"Rainbow Girls" and "The White Light"

i had to make the url like that or it wouldn't post.
take the spaces out of the words, put in the / and the .
voila.

“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.”
“From where do they originate?”
“From the great source of the White Light, which is symbolized in our Assembly by the Holy Bible.”
“By what color do we designate the Holy Bible?”
“It is white, the virgin color.”
“What does it represent?”
“It is the symbol of True Womanhood.”
“Be pleased to order the Holy Bible opened that its White Light may penetrate the heart of every member of this Assembly.”

“Why is your station near the Altar?”
Faith looks at Bible on Altar.
“The Altar is the most sacred place in our Assembly Room. Upon it rests the Holy Bible, symbol of white light, from which we derive strength to sustain us through life.” Faith faces East.
“Sister of Hope, what does your station represent?”
“The sun.”
“What is the hour ?“
“The noon day, when the sun’s rays are the brightest.”
“What is its meaning?”
“The light, the Bright Light, should always shine on our pathway.”

btw, rainbow girls are the masonic version of the girl scouts.
women too young to yet join the order of the eastern star

does anyone understand what i am trying to say here?

It's been a long time but I wouldn't call it a version of girl scouts, but definately a younger version of eastern star. Demolay was for the guys.

At 12, I was raped at a Demolay 'dance'.

Seems these guys were taught the old ways from the bible.

JA's

Can you give us a hint?

since when is the bible a "symbol" of "white light"?

that isn't even remotely christian.

i'm so sorry that happened to you. i hope you have been able to heal in whatever way possible

{{}}

"..what is the symbol of this Assembly?”
“The Rainbow in the heavens spanning from the North to the South.”
“What does it symbolize?”
“The ancient promise of God to His people that He will never again destroy the world.”
“What does it further symbolize?”
“That out of every trial and temptation through which Girlhood may pass, there shall come a Rainbow of Promise and Victory.”
“What are its rays?”
“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.”
“Whence do they originate?”
“From the great source of the White Light, which is symbolized in our Assembly by the Holy Bible.”


"You stand beside the Altar. On it is the White Light, representing the crystallization of all colors."

".....On the Altar before you is the Holy Bible. It is the rule of right living for all. ....

colors represent the following:
red=love
orange=religion
yellow=nature
green=immortality
blue=fidelity
indigo=patriotisim
violet=service

it's all symbolism

yes.
why is green immorality i wonder?

what i am saying is , in christianity, the bile is not a symbol, especially of something called "the white light"
the bible, in christianity is the word of god.

Why are there even such organizations, also why the gender based segregation there?

Why did you mention the color green?

How do you feel about the color and symbolism as you wondered?

Those colors, they seem like the order of chakra ideas, but upside down written above. whatever white light is all of those colors and more it would seem. green was supposed to represent one's heart chakra from esoteric-like sources right? could that also represent a symbolism such as one's Source of Being?

because they have deemed the colour green as "immorality"
there are such society's because divide and conquer is simple and effective. not in a good way

what i am tryig to point out (and i am not a christian or member of any religion, but my dad is a lutheran minsiter and my step dad too so i know a bit) is that THIS is NOT christianity. therefore people are beng ignorant about these organizations which make up the FOUNDATION of our nation.

i'm not saying it's good or bad but what i am saying is that it feels bad to keep anything 1. vague or 2. a secret or 3. seem to be something you are not

this is not good, imo
and should send up red flags.

For heavens sake...I get so tired of the silliness of some people....the white light is a metaphor folks, it is SYMBOLIC. It symbolizes the source of all goodness; ie: GOD.

It is not meant to be taken literally, in that we believe there is some "white light," that is worshiped. "Good grief!

The idea of using white light as the metaphor is that just as all the colors of light merge into the purity of white light, so all good things in life, come from the one source of goodness as well.

The rainbow ceremony you read here was actually written by a Methodist minister, and I can guarantee you that he would be appalled that anyone would think the kind of things some of you have implied here.

All of the ceremonies in the various masonic orders, indeed in all fraternal orders use allegory and metaphor. If you don't understand the concepts of what those two terms mean, I suggest you hit the dictionary and maybe an encyclopedia or two for some examples....or better yet....go take some Literature classes.

As for the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, it is a masonic sponsored sorority for girls. It is a non-profit, character-building, service organization open to all girls, regardless of their religious belief. It offers leadership opportunities, character development, lifelong friendships, and more. Is it perfect? Is it for everyone? No and no. But it is an excellent organization that has done a great deal of good over its 75 years of operation.

