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

good standing (hence the Patron and Associate Patron).

Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the
organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate,
and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme
Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one
ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created, it was intended to be the first
of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were Queen of the
South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.)

Interestingly enough, OES requires only the belief in a Supreme Being
even though the degrees are based in both the Old and New Testaments.
While non-Christians are not specifically barred from membership,
it would seem to be difficult to be other than Christian and belong to
the Order.

While Freemasons as members of the OES are a requirement as the Order is
currently constituted, one Grand Lodge in the United States forbids its
members to join Eastern Star and similar organizations with both male and
female membership. In 1921, the Grand Master of Pennsylvania forbade the
affiliation of Freemasons as "inimical to Freemasonry" and ordered those
so affiliated to cease and desist within six months or be expelled from
the Lodge. The long-term result of this edict--which has never been
rescinded--has not been the demise of OES, but the importation of
Freemasons into Pennsylvania from the surrounding states to be members
of OES and Freemasons resident in Pennsylvania who belong to lodges
outside the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
(Thanks to Joy Leavy for this section)

*(7)* What is DeMolay/Rainbow?

The International Order of DeMolay is the world's largest
fraternal organization for young men between the ages of 13 and 21. The
Order was founded in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1919 by Frank
Sherman Land. DeMolay Chapters are sponsored by Masonic Lodges, and some
members of the sponsoring body also serve as Advisors on the Chapter's
Advisory Council. Structurally, it is similar to Masonry. The officers of
a Chapter are the Master Councilor, Senior Councilor, Junior Councilor,
Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Orator,
Scribe, Marshal, Chaplain, Standard Bearer, Sentinel, Almoner, and seven
Preceptors.

DeMolay Chapters hold monthly or bi-weekly meetings with Masonic-like
Ritual. Other activities include athletic tournaments and events, social
functions (joint activities with Rainbow are encouraged), fund-raising
activities, Masonic service activities, and civic and philanthropic
activities.

DeMolays are taught the seven cardinal virtues of the Order--
filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship,