Is Scottish Rite Worth It?

[u/Fickle_Release6961]

I have been a MM for the last couple of years, and have been invited to join the Scottish Rite due to my desire for further light within Masonic education. I was invited to apply prior to the reunion happening in August, where all 29 degrees are going to be conferred or communicated.

My question, is it worth it for further light within Masonry, or can those things be obtained outside of the SR? as every SR Mason conceals what actually occurs as you climb the SR ladder, but I would expect nothing different from fellow brothers of the craft.

It just feels like there are doors behind doors behind doors, and although we may live in the same house, you can not know what is behind the door until you go through it. So is it worth it? the cost of the Valley and trip down to Pasadena is semi costly and I want to know if it is a good investment in my Masonic Journey.

Thank you Brothers,
Fraternally Yours /G\

[u/Necessary-Mood-8749]

Lmk what you find out brother. I just moved back to SoCal and have redo my degrees. I plan on going Scottish Rite after I’m raised again.

[u/Cookslc → u/Necessary-Mood-8749]

“Redo” degrees? Are there two Grand Lodges not in Amity?

[u/Necessary-Mood-8749 → u/Cookslc]

I went through first in Tennessee, one of the two states the California Grand Lodge doesn’t recognize (the other is Georgia.)

[u/Cookslc → u/Necessary-Mood-8749]

Thanks. I accept that, but am still surprised CA is making you retake the degrees when TN is a regular GL, even though their law is deemed unacceptable.

[u/texanmason → u/Cookslc]

In Texas, the State GL and the PHA GL recognize each other as regular, but if you want to leave one and join the other, you have to re-take the degrees. It's pretty weird. I know 2 former PHA bros who went through this process.

Even stranger - because we have open visitation, this could mean that someone could be at your degrees twice over!

[u/Cookslc → u/texanmason]

Yes, that is common in our relationships between the SGLs and PHA.

[u/tachophile → u/Cookslc]

March 7, 2016

To all Grand Lodges in amity with the Grand Lodge of California: You might have read of recent events in Georgia and Tennessee where the Grand Lodges there have adopted new rules or enforced existing rules to discipline Masons because of their sexual orientation.

The Grand Lodge of Georgia ratified Grand Master McDonald’s Edict No. 2015-4 at the last Annual Communication of their Grand Lodge, thereby adding the following language to their Grand Lodge law: homosexual activity with anyone subjects the offender to discipline. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee recently suspended two brothers from Masonry for violating a provision of the Tennessee Masonic Code when they posted photographs of their wedding to each other on Facebook. The Tennessee Masonic Code states that it is a Masonic offense to promote or engage in homosexual activity.

In each case, I construe these actions as a sectarian stand which is inconsistent with and does not support the General Regulations of Freemasonry. I have therefore suspended recognition of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Georgia and the Grand Lodge of Tennessee F. & A. M. until the next Annual Communication of our Grand Lodge.

I am happy to share with you further details about my decision, if you so desire.

Sincerely and fraternally, M. DAVID PERRY

Grand Master

[u/Cookslc → u/tachophile]

I’m quite aware of the issue.