Originally posted by Mintwithahole.
Do you think I'm being unreasonable to expect that a mason in one lodge would understand the facts, rules and regulations in another seperate lodge,
even if they are different?
It's easy to understand your confusion...it confuses a lot of Masons too!
The thing to remember is that Masonry operates differently in different places. In all places, you become a Master Mason in your Blue Lodge. While
everybody there knows that the Scottish Rite has a 33°, that degree is not recognized in the Blue Lodge. So no matter what your "higher" degrees
are, when you are in your Lodge, you are recognized as Master Mason only.
If a Master Mason in the USA wants the join the Scottish Rite, he simply applies for the 4° - 32°. He will receive those degrees in Scottish Rite
bodies, and once he gets to the 32° he will be recognized as a 32° Mason *only* at Scottish Rite meetings (not at Blue Lodges or York Rite). In the
Scottish Rite, the 32° is the highest degree that can be applied for. Outside of this, the Supreme Council confers several honors on members in
recognition of service. The 33° is one of those honors, and makes the recipient an honorary member of the Supreme Council.
[edit on 7-4-2009 by Masonic Light]