Again and again I get the sense that people believe freemasonry is structured like a step pyramid, with entered apprentices at the bottom and the Scottish Rite's 33rd degree at the top.

I attempted to draw a picture of the REAL structure of freemasonry, but alas my paint skills are quite sad. However, I think the point still comes across:


This is the real structure of freemasonry. The only "pyramid" structure involved are the three degrees of the blue lodge, and people move from entered apprentice to master mason in about 6 months.

Note that this would change a bit depending on the country, this is a US diagram. I only drew the York and Scottish Rite since those are the most famous side orders, but also along the sides you would find the Shriners and all the other side orders. Note that NONE of the organizations are "above" the master mason degree. As has often been noted, Master Mason is the highest degree in freemasonry.

If someone is more artistically inclined and could include a graph of "What People Think Freemasonry Is" with the step pyramid I mentioned earlier, please let me know. I tried to do so and after spending an hour in paint I gave up.



[edit on 27-12-2008 by LowLevelMason]

emsed - what an excellent addition brother! So THATs what Pike meant about you porch masons

There are 33rd degree (and beyond?) Masons; then there's everyone else.

But there was something about 'being raised' to the 33rd degree of The Scottish Rite that royally pissed-off my Grandpa. And even though I don't know exactly what it was that got his blood boiling in the summer of '82, I do trust his judgment.

Freemasonry is not the correct path for me.

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen
There are 33rd degree (and beyond?) Masons; then there's everyone else.

But there was something about 'being raised' to the 33rd degree of The Scottish Rite that royally pissed-off my Grandpa. And even though I don't know exactly what it was that got his blood boiling in the summer of '82, I do trust his judgment.

Freemasonry is not the correct path for me.

Freemasonry is not the path for everyone.

33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. That is the point of this picture. There is a illusion, based in myth and disinformation, that the 33rd degree exists at the top of some imaginary masonic pyramid. This is NOT the case. The 33rd degree is a honorary degree in 1 side order.

Originally posted by LowLevelMason ...33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. [...]

The nature of the honor suggests otherwise. Unlike the three initial degrees of The Symbolic Lodge and the additional 29 S.R. degrees available to the general population, the 33rd degree cannot be sought. It's an honor reserved for the select few. That is, one must be recommended for it. Obviously, anyone so honored would be deemed a cut above the average 32nd degree Mason.



[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

To clarify: I'm writing primarily within the context of Scottish Rite Masonry.

I realize that the upper echelon of other orders or "rites" (E.G. 12th degree Masons of The York Rite) should be evaluated in the contexts of their respective groups.

Having said that, unless those groups offer similar "honorary" degrees to their exceptional members (and in a similarly discriminating fashion), the 33rd degree S.R. Mason would still stand apart.

[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen

Originally posted by LowLevelMason ...33rd degree masons are no different than anyone else. [...]

The nature of the honor suggests otherwise. Unlike the three initial degrees of The Symbolic Lodge and the additional 29 S.R. degrees available to the general population, the 33rd degree cannot be sought. It's an honor reserved for the select few. That is, one must be recommended for it. Obviously, anyone so honored would be deemed a cut above the average 32nd degree Mason.



[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

No, no it does not. When someone receives a honorary degree from a university does that give them some special knowledge or rank? No, in fact because its honorary real degrees have much more value. When someone in the military receives a honor in the form of a medal or some other award does that mean they are now above their fellow soliders? No, quite the opposite.

Its a award for community service. Much hysteria, disinformation, propaganda, and excitement exists over something that is in actuality very similar to a honorary academic degree.

And if you actually read the ritual for the KCCH and 33rd degree, you quickly see that it is quickly enforced upon the candidate that the 33rd degree is NOT placing them above any other freemason, and that their humility and humbleness is required.

LLM,

Contrary to your misleading statement, being recommended for the 33rd degree is not necessarily an "award for community service". That much I know first hand.

