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Originally posted by AlexKennedy
On the other hand, from what I understand, you have a lot of communicated degrees down there, whereas we try our best to communicate as few degrees as possible up here.
Originally posted by Leveller
The normal course is then Mark or Chapter and you're talking about at least 6 months from when you put your name forward until you go in. Then you're expected to wait and learn the degree before you go on again. It takes years for us to go into the side degrees!!!
At 33, I'm the youngest in any of the side degrees of which I'm a member and I'm probably talking 5 years before I get to go any further (I'm RAM too), yet it seems to me that you guys in North America can get to 32nd in no time.
How do you learn your degrees in such a seemingly short time?
Originally posted by Masonic Light
Memory work is no longer required for degrees above the third, unless one signs up as a member of a degree team. The Grand Master of Ohio waived the memory work requirements for the abovementioned one day fiasco for the Blue Lodge Degrees.
Originally posted by Leveller
So do you mean by that, you do the working straight from the ritual book?
As for the mass raisings? Do you think that they are going to be something that American masonry will continue practicing? I've heard rumblings over here that something might be said, but that could be just a rumour.
I guess British masonry can be a bit snobby where our overseas brethren are concerned. We have the cry go up about "quality over quantity", but we've also been through a seemingly lean time in gaining new members over the last few years - things seem to be picking up now though - one major difference is that we can now invite someone to join.
Originally posted by Masonic Light
I have no doubt that these guys were bewildered when they left. They came in that morning as non-Masons, and left with practically all the standard degrees that exist, including that of the Shrine. I am personally opposed to such a practice, but Masonry in the US has become more and more fixated on membership numbers in order to keep its charities running. This of course isn�t a bad thing, but I question how much we can actually teach a Brother by giving him 50 degrees in one day.
Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
Do you think this pushing through of degrees will have a lasting and increasing negative effect? Do you think eventually people will lose the mystique and knowledge that would go with learning the degrees "properly"? Could it ruin Masonry in the US?
Originally posted by Masonic Light
I believe that if the fraternity were to get back to basics, it would do much more good in the world than by watering itself down, which is happening in many parts of this country. Thankfully, many of the younger Masons, who are sick of the materialism of modern culture and joined Masonry because of its spiritual aspects, feel the same way, and they are the future of our Craft.
Originally posted by MrNECROS
Grand Commander Albert Pike worked hand-in-hand with this guy to unify the rituals between North & South, it wasn't a case of just chucking one out and taking a completely different set from down south, in fact if anything it appears to be the other way around - read the History section to educate yourself a little - it is only 11 pages, Brother Charles was a much more susinct writer than Masonic Lite, he can say a lot in very few words.
Originally posted by MrNECROS
You are still avoiding the rather embaressing observation, which was the origin of this thread - the Motif (and tracing board) on the 32nd degree apron which is fully described in the rite I posted - is exactly the same as the one you agree is on the 32nd degree apron in all jurisidictions of the USA.
You really can't wriggle away from this one, but I know you will try because you are incapable of comprehending reality - a side effect of being mind-controlled.
I really should be doing something more productive...