Masonry

my Grandfather lives in the US, and my mother tells me he is a mason. what exactly is a mason and what do they do exactly? any help would be great.

p.s no im not religious please speak in language i would understand

Well, masons are the worlds oldest and largest fraternity, with over 5 million members worldwide. We are a group of men with a professed belief in god, however each member knows him, and a sincere desire to be more serviceable to man and god.

Masons, among other things, perform charitable works for the community, though that is NOT our primary function, but to be charitable is a duty incumbent on all men, particularly masons. Together, in the United States, we raise and donate through our various organziations, Shriners, Blue Lodges, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and others, over $760 MILLION dollars per year.

We also serve the community, and strive through the study of moral lessons and association with other good men, to become better men, for our god, our country, our neighbors, our families and ourselves.

If your father is a mason, you should ask him about masonry, but as a mason, I would commend you to whatever lodge is near you. Go and visit the lodge, meet the men who make up masonry, ask them questions, watch what they do, and then ask to join, for they will not ask you to join, that is one of our traditions.

For more information, go to www.masonicinfo.com

Originally posted by theron dunn
Together, in the United States, we raise and donate through our various organziations, Shriners, Blue Lodges, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and others, over $760 MILLION dollars per year.

to whom?
who decides where that money goes?

Why, we decide, since we raise the money among ourselves... do you think it should be otherwise?

But, to answer your question more directly, the Shrine has about 40 hospitals in the United States and Canada that are totally funded by donations and investments made by the Shrine, with is totally composed of Masons. The Scottish Rite has Speech and Language Centers, the blue lodges have scholarships, angel funds, child id, community service, homes for children (Like Covina CA) and the elderly.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Originally posted by theron dunn
But, to answer your question more directly, the Shrine has about 40 hospitals in the United States and Canada that are totally funded by donations and investments made by the Shrine, with is totally composed of Masons.

Actually the number of Shrine Hospitals is 22. They are operated and funded solely by private donations (most of which is from Shriners, but anyone can donate to the Shriners Hospitals). There is no billing for services rendered... ever, all transportation, and lodging, is covered by the Shrine as well.

Learn more about the Shrine Hospitals here.

You are right, my brother, it is 22... I do not know where I got the 40 number:

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of pediatric specialty hospitals, founded by the Shrine, where children under the age of 18 receive excellent medical care absolutely free of charge. There are 18 orthopaedic Shriners Hospitals, three Shriners Hospitals dedicated to treating children with severe burns, and one Shriners Hospital that provides orthopaedic, burn and spinal cord injury care. Shriners Hospitals are located throughout North America � 20 in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada. These "Centers of Excellence" serve as major referral centers for children with complex orthopaedic and burn problems.

There is never a charge to the patient, parent or any third party for any service or medical treatment received at Shriners Hospitals. Shriners Hospitals accept and treat children without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner. Any child may be eligible for treatment at a Shriners Hospital if the child is under 18 and if, in the opinion of the hospital's chief of staff, the child has an orthopaedic or burn condition that Shriners Hospitals can help.

All of the orthopaedic hospitals are equipped and staffed to treat children with congenital orthopaedic deformities, problems resulting from orthopaedic injuries, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Three of the orthopaedic hospitals (in Chicago, Philadelphia and Sacramento) also have special programs dedicated to caring for children with spinal cord injuries.

The Shriners Hospitals in Boston, Cincinnati, Galveston, and Sacramento treat children with acute, fresh burns; children needing plastic reconstructive or restorative surgery as a result of "healed" burns; children with severe scarring, resulting in contractures or interference with mobility of the limbs; and children with scarring and deformity of the face.