So, I’ve got the Shrine on my mind this week. Rather hard not too, given that I’m surrounded by thousands of extremely enthusiastic Shriners.
I will say that it has been a great experience.
But, let’s discuss it. What do you think about the Shrine? Does it help Freemasonry? Does it harm Freemasonry? Given that all Shriners are Masons (except in one particular state) how can our local Shrines and our Lodges best work together?
I am not a Shriner. However, I notice that while there alot of people who might not know what Freemasonary is, they know about Shriners. Either through the hospital or circus. The former generates alot of good will towards us, whole the latter can be controversial due to the animals, but still generates name brand recognition. I think overall, it's a great relationship that helps the craft with publicity.
The Shrine is without question good for the country, with it's charitable work.
But is it good for freemasonry? In my opinion, no. There is nothing they do that supports freemasonry, and only harms it.
To begin with, they have drawn away good men from their home lodges, some never to be seen again. Many times I've run into brothers who once they joined the shrine, never stepped foot back in lodge again.
They draw away desperately needed funds from blue lodges. The Nile Shriners have an amazing place over in Edmonds, and coffers of millions of dollars. I would guess that the Shrine holds by far the most money in their bank accounts than any other fraternal organization. While blue lodges are crumbling derelict husks, the shrine has huge endowments from wealthy members. This is money outside what they have to maintain their 22 hospitals.
Some may say, well, the shrine is a great representative for freemasonry. So, just how many of their commercials, posters, clown cars, emblems, jackets, shirts, etc mention the craft? All of this draws attention to their charity, but nothing about freemasonry. They ask for money to support the hospitals, but don't mention who they are. The only publicity they have provided the craft is bad press from their wild drunken antics at their conventions.
I have nothing against the shrine per se, just that it is not masonry. They do good work, and they are good men, but it is neglecting the craft for their own purposes. I just don't see the benefit to the fraternity. I will probably get a lot of flack for my comments, but it's how I see them.
I’ll be writing a comment later, since I’m in the middle of Shriners Imperial Session. Time is short right now. Just know that I knew very little of the Shrine until I moved to WA and met many Shriners in the local area. Let’s just say it has been good.
I would say the Shrine has a very positive effect on our Local lodges. Not just in publicity but also in inspired members. My lodge and a number of others I know wouldn’t exist if not for the Shriners that keep it alive. Every brother in a chair is also a Shriner. The narrative passed around about the Shrine stealing members from the lodges is in my experience false. The members largely believed to disappear to the Shrine aren’t active in the Shrine either from what I’ve seen in my nearly 10 years as a Shriner and 12 as a Mason. I was cornered once when visiting a lodge in my district by a well meaning Past Master who asked “Tell me one thing the Shrine has ever done to support my lodge?” I replied that I had personally escorted ridden in his local parade three years in a row and accompanied vehicles with large banners that read “Every Shriner is a Mason 2 Be 1 Ask 1” Did I miss your lodge marching in the parade? He is no longer active in his lodge, while the brother who’s petition I signed at our circus in that town is now a District Deputy and Past Master of that lodge. This is not an unusual story I can tell dozens of them. Shriners aren’t just generous with their support of the hospital system; they’re also generous with their time and support of their lodges and communities.
I have the greatest respect for the achievements of the Shriners, and i think they reflect well on several aspects of Masonry. I also think that they provide an excellent social outlet for Masons who crave fellowship. I also think that Shrine activiies should be subordinate to Blue Lodge participation for its members. When i was Master i had a couple officers who prioritized their Shrine activities over Blue Lodge work. This had the net affect of making operation of the Blue Lodge more difficult. Now, in fairness, at the time our Blue Lodge was struggling and Shrine activities were a lot more fun. So, like everything else, the Shrine is good or bad, depending on the individual Shriners and that takes us back to the same points we always come back too. If the men who walk through the West gate are committed to the internal work of Masonry, then when they become Shiners, that will be a good thing. If they are not committed to the internal work, then at best they will be an empty seat in Lodge.
Becoming a Shriner has been a fantastic experience for me. The opportunity to connect with other Masons throughout eastern WA has expanded my Masonic network. Its provided me more opportunities to talk with people about Freemasonry than I can count. The argument about Masons going to the Shrine and not returning to their Blue Lodge is true, but again, maybe some self reflection needs to be done at the lodge level. Were those men attending meetings where the only thing talked about was the minutes and bills. My Shrine experiences are different than my Blue Lodge experiences. They have two different goals. But I know that being a Mason makes me a better Shriner because I have a strong foundation in Masonry. Wearing the fez is fun and silly. Participating in parades and interacting with those communities can only make your smile broader. The Shrine has a singular focus which provides a path for everyone to pull in the same direction. Each Blue Lodge has their own projects and goals. I’ll end with this, there has been nothing more heartwarming than to have a stranger walk up and thank you because they were a Shriner’s kid or the parent of a Shriner’s kid and how how the care they received at the hospital changed their lives. I would encourage every Brother to become a Shriner.