There have been many famous rainbow girls including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor,Judith Craig - Bishop for Western Ohio area, United Methodist Church, Maj. Gen. (USA,Ret.) Lorraine Potter - Highest ranking female Chaplain in the U.S. military who was Nominated for the rank of General, Olympia J. Snowe - US Senator, actresses Donna Reed, Dawn Wells, and Lee Meriweather, Comediennes Ruth Buzzi and Lili Tomlin, former Olympic skier and motivational speaker Jil Kinmont (the movie, "The Other Side of the Mountain" was about her) and many many more.

If you want to know more, you can go to their main website: www.gorainbow.org

Yes. I was blackballed from this Satanic group because I refused to participate in it. I tried to keep the ball, but they came as a large group and I gave it back.

Still laughing that it is an innocuous group to promote friendships and do good in society. We did nothing to promote friendships and were encouraged to ignore those who wouldn't or couldn't join.

Why the need for the black robes and seating people North, South, East and West and blindfolding me during these "helpful and "god-like" cermonies?? I still saw what went on. They weren't very good with the blindfold.

i know its an old thread but i think its important

I'm sorry for what happened to you... But I'm a DeMolay and were taught to respect women and even take an oath not to hurt or violate any women or Girl if at all possible, so Idk why a DeMolay would ever do that and if he did that's a felony and he would have been brought before the lodge to decide his fate...

Lucifer = light
Lucifer = morning star
Sun rises in East = eastern star
Order of eastern light = order of Lucifer

Lucifer is not Satan
Bringer of light / knowledge

First of all.....people need to be less literal. The "white light" is metaphorical. It represents the light of God in our lives, and the light of God's word given through the Holy Scriptures. The Bible represents this source of the light in our lives. This is why it is referred to as the "great source of the white light."

The ceremonies used in Rainbow and other fraternal orders use metaphor, and allegory to teach life lessons. Anyone who is unable to understand this, or who is looking to find a particular religious doctrine, is going to be confused, and/or disappointed.

This symbolism was chosen by the Methodist minister, who wrote the ceremony, because "clear" or white light is actually a combination of all the color spectrum. Thus the idea that the colors of the rainbow, representing the life lessons taught in the organization, all being a part of this greater good provided by God was a perfect vehicle to use in creating the order.

OMG! and those 4-H clubs!

4-H pledge:

"I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."

Unbiblical and practically Satanic!

/sarcasm off

Its a good thing you are anonymous, because what you are saying is completely lying.

When a person applies for membership in this and many other fraternal/social/service organizations, their application is voted on by the membership. It is an anonymous vote, and no one knows how someone else voted. White balls are cast as yes votes, blackballs as no votes. So, if, during this process, someone feels that the applicant would not be a good member of the group, they may vote no by using a blackball in the ballot box. The balls, black or white stay in the box for use the next time a vote is needed.

However, it is largely a practice that is more symbolic than anything else. In all my years, (over 40)involved with this and other organizations, I have never seen or heard of a person actually being blackballed.

The only time a girl is asked to leave the organization is if she has acted in a way unbefitting a Rainbow Girl, (ie: broken the rules or gotten into serious trouble that would reflect badly on the organization, or set a bad example for the other girls.) Anyone may leave at any time by either simply not coming anymore, or by writing a formal letter of withdrawal, called a demit.

If this person left, it was likely due to her own choice, and no one gave her any "black ball."

Sadly, I have run into far too many ignorant people where these things are concerned. I have the feeling that the person writing here not only knows not what she is talking about, but is unlikely and unwilling to learn anything outside of her ignorant, prejudiced, and narrow minded views.

Lets set another little thing straight....

While the Order of the Eastern Star today has members of many faiths, including Jewish and Muslim members, it was originally written by and for a predominantly Christian membership. The Eastern Star mentioned, is the Star of Bethlehem, or "The Star in the East." - This is why when you look at some of the posters, it says, "We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship him." Often times in the past, images of the three kings on the camel would even be included in the iconography.

Today, the only condition required of members is that they believe in one Supreme Being; Almighty God, by whatever name you may use.

The ritual however is replete with Christian symbolism and thought. I'm not sure how members of other traditions view this sometimes, but they seem to have worked it out. There have been recent moves to make things more friendly to some of these members, but not in changing the ritual. For example... It has been the tradition to sing Doxology at the end of the meeting:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

Many chapters, especially those who have Jews and/or Muslims in their midst no longer sing this so as not to offend.

Another song that is traditionally sung is "Bless Be the Tie that Binds"
Bless be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love...

Many people now sing, "our hearts in Eastern Star love"

It has been a source of controversy within the order. I myself have mixed feelings. I am glad that it has been a matter of choice for the members, and that what works best for each group is what they use.

That said.... if anyone else out there has ideas or questions, please feel free to ask.