Please don't take this the wrong way, but do the Masons allow non-whites to join? I was under the impression that it was a private, exclusive kind of thing, that you had to be invited to join. Also, we're pretty young, is that allowed?
There were several black brothers in the class in which I became a Shriner several years ago.
For more info: http://www.masonicinfo.com/
If you ever want to see the true side of a freemason, merely attempt to join the lodge and state you believe in God through faith in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. You will quickly discover how they sincerely hate anything of God through Christ.
This simply leads one to consider why any person would deny the Lord Jesus Christ, but claim to believe in God. Consider that Lucifer when he became Satan declared in his 5 'I wills', that he would make himself like God. Then consider how somebody who rejects all things Christian, but seeks to serve a false god, would then describe Satan. They have no hinderance from seeking to deceive and will accordingly claim they are worshipping and serving 'God' when they also deny Jesus Christ.
There probably have been many a Christian brother deceived into joining freemasonry as a false service organization seeking to create perfect environment rather than partaking in God's plan through His will by faith in Christ.
A better path is to remain faithful to God through Christ in all things, being regenerated in the spirit, and indwelt by Him with the authority to do all things,..even moreso than any echelon of masonry and its bastard stepchildren societies could ever dream to achieve.
I know Masons and Shriners who are white,black, and Asian. Not all Masons are Shriners,but all Shriners are Masons. They do GREAT charitable work and have a great time to boot.
Besides the hospitals, they both also run camps for children and give college scholarships.