How are the Shriners related to the Masons?
A Shriner must be a Freemason (Mason) before becoming a Shriner. Once accepted into the Masons (as an Apprentice Mason of the Craft Lodge), each member works his way up through three degrees. To do so, each member Mason must learn certain lessons within each degree, and participate in various ceremonies therein. When he reaches the third degree, he becomes a Master Mason, who can then petition to become a Shriner (Nobel of the Shrine). Members of the Shrine for North America adhere to the same principles as Freemasonry, but in contrast to the more conservative work of their Masonic brothers, they are distinguished from them by having a more enjoyable, upbeat philosophy of life in the interest of philanthropy. This philosophy has been described as “pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness, and jollity without coarseness.” And–before anyone asks me–no, I am not a Mason or Shriner.
