What the Shriners do for kids really is admirable, Dee, but the fact of the matter is that the Freemasons lost any ability to move humanity forward when they became a theist organization. My husband has long been fascinated with them himself, but when he found out that what their requirements are he lost all interest. They are not the same group of people who helped found the nation (and it’s not really news to anyone that many of the authors of our founding documents were freemasons, either).
What’s going to move humanity forward is a rational humanism that encourages, as someone else mentioned, personal responsibility.
“A theist organization ” ? I have never thought of them that way, myself ! They do require that a man believe in an almighty entity ; a supreme being, but in all my days with them I never heard the name “God” mentioned once. A man does not have to say any prayers or vow his devotion to God.
About them not being what they used to be—-you are quite a bit right, but they still have what it takes to be influential if the situation called for it. They say they do not talk about religion or politics, but that is not entirely true. In spite of an outer shell of glitter and pomp, they have a very serious core. The more preeminate members of that society have a lot of respect and power of persuasion . They are much more into politics than anyone knows ( but told tell them I let that out ! ) .
There are things about them I would change though. I agree with you that we need a rational humanism that encourages personal responsibility . But responsibility is only one thing….we need some kind of an organization that teaches children how to live. Something that stresses a love of truth and fairness.
