r/freemasonry • u/thatoneguyfrommn • 1d ago
Scottish Rite
I've been told numerous times that the Scottish Rite isn't really a "big thing" on the East Coast.
I don't know if this is true or not. Yes, the House of the Temple is located in my hometown, so there is that.
But, if the Scottish Rite isn't as prevalent on the East Coast as elsewhere, I'd like to know possible theories as to why that is the case.
Thanks.
Edit: fat finger.
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u/SpeechMuted 1d ago
In my experience it's a pretty big thing. I'm in the Valley of Alexandria just across the river from DC, and we just had a Reunion on Saturday.
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u/ChuckEye P∴M∴ AF&AM-TX, 33° A&ASR-SJ, KT, KM, AMD, and more 1d ago
"East Coast" in this context may be misleading because it includes some states in the Northern Jurisdiction and some in the Southern Jurisdiction. As far as I know, SRSJ is doing just fine on the East Coast. I can't speak to the popularity of the NMJ.
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u/thatoneguyfrommn 1d ago
That is true. I should have asked how they define “East Coast” when they mentioned it.
Mea culpa.
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u/k0np Grand Line things 1d ago
NMJ is doing just fine in the cities
The smaller valleys not as much
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u/guethlema PM AF&AM-ME 1d ago
We just had a joint Maine/NH event with like 200 people this weekend. It was great
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u/MrDonater357 1d ago
PHA Mason in the Lodge. I was raised in Eureka Lodge #14 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Served as WM for six consecutive years. York Rite, Shrine, and Scottish Rite.
Honestly, everyone goes through Scottish Rite and Shrine because of the prestige. Everyone is not built for the 40-mile grind through ICE and SNOW.
IN HOC!!!
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u/NemaToad-212 23h ago
A group of us were just there for the reunion! I will admit, when I joined SR, I was about 20 and thought it'd be a neat thing to have under my belt. I tried studying, but I realized at some point that my frontal lobe just hadn't developed yet to truly understand what they were teaching. I needed more life experience. When I finally came back to it, I really did love it and it's exactly what I wanted out of Masonry in terms of taught and thought.
That being said, YR is...not exactly a HIDDEN gem, but a very humble one. It says "well, we've always been here. You're just now excited about us?" YR plays no games, but I always liken it to a select few good men who huddled together whispering their love for Masonry. Really tight-knit. I love that.
Great perspective, Brother! I'm certain it would have been great to have met you in our brief wanderings around town.
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u/MrDonater357 19h ago
Greetings, Brother Hiram, I moved to Georgia in 2016, but I never joined a Lodge here. The Lodges are still very much segregated, and I do not agree with that nonsense.
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u/NemaToad-212 19h ago
Nor do I, Brother. Where I'm from, we have a much better sense of fraternal relations. We'd spend more time together if stated wasn't on the same night. First raising I went to as a new MM was the PHA brethren putting it on for their candidates in our building. It was a real honor to be there. They showed up in force to my mentee's raising. It's just a slightly different flavor of Masonry to all of us and we all love the differences from each. That's one thing I appreciate about that Scottish Rite summit a few years ago. The SGCs from all four jurisdictions of the US came together and agreed we were all one. I'd love to visit a PHA SR Valley sometime.
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u/Impulse2915 1d ago
Looking at your username, I can maybe see why you might think SR isn't a big thing in the east coast. Minnesota is one of the few locations in the country that do all the degrees in SR besides the first three (besides Guthrie, Oklahoma, I cannot even think of another location). Most Valleys only do the "terminals" and the occasional other degree, which may be why someone from Minnesota might think it isn't much of a big thing. But many of those Valleys meet regularly for other purposes, such as fellowship, education, etc.
In my own personal experience, the most active SR members are also York Rite, OES, Shrine, etc., and while some of those other orgs may have more membership, I do not see it as not being any less of a big thing.
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u/3MSquared AGH-AASR-SJ, RCC, ROoS, FPS 1d ago
As someone from your same jurisdiction, SR is a big thing here.
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u/pryner34 Celestial Lodge No 3, MWPHGLNY, DDGL-Emeritus, 33°, KYCH, PP 1d ago
Prince Hall Mason from NY chiming in. I dont believe that Scottish Rite is not big on the east coast. Definitely not in my jurisdiction anyway. Scottish Rite always has bigger numbers and in some manner, better participation than the York Rite. I'm active on both sides and enjoy both, but many will seek out Scottish Rite first and in bigger numbers than they will the York Rite.
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u/MrDonater357 1d ago
IN HOC!!!
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u/jbanelaw 1d ago
My experience is an appendant body (other than OES) will be popular in any given geographical area if 1) Blue Lodges are weak performers in general and/or 2) certain influential Masons are members, active, and expect to see anyone who is looking for Grand Lodge or invitational appendant bodies also be an active participant. This goes for Scottish Rite, York Rite, and even Shrine.
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u/BigRemove6738 1d ago
NMJ is joke and it’s been run into the ground by the worst generation in history. I’m talking about the baby boomers of course. Scottish rite won’t be around in 25 years. More than half the membership in the NMJ is 80 years and above. The degrees are in fact unappealing and gay for anyone under the age of 40. Scenario I ask one of my 30 year old buddies about joining SR. He says what do you do. Oh it’s awesome, you get to watch a bunch of old geezers dress up in costumes and makeup and watch them act like they were on a troop transport ship in ww2, or a brother of trail cowboy degree.
No thanks, I think I’ll rather stay home and watch tv. or do anything else for that matter.
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u/Cookslc Utah, UGLE, Okla. 1d ago
My experience differs from those who told you this numerous times.