I have a pretty straight-forward question:

I recognize the good charitable efforts of the Freemasons and various forms of Masonry in general, but I am curious, do you have an other affiliations that should be known? Official affiliations I mean.

A clear answer is appreciated.

No sarcasm, just plz help me clarify.

Mike Martin - 24 May 2010 06:36 PM

I have got to tell you, as straight forward as that question may have seemed in your head it makes no sense at all to someone who is not sharing your train of thought!

What on earth do you mean by “affiliations” most especially by “official affiliations”.

Clear answer from me waiting, just as soon as I understand the question.

Mike

fair enough, it was too rhetorical, I will restate my question:

Simply, does freemasonry as a non-taxable charity organization affiliate itself with any other organizations for any purpose? I think it’s a fair question. By officially I mean in business to business sense, like freemasonry receives donations from members and non-members I assume, but what are the organization’s official public list of affliations, like you would show someone giving a donation.
I’m not a lawyer, so if my language is incorrect, I apologize.

ok, thank you that does help, I am trying understand your organization better…since the rumors run wild, I think the rumors run because freemasonry has been rumored to withhold internal information…though I can’t say that’s not a right, just that with the gravity, age and resilience that masonry has had it invites people to speculate…

so I guess the place to start is to clarify facts vs. rumor…I have no conclusions, though I have jumped to them before…I think that’s tempting in an age of information…

The book “Freemasons for Dummies” was interesting to glance through, would that hold the clarification that I am suggesting? I could examine it again…or anything in a more digestable form would also be interesting, such as links to summaries that approach these arguments, I mean address rumors regarding secret keeping and freemasonry’s influence on society.

Thank you for your time, Mike

Freemasonry in America is most notably associated with charities like the Shiners Hospitals for Children, which treats children with burns and crippling illnesses at no charge. Is that what you meant?

Bob Heruska - 24 May 2010 10:29 PM

Freemasonry in America is most notably associated with charities like the Shiners Hospitals for Children, which treats children with burns and crippling illnesses at no charge. Is that what you meant?

I recognize and applaud the efforts of Shriners, of course, my question is evolving:

Why do Masons keep secrets?

@ the Museum of Our National Heratige here in Lexington, I read that Freemasonry was instrumental in guiding the Revolutionary War that produced America, or should I say freed America from rule by British rule, so naturally I must assume there are political ties between freemasonry and placement of government…but that is a stretch…perhaps, am I wrong about this, or misinformed?

Hi, David-

Thank you for your question and your interest in Freemasonry.

If you would like more information on Masonic “secrets,” there are several threads on this Forum dealing with this topic that numerous Brothers have tried to address. I encourage you to review them and if there are specific issues that have not been adequately explained, please come back and we can discuss.

As for Freemasonry being instrumental in “guiding the Revolutionary War,” it is important to distinguish from Freemasonry (the institution) and Freemasons (the men). A fundamental principle of Freemasonry is that the institution avoids involving itself in politics, religion, and other issues that would be divisive. The Fraternity is based on the premise of bringing men together. Because of the nature of these subjects, getting entangled in them inevitably leads to disharmony. Also, it is important to note there is no one, single entity that speaks for or stands for Freemasonry. We are organized into independent, sovereign Grand Lodges that preside over specific jurisdictions with mutual recognition “treaties.” The business of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is not the business of the Grand Lodge of England, and vice-versa.

As independent citizens, our members are free to pursue activities (political, religious, civic, as well as athletic, artistic, charitable, etc.) that their time and interest allows. It is true there were a number of Freemasons that were involved in the activities leading up to the Revolutionary War and the founding of this country. It is also true that there were a number of Masons who remained loyal to England.

It should be noted that in America, Freemasonry is categorized as a 501(c)10 (Fraternal Organization). The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and most Grand Lodges I suspect, also have a 501(c)3 (Charitable) arm of their organization.  We file all of the required documents the federal, state, and local governments require of similar organizations, which are accessible to anyone who is interested in reviewing them. Finally, as with England, all of the donations we receive are provided by our members; we do not solicit outside of the fraternity. I don’t know if this helps with your question relative to “official affiliations,” but my sense of it is that we do not have “any” official affiliations.

I hope this helps.
-Robert

First point…You mention Freemasonry as a tax-exempt organization…this is not always the case, as certain criteria has to be met in some states and paperwork filed.

Second point…claims that Freemasory influenced the American revolution are a bit over-hyped and over-estimated. 

Freemasonry champions ideals of tolerance and allowing everyone their own pursuit of happiness, which was mirrored by many patriots, and obviously these ideals would attract a number of Freemasons to the American colonies’ cause. 

But Freemasonry was not influential in a “macro” sense of the word…lodge meetings were not spent planning the next tea party protest or organizing the militia if the British regulars were spotted in the area, or to recruit men into the continental army. 

Were there Freemasons involved in the Boston Tea Party?  Yes.  Did a Masonic Lodge in Boston plan, organize and execute the Boston tea party?  All current evidence that I am aware of says no. 

As I have stated in other posts, the actions of one Freemason outside of the lodge does not demonstrate the ideals of all members, or the organization itself.  A Mason can be involved in whatever political and religious activities he chooses outside of lodge—but he is requested to leave those passions outside the door on Lodge night, so that everyone can get along.