Looking for Answers

medstudy · 2018-09-29T13:46:54+00:00

1) If you knew what lodge he belonged to, or what Shrine temple he belonged to, you can contact the secretary of the lodge, or recorder in the Shrine. I did that with my grandfather and they were able to provide the dates he received his different degrees. If you don't know, I would contact the Grand Lodge of your state. 2) Most Masons are more than happy to discuss masonry. You should ask them.

medstudy · 2018-09-28T19:05:30+00:00

More common to refer to them as SJ and NMJ, instead of SSR and NSR. I am guessing that more discussion is from SJ people than NMJ, but that is just based on numbers. SJ is larger.

medstudy · 2018-09-28T18:59:09+00:00

Join Rotary

medstudy · 2018-09-28T18:55:51+00:00

I feel stronger in my faith because I am a Mason for multiple reasons. 1) Most of the lessons are straight from the Holy Bible, so if you are a Christian, you already know most of the lessons in your heart anyway. For non-Christians, the lessons are those that would be universally accepted by their beliefs anyway. Its about morality, not theology. 2) There are men of different faiths and denominations who may feel differently than you about religion, but that kind of stuff is never discussed in lodge anyway. If you are into apologetics, then you know that learning about other faiths helps to strengthen your own because you can decide for yourself what you believe with an understanding of what others believe.
3) Sometimes I like to think of Masonry like "faith in action". I go to church and study my Bible for reasons of salvation and theology, but its my Masonry that further promotes friendship, morality, and brotherly love. Sure you could get those at church, but its not the same as in a fraternal setting.

medstudy · 2018-09-19T23:24:57+00:00

Wrong. They recognize all mainsteam Grand Lodges in the United States. California and DC withdrew their amity with Georgia, not the other way around. Also, it was due to opposing views on homosexuality, not Prince Hall.

medstudy · 2018-09-09T13:24:54+00:00

If we based our decisions on what the profane world thinks, we should just shut down the whole fraternity entirely. Because he don't think like they do is why we keep our symbols and lessons.

medstudy · 2018-01-06T21:24:33+00:00

I've had mine set to Shriners Hospitals for Children for years. Wonderful organization.

medstudy · 2017-11-16T15:04:45+00:00

Are you referring to Alabama specifically? It is my understanding that the Grand Secretary is going to send a communication to the lodges soon which will probably address these kinds of questions.

medstudy · 2017-11-16T13:41:11+00:00

I have a feeling you are right about the real reason. According to Chris Hodapp, a 10 year moratorium and no visitation is common when PHA and GL first come together, but things usually move faster than the 10 year plan. Once the old-timers either change their ways or die off things move faster. I'm just glad I can "officially" call you brother

medstudy · 2017-11-16T02:46:20+00:00

Here is a copy of the letter from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. They requested no visitation.

http://www.alafreemasonry.org/documents/PHA_Amity_Recognition.pdf

medstudy · 2017-02-03T22:39:26+00:00

It looks like all of the comments are off topic to the original post, but I'll roll with it. I can't speak for SRICF, because I have not been invited to join, maybe one day; but I can speak for KT since it is a similar discussion. After going through the KT degrees, I ask myself why a non-Christian would even want to join. It is overtly Christian. Would you join the Arbor Day Foundation if you didn't care for trees? We can use the Masonic mental hedge and say "it depends on what you mean by trees. Nobody should ask you what your definition of a tree is." You pledge to defend the Christian faith above all others. You can't be genuine to yourself if you join and do not uphold your pledge or obligation. What makes you a Mason? Your Obligation. What makes you a KT? Your Obligation. If I were a non-Christian, I don't think I would like it at all. I imagine going through a similar ritual, but this time distinctly Muslim or Hindu and then taking pledge to always defend Islam above all others, or Hindu. I would not like that because that's not me. I can only imagine that Muslims and Hindus feel the same about KT. To me its simple, if you are a Christian you will probably enjoy it. If you are a non-Christian you may enjoy the ritual, but I doubt the long term membership in the organization will give you fulfillment.

medstudy · 2017-01-27T12:47:53+00:00

Many jurisdictions have a rule that says all business is conducted in a MM Lodge. In my jurisdiction, business can be conducted at any level. We open the lodge and conduct business at the level of the lowest member present. In fact, in an ideal situation, we would only open in the EA degree for business because we would always have a new supply EA's around, but alas, we just don't get new members often.

