York Rite Question

[dhouseholder]

How many brothers join Chapter and Council and NOT Commandery? Ballpark figures invited.
Is this possible in Texas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Benton]

It's completely possible. Have no idea regarding numbers, though.

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

It happens more often than not I am afraid. I am not really sure of the actual numbers though. It would be interesting to find out.

 

[scialytic]

That made me think of another question I had. Can Faiths other than Christian participate in the Royal Arch Degrees? I ask because somebody had commented that all faiths can join Scottish Rite, but York Rite is restricted to Christians.

Now, it was my understanding that Royal Arch was open to all and in Europe (and likey York Rite Masons) is considered to "complete" the three Craft Lodge Degrees.

Please correct me if I misspoke, so I can correct myself. If I wasn't mistaken I'll speak more openly about it since there appears to be some misconception regarding it. It may be an option Brothers of other Faiths may be interested in if they knew it is open to them...

 

[BryanMaloney]

Israel has both Royal Arch chapters and Cryptic councils under its GL: Royal Arch Chapters of the State of Israel.

 

[JJones]

I don't think Yorkrite requires you to be a Christian, though I know Commandry does for sure.

 

[scialytic]

Seems to be the sentiment of folks I've been conversing with. So it is only Commandery? Or Cryptic also? I reckon if Cryptic is basd on the crypts of Enoch it would be applicable for Jews and Moslims both since both were prior to Jesus and Ishmael & Issac (respectively). Sound about right? So...Commandery has the *requirement* to be Christian? The other two don't? (For future clarifications only.)

 

[chrmc]

I haven't gone through it yet myself, so I cannot attest to it for certain, but I understand that as part of the rites in the Commandery one swears to defend and protect the Christian faith (please correct me those who know better).

However I'm not certain that this means that one has to be a Christian. I've heard a story about a Muslim brother who joined, because he had no problem with defending the Christian faith. His point was that he of course would defend any faith, just as he expected non-Muslims to defend his faith. Not sure if it's a true story, but I like the way of thinking.

 

[Bro_Vick]

That made me think of another question I had. Can Faiths other than Christian participate in the Royal Arch Degrees?

We have a brother who is very distinguished in our Chapter and Council who is Jewish. So yes, it doesn't require a certain subscription of faith.

S&F,
-Bro Vick

 

[Benton]

I haven't gone through it yet myself, so I cannot attest to it for certain, but I understand that as part of the rites in the Commandery one swears to defend and protect the Christian faith (please correct me those who know better).

However I'm not certain that this means that one has to be a Christian. I've heard a story about a Muslim brother who joined, because he had no problem with defending the Christian faith. His point was that he of course would defend any faith, just as he expected non-Muslims to defend his faith. Not sure if it's a true story, but I like the way of thinking.

I don't know about other jurisdictions, but in Texas, it's pretty clear on the Commandery petition that the petitioner must be, "a firm believer in the Christian Religion." Verbatim.

http://www.texasyorkrite.org/comman...on-for-the-Orders-of-Christian-Knighthood.pdf

 

[scialytic]

That was the answer I was expecting. I will be providing that info to Brothers I know, and meet. Thank you.

 

[scialytic]

I don't know about other jurisdictions, but in Texas, it's pretty clear on the Commandery petition that the petitioner must be, "a firm believer in the Christian Religion." Verbatim.

http://www.texasyorkrite.org/comman...on-for-the-Orders-of-Christian-Knighthood.pdf

Completely understandable for the Commandery. As it pertains to Christians morals, beliefs, and history. My question regards the prior two bodies of York Rite.

(FYI: I am Christian and interested in York Rite, but am looking for edification regarding the religious requirements of the other two...

 

[dhouseholder]

I don't know about other jurisdictions, but in Texas, it's pretty clear on the Commandery petition that the petitioner must be, "a firm believer in the Christian Religion." Verbatim.

http://www.texasyorkrite.org/comman...on-for-the-Orders-of-Christian-Knighthood.pdf

Which is fine, does anyone have the membership of all 3 bodies? We could do some quick math...

 

[scialytic]

Now, Brother Vick, if he were to join the Commandery would he have to swear an oath as a Christian (i.e. he must be a Christian? Or would it be more analogous to swearing the oath of the Shrine, i.e. he could join as a non-Christian faith Brother into the Commandery?

To be clear: my initial question is in regard to a non-Christian joining the Arch; which I think is okay. Is it? And are non-Christians welcome to join the Royal Arch?

 

[Pscyclepath]

The Royal Arch and cryptic degrees are firmly rooted in the Old Testament, so I have experienced no problem so far with anyone who meets the basic faith requirements to be a blue-lodge Mason in progressing to these degrees.

 

[scialytic]

I totally hijacked this thread. I apologize. I've gotten my answers, but I'm not sure you have. Thanks for the edification and here's the real question for the thread.

How many brothers join Chapter and Council and NOT Commandery? Ballpark figures invited.
Is this possible in Texas? Thanks in advance.

 

[BroBill]

Non-Christians can take the Chapter.and Council degrees- and many do. The Commandery orders require firm committment to Christianity.

 

[dhouseholder]

Does anyone have membership numbers?

 

[Benton]

Now, Brother Vick, if he were to join the Commandery would he have to swear an oath as a Christian (i.e. he must be a Christian? Or would it be more analogous to swearing the oath of the Shrine, i.e. he could join as a non-Christian faith Brother into the Commandery?

To be clear: my initial question is in regard to a non-Christian joining the Arch; which I think is okay. Is it? And are non-Christians welcome to join the Royal Arch?

You do NOT have to be a Christian to join the Chapter and Council.

And my previous post answers your question about the commandery, brother. If a brother were to turn in a petition to the commandery answering that he "believes firmly in the Christian faith," then he is either a Christian, or lying, as I read it. Granted, we take them on their word, and don't inquire further. But the petition, at least in the Grand Commandery of Texas, is, as I previously mentioned, pretty clear.

 

[Bro_Vick]

Now, Brother Vick, if he were to join the Commandery would he have to swear an oath as a Christian (i.e. he must be a Christian? Or would it be more analogous to swearing the oath of the Shrine, i.e. he could join as a non-Christian faith Brother into the Commandery?

To be clear: my initial question is in regard to a non-Christian joining the Arch; which I think is okay. Is it? And are non-Christians welcome to join the Royal Arch?

He is very public about his faith, and has no desire to join the Commandery, due to him being Jewish.

The belief that somehow one needs to join the Commandery to finish the York Rite is a falsehood, the end of the Cryptic degrees finishes the story started in the Blue Lodge, the Commandery while lumped in due to tradition is for all intensive purposes separate from the Chapter and Council.

So you really don't have to join the Commandery to fully participate in the York Rite, contrary to popular belief.

S&F,
-Bro Vick