"MASONIC-FAQ" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

Local Masonic Lodges are organized under Grand Lodges. In the United
States, each state has its own Grand Lodge, which is a peer with every
other Grand Lodge. There is not "Grandest Lodge"-- each Grand Lodge is
supreme in its jurisdiction (e.g., in the US, in its state) but has no
authority elsewhere. Of course, this does not mean that Masonry in New
York is radically different than Masonry in Scotland or New Mexico.
Masons are very traditional and the differences between Grand Lodges are
usually minor.

The head of a Lodge is given the title Worshipful Master. This, of
course, does not imply that Masons worship him; it is merely an stylish
title. Masonic Lodges can be found in many cities, of all sizes, around
the world. There are presently approximately 5 million Masons, half of
which are in the United States.

(2) What is the Scottish Rite?

The Scottish Rite is an appendant body of Masonry, meaning that it is
not part of the Blue Lodge per se, but closely associated with Masonry.
It requires that a man be a Master Mason before joining the Scottish
Rite. The Scottish Rite confers the 4th through 32nd degrees. The
degree work may be, but is not necessarily, completed at one time.
Any Master Mason is eligible to join the Scottish Rite. The degrees
of the Scottish Rite continue the symbolism of the first three Masonic
degrees. For a discussion of the 33rd degree, see question 9 of this
section.

(3) What is the York Rite?

The York Rite, like the Scottish Rite, is an appendant body of Masonry,
and confers degrees beyond the Blue Lodge's three degrees. It consists
of nine degrees additional degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most
Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason; the Cryptic Degrees of the
Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master, and the
Chivalric Orders of the Order of the Red Cross, Order of the Knights of
Malta and the Order of Knights Templar.

The Temple degrees, which comprise the top degrees of the York Rite
are specifically Christian. Or at least, it can be stated that the oath
is: in some Grand Lodges in the US and abroad, one need not be a
Christian, but rather only be willing to take a Christian OATH. The
difference here is that there are some who would willingly swear to
defend the Christian faith on the grounds that they would defend any
man's faith. The Chapter (or Royal Arch) and Consistory, which comprise
the first two sections of the York Rite, are not specifically Christian.

As with most things Masonic, discuss any concerns with your local
York Rite, who can advise you regarding your eligibility.

(4) What is the Shrine?