Don't know if this can be answered or not. But what do the Masons do? I know the Shriners' have the hospitals that help out children, but there seems to be very little about what Masons do for the communities. I think I've learned more from the half truths on the anti-Mason websites than from the Mason sites. Still very little besides holding member only meetings. Throughout American architecture there are Masonic undertones, but very little is heard about what might be going on today.

Both Masons and Shriners actually fall under the umbrella of Freemasony. Much like the benevolent actions of Shriners, Masons are involved in volunteer services, world wide charities, scholarships, and building children's homes, etc. While I don't share their beliefs, I do applaud their benevolency.

Masonry has a tradition of not seeking publicity for our charitable work (I do not agree with this tradition). Masonry and masonically affiliated organizations contribute about $2.6 Million dollars per day, to various charitable and humanitarian causes. The majority of these expenditures go to individuals who have no connection to Masonry.

Some of our charities are very open and visible, like the Shriner's hospitals for crippled and burned children. Most are very obscure, and beneath the lime-light. The High-Twelve organization funds scholarships for Master's Degrees at George Washington University. The Grotto supports dentistry for the handicapped. With over 100 appendant and concordant bodies, the list of charitable activities goes on and on.

The $2.6 million dollars is just in cash expenditures, and that is an estimate only. Masons donate millions of man-hours of time, to various humanitarian causes. Use of Masonic buildings are donated to youth groups, and other non-profits like Alcoholics Anonymous. Masons pick up trash on highways, with the adopt-a-highway program.

I am serving in Afghanistan. The Masons have sent us thousands of dollars of personal care items and recreational items for the troops.

I suggest that you visit the Shriner's home site:

www.shrinershq.org

for a look at their work.

The Scottish Rite, supports a network of 100 speech, language, and hearing disorder clinics for children, which offer their services at low cost, or no cost.

The York Rite sponsors medical research into Atherosclerosis, Schizophrenia, and other diseases.

The Tall Cedars of Lebanon supports charitable activities with crippled and paralyzed children.

For a more comprehenive view please see:

www.masonic-renewal.org/freemasonry_explained.htm

and

www.masonicinfo.com

I'll get a little off the charity topic too since it has been covered already...

Masons do alot of things. Keep in mind, that we are a fraternal organization. We are brothers, many of us share interests. I belong to a nation wide group called the Freemasons RC, we ride motorcycles. In Texas we even have a group called the Masonic Campers! Those guys are really big into RV'ing and such.


Masons & their families get together for all sorts of fellowship. Many of the Masons in my area go to church with each other, hold card nights, go to movies, BBQ on Sundays for the football games, etc. Several coach youth sports. I am a "younger" Mason and I have several "young" Mason friends. 3 of them are in a band together, one is even a tattoo artist.


Yes, we do alot of charity work and are active in our communities but the point I'm trying to get at is that Masons do alot of different things. What alot of people don't realize is that we are also a group of men who enjoy each others company.


Specifically, my lodge raises money for the local high school and gives two scholarships to college each year. We also do some other things, but each of us is very active with whatever charities we participate with, Masonic or otherwise.

Dear Nyxt,
I read your question What Masons do. I can give you some answers. In most States they have a Child Identifaction Program (CHIP). They take photos and finger prints of the child.
These are given to parent(s)who will give to police. When a child is missing or kidnapped.
Masons help out teh Salvation Army around the holidays as bell ringers.

Yours Truly,
PJMNL

quote:

Originally posted by Sumati:
http://www.trosch.org/msn/mason-graphics.html

One never learns. This forum does not tolerate information and links that is anti-Masonic. Violators will subject themselves to the consequences.

Warm regards,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

Greetings all:

Please refrain from posting negative comments, or links that are anti-Masonic. Your attention is directed to the Terms of Service (TOS) and General Guidelines of this forum. Thank you.

Fraternally
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator[/QUOTE]