Shriner's Club

[coco2]

I am wondering what everyone thinks about this. My daughter is getting married and we are looking for a place to have her reception. One of our options is a Shriner’s Club. I’ve had one person who is Catholic tell me I absolutely cannot have it there. They rent out their ballroom for different events in our city, and that is what we would be using. I know that if you are Catholic, you cannot become a Shriner, and of course wouldn’t. I don’t really know all the reasons, but think I remember that they are very anti-Catholic. What are your thoughts? It might be the least expensive option for us.

 

[Havard]

I am wondering what everyone thinks about this. My daughter is getting married and we are looking for a place to have her reception. One of our options is a Shriner’s Club. I’ve had one person who is Catholic tell me I absolutely cannot have it there. They rent out their ballroom for different events in our city, and that is what we would be using. I know that if you are Catholic, you cannot become a Shriner, and of course wouldn’t. I don’t really know all the reasons, but think I remember that they are very anti-Catholic. What are your thoughts? It might be the least expensive option for us.

If they are truly offering a good deal, I would think it’s fine. You’re not joining them, you’re just transacting for use of their ballroom. Their beliefs were/are wacky, but they’re a lot less anti-Catholic than they used to be. If I’m not mistaken they now allow Catholic members, though on our end, we’re still forbidden from joining.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

These links might help.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=883921&highlight=shriner
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=13786&highlight=Freemasons

You can also search the forums under shiriner.

I would not do it. I would not give money to an organization that is opposed to the faith of the Church and God Himself. And I certainly would not want that tied to a wedding of two Catholics. Many Church’s have basements, many homes have living rooms and those are free. How about a public venue. Many colleges, fire stations and police stations have venues they use. Hopefully Planned Parenthood is not offering you a better deal.

 

[ServusHumilis]

I would definitely look elsewhere but if it’s the only option then you have no choice.

Back in the early 80s I’m told my local Latin Mass Society wasn’t even allowed to offer the Latin Mass in the Catholic church so they were forced to rent out the Masonic hall down the road on Sundays. Ridiculous huh? Imagine there was a time when the Catholic Mass wasn’t even allowed to be offered in a Catholic church so instead had to be offered in a Masonic Hall! Thankfully things have changed and it’s now offered in the church again.

At any rate, the priest went around and blessed all of the Masonic symbols weekly (which after had to be covered for Mass) with Holy Water and soon after this the Masons left that hall. If you end up having it there and your priest is invited to the reception perhaps you could have him do the same.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

These links might help.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=883921&highlight=shriner
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=13786&highlight=Freemasons

You can also search the forums under shiriner.

I would not do it. I would not give money to an organization that is opposed to the faith of the Church and God Himself. And I certainly would not want that tied to a wedding of two Catholics. Many Church’s have basements, many homes have living rooms and those are free. How about a public venue. Many colleges, fire stations and police stations have venues they use. Hopefully Planned Parenthood is not offering you a better deal.

“…opposed to…God Himself?” Of the Shriners I know, they only thing they would be opposed to would be the return of Prohibition. The local Shriner’s Hospital renders amazing care - at no charge - to children with severe orthopedic and neuromuscular problems.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

“…opposed to…God Himself?” Of the Shriners I know, they only thing they would be opposed to would be the return of Prohibition. The local Shriner’s Hospital renders amazing care - at no charge - to children with severe orthopedic and neuromuscular problems.

When you right a check to the shriners, you are not writing a check to a particular person but rather an organization that is opposed to the Church. Yes, the hospitals do good things, but then again planned parenthood provides health care too.

By the way, the Church has empty rooms and runs pretty good hospitals too. But maybe the problem is that the Bride wants something a little prettier? Who knows. All I know is the Church does not permit membership in the Shriners and that is good enough for me. I would not want to financially give money to something the Church is opposed to. Especially if it was tied to my sacrament within the Church of marraige. It is just a bad idea. But I suppose that farmer johns barn has cows in it all year round and that is the only structure big enough to house the guests attending.

I get that weddings are expensive, but cutting costs at the expense of contributing money to things the Church is opposed to, that is odd. “Hey, Jesus, thanks for being present at our wedding, now, please join us at the Shriner’s house because it is cheaper.”

Something about a town called Cana, weddings, wine, and saving the best for last…

 

[schaeffer]

I can’t say yay or ney as far as whether or not to do it. But the Catholic boy’s high school my brothers attended had their graduation service at the Shriner’s hall every year.

 

[Miss_Felicity]

If you feel uncomfortable honor that feeling , however I have known several Catholic people to have events at Shriners halls and I’ve also known Knights of Columbus to rent their hall to Masons/ Eastern Stars and other similar organizations. I think this would fall under business transaction but again you have to follow your heart.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

If you feel uncomfortable honor that feeling , however I have known several Catholic people to have events at Shriners halls and I’ve also known Knights of Columbus to rent their hall to Masons/ Eastern Stars and other similar organizations. I think this would fall under business transaction but again you have to follow your heart.

At what point do you draw the distinction between support and “business transaction”?

 

[Miss_Felicity]

At what point do you draw the distinction between support and “business transaction”?

The OP is renting a space, there will not be interaction with a Shriner short of opening and closing the hall, once money is exchanged that is OP/daughters space for the evening.I would think that makes it pretty firmly business.

