Alphabebe,

I know nothing about the Masons ritual, etc. However, I find what you say hard to believe knowing the Masons I've met -- including my Dad, his late brother and my late Grandfather. I have never had an interest or been a member myself, by the way.

I would simply suggest that you be absolutely sure of your information (which may be true, I suppose). It's awfully easy for a disgruntled former member (or even someone who has never been part of an organization), to spread rumors -- which then take on a life of their own.

Best regards,
DeltAlum

Rainbow Girls is an association for girls 10-18 (I believe that's the age range) for girls who are related to Master Masons or are friends of these girls. (My dad is a Mason can you tell?) I think there is another association called Job's Daughters where your dad has to be a member of the Shrine.

I never got involved, I think because my mom was in Eastern Star for 2.5 seconds and hated it.

I believe the Rainbow Girls can be in the organization from 11 up to the age of 20, and unmarried, if I'm not mistaken. One of my sorority sisters belonged to a northern California chapter of Rainbow (Novato) and I believe she held the office of Grand Confidential Observer for the state of California. They have their own offices, similar to GLOs. Her chapter had their rituals and secret things and of course she couldn't fill me in on everything, but she did show me tapes of "Revelation" at their Grand Assembly, where the current year's officers pass down gifts to their successors for the next year. In addition to that, each assembly has a different mascot for each year.

While the Order of the Rainbow Girls is sponsored by the Masonic Lodges, they are not required to have membership in a Masonic affiliation to be a part of Rainbow.



------------------
*I'm an Alpha Gam...Yes I am, Yes I am!*

No biggie BlueReign - actually I think she only went to a few "introductory" meetings. I think it was because we lived in a small town and a lot of the ladies looked on Eastern Star as a jewel in their social crown, somthing to act "snooty" about, and not an opportunity to help others. My mom wasn't the joiner type, she was more into politics or reading a good book. (Part of the reason why when I said I was joining a sorority she kinda went "huh???")

There is a group called the Kiwanas, which is a community service orfanization. I'm not sure if it's related to the Masons

Heidi

Hi. I hope you don't mind this question -- why did your Mom hate being an Eastern Star?

BillyMac,

Thanks for the post. That's much more in line with how I've viewed the Masons as an outsider.

It's just too easy for a disgruntled member, or even someone with no real knowledge of an organization to to say things with no basis in fact. And it only takes one person to believe what he/she hears and pass it on as "fact."

Add to that the fact that my Mason grandfather was a very religious man, and I just found some of the stuff above very hard to believe.

Thanks again for helping set the record straight.

DeltAlum

I recently found an old Life magazine my mom must have saved from around 1954 or so. It had an article about Masonry and outlined the two different rites, the organizations affiliated with Masonry, etc. It was really thorough. If you're in a library that has the volumes of Life bound, look for it.

Delt, thanks for the repost, be proud of your father and all your family members. The Masons are a fraternity, although I am a younger member, I enjoy going to lodge and learning life lessons from men who have been there and done that. If you are ever interested approach your father about it.

I don't know too much about it, but both of grandfathers were/are masons. I think they different rituals though.

------------------
Just because and idea is stupid doesn't mean it won't work.

I am a member of Kappa Alpha Order and I am also a Master Mason. Just to dispell the mthys, we do not pledge or rush men. A man MUST approach a Master Mason and REQUEST to become a member of our lodge. NO, we do not teach men to get rid of religion in their lives. In fact, they must believe in a supreme being (of their choice) to be admitted. We also do not haze in any way. The Masonic Order is a proud group, with a history thousands of years old, there were Masons during the time of the building of King Solomons temple. I am proud of the girl that said her father was a Mason. She knew about the Master Mason. It shows that shes pays attention. Those of you that have friends or parents that are Masons, you should be VERY VERY proud of their affiliation with it. It is very respected worldwide.

I must disagree. I have taken the Masonic oath, and since memorized it. The oath makes no reference or inference to"get rid of organized religion (all religion) and live in a natural state without any form of law whether it be religious or governed."


I have thuroughly enjoyed the organization and it's members. Also, I know of no policy that forbids the initiation of Catholics.

My brothers saif it best "Caution" is the first lesson you must learn in life. If you do not know the person never reveal information in this type of manner. Some mistakes can be fatal.

My father was a Master Mason and a member of the Shrine. All of the men that I met through my participation in Rainbow Girls and Eastern Star were decent, upstanding, Christian and Jewish leaders of the community. They expected, nor settled for nothing less. I don't know of any other religions that were involved, but there probably are, these days.

No other organization, besides the Shriners, does more for children in this country. The burn and orthopedic hospitals that they fund are the best in the world. No child ever gets turned away-and that includes some college aged people, too. You have to be a Mason, before you can join the Shriners.



[This message has been edited by pledgetrainer2 (edited February 11, 2001).]

I've been wondering this forever ...WHAT IS A MASON??????