| Penalties in Rituals
The information on this chart comes from various sources. If anyone has definite
information for additions or changes on this chart, please send email to Paul M. Bessel so I can update this chart.
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), and possibly other Grand Lodges outside the
U.S., no longer use the "ancient penalties" in their rituals. It was suggested
that it would be useful to have a chart to show which other Grand Lodges, particularly in
the U.S., may be following the UGLE's example, and which continue to use the "ancient
penalties."
State |
Which penalties does the ritual use? |
| Alabama |
|
| Alaska |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Arizona |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Arkansas |
|
| California |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Colorado |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Connecticut |
|
| Delaware |
|
| District of Columbia |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Florida |
|
| Georgia |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Hawaii |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Idaho |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Illinois |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Indiana |
"Ancient" penalties
Reported to use "symbolic" penalties |
| Iowa |
|
| Kansas |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Kentucky |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Louisiana |
|
| Maine |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Maryland |
|
| Massachusetts |
From a knowledgeable Brother in Massachusetts: The GL of MA
in roughly 1978, did away with the ancient penalties in the obligation. The only penalties
in the obligation are reprimand, suspension, or expulsion. There is ritual following the
obligation in explaining the sign of each degree that reference is made to "the
ancient penalty of this degree; wherein than sooner than violate his obligation the
candidate swore that sooner than violate his obligation he would... (the ancient penalty). |
| Michigan |
Suspension or expulsion mentioned as
penalties |
| Minnesota |
The only penalties in the obligation are reprimand, suspension, or
expulsion. There is ritual following the obligation in explaining the sign
of each degree that reference is made to "the ancient symbolic penalty of this degree; should I in the least, violate or transgress, this my (EA, FC
or MM) obligation." |
| Mississippi |
|
| Missouri |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Montana |
|
| Nebraska |
|
| Nevada |
|
| New Hampshire |
|
| New Jersey |
"Ancient" penalties |
| New Mexico |
"Ancient" penalties |
| New York |
"Ancient" penalties |
| North Carolina |
|
| North Dakota |
|
| Ohio |
|
| Oklahoma |
|
| Oregon |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Pennsylvania |
In 1996 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania restored the Ancient
penalties with the caveat that these penalties are of ancient origin
and symbolic only.
The penalties had been removed from 1984-1996 in an attempt to still the voices of our critics. In 1996 the Grand Master
decided
that we make our ritual and not our critics. |
| Rhode Island |
|
| South Carolina |
|
| South Dakota |
|
| Tennessee |
|
| Texas |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Utah |
|
| Vermont |
|
| Virginia |
"Ancient" penalties |
| Washington |
"Ancient" penalties. At the Grand Lodge meeting
in June 1998 (see Proceedings for 1997/1998, pages 232-233), the following resolution was
voted on and rejected (a 90% affirmative vote was required for adoption): Statement of
Purpose: To make meaningful the penalties in the Standard Work while retaining allegorical
penalties. Resolution: Whereas, there has been some criticism of our Craft with respect to
the ancient penalties provided in the three Degrees, which may be thought to be barbaric
and out of step with our present society; and Whereas, at the same time these symbolic
penalties are so much a part of our ancient historical ritual that they need to be
retained; modifying our work, however, to provide meaningful, realistic
penalties for
violating Masonic obligations, while still maintaining the ancient penalties in their
allegorical sense; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Standard Work be amended by
inserting the following language in the appropriate place in each Degree: '....binding
myself under no less penalty than that of reprimand suspension, or expulsion, and
forfeiture of all Masonic rights, benefits, and privileges, ever remembering the ancient
symbolic penalty of having..." |
| West Virginia |
|
| Wisconsin |
|
| Wyoming |
|
|
