From a Shriners web site -Members of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America are members of the Masonic Order and adhere to the principles of Freemasonry -- Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
http://ncmason.org/shriners.htm
the Shriners (formally known as The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) are a religion, a group of 500,000 North American men committed to revering a Supreme Being. To avoid scandalizing outsiders -- and because most Shriners are decent guys who honestly don't think they pose a threat to orthodox faiths -- they play down their religiosity. Still, spiritual overtones ooze from every corner of the Shriners' organization. To become a Shriner, a man must first become a member of the Freemasons, a centuries-old, 10-million member international fraternal order replete with unusual mystical rituals. It's often called "the world's largest secret society." The Shriners were formed in the 1870s by two theatrical New York Freemasons who became entranced with Arabic and Muslim lore.
They developed rites in which God is referred to by many names, including "Allah," "Father" and the "Grand Geometrician." Shriners have traditionally prayed by facing toward Mecca (the most holy city in Islam) and initiation ceremonies include the Bible, altars, holy titles and devotion to "the everlasting foundation of God-given law."
The blood oath of secrecy represents the most contentious display of religion in the Shriners.
the macabre punishment a Shriner agrees to if he ever transgress his obligations to the mystic Shrine: "In willful violation whereof may I incur the fearful penalty of having my eyeballs pierced to the centre with a three-edged blade, my feet flayed, and I be forced to walk the hot sands upon the sterile shores of the Red Sea until the flaming sun shall strike me with livid plague, and may Allah, the god of Arab, Moslem and Mohammedan, the god of our fathers, support me to the entire fulfillment of the same. Amen. Amen. Amen."
Conservative Christian groups, in addition, have often denounced the Freemasons and Shriners as an alternative religion, even though many Shriners are active Protestants.
http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/shriner_spiritual.html
The Shriners
Allah's Islamic Cult Inside the Masonic Lodge
To most Americans, the Shriners are a wonderful organization. They see men wearing the strange "fez" hat and gleefully riding tiny motor scooters in parades. They see Shriners at circuses dressed as clowns, delighting youngsters. They hear of the boisterous Shriners conventions and are told of the charitable acts of this group--its burns hospitals and so forth. But there is a darker side to the Shriners, and Texe Marrs uncovers it in this revealing investigative expose. You'll learn that the Shriners are Knights Templar, 13th degree York Rite Masons or 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons. You'll discover the hideous blood oath to a pagan deity taken by these men in a bizarre and occultic initiation rite. You'll discover also the meaning of The Shrine and the significance of the "fez" cap. You'll find out why the elements in the logo, or symbol, of the Shriners include an Arabic curved sword, upside down horns, a pentacle star, and an image of the ancient goddess of Egypt. This audiotape will enlighten you about what goes on behind the closed doors of the Shrine Temples. It will equip you with the knowledge and information you need to unmask this devilish organization and help men who are entrapped in its devilish clutches escape.
http://www.texemarrs.com/021998/shriners.htm
Freemasonry: A fraternal order revived in the early 18th century in England, loosely based on associations or guilds of stone cutters (“operative” masons). Freemasonry (“speculative” masons) sought to give philosophical, moral, or spiritual meaning to the lodge, tools, and oaths of the stone cutters. Branches of Freemasonry include the Blue Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. Affiliated organizations include the Order of the Eastern Star (for women), the Order of DeMolay (for boys), and the Order of Rainbow (for girls). Most modern adherents maintain that the organization is not a religion but a club or fraternity promoting high moral values and good works. They believe, therefore, that Freemasonry is compatible with and supplements Christianity and other religions. Critics counter that Freemasonry involves secret blood oaths or curses, and that the writings of respected early leaders (Albert Mackey, Albert Pike, etc.) are replete with occult philosophy and religious doctrine contrary to Christianity. Despite Freemasonry’s promotion and funding of a number of worthwhile, philanthropic endeavors (free Shriner children hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), many Christian individuals and churches have condemned Freemasonry or warned of elements that they believe are contrary to Christianity. These churches include the Presbyterian Church of America, Southern Baptist Convention, Episcopal Church, Christian Reformed Church, Church of the Nazarene, and Lutheran Church (Missouri and Wisconsin Synods).
http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm
Most Christians understand that the shriners are a cult and those involved need deliverance!