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Why is it so hard to get Masons to join the Commandery?

MarkR

Premium Member
The Grand Encampment web site says you must believe in the Christian religion, as was quoted earlier in the thread. It says it several times on their web site, including on the downloadable petition. Now, I guess that the Grand Commanderies of the states don't have to belong to the Grand Encampment, but if they do, and they fudge the Christian requirement, aren't they in violation?
 

MaineMason

Registered User
The Grand Encampment might have a set of rules, but no Mason is forced to join it and furthermore, none must join.
MaineMason 32nd degree.,Scottish Rite.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
The Grand Encampment might have a set of rules, but no Mason is forced to join it and furthermore, none must join.
MaineMason 32nd degree.,Scottish Rite.
I'm not sure what point you're making. I posted about the Grand Encampment in response to posts that said you do not have to be a Christian to be a KT. Grand Encampment says otherwise. That was my only point.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
I believe that you are beating a dead horse and that I am assisting you.
From all of your posts I gather that your primary objection to the Order is the idea of, of the clause of Christianity in the Knights Templar. I stated what I know and I only deal with it at our level. If one of my 3rd cousins on my mom's dad's side, they're Jewish, wanted to join and they swore to defend the Christian faith then I see no problem. One could make argument that the Sojourners are wrong since not everyone has or could pay the debt that they owe this country. Why can't my grand daughter join DeMolay just because she's a girl?
 
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Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Are any of those organizations passively portrayed as the completion of a Rite? Is a small, but significant, portion of your granddaughter's friends joining DeMolay, but she's left out due to her faith? Apples and oranges.
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
Are any of those organizations passively portrayed as the completion of a Rite? Is a small, but significant, portion of your granddaughter's friends joining DeMolay, but she's left out due to her faith? Apples and oranges.
DeMolay is for boys and the other is for certain members of the Armed Forces active/former/retired.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
And neither is (more or less) marketed as the capstone to a branch of Freemasonry. DeMolay is not marketed as being an all-inclusive organization for boys and girls. Freemasonry is a fraternity for men who believe in God (without getting into specifics)... a practice carried forward in the Scottish Rite. Meanwhile, in the York Rite, it only applies to two thirds of the organizations. It's that last exclusionary third that gets people talking and debating these same topics time and time again.

Well, that and the costumes for it. ;)
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
And neither is (more or less) marketed as the capstone to a branch of Freemasonry. DeMolay is not marketed as being an all-inclusive organization for boys and girls. Freemasonry is a fraternity for men who believe in God (without getting into specifics)... a practice carried forward in the Scottish Rite. Meanwhile, in the York Rite, it only applies to two thirds of the organizations. It's that last exclusionary third that gets people talking and debating these same topics time and time again.

Well, that and the costumes for it. ;)
Point well made. By the same token one could debate what is Christianity, but that would be for another site entirely. the way I look at it is that the YR is set up the way that it is, the SR the way that it is. you can join one of both on the grounds of how and what way you wish to believe.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
This is a question I have had for a long time, and I would like ask the members of this website their options on the topic?

Why if you are a Christian and a Mason, would you not want to join the Commandery?

Many reasons. Younger family men just don't have the time. Budget is a consideration, three extra bodies to pay due to, uniforms, travel, etc. No way when baby needs shoes. Rituals are complicated to the point where history and lessons are lost on procedure. Boring and meaningless in this active day and age. And, since, in some states KT or 32nd degree are no longer required for Shrine membership, many just skip and go directly to Shrine membership. And, when I was younger (I'm now 76), in my 30s and 40s, the idea of spending an evening with 80 to 100 year old men was not my idea of excitement. Going to funerals twice a month is depressing. (I live in a retirement area and that is common)
 

Willaim Perkins

Registered User
Many reasons. Younger family men just don't have the time. Budget is a consideration, three extra bodies to pay due to, uniforms, travel, etc. No way when baby needs shoes. Rituals are complicated to the point where history and lessons are lost on procedure. Boring and meaningless in this active day and age. And, since, in some states KT or 32nd degree are no longer required for Shrine membership, many just skip and go directly to Shrine membership. And, when I was younger (I'm now 76), in my 30s and 40s, the idea of spending an evening with 80 to 100 year old men was not my idea of excitement. Going to funerals twice a month is depressing. (I live in a retirement area and that is common)
The Benjamin's ($) are going to be a continuing problem for every organization for probably another generation, which is why I am promoting a drastic uniform shift. I am also looking at tactics and ritual changes for the other bodies. Our state doesn't require either appendant body for Shrine membership and it has hurt us. Contrary to your view of being in the company of old guys, I tend to learn things about life. I know funeral, both from Rites and as a member of our VFW team Honors. We owe it to them.
I know that all I do will be an uphill climb.
 

kastonw

Premium Member
I'm an E.A.. my goal once I've reached m.m. is to join the york rite. It's all I can think about. My job sure makes it tough.


Work is usually what kills me but if you can find the time it definitely is worth it I'm the youngest member of my lodges and York Rite bodies with me being 24
 

kastonw

Premium Member
Awesome I was 22 when I was raised I've had a few of the older Brothers tell me that there proud to see someone as young as me active in the lodge and not being just a card carrying member
 
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