what is evil about freemasonry?

Thank you for that post, Axeman. As a Fellow of the Grand College of Rites for quite a few years now, I can wholeheartedly recommend this organization to all regular Master Masons, but more especially to the Brethren of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The Grand College of Rites gives regular Masons the opportunity to study and explore the ritual, symbolism, and history of the Rite of Memphis, Rite of Mitzraim, Swedenbourgian Rite, Martinist Rite, etc. It's well worth the $10 per year charged in dues.

Originally posted by The Axeman
Just to add my $0.02...

The Rites of Memphis and Misraim are available to be experienced by any Master Mason in good standing, via the Grand College of Rites.

www.grandcollegeofrites.org...

Actually, there is ALOT of additional Masonic Light to be had...

www.grandcollegeofrites.org...

So, even if moonchild were telling the truth about his affiliation, by saying that he his privy to some knowledge that a regular Master Mason in good standing is not, he is in error.

[edit on 7/25/05 by The Axeman]

And still, no one answers the million dollar 18th degree question. Looks like you are going to have to do the research yourself Stegasouras.

Originally posted by Stegosaur

The subject of differing degrees between Memphis/Scottish/York is so confusing to me. Just so I have this straight, you are speaking of the 18th degree for Memphis, which of course is going to be different for Scottish and York? Or are you saying the degree is "in name" the same among all three but that your rite interprets/practices it differently (and from what I infer from your posts, you believe your rite takes it to a "deeper level" of understanding)?

The 18°, which is styled "Rose Croix", is probably French in origin. From the Rite of Perfection, it entered into the Scottish Rite, and was later copied and edited into several other newer Rites, including those of Memphis and Mitzraim. Interestingly, in practically every Rite that the Rose Croix degree found a home, it was situated at the 18°, which has led some Masons to believe there is a mystical significance in the number 18.

In every Rite wherein it is found, the basics of the degree are the same. It uses a Christian symbolism, and in some Rites only Christian Masons may receive the degree. This may possibly be a remnant of the requirements of the Rosicrucian Fraternity, where some believe that the Rose Croix Degree originated.

As to your original question, however, the Rite of Memphis was officially tabled by the Grand Orient of France about a century and a half ago. The reason for this is that it was considered a scam. Anyone with 20 bucks could buy the Memphis 33°, and then pretended they were equal in honor to a Scottish Rite 33° Mason, who had earned the Degree through years of service and hard work. If you had more than 20 bucks, you could buy even more exalted degrees, which existed in name only (the degrees of Memphis were rarely, if ever, conferred in ceremonial form, and most of them were never even actually written. The ones that WERE actually used were rip-offs of the Scottish Rite).

There is already a thread on this topic, Free Masons. Good or Evil?.