 

[Pax2u]

40 years ago when DH and I were newlyweds we lived in Georgia. Some friends we had met (Catholic) had a baby born with severe birth defects, including a skull that was not totally formed. The mom wasn’t even “allowed” to see her baby, the defects were so severe. They desperately tried to get help for this baby…were told by the March of Dimes organization sorry, but we only help babies that have a “chance” to survive. The only organization that offered any help was the Shriners. They offered to fly the baby to Atlanta to their hospital and do surgery to put a plate into the skull to see if that would help. Unfortunately the baby died before this could happen, but DH and I never forgot which organization was truly committed to “life” issues.

No, wouldn’t join the Shriners, but I won’t be bad-mouthing them, either.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

The OP is renting a space, there will not be interaction with a Shriner short of opening and closing the hall, once money is exchanged that is OP/daughters space for the evening.I would think that makes it pretty firmly business.

I have got to know where this is located!? If the Shriners do indeed have a monopoly on “space” then I need to open up some outdated old cement lead pipe warehouses. No Grange, No Elks? No affordable gazebos at the local park?

How is there even internet access in this one horse town the OP calls home?

My point is, there is another way. Without spending a lot of money.

People seem to forget, that money to rent a space is not charity. It is profit for the Shriners. The Church the CATHOLIC Church has some alternatives in the area. Perhaps the Church basment is not as appealing as some old mens lodge or meeting space, but make it work people!!

We had our wedding reception at a nice restaurant. I am sooooo glad my own marriage was not tied to an anti Catholic organization! Wouldn’t the young couple like to start things off well in their faith FULL marriage?

Or is it just another “The Church is pretty and my parents want us to be married in the Church” weddings?

 

[dreamer29]

40 years ago when DH and I were newlyweds we lived in Georgia. Some friends we had met (Catholic) had a baby born with severe birth defects, including a skull that was not totally formed. The mom wasn’t even “allowed” to see her baby, the defects were so severe. They desperately tried to get help for this baby…were told by the March of Dimes organization sorry, but we only help babies that have a “chance” to survive. The only organization that offered any help was the Shriners. They offered to fly the baby to Atlanta to their hospital and do surgery to put a plate into the skull to see if that would help. Unfortunately the baby died before this could happen, but DH and I never forgot which organization was truly committed to “life” issues.

No, wouldn’t join the Shriners, but I won’t be bad-mouthing them, either.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

The Masons/Shriners aren’t anti-Catholic – Catholics are anti-Masons.

The Masons would gladly welcome Catholic members except that the Catholic church excommunicates anyone who joins.

 

[Boatswain2PA]

40 years ago when DH and I were newlyweds we lived in Georgia. Some friends we had met (Catholic) had a baby born with severe birth defects, including a skull that was not totally formed. The mom wasn’t even “allowed” to see her baby, the defects were so severe. They desperately tried to get help for this baby…were told by the March of Dimes organization sorry, but we only help babies that have a “chance” to survive. The only organization that offered any help was the Shriners. They offered to fly the baby to Atlanta to their hospital and do surgery to put a plate into the skull to see if that would help. Unfortunately the baby died before this could happen, but DH and I never forgot which organization was truly committed to “life” issues.

No, wouldn’t join the Shriners, but I won’t be bad-mouthing them, either.

I can’t believe you would let those evil, devil-worshipping, anti-Catholic SHRINERS treat your friend’s child!!

The historical rift between the Church and the Masons is based on politics (ie: money) and the very loose interpretations of what some wacky people said and did over a hundred years ago.

Most all Masons, and Shriners, are good people, just like most Catholics are good people.

 

[His_helpmeet]

I can’t believe you would let those evil, devil-worshipping, anti-Catholic SHRINERS treat your friend’s child!!

The historical rift between the Church and the Masons is based on politics (ie: money) and the very loose interpretations of what some wacky people said and did over a hundred years ago.

Most all Masons, and Shriners, are good people, just like most Catholics are good people.

Actually, if you look at the Masons’ teachings they are VERY problematic. There are good reasons why Catholics are not permitted to be Masons.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Actually, if you look at the Masons’ teachings they are VERY problematic. There are good reasons why Catholics are not permitted to be Masons.

Specifics please.

Both my grandfathers (non-Catholic) were Masons, so I feel like I’m pretty familiar with them. The only religious belief they require of members is a belief in some kind of creator. The rest of it is all normal “secret society” type stuff like special handshakes and matching hats.

I think it’s funny to think of a social club as having “teachings,” but what do you think it is they’re teaching that goes against Catholicism? And where did you get this information from? (i.e. do you know Masons personally who told you this, or is this something you read on a Catholic site somewhere?)

 

[His_helpmeet]

Catholic Answers has an excellent article on Freemasonry and why it is diametrically opposed to Catholicism. According to Catholic Answers (and I have heard this elsewhere) one of the principle aims of Freemasonry, especially in Europe, is to destroy the Catholic Church. One of the higher degrees of Freemasonry (this is according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, which has an extensive article on Freemasonry) requires the initiate to trample the papal tiara. The blood oaths extracted are sacrilegious due to the fact that: a) most “secrets” of Freemasonry are widely known, and b) the initiate swears that he will