I am not a Shriner. When someone says Masons are (insert conspiracy theories here), I ask if they had ever heard of the Shriners. And of course they have due to the hospitals, circus, parades, etc.....
Then I tell them that they are Freemasons and to be a Shriner you first have to be a Mason..
People will actually argue that they cannot be Masons. It would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating. People's ignorance or lack of wanting to hear what they don't want to believe is amazing.
If the Shriners had the S&C more prevalent on the Fez, on the clown cars, on the commercials for the fund raisers and then maybe they would draw good men toward the Craft.
Or would the S&C drive down the needed funds that are needed for the hospitals?
The Shrine, just being exposed in the public eye the way they should be showing that they are Freemasons and not just Shriners. That would be good PR.
I remember the little clown cars in the parades when I was a kid. But in that town of 5000 people, probably 30 or 40 were Masons. All us kids knew was that these guys were Shriners and that was cool. If we knew they were Freemasons, it might not have registered then, but a seed would have been planted in a young boys brain in a favorable light about Masonry.
I am personally not a big fan of the Shrine. I was a member for over 10 years, however I had several bad experiences and decided to drop out. It is not Masonry for me. I spend my time in Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite Masonry. I do not knock members of the craft who do belong but it is not for me. We in District 12 have a joint picnic with the District 3 & 12 Lode Officers Association & the Kitsap Shrine Club each year which I support and attend but that is my only involvement with the Shriners today. That said, I think the Shrine is a great organization that does wonderful work with their charities.
I am a Shriner, Past Potentate 2019, El Katif. I think being a Shriner is simply "Icing on the Cake" for Free Masonry. In my area of Eastern Washington, Blue Lodges are heavily favored by their Shriner members. Each of our parades are prefaced with a large banner proclaiming "Every Shriner is a Mason". Most, large majority, of my fellow Shriner Nobles are extremely involved in their Blue Lodges, Degree support, membership, fundraisers, and Shrine Hospital support. BTW, the Shriner's Hospital System is/has been proclaimed the Greatest Philanthropy in the world! I am a hospital volunteer and Board member Emeritus and have the privilege of helping many of the "Miracles" enter and depart the hospital. I also have readily available a Masonic petition and information packet should anyone have a question or interest in our fraternities. I know there are negative or neutral opinions on this topics but am very willing to debate these with anyone. Also, our websites have information and contact links for the various Masonic Lodges in our area. Please attend one or all of our All-Masonic night events held in our Shrine Temple. Thank you for asking Grand Master!
I am not a Shriner. However, I notice that while there alot of people who might not know what Freemasonary is, they know about Shriners. Either through the hospital or circus. The former generates alot of good will towards us, whole the latter can be controversial due to the animals, but still generates name brand recognition. I think overall, it's a great relationship that helps the craft with publicity.
The Shrine is without question good for the country, with it's charitable work.
But is it good for freemasonry? In my opinion, no. There is nothing they do that supports freemasonry, and only harms it.
To begin with, they have drawn away good men from their home lodges, some never to be seen again. Many times I've run into brothers who once they joined the shrine, never stepped foot back in lodge again.
They draw away desperately needed funds from blue lodges. The Nile Shriners have an amazing place over in Edmonds, and coffers of millions of dollars. I would guess that the Shrine holds by far the most money in their bank accounts than any other fraternal organization. While blue lodges are crumbling derelict husks, the shrine has huge endowments from wealthy members. This is money outside what they have to maintain their 22 hospitals.
Some may say, well, the shrine is a great representative for freemasonry. So, just how many of their commercials, posters, clown cars, emblems, jackets, shirts, etc mention the craft? All of this draws attention to their charity, but nothing about freemasonry. They ask for money to support the hospitals, but don't mention who they are. The only publicity they have provided the craft is bad press from their wild drunken antics at their conventions.
I have nothing against the shrine per se, just that it is not masonry. They do good work, and they are good men, but it is neglecting the craft for their own purposes. I just don't see the benefit to the fraternity. I will probably get a lot of flack for my comments, but it's how I see them.
I’ll be writing a comment later, since I’m in the middle of Shriners Imperial Session. Time is short right now. Just know that I knew very little of the Shrine until I moved to WA and met many Shriners in the local area. Let’s just say it has been good.
