J. Howard Duncan, 32°, K.C.C.H.
PO Box 56, Lecompton, Kansas 66050

If a Blue Lodge Mason were to ask you what is special about the Scottish Rite, what would you say? Obviously the similarities which Scottish Rite shares with the other primary organizations in the Masonic Family greatly overshadow the distinctive differences. Every one of our fraternal groups strives to promote behavioral conditioning which strengthens both society in general and its building-block units of family, church, community, and nation. Scottish Rite is certainly no different.

It takes focusing on the differences between Masonic groups to see what is unique about the Scottish Rite. In my experience, Scottish Rite has a peculiar emphasis on individual freedoms and a person's relationship with government. The essence of Scottish Rite beliefs is embodied in the Bill of Rights and Constitution of the United States of America. Individuals are encouraged by the Scottish Rite to demand the basic protections of equal and fair treatment, meaningful representation, freedom of religion, liberty in private actions which do not negatively affect others or the nation, recognition of legal property ownership, taxation based on ability to pay, assurance of necessities for the destitute, and just rewards for efforts. In exchange for these foundations of human rights, the individual is expected to pledge full cooperation with the government.

It is interesting to note that these basic demands upon government, while constant in one respect, are changeable and capable of growth to reflect the maturation and improvement of society. The studious historian is critically aware that judgment of past societies must be made in the context of their times. It would be unfair to take today's yardstick of judgment and apply it to the infant United States of America where women and the poor could not vote and human slavery was the common and accepted practice. Those deplorable practices of the day do not make what the Founding Fathers sought any less honorable or less complete. For the times, they were doing the right thing by echoing the principles of Scottish Rite Freemasonry while tolerating that which could not then be changed. In the context of the times, they constructed the appropriate stepping stones which would later let our nation evolve. It is safe to state that the journey is not yet complete.

At first impression, it might be considered boastful to claim that our nation was founded on principles which either are those of or are closely parallel to those of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. With some reflection, the relationship should become much more apparent. Probably, the most direct comparison can be made within the ritual of the Thirty-second Degree. It clearly states that freedom of action and freedom of conscience are what all enlightened men should demand as their rights. It warns that under despotism, free speech and opinion are proscribed and conscience annihilated. With the loss of these essentials, justice and equity can find no anchors. The potential dangers of bad government are well explained in the Degree, and the individual is urged—through education and the formation of independence in character, thought, and action—to eradicate false ideas of government. It is clear to me that, even before the 32° existed, its principles were well understood by the Founding Fathers of our nation. The key identifying characteristic of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is its role as the champion of individual freedoms.

Scottish Rite sits squarely in the mainstream of Masonry. After the Blue Lodge and its foundation of the first three Degrees, the Scottish Rite is the largest Masonic men's organization. All Blue Lodge Masons have the opportunity to learn its moral lessons expressed through beautiful rituals and so become 32° Masons. Also, the Rite provides fellowship and brotherly contact over a broader geographical area than the basic Blue Lodge does. The Master Mason who loves the concepts to which he is being exposed but has difficulty doing ritual memorization will be pleased to learn that the Scottish Rite makes no such demands of him. Such a person should let an active Scottish Rite Mason know of his interest. Master Masons are most welcome to take advantage of the opportunity to grow and mature under the sheltering wings of the Scottish Rite's double-headed eagle.

J. Howard Duncan is a licensed engineer and a diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers now retired from a 35-year career as an environmental engineer and administrator for the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment. His hobbies are writing, public speaking, theatre, and historical reenactment related to pre-Civil War "Bleeding Kansas." In 1992, he served as Venerable Master, Scottish Rite Bodies of Lawrence, Kansas. Brother Duncan is also active in the York Rite with honors as K.Y.C.H. and Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine.