I don't know a lot about the Scottish Rite but I've applied for the march 26th Reunion. I'm sure I will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed my time at York Rite.
 

Beathard

Premium Member
I am all if the above. I like blue lodge and OES. I would probably do shrine next and the Scottish rite. Honestly if I did it all again I would probably do blue lodge and OES only until I retire.
 

RTidwell

Registered User
I'm going to have to go with the shrine. But that's only because the FMRC isnt up there and Ben Hur has a motorcycle club.

I am a member of the Shrin, scottish and York rites. But if I only had to pick one that is what it would be.
 

Tony Siciliano

Premium Member
Bro. Stewart said:
I voted for York Rite. If there was no Blue Lodge, there would be no York Rite in Texas or in many other States here in the U.S.

Of course some of US are lucky enough to enjoy both Blue (YR) and Red (SR) Lodges....

This fall I am transferring to NOLA, and I'm really looking forward to witnessing some Red Lodge degrees.

I chose AASR. I like what it has to offer.
 
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