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Beyond the craft

Elexir

Registered User
I think we might have a diffrence in culture here. In general there is a more conservative culture in Europe then in the USA in regards to orders in general.
 

Winter

Premium Member
I think we might have a diffrence in culture here. In general there is a more conservative culture in Europe then in the USA in regards to orders in general.
I believe that. I can also see how it might lead to slower change as well.

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Matt Ross

Registered User
In my jurisdiction one must be a master mason for two years prior to being considered for membership in an appendant body, in time I hope to go through both the Royal Arch and the Scottish Rite however in your opinion brethren, where would you start?
I just became a Master Mason in June, but here in Michigan you're allowed to join Appendent bodies as soon as you get your dues card. I'm starting with York Rite first simply because I know I'll do both rites eventually and I know I want to do all the Scottish Rite degrees and that will take some time.
 

Winter

Premium Member

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David612

Registered User
We don’t use dues cards here- originally I was sure my hopes of joining the AASR was going to be in vain (short of driving 3 hours to a universal chapter) but it sounds like there may be hope yet.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Unless they changed it when I wasn't paying attention, the Scottish Rite here in the States is open to all Master Masons. (I'm in the Orient of Florida, myself)

The Chapter and Council of the York Rite also open to non Christians while the Commandery has been traditionally for those who profess the Christian faith. Though in recent years, exceptions have been made for those who will swear willingness to defend the Christian faith.

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Great point, I know a guy that was not a Christian but said because his family members were all Christians he would defend it. Made sense to me I suppose. We'll see if the KT is ever called to go back to 'crusading' if he'd follow the leader then lol.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
...So, in the HRA there, how many degrees are there?...
.

Well, that's an interesting question. In Holy Royal Arch, one might say no degrees, but rather the Third Degree is Completed... but putting that detail aside, there are two ceremonies..
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
After I was raised I was quickly approached to join Scottish rite and the shrine. I. Said I had no intention to leave my blue lodge. I want to learn everything I can about my blue lodge.
 

bro.william

Premium Member
After I was raised I was quickly approached to join Scottish rite and the shrine. I. Said I had no intention to leave my blue lodge. I want to learn everything I can about my blue lodge.

I joined the HRA pretty sharpish after being raised, as it's considered in the UGLE to be the "completion of the third" and your local HRA chapter is, in effect, an extension of your craft lodge. I've since been approached about the KTs (which I reckon I'll eventually do), and I've made enquiries about the Mark (which I expect will be my next degree), but my heart is most fundamentally with my craft lodge, because that's the basis and root of it all. Whatever other degrees any of us might or might not do, we are all Master Masons, and that's where my sense of brotherhood lies.
 

David612

Registered User
I joined the HRA pretty sharpish after being raised, as it's considered in the UGLE to be the "completion of the third" and your local HRA chapter is, in effect, an extension of your craft lodge. I've since been approached about the KTs (which I reckon I'll eventually do), and I've made enquiries about the Mark (which I expect will be my next degree), but my heart is most fundamentally with my craft lodge, because that's the basis and root of it all. Whatever other degrees any of us might or might not do, we are all Master Masons, and that's where my sense of brotherhood lies.
I too would like to go through the arch, it does seem like the thing to do- and my blue lodge can do the mark man degree...
The AASR is looking at a restructure locally as I have premised but there are some ardent trinitarians who say that if it goes universal they are leaving- obviously better to see it die.
Still I (and the religiously ambiguous youth) would rater not be seen as a reason for the change.
 

bro.william

Premium Member
I don't personally have a problem swearing an oath of belief in the Trinity — I had to do it before my bishop when I was ordained! :) :D — but neither do I have a problem with sitting in any lodge or allied degree with those of other faiths or no heavily defined faith. In fact, as a "professional Christian" (so to speak), one of the things I love about the non-sectarian nature of the craft lodge is that it's the one place in this city where I can take off my clericals, breathe easy, hang around a bunch of guys who share my values and interests, and just be plain old Brother Will instead of Father Will.

I can see how the Christian symbolism that I gather is in some of these degrees might or might not jar for someone who isn't a Christian. But I can't imagine I'd leave a masonic-related organisation just because they opened up. The brotherhood of all men of good will towards God and each other is the whole premise of the craft lodges that got us all started down this road.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
In my jurisdiction one must be a master mason for two years prior to being considered for membership in an appendant body, in time I hope to go through both the Royal Arch and the Scottish Rite however in your opinion brethren, where would you start?

With the "take it slows" all said, it depends what you're into as well. SRIA in England is a good way to go for that esoteric itch or the Hermetic Order of Martinists as well. They definitely go down the rabbit hole, not that HRA or SR doesn't. Several others as well.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
With the "take it slows" all said, it depends what you're into as well. SRIA in England is a good way to go for that esoteric itch or the Hermetic Order of Martinists as well. They definitely go down the rabbit hole, not that HRA or SR doesn't. Several others as well.

While I am a great fan of that particular rabbit hole, I believe SRIA is invitation only.
 

David612

Registered User
This info is great!
I’m still a year off being eligible for consideration and things going that way makes me think that perhaps it would be advantageous to wait until I have sat in the east?
 

Scoops

Registered User
This info is great!
I’m still a year off being eligible for consideration and things going that way makes me think that perhaps it would be advantageous to wait until I have sat in the east?
Whilst I've joined Mark here, I'm waiting until I've gone through the Craft chair before joining Chapter. I'll probably wait until after I've been through the Mark chair before joining RAM.

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CLewey44

Registered User
Whilst I've joined Mark here, I'm waiting until I've gone through the Craft chair before joining Chapter. I'll probably wait until after I've been through the Mark chair before joining RAM.

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Royal Ark Mariner? The U.S. includes that in AMD to the best of my knowledge.
 
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