2007-07-22 15:08:33 · 4 answers · asked by gonecrazybacksooninky 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
About the Order
Of The Eastern Star
What It Is: The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. Worldwide, there are approximately 1 million members under the General Grand Chapter.
Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives which makes us near and dear to each other.
While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can. For membership information, click here.
Purposes. The stated purposes of the organization are: Charitable, Educational, Fraternal and Scientific; but there is much more to it than that. Dr. Rob Morris, the Poet Laureate of Masonry, founded the Order using beautiful and inspiring biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. These portray the noble principles which should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Star members. Eastern Star strives to take good people and through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an Order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness.
Projects. Concrete evidence of the charitable nature of the organization as it affects others is the millions of dollars which have been raised within the membership to support national, jurisdictional, and local charities. Many Grand Jurisdictions have homes for their senior members.
OES Charities | How to Join The OES | Brief History of the OES
2007-07-22 15:12:44 · answer #1 · answered by shirley e 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Q. What is the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. The Order of The Eastern Star is the largest Fraternal Organization in the world to which both women and men can belong.
Q. Can any woman or man belong?
A. No. Only women with specific Masonic affiliation may become members, and men who are Master Masons are eligible. A petitioner must be of good moral character, believe in a Supreme Being, have attained the age of 18, believe in the laws of the United States of America, be willing to assume the obligation of the Order, be able to participate in the Ceremony of Initiation, be free from disqualifying mental illness, be a resident of the State for the last 12 months (exceptions), and not be convicted of a felony (or adjudged an habitual criminal) under the law of any State, or of the United States.
Q. What Masonic affiliation is required for a woman to become a member?
A. She must be the wife, daughter, legally adopted daughter, mother, widow, stepmother, sister, stepsister, half-sister, granddaughter, or stepdaughter of a Master Mason as well as grandmother, great granddaughter, niece or daughter-in-law, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and daughters of sisters or brothers of affiliated Master Masons.
(updated by General Grand Chapter Assembly (11/97).
Q. Must the Master Mason, whom a woman might be using for her affiliation, belong to the Eastern Star before she can become a member?
A. No.
Q. May a woman use, as her affiliation, a Master Mason who has died?
A. Yes. Provided the Master Mason was a member in good standing at the time of his death. A letter of verification from the man's Lodge will be required before the Degrees of the Order of The Eastern Star may be given.
Q. When was the Order of the Eastern Star formed?
A. Dr. Rob Morris, the poet laureate of Masonry, conceived the Order of the Eastern Star in 1850.
Q. What is the basis of the Order of Eastern Star?
A. Dr. Morris created the Degrees of the Eastern Star around the lives of five Biblical women. They were Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa. The reason was that each of these Biblical examples stands for one of the tenets of the Order. They are Fidelity, Constancy, Loyalty, Faith and Love.
Q. Is the Order of the Eastern Star a religion?
A. No. The Order of the Eastern Star is not a religion, even though we are religious in character. It does not pretend to take the place of a religion or serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members. Our members do come from all denominations.
Purposes And Goals
Q. What are the purposes and goals of the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. To provide an organization where women and men with high moral and social character can contribute much time, energy and wisdom to our Order with Charity, Truth and Loving-kindness for the good of all mankind throughout the world.
2007-07-22 15:12:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What does the Order of the Eastern Star mean? What are their beliefs?
2015-08-15 04:29:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Eastern Star isn't a religious organisation. They are the ladies auxilary of the Masonic Order usually composed of the wives of Masons
2007-07-22 15:10:49 · answer #4 · answered by Don W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are affiliated with the Freemasons. I don't know as much about them as I do the Masons, but my Mom is a member and the beliefs are pretty similar.
Both groups are more social than anything.
2007-07-22 15:11:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
OES is a female branch of the Masons. Basically, we get together, eat, and raise money for different causes. We have a heavy focus on cancer research in my state.
OES isn't a religion, just an organization. It is heavily Christian in terms of belief, though.
2007-07-22 15:20:07 · answer #6 · answered by Kharm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