Freemasonry question..., page 1

Hi ElectricCrow

This isn't really the right forum to ask technical questions about freemasonry, some members and administrators can get quite upset if the topics deviate too far from conspiracy discussions. I would recommend a masonic discussion forum such as this. However I'll have a go and see what happens.

Originally posted by ElectricCrow
I've heard recently that there are other Lodges beyond the Blue Lodge, these including the Red Lodge and Black Lodge,

Blue lodge is a name given to Craft masonry that operates the traditional three degrees, under what is known (technically) in the US as York Rite. Craft lodges that practice the first three degrees of the Scottish Rite are therefore known as 'Red' lodges to distinguish them from the former. This is a different form of Craft masonry and for the most part is irregular. I have never heard of Black lodges in freemasonry - there is no third system of Craft masonry that I am aware of, and if there is it would be so irregular as to be hardly freemasonry at all. I suspect the phrase has been borrowed by over-enthusiastic conspiracy theorists from Satanism, in an attempt to demonstrate a tie-in between that and masonry.

... however ones chance of joining either of these two lodges are greatly limited unless the individual is the son of a Mason and Eastern Star couple, or the son of a Rainbow Girl, Mason couple etc. The longer the lineage, the further you can proceed.

You are correct, but not for the reasons given. Opportunities for joining a 'red' lodge in the US are limited to those in the vicinity of Louisiana, where craft masonry has, in part, developed from Scottish Rite roots. There is much Red masonry in continental Europe, but from the perspective of US freemasonry it is quite irregular. Black masonry, is, as I have already premised, non-existent.

I'm not interested in replies saying "It's BS, I'm a Mason and I've never heard of it."

I agree that kind of reply is not really very instructive, but quite frankly it's entirely legitimate as the concept of Black lodges in freemasonry as, as you put it, BS.

I myself am a Mason and I've never heard of it until recently. What I'm looking for is any real information backing up such claims. I'm interested and curious.

You may have only heard of Black lodges from conspiracy sites, which perhaps you have been visiting recently.

It makes sense if this were the case and if you think about it, why start at a Blue Lodge? Why not a Black, Red, Yellow, Green Lodge etc for various things?

Blue lodges were named for the color of the ceiling in some original lodge rooms, which were painted blue to imitate the sky. Red lodges were so named (I believe) as an opposite to blue, but there might be another reason (such as the color of the aprons). The color reference is a convenience, a 'nickname' if you will. There are not an assortment of lodges all with different color nomenclatures. If you are a regular freemason there is only a blue lodge, which to all intents and purposes is a nickname for Craft freemasonry.

I do remember my aunt telling me that my great grandfather and 33rd degree Mason had Masons at his funeral attempting to perform what she called a Black Rite Ritual before my grand parents made them leave at which point they came back later when most had left.

This sounds unlikely. In the US there is such a thing as a masonic funeral, which I am quite sure some Christians disapprove of, and perhaps might characterize as evil. But that would be their opinion rather than accepted wisdom.

I do think there is a lot more to it and I'd like to know. It's why I joined. I want to learn more...

I hope this has, in some small way, helped you learn something. There is a quite staggering ignorance of the reality of freemasonry 'out there', which is sadly promulgated by foolish individuals who ought to know better but just couldn't be bothered to investiate themselves. The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.

but all the Masons I know really aren't aware. They just eat their fish dinners and talk about sports...

There are many freemasons who are like this. But there are many who are not. The great thing about freemasonry is that it allows for a wide range of interpretations and experiences. Talking about sports can be a great way to bond with someone, but talking about sports exclusively can be pretty boring.