I would say the Shrine has a very positive effect on our Local lodges. Not just in publicity but also in inspired members. My lodge and a number of others I know wouldn’t exist if not for the Shriners that keep it alive. Every brother in a chair is also a Shriner. The narrative passed around about the Shrine stealing members from the lodges is in my experience false. The members largely believed to disappear to the Shrine aren’t active in the Shrine either from what I’ve seen in my nearly 10 years as a Shriner and 12 as a Mason. I was cornered once when visiting a lodge in my district by a well meaning Past Master who asked “Tell me one thing the Shrine has ever done to support my lodge?” I replied that I had personally escorted ridden in his local parade three years in a row and accompanied vehicles with large banners that read “Every Shriner is a Mason 2 Be 1 Ask 1” Did I miss your lodge marching in the parade? He is no longer active in his lodge, while the brother who’s petition I signed at our circus in that town is now a District Deputy and Past Master of that lodge. This is not an unusual story I can tell dozens of them. Shriners aren’t just generous with their support of the hospital system; they’re also generous with their time and support of their lodges and communities.
I have the greatest respect for the achievements of the Shriners, and i think they reflect well on several aspects of Masonry. I also think that they provide an excellent social outlet for Masons who crave fellowship. I also think that Shrine activiies should be subordinate to Blue Lodge participation for its members. When i was Master i had a couple officers who prioritized their Shrine activities over Blue Lodge work. This had the net affect of making operation of the Blue Lodge more difficult. Now, in fairness, at the time our Blue Lodge was struggling and Shrine activities were a lot more fun. So, like everything else, the Shrine is good or bad, depending on the individual Shriners and that takes us back to the same points we always come back too. If the men who walk through the West gate are committed to the internal work of Masonry, then when they become Shiners, that will be a good thing. If they are not committed to the internal work, then at best they will be an empty seat in Lodge.
Becoming a Shriner has been a fantastic experience for me. The opportunity to connect with other Masons throughout eastern WA has expanded my Masonic network. Its provided me more opportunities to talk with people about Freemasonry than I can count. The argument about Masons going to the Shrine and not returning to their Blue Lodge is true, but again, maybe some self reflection needs to be done at the lodge level. Were those men attending meetings where the only thing talked about was the minutes and bills. My Shrine experiences are different than my Blue Lodge experiences. They have two different goals. But I know that being a Mason makes me a better Shriner because I have a strong foundation in Masonry. Wearing the fez is fun and silly. Participating in parades and interacting with those communities can only make your smile broader. The Shrine has a singular focus which provides a path for everyone to pull in the same direction. Each Blue Lodge has their own projects and goals. I’ll end with this, there has been nothing more heartwarming than to have a stranger walk up and thank you because they were a Shriner’s kid or the parent of a Shriner’s kid and how how the care they received at the hospital changed their lives. I would encourage every Brother to become a Shriner.
I am not a Shriner. When someone says Masons are (insert conspiracy theories here), I ask if they had ever heard of the Shriners. And of course they have due to the hospitals, circus, parades, etc.....
Then I tell them that they are Freemasons and to be a Shriner you first have to be a Mason..
People will actually argue that they cannot be Masons. It would be funny if it wasn't so frustrating. People's ignorance or lack of wanting to hear what they don't want to believe is amazing.
If the Shriners had the S&C more prevalent on the Fez, on the clown cars, on the commercials for the fund raisers and then maybe they would draw good men toward the Craft.
Or would the S&C drive down the needed funds that are needed for the hospitals?
The Shrine, just being exposed in the public eye the way they should be showing that they are Freemasons and not just Shriners. That would be good PR.
I remember the little clown cars in the parades when I was a kid. But in that town of 5000 people, probably 30 or 40 were Masons. All us kids knew was that these guys were Shriners and that was cool. If we knew they were Freemasons, it might not have registered then, but a seed would have been planted in a young boys brain in a favorable light about Masonry.
I rambled on enough.
I am personally not a big fan of the Shrine. I was a member for over 10 years, however I had several bad experiences and decided to drop out. It is not Masonry for me. I spend my time in Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite Masonry. I do not knock members of the craft who do belong but it is not for me. We in District 12 have a joint picnic with the District 3 & 12 Lode Officers Association & the Kitsap Shrine Club each year which I support and attend but that is my only involvement with the Shriners today. That said, I think the Shrine is a great organization that does wonderful work with their charities.
I am a Shriner, Past Potentate 2019, El Katif. I think being a Shriner is simply "Icing on the Cake" for Free Masonry. In my area of Eastern Washington, Blue Lodges are heavily favored by their Shriner members. Each of our parades are prefaced with a large banner proclaiming "Every Shriner is a Mason". Most, large majority, of my fellow Shriner Nobles are extremely involved in their Blue Lodges, Degree support, membership, fundraisers, and Shrine Hospital support. BTW, the Shriner's Hospital System is/has been proclaimed the Greatest Philanthropy in the world! I am a hospital volunteer and Board member Emeritus and have the privilege of helping many of the "Miracles" enter and depart the hospital. I also have readily available a Masonic petition and information packet should anyone have a question or interest in our fraternities. I know there are negative or neutral opinions on this topics but am very willing to debate these with anyone. Also, our websites have information and contact links for the various Masonic Lodges in our area. Please attend one or all of our All-Masonic night events held in our Shrine Temple. Thank you for asking Grand Master!