As for the humility-promoting language of some tract you've read, I can't help but wonder what that has to do with anything I've stated. I didn't suggest that the candidates generally see themselves as "a cut above" the rest; I stated that they "would be deemed a cut above"; and I meant by those who judged them worthy of the nominations ...for whatever reasons.

[edit on 12/28/2008 by Icarus_Fallen]

And far too often, those "outstanding contributions" are of significant monetary value, whether rendered in cold, hard cash to the ri(gh)t(e) organizations ...or donated in the forms of properties and buildings.

It's less a degree of merit than affluence.

Originally posted by Icarus_Fallen
And far too often, those "outstanding contributions" are of significant monetary value, whether rendered in cold, hard cash to the ri(gh)t(e) organizations ...or donated in the forms of properties and buildings.

It's less a degree of merit than affluence.

The 33rd degree cannot be solicited or paid for. If someone tries, they must be refused.

Lets think about this rationally for a second. As the 33rd degree doesn't give one power, rank, authority, or anything else, why would anyone want to pay for something that gives them no benefit what so ever? Because they get to wear a white hat instead of black?

I have yet to meet a "rich" 33rd degree mason who could afford to pay for such. All of the ones I know are of modest means, and some are very close to poverty - lots of rural farmers.

With all the 33rd degree masons and given the immense size of the organization I am sure that someone with more money than sense has bribed their way to the 33rd degree. But its not the norm, and is not something that institution would look favorably upon if found out (in fact it would be more than enough to get you kicked out).

i was a bit perturbed regarding this thread, 1 i cant tell if u guys r against or 4 the mason, r ne of u actual masons. i have heard quite a bit about masons from multiple sources, including ppl who are in the familys, the top 3 degrees are very different then the rest below, every below the top 3 degrees are mere brainwashed puppets doing all the work and not really knowing the true reasons they are in the masons and doing what they do,if they do enuff service to the freemasons then eventually they may earn the right 2 kno the truth, and 2 gauard the secrets and become 1 of the top 3 degrees. have u seen the masonic crest, this crest has one of the forms of the cross of lorraine, the version that used to adorn the robes of the templar knights,the origin of this red cross is unknown to many ppl. there are 3 versions of it all red, one with 3 lines, one with 2 lines, and the one on the robes of the templar knights. im not a religious person however i do believe all religions have some answers in them, as well as some bs. this cross originates from the book of genesis. the mark cain and 7 generations of his children had to bear upon their heads for murdering abel. after the end of the seven generations the sons of cain continued to tatto these crosses to themselves. and eventually became the templar kknights till much of the truth about them was exposed and many were killed, so what was ;left had to abopt a new name and go about things differently. the freemasons r bad and what was left of the knifghts started the freemasons. it almost sounded 2 me as if sum of u wanna be freemasons. freemasons are rite interconnected with the illuminati, the skull and bones, the builderberg group,the bohemian club etc. all these groups are workin 2gether 2wards the same goal, they are just different sects assigned to different parts of the job to achieve their goals. one with desensitizing thru media, one political, one religious brainwashing, one more about the lil parts like economy, all working 2wards same thing. any seceret elite society is bad. dont mean to offend ne1s beliefs or nething i just feel very passionately bout this subject.

with love and light myrddin zos

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[edit on 28/12/2008 by Mirthful Me]

Wrong, but thanks for playing.

I don't think any Masons would be offended because you obviously feel passionately about the topic. There are many sites on the Internets that present anti-masonic viewpoints.

One nice thing about Freemasonry, ironically, is the equality of all men and all beliefs.

I think there are probably some very powerful figures in the world that are Masons (but I don't know any) but I don't think Masonry either helped or hindered them in their position.

In fact, greed and power go against every Masonic teaching. Anyone who uses Freemasonry for personal gain is (in my opinion) a very bad example for the Fraternity.

I just completed my Council Degrees (Cryptic Masons) and the degrees were just simply amazing and beautiful. The messages they conveyed were powerful and motivational. In my own life Masonry has been a very positive influence.