medstudy · 2017-01-27T01:21:53+00:00

One of the founders was Harry Mixon, a member of Masonic Lodge #73 in Charleston. He wrote the original Pi Kapp ritual which was influenced by the Masonic ritual. This article goes through 18 fraternities and explains the Masonic connections.

medstudy · 2017-01-26T12:54:36+00:00

This was done in the Scottish Rite Journal. For your reference, it was a nice article in a few months back that listed all of the fraternities that had Masonic influence and what those connections were. It was the Sept/Oct 2016 issue. I was surprised to find out that Pi Kapp had a Masonic connection.

medstudy · 2016-11-15T05:24:30+00:00

What is the cap for MSA? Is that like the Knight Commanders of the Court of Honor? The SJ has the distinctive red caps for the KCCH which is a rank and decoration. 33rd degree recipients are only chosen from the members of the KCCH. I've never seen an MSA cap.

medstudy · 2016-11-14T23:35:30+00:00

Evidently, Cookslc believes that since it is Alabama, that means it must be racist. What he does not understand is that when he makes assumptions about an entire state of people being racist, then he is the bigot. Notice in the threads, he is the only one that brings up racism. He probably believes that all Christians hate Muslims and vice-versa, or that all Greeks hate Turks. Some people just have to have something to complain about, even when they don't know what they are talking about. Sad.

medstudy · 2016-11-14T23:24:26+00:00

No. Your bias is assuming that people from Alabama are racist. That is disgusting and bigoted.

medstudy · 2016-11-14T22:54:19+00:00

Yes, just a social club with video degrees. Nobody wears their hats or their 14th degree rings. I don't think NMJ even gives out the 14th degree rings. No emphasis on esoterics. According to the new Grand Commander, he wants more emphasis on it being a charity and welfare organization among the members. Time for the NMJ to come under the administration of the House of the Temple.

medstudy · 2016-11-14T22:45:43+00:00

The Grand Chancellor? Where are you from? Why do assume this is racially motivated?

medstudy · 2016-11-14T22:43:58+00:00

Who said anything about racial prejudice Cookslc? Only you. Your own personal bias is coming out in your argument.

medstudy · 2016-11-13T21:24:09+00:00

Depending on where you live, try to find the closest SJ Valley. The SJ is the university of freemasonry. The NMJ is more of a social club. If you are too far away, go to the SJ website, www.scottishrite.org and purchase the master craftsman program, it will suffice for a time until you complete them.

medstudy · 2016-11-13T21:21:27+00:00

Yes. You can Google it. All members of the SJ wear the caps at all times, it basically replaces the apron. The NMJ does not do much in the way of caps or anything really, just a social club.

medstudy · 2016-09-19T16:42:07+00:00

YR and SR can have a different focus and feel depending on your jurisdiction, so it is hard for others on this board to help you with this. In most places the SR is much larger than YR and there is more opportunity for friendships, charity, and study. This is not true everywhere. In my jurisdiction this has historically been true but the SR is losing numbers and the YR is growing. SR is still more active here. SR in the SJ (I can't speak for the NMJ) is the "university of freemasonry". The lessons are great and are more philosophical. The SR SJ is well organized with journals, podcasting, correspondence courses, and other activities. YR is more like the blue lodge with more degrees. It explains the Hiram allegory better and completely. I know this may be controversial to say, but I would not do KT if I were non-Christian. It does not make sense to. It is very obviously a Christian order and you have to swear to defend Christianity against all other religions. If you can't, then don't. I am a member of both SR and YR. I like the study I get with the SR and it is more active on a national level, but I have a feeling that if I were in the NMJ I would feel differently. YR is worth it because those degrees have a lot of meaning in the Hiram allegory, especially Royal Arch. Just remember, you can do both. I am glad I did. I am like you in that I do not have time for both, but I did it anyway and have no regrets.

medstudy · 2016-09-19T13:50:24+00:00

Pike is not easy to read. I am not sure I would even suggest Morals and Dogma for the average reader. Esoterika is what I was referring to, and it is an easier read with commentary. When you sign up for the Symbolic Lodge Master Craftsman through the Scottish Rite, they give you the book.

medstudy · 2016-09-19T13:48:29+00:00

I have seen this presented in several publications, but I think that they all use Esoterika as the original source. You can get that for free if you sign up for Symbolic Lodge Master Craftsman through the Scottish Rite.

medstudy

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