The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 2 – Historical Background
become Master of a lodge?' " 198 The answer lies in the popularity of the high
degrees in the United States. However, climbing the degree ladder reduces the
active membership of the singular brethren in the Craft lodges, those that
practice only the first three degrees. As Henderson and Pope put it, it is not
difficult to attain high office in American Masonry, because active membership
is low: "All the Master Mason has to do is express interest, and he will soon find
himself in office or, to use the American term, in the lodge line." 199
Freemasonry and its affiliated institutions are ever-present in the U.S. This
can be supported by repeated references to the fraternity on TV, in movies, and
in comics (cf. Section 9.3.3). Freemasonry further becomes well known through
its beneficial vocation, sponsoring homes for the elderly, hospitals, sanatoriums,
schools, etc. Also, the beautiful temples with club rooms and public restaurants
cannot be overlooked. Further, Freemasons in the U.S. perform certain public
ceremonies like laying the cornerstone for a new building. Moreover, the non-
Masonic Shrine, an assemblage of Master Masons and a fun club, is famous for
its charity, especially with regard to disabled children (cf. Section 8.5 on
publicity and sociability). As stated by Henderson and Pope, "[m]embership of
the Shriners is keenly sought, and it appears to grant a certain social status in
America." 200 North American Masonry, together with its affiliated and sponsored
orders and clubs, is a distinguished feature of the social live. Next to sports,
fraternities seem to be a hobby of the Americans:
In den USA gibt es außer der Freimaurerei eine Reihe von
Organisationen, die selbst nicht zur Freimaurerei gehören, in die aber
nur Freimaurer eintreten können. Diese spezifische Eigenart ist eine
Auswirkung der Freimaurerei, die das gesamte Vereinsleben und damit
das gesellige Leben in Amerika beeinflußt hat. Ein großer Teil des
geselligen Lebens spielt sich in derartigen bruderschaftlichen
Verbänden ab - abgesehen von beruflichen, sportlichen und politischen
Vereinigungen. 201
Similar to non-American Masons' reactions towards orders for women and
children, other jurisdictions are skeptic with regard to the "playground" of
American Masonry: "It must be noted that the Shriners are not countenanced by
the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland and some other non-
American Grand Lodges. Masons belonging to these jurisdictions may not join
the Shriners. Visitors from outside North America are advised to be aware of
their own Grand Lodge policy in this area." 202
International lodges find several other points to criticize with regard to
American Masonry. For example, according to Mellor, American Masons have
198
Cf. Henderson and Pope, vol. I, p. 70.
199
Ibid, p. 71. Italics added.
200
Ibid, p. 73.
201
Kischke, p. 33.
202
Henderson and Pope, vol. I, p. 73.