[churchillbuff]

Scottish Rite runs speech and hearing centers.

Shriners own and operate 22 hospitals in North America that provide free care – primarily orthopedic and burn treatment – for children. They raise money with a circus and an annual college football all-star game. The Afifis feature a traveling troupe of award-winning clowns.

"We don't understand why someone wouldn't want to be part of this philanthropy," Nau said.

In an upper room at the temple, you'll see old black-and-white panoramic photos featuring hundreds of Shriners gathered at woodland picnics in the late 1800s and clad in Oriental-themed uniforms at civic parades in the 1920s and 1930s.

Shriners and Scottish Rites also maintain the rituals, passwords and gradual advancement to higher and higher Masonic degrees.

Perhaps the slow, progressive nature of that advancement turns off younger generations interested in more instant gratification and quick leadership opportunities.

Before Bede could become a Shriner, for example, he first had to join the Scottish Rite and advance to what's called the 32nd degree. That rule changed, however, in 2000 when Shriners started accepted third-degree master masons as a way to make membership easier.

It hasn't attracted enough new recruits in Tacoma to hang onto the 31-year-old temple.

[discostu]

By my generation Shriners (and all those types of organizations) are primarily associated with old guys wearing goofy hats. I know there's a lot more to it than that but honestly I wouldn't even consider joining any of them until after I retire.

[battlegearboat]

Do they accept Catholics?

[Publius]

When I was back east last year visiting family, I drove past the huge Masonic temple in Collingswood, New Jersey. It had been sold off and converted to a large for-profit hall for holding weddings and other events.

How the mighty have fallen.

[JohnnyZ]

Shriners and Scottish Rites also maintain the rituals, passwords and gradual advancement to higher and higher Masonic degrees.

There's a major turnoff right there.

[VOA]

Apparently some Islamics dislike the Masons...that's a plus for Masons in my book.
And the Shriners by association.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3548433.stm

[MrBambaLaMamba]

...Shriners own and operate 22 hospitals in North America that provide free care – primarily orthopedic and burn treatment – for children. They raise money with a circus and an annual college football all-star game. The Afifis feature a traveling troupe of award-winning clowns. ..

Gubmint skoolz have taught the sheeple that this type of activity is best left to the professionals, namely the gubmint. Youz can't professionalize unless you governmentize.

[mo]

IMHO, muc of the resources individuals used to have...both of time and money...are gone..into taxation for programs designed to replace individual philanthropy with government panaceas....