The "Offensive" Shriner Organization

I was reading an article that got me thinking, author made the assertion so I'll ask here.

You should read

http://sahibshrine.org/shriner_primer.pdf

to get a full understanding of the origins of the Shrine.

The Shrine was not set up to deliberately offend anyone.

In the latter 1800's, one of the most popular books was the "Thousand and One Nights". Americans were enthralled with the tales of Aladdin, and Ali Baba.

When Walter Fleming and Billy Florence were setting up the organization, they settled on a "Near East" theme.

Edited by cemab4y - March/31/2015 at 6:06pm

Cookslc wrote: What part of the craft ritual is outdated and behind the times?

Edited by windrider - October/28/2014 at 9:38am

Cookslc wrote: I'm familiar with that theory. I find it flawed. If the Masons of today do not join or remain because of the ritual, the same would hold true of the Masons of the 1950's during our great growth. 18th C. English was no more relevant for them, yet they joined en masse. The theory is also insulting to young people: they are too lazy or ill educated invest in a difficult endeavor; they are the entitled generation of participation trophies and do not wish to work for their reward. I find that a very sad commentary.

"Expanding certain portions of our rituals to include the candidate capitalizes upon the simple fact that we retain more when we see, hear and do something rather than just hear it"

I agree and I suspect that is why the candidate does so, adopting the Renaissance memory techniques

Thanks, Caution. A most interesting article. Only one reference to the Shrine organization that I saw.

I have been a member of my local Shrine center (Azan, Melbourne, FL)and have been in the ritual unit that performs the first part of the ceremonial twice a year. I will note that, about 8 years ago, the Imperial Council rewrote the first section effectively eliminating any references to terms used in Islam.

 I am uninformed on why this was done, I would only note that it happened after the events of Sept 11, 2001. My opinion is that these references were outdated and not necessary to the meaning of the ritual.

As far as the removed references being "a mockery of Islam", I suspect these parts were incorporated in the ritual at the very beginning of the Shrine organization, and were incorporated  as an homage to the mystical and romantic nature attributed to the Middle Eastern countries' heritage and customs.

Regarding the reaction of our Islamic neighbors, the most charitable reaction I could have is..... "Lovely weather we are having today, isn't it?"

I have been a Shriner for more than 10 years and attended multiple ceremonials. I find nothing offensive with the SHrine or the ritual.