Religion and The Order of the Amaranth

The Order of the Amaranth has the greatest respect for religion and encourages its members to practice their own personal faith. It is a fact that many members are devout, enthusiastic and committed members of the congregations of their choice.

To become a member of Amaranth, one must profess a simple belief in a Supreme Being. It follows from this that a member of Amaranth may adhere to any one of a number of the world's great religions. Equally, he or she may have a simple faith in a Supreme Being without being a member of a formally established faith or denomination.

The Order of the Amaranth, therefore, is neither a religion nor a substitute for religion. It has no theological doctrine, embodies no sacraments and offers no path to salvation.

The Order of the Amaranth values the fact that Christians, Jews, and members of other faiths are able to meet together in harmony and understanding when they come to their Meetings.

Prayers are said at Court meetings, but this does not make Amaranth a religion. Prayers are said, for example, at the beginning of each day's sitting of Parliament, at many school assemblies and in other secular places.

Every Court has an Officer called the Prelate, who may be a member of the clergy but is, more often than not, a lay person. Both clerical and lay chaplains are to be found in a wide range of organisations within our society.

The Bible is always open in an Amaranth Court. Members who revere a holy book other than the Bible are always respected in their beliefs.

Following are some frequently asked questions.

Question 1: Who may join the Order of Amaranth? Answer: All Master Masons in good standing within the Masonic Fraternity and the immediate female relatives of at least eighteen years of age of Master Masons or deceased Master Masons who were in good standing with the fraternity at the time of their death. The table below gives the complete list of female relatives who are eligible for membership. Eligible female relatives include... Wives, Mothers, Daughters, Granddaughters, Step-daughters, Legally adopted daughters, Widows, Sisters, Half-sisters, Nieces, Grand nieces, Aunts, Great-granddaughters & Grandmothers

Question 2: How does one become a member of the Order of Amaranth? Answer: By completing a petition for membership, having it signed by two present members of the Order, paying the necessary petition fee and submitting it to your local Court of Amaranth for consideration.

Question 3: What happens after I submit my petition? Answer: Your petition will be received by the Court at its next regular meeting and an Investigating Committee will be assigned. The Investigating Committee will report its findings to the Court at its second meeting following the receipt of your petition. The Court will then ballot on your request for membership. If you are elected, the Court secretary will inform you and schedule with you a date for your initiation. At the initiation, you will receive the degree of the Order of Amaranth and become a regular member.

Question 4: What does the Investigating Committee do? Answer: Legally, the committee is to check the character and qualifications of the applicant. In practice, the committee is a committee of visitation it will meet with you and get to know you. They will answer your questions about the Order of Amaranth and steps you are presently going through in order to become a member.

Question 5: Why must the Court ballot on my petition for membership? Answer: Like any other fraternal group, the Order of Amaranth is careful about who they admit to membership.

Question 6: What happens at my initiation? Answer: You will be conducted through the degree of the Order based on: Truth, Faith, Wisdom and Charity.

Question 7: What happens after my initiation? Answer: Hopefully you will become a congenial member participating in the charitable and fraternal activities of the Order.

Question 8: How may I obtain more information about becoming a member of the Order of Amaranth? Answer: Send an e-mail message to our Webmaster with your name, address, telephone number or e-mail address. The Webmaster will forward your request for information to the Advancement of the Order Committee or a Court near where you live.