All my male ancestors prior to around 1925 were Masons. Some of them Cherokee Indians (Tahlequah, the capital of Indian Territory, Free Mason Cherokee Lodge Number Twenty-one circa 1860) The ones that fought for the south were Masons and so were the ones that fought for the north in the Civil War. Also there were all black Mason lodges in that area of the South. They were from all sorts of religions, and NONE of them would have given up their church to be a mason and they would have ALL disagreed that freemasonry is a ‘religious organization’. In truth it was probably as varied as the republican party is today.
I’ll be dog gone .. What a fascinating family history you have . So being a Mason is an addition to one’s religion , if I’m processing things accurately .
So other than the uninformed opinions it’s actually a group of like minded people who are grounded and centered in there life sharing a common bond and interest .
For years I’ve read these threads and I still dont get the bitterness but thank you for sharing your family history !