Ask a Mason

originally posted by: Tsuro
So how far up do you have to be to actually know the foundation of freemasonry?

Master Mason (3rd Degree).

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I wasn't referring to "your", Its 32 right? And up to 32 you are at 3 right? So that means, I would feel more comfortable asking ksigmason

a reply to: Tsuro

He is going to give you the same answer. Most of us on here are in the Scottish Rite so we all also have the 32nd Degree.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

And the other rite have which number? It took me a while to figure it out, but you really get the whole toolbox from the south side..
So many stories and mazes

originally posted by: Tsuro
And the other rite have which number?

The Sottish Rite is the side order that uses numbers, the York Rite uses titles.

Why are there so many lodges is Puerto Rico? What is the importance of Puerto Rico in Freemasonry?

a reply to: TamtammyMacx

There are 50 lodges and 3,500,000 people living there. I do not think it is on the high side. We have over 150 in New Jersey with about 9,000,000 people so the proportions are less than my state.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

So just to make my theory into reality;

The other lodges uses a flat organization which i would consider, have more to a philosophical aspect to it. The Scottish rite uses a model that might imply a hierarchy in the same way as military organization..

- Would you consider it one?

So if i would, lets say "theoretical" look at your foundation.

- Do you think the rituals are of importance?

Lets say theoretical, i have a couple of papers.. Which explains your symbolics, theoretical that is..

- What is really the big secret, cause i cant see it? But i do see many strange things.. Which is a disturbing
( for a Swede that is )

Im actually in your universe guys!! Im not even sure what to make out of this, but its interesting..

And yeah, i wouldnt tell anyone either...

originally posted by: Tsuro

- Do you think the rituals are of importance?

Without its Rituals, Freemasonry could not exist.

The candidate for each degree undergoes a powerful “moral drama”. The more powerful the impression on the candidate the more impact it will have on his conscience. Reading the Rituals in a book could never come close to the power of our Rituals.

Then, the Masons doing the work or delivering the Ritual have to learn or memorize the work. By delivering each piece of the Ritual in a meaningful way to the candidate, the 'actor' has to become emotionally involved in his piece (truly play the part). This brings about thoughts and feelings in the Mason learning the work, and exposes the intention and symbolism of the Ritual.

Perhaps a metaphor for reading the Masonic Rituals or lessons from a book rather than actually doing our Rituals would be like reading about sex, rather than having it.

a reply to: Saurus

oooh now i get the rituals... its more of a psychological impact, like music with something..I think its the frontotemporal amygdala, and recollection of memory..

I was wondering cause it seemed like something a bit, well weird..I think a tazer would work even better

Thanks for the info!

a reply to: Saurus

But do you actually mention the history behind most "symbolic icons" or is it like a story without a observable reference?

Sweden ya know, always the observation..

a reply to: Tsuro
All of the "degrees and levels"? There's a lot of them, but the 3° is the most important and should be the primary focus of all Freemasons.

The foundation of Freemasonry is the Blue Lodge. The exact origins of Freemasonry though are debated among scholars and historians. Records prior to the 18th century are few and what we know prior to the 16th century is based on a few manuscripts.

a reply to: Tsuro
Well, AM is a 32°

a reply to: Tsuro
The York Rite doesn't use a numbering system for the degrees and orders.

a reply to: TamtammyMacx
Idaho has more Lodges than Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico has a larger population than Idaho (nearly double).

a reply to: Tsuro
You might like this: www.amazon.com...

a reply to: KSigMason

a reply to: Tsuro You might like this: www.amazon.com...

oooooh, so much wrong, me buy...

originally posted by: Tsuro
The Scottish rite uses a model that might imply a hierarchy in the same way as military organization..

It absolutely does. Particularly in the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction (not sure if the structure is mirrored in the Northern Jurisdiction where AM is a member).

The Scottish Rite masons in my city all answer to the Personal Representative in my city.

The Personal Rep. answers to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General, who governs the state.

The SGIG answers to the Sovereign Grand Commander, who governs the 35 states in the Southern Jurisdiction.

And the Sovereign Grand Commander answers to nobody. He's appointed for life, or until he decides to retire, I believe. (PR & SGIG have a mandatory retirement at 80 years old, but can be replaced at any time by the person above them. Not sure if the Grand Commander is out at 80 also... Suppose I could ask him next time I see him.)

a reply to: Mirthful Me

yes, I wear gloves at funerals, and when I am one of the 12 fellowcraft during a degree. But we don't wear gloves during meetings or any other time in degree work. But we also dress casual, where many lodges wear black tie. The Prince Hall lodges around us are black tie and gloves.

a reply to: JoshNorton

When was this model formed?

a reply to: Tsuro
The Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite was originally formed in 1801.

a reply to: KSigMason

what you mastering?

a reply to: Tsuro
Are you asking about the collegiate degree I am working on?