What exactly is the masons and shriners?

Question

What is involved with joining the masons or shriners? Why is it so secretive? My husband's grandfather was a member but won't ever go into the details of what it really entails! Anybody willing to explain??

Answer 1

The Masons or Freemasons and Shriners are two separate organizations, although in order to become a Shriner on must be a Freemason first.



Ok so why all the secrecy? Simple when Freemasonry evolved in the early 18th century trust was extremely important and knowing that a man could keep his word. So simple passwords were entrusted to them.How if a man can't keep a simple secret like password, I wouldn't trust him further then I could throw him.



Freemasonry's singular purpose is to make good men better and its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is neither a forum nor a place of worship. It is not a religion nor does it teach a religious philosophy. For nearly three hundred years it has attracted men of high moral character who support the tenets of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.



We're often asked, "What do Freemasons believe?" The answer is quite simple: essentially the same things that teachers, bus drivers, Rotarians, or anyone else believes. There is no 'requirement' that all Masons believe certain things except insofar as good behavior dictates.



Today, the more than four million Freemasons around the world come from virtually every occupation and profession. Within the Fraternity, however, all meet as equals. In fact, one of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry (and an obvious source of irritation for those who thrive on the seeds of discontent) has always been: how can so many men, from so many different walks of life, meet together in peace, ignoring political or religious debates, to conduct their affairs in harmony and friendship and to call each other "Brother!" It's truly a conundrum which perplexes those outside the fraternity. Laying aside petty jealousies and agreeing that issues of politics and religion are not proper for discussion within a lodge, the 'bones of contention' that so often divide are removed thereby making it possible for men of varying religious and political interests to meet on common ground.



What is involved with joining? Well simply put one must ask to join. He must be a man, freeborn, of lawful age (18-21 depending on where you live) and well recommended. He must also profess a belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.



When a man joins he gives his word he will never tell the 'secrets' he has been made aware of. So it is a matter of honor why your husband's Grandfather will not give you details.



The fact is the first exposure of Freemasonry was published in 1696, 20 years before the first Grand Lodge was formed in London. There are literally thousands of book written on this subject. If your really want to know, read a few as no Freemason should tell you, although they will admit they the information is available in your local library.



Another good page is here: http://www.masonicinfo.com/ourwives.htm



and about the Shriners: http://www.masonicinfo.com/shrinehosp.htm



The real part is that a man may be a Freemason for 50 years and never know the secrets as each man finds it in his own heart and it cannot be communicated by word or written down. I could not tell another because if they cannot divine it themselves they wouldn't understand what i was telling them.

Answer 2

i do not use youtube in circumstances like this because their information are generally twisted to in structure the author of the internet sites standpoint even at the same time as it really is misguided. Masons and Shriner's are 2 parts of a similar team. The Masons are a fraternity and in no way a non secular team. this is like a number of the adult males's communities or the faculty sororities. None are linked with one faith or yet another. The Shriner's are the better elite team, style of like the colour guard. they have the money to address the better problems with society. you'd be able to have many non secular beliefs while not having a project.

Answer 3

The Masons and the Shriners were primarily a social organization for men. It was supposed to be founded on "religious" principles and supported a number of worthy charities. The "secrecy" idea now appears to have been simply a ploy to help members feel important -- they knew something that others did not! These groups flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were beneficial to many businessmen, because they could make contacts within the group that was helpful to their business, and the idea of "brothers helping brothers" was promoted within the organizations.



I, too, had male family members who belonged to the Shriners, and they wouldn't tell what the big "secrets" were about. IMO, the big secret was...that there weren't really any big secrets! Think of it -- how many people that were members of these groups have since dropped out...if there was one or more juicy secrets to spill, would someone not have spilled it or them by now? Uh huh, I think so too.



There is also a Shriner group for women...I can't think of the name right now...and one for boys, called The DeMolay, and one for girls. So if there was anything actually secret about these groups, I think we would all be totally sick of hearing about it by now!