Scottish Rite

"WHAT IS THE SCOTTISH RITE? It is a branch of Freemasonry designed to supplement and amplify the philosophical teachings of the first three degrees. The Scottish Rite claims to build upon the ethical teachings and philosophy of blue lodge Masonry through dramatic presentation. The Scottish Rite is sometimes called the "University of Freemasonry" because it uses extensive allegory and drama in its degrees to explore the philosophy, history, ethics and ultimate truths that guide Freemasons' lives.

HOW DOES THE SCOTTISH RITE ELABORATE ON THE CRAFT LODGE DEGREES?
It presents in degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second an interpretation of the lessons of the craft degrees by the use of drama and lectures appealing to both the ear and eye to explore the great truths which Freemasonry professes.

HOW MANY DEGREES ARE THERE IN SCOTTISH RITE?
There are 29 Scottish Rite regular degrees, which follow the three degrees conferred in craft lodges. The 33˚ is conferred only by the Supreme Council, the governing body of Scottish Rite Masonry.

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER DEGREES?
The fourth to the fourteenth inclusive are conferred by Lodges of Perfection. The fifteenth and sixteenth are conferred by the Council of Princes of Jerusalem. The seventeenth and eighteenth are conferred by the Chapter of Rose Croix. The nineteenth to the thirty-second inclusive are conferred by Consistories. Each Lodge, Council, Chapter and Consistory is an organized Body within the Valley (geographical area) served by it.

WHY ARE THESE DEGREES CALLED SCOTTISH RITE?
Any connection with Scotland would seem to be vague. The reason may be that one or two of the degrees were long supposed to have been devised by the Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsay, a learned Scotsman, who was tutor to Prince Charles Edward, the young Pretender. These degrees seem to have afforded a meeting place for those in exile in France who were adherents of the Stuarts, and who were plotting for the restoration of James II and his son to the throne of England. No degree of the Scottish Rite seems to have ever had its origin in Scotland.

WHAT IS THE GENERAL FIELD COVERED BY EACH OF THE GROUPS OF DEGREES?
LODGE OF PERFECTION: The 4th through 14th degrees are called Ineffable Degrees because their principal purpose is the investigation and contemplation of the ineffable name of the Deity. The degrees amplify the legend of the Master Mason degree and the story of the building of King Solomon's Temple. These degrees are designed to impress more forcefully the teachings of the first three degrees.

COUNCIL OF PRINCES OF JERUSALEM: The two historical degrees are the 15th degree and 16th degree. They cover the period from B.C. 538 to B.C. 516. These degrees depict events connected with the end of the Babylonian captivity of Israel, the return of some of the captives to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the Temple.

ROSE CROIX CHAPTER: The degrees of the Chapter of Rose Croix, consisting of the 17th through 18th degrees, invest the candidate with a deeper understanding of Religion, Philosophy, Ethics, and History. The intellectual challenges presented in these degrees can take years to master. The 15th and 16th degrees relate to the rebuilding of the Temple of Zerubbabel.
CONSISTORY: The Consistory Degrees illustrate the creation of the ideal balance between the spiritual and the temporal. Several of the degrees of the Consistory series, 19th to 32nd, further amplify the teachings of the previous degrees, others have the Crusades as a background.

ARE SCOTTISH RITE DEGREES HIGHER THAN THOSE OF A MASTER MASON?
There is no Masonic distinction of higher prestige than that of a "Master Mason", and the noblest and most significant emblem is the Apron of the Master Mason.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Membership in good standing in a craft lodge. A belief in a Supreme Being is essential, and the usual Masonic conditions of residence, and sponsors.

WILL I BE REQUIRED TO DO ANY MEMORIZING?
No. You witness the ceremonies and drama and listen to the illustrative lectures. In order for you to more fully understand and appreciate what you have seen and heard you are expected to attend future presentations of the degrees.

ARE THERE ANY RELIGIOUS DISQUALIFICATIONS?
The Scottish Rite does not intrude on the religious beliefs of its members, but it does require that its adherents profess a belief in a Supreme Being, and urges its members to be active in their respective houses of worship. It does not attempt to teach any creed nor pretend to be a religion nor a substitute for religion. Scottish Rite practices universality.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
Minimum initiation fees have been established by Supreme Council, but each Lodge, Council, Chapter and Consistory fixes its own fees. Each body also requires annual dues as fixed by its by-laws. Some bodies also have a provision in their by-laws permitting a member to prepay his dues for the life of his membership in that body.

WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE RITE?
If you make known your wishes you may expect to be invited to participate in the work. There is a place for you in many of the degree presentations depending on your talents and experience and your own wishes: as a guard, as a member of the choir, or as a member of the wardrobe committee, the stage crew or make-up team. You can be an actor in a minor, intermediate or major role as your talents permit. There is also the possibility of being on the reception committee or to be an officer of the body.

WHEN WILL I BE ENTITLED TO WEAR THE SCOTTISH RITE RING?
After receiving the fourteenth degree.

AFTER BECOMING A MEMBER OF SCOTTISH RITE WILL I BE PERMITTED OR REQUIRED TO TAKE MY DEMIT FROM MY CRAFT LODGE?
No. Termination of membership in a craft lodge, for any reason, automatically terminates your membership in Scottish Rite.

WHAT IS A REUNION?
It is the practice in most Valleys to hold a Reunion of the members once or twice a year, when all the degrees of the Lodge, Council, Chapter or Consistory are conferred or communicated on a class of candidates over a period of a few days. This gives an opportunity for some social fellowship and it is also more convenient for the members living some distance from the meeting place.

IS IT IMPROPER TO SOLICIT ANY MASTER MASON TO JOIN THE RITE?
No. One should have no hesitation in inviting a Brother to delve further into the teachings of Masonry, thus providing a more meaningful life for himself and his family"

Source:  http://www.scottishriteonline.org/AbouttheScottishRite/FAQsTrivia.aspx

Interested in the history of Scottish Rite?  Check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Jsv5tFAHo

FAQ

What's a Mason?
The answer can be simple.  A Freemason (or Mason) is a member of a fraternity known as freemasonry (Masonry).  The opposite of a sorority, a fraternity is a group of men who join together  because there are things they want to do in the world, things they want to do in their own minds, and they enjoy being together with men they like and respect.

What is Masonry?
It is the oldest fraternity in the world. It probably arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages (possibly were influenced by the legendary Knights Templar, a group of warrior monks formed to protect pilgrims making trips in the Holy Land).  Nobody knows just how old it is because the real origins have been lost in time.
Masonry created a formal organization in England in 1717 and the first Grand lodge was created.

What is a lodge?
It means both a group of Masons meeting in a place and the room or building in which they meet.   Sometimes the buildings are called "temples" because a lot of the symbolism comes from the building of King Solomon's Temple.  The term "lodge" comes from the structures stonemasons built on the sides of cathedrals during construction.  They lived in these lodges and worked at carving stone in the winter when building had to stop.

Why is Masonry Secretive?
Though it has that reputation, it really isn't "secretive".  Masons don't make a secret of the fact that they are members.  Many wear rings, tie clasps and watches with emblems like the Square and Compasses. 
Lodges are listed in phone book.  Lodge activities are advertised in news papers. 
But there are some  Masonic secrets in a couple categories. 
There are grips and passwords that we keep private.  It is not unknown for people to try to pass themselves off as masons in order to get assistance under false pretenses.
The real "Masonic Secrets" are secrets that literally can't be talked about and can't be put into words.  Its a wonderful feeling that simply can't be explained to another person.  That's why we sometime say that Masonic secrets cannot be told

Is Masonry a Religion?
No. We do use ritual in meetings, and there is a Volume of the Sacred Law that causes people to be confused with Masonry being a religion, but it is not.  Although religion does play an important part in Masonry.  A person who wants to become a Mason must have a belief in God.  No atheist can ever become a Mason.  Meetings open with a prayer that also sometimes confuses people with a religion.  Masons believe in the importance of religion and it encourages Masons to be active in the religion and church of his choice.  Masonry teaches that without religion a man is alone and lost, and without it he can never reach his full potential.  Masonry, however, does not tell a person which religion he should practice and how he should practice it.  That is between the individuals relationship with God.  It is said that Masonry is very religious, but it is not a religion.

What are the Requirements for Membership?
A person who wants to join must be a man (it is a fraternity), sound in body and mind, believes in God and is at least the minimum age required by Masonry in the state and has a good reputation. Those are the formal requirements. there are some not so formal ones as well.  He should believe in helping others, believe there is more to life than pleasure and money, respect others and want to develop as a human being.

How does a man become a Mason?

Some men are surprised no one has asked them to become a Mason.  They may even feel that Masons don't think they are "good enough" to join.  It doesn't work that way. 
Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity for hundreds of years. We can talk to friends and family about Masonry, what it does and how much we like it.  But we can not ask or pressure anyone to join. 
There is a good reason.  We are not trying to be exclusive. But becoming a Mason is a very serious thing, it's making a permanent life commitment to live in certain ways to live with honor and integrity, to be willing to share with care about others, to trust each other and ultimately trust in God.  No one should be "talked into" such a decision.
So when a man desires to become a Mason, he asks a Mason for a petition (application), fills it out and gives it to the Mason.  The Mason will bring the petition to lodge and the Master of the lodge with appoint a committee to visit the man and his family to find out a little about him and why he wants to join and answer questions.  The committee reports to the lodge and they have a vote. If the vote is affirmative (usually is) the lodge will contact the man to set the date for the Entered Apprentice Degree.  When the man completes all three degrees, he is a Master Mason and a full member of the fraternity.



http://www.msana.com/focusarchives/focusapr02.asp