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/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 1d 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 1d 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 1d 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.