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York or Scottish Rite?

Mel Knight

Registered User
I've heard some Mason's stop at Knights Templar because you're required to be a Christian. I know this is a silly question but do you technically have to believe in Jesus to be a Christian?

I'm not sure if I should go the Scottish or York route!
 
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Ressam

Guest
I've heard some Mason's stop at Knights Templar because you're required to be a Christian. I know this is a silly question but do you technically have to believe in Jesus to be a Christian?

I'm not sure if I should go the Scottish or York route!
I'd choose -- York Rite! The American Rite!
What do you mean by sayin' -- "technically believe"?
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
I will be going through the Knights Templar Order next month and The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite later this month. I am doing both but then I am a Christian so will have no problem with a Christian oath.
 
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Mel Knight

Registered User
I'd choose -- York Rite! The American Rite!
What do you mean by sayin' -- "technically believe"?

Meaning can I just respect Jesus words and teachings without solely physically believing in him. I'm not sure if that made sense lol

For example: I truly enjoy Trismegistus work, but does it mean that I believe he actually existed? I'm not sure.
 

Zaden

Registered User
This actually came up as a topic of discussion among some of the brothers who are York Rite during the Scottish Rite Reunion last weekend. Some of them pointed out that, in Texas, at least, one is only required to swear to defend the Christian faith. Then, another brother brought up a phrase in the Order of Malta, that has one referring to holding a belief that "the" savior of the world was crucified etc. or something to that effect. Rendering the Knights Templar part of the York Rite technically prohibited for non-Christians unless you use some major rationalizations. It was also pointed out that this is not the case in Canada.

That said, the other bodies of the YR are open to all (regular) masons of any faith. Personally, the complete openness to faiths, and the depth of the philosophy in the Scottish Rite were what drew me most to it. I honestly have no real interest in pursuing the YR.

Both rites have a Royal Arch degree, both have "Templar" degrees/orders.
 
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Ressam

Guest
Meaning can I just respect Jesus words and teachings without solely physically believing in him.

And that's, actually, enough! What you're sayin'.
We may have not to believe that he was "physically" livin'.
The important thing is -- just tryin' to not to break Law, Commandments.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
The web site of the Grand Encampment of the United States says, in several places (FAQ, online petition, for example) that you must believe in the Christian religion. Not be willing to defend it, not just respect his words and teachings without believing that he physically existed (I don't see how you can do that, but whatever,) but believe in the Christian religion.
 

mrm113

Registered User
Well, you have to recite the Apostolic Oath, so it would certainly help.

Why go either? Be a Mason, support your lodge, focus on the teachings and the Craft itself.

Stopping at blue lodge is completely fine, but its like reading a book and stopping less than half way without knowing the ending or even why things happened the way they did. In blue lodge alot of things are said in ritual that aren't explained or even spoken about again. For instance.....wages. York rite tries to follow masonry as it was done centeries ago. As a master mason you are required to recieve your wages. Well in york rite you receive your wages and its fully explained. I see York rite as the college for masonry and Scottish rite the icing on the cake. S.R. has huge gala's and meetings giving you a chance to bond with other brothers while experiencing a classy meal with you and yours.

Fraternally yours, Sir knight Marvin E Williams Jr sublime prince of the royal secret 32°
 

Mel Knight

Registered User
I don't follow nor practice any particular religion. I don't have any issues I'm wondering if the order would have an issue with I.
 

GKA

Premium Member
One more point, there is a big difference between being interested in something and believing in it, call it a form of faith.
As you search for your true path, you will encounter many teachings, some will work for you, others will not, it's not a matter of truth, it's more a matter of application
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I don't follow nor practice any particular religion. I don't have any issues I'm wondering if the order would have an issue with I.

One of my friends was in a similar situation. He phrased it "I don't believe in churches". A year of lunch discussions later I was pleased to deliver his petition with my signature on it to a lodge near his home. At some point about a year after he was raised he had come to enough peace with churches that he became active in his local YR bodies.

This was in California where to go through the Commander degree one only needs to swear to defend the Christian faith. The brother who obligated me on my third is a practicing Buddhist who was willing to swear that. Discussing with him the process he went through to decide that is a mind expanding experience. No idea if I agree with him on his process and decision but I'm here to serve my lodges not to agree with people.
 

Ranger Morris

Registered User
If you don't believe in Christ as God, then don't go Scottish Rite. Personally, I am a devoted Christian, and belong to both Rites. That being said, I enjoy the Scottish Rite more by leaps and bounds!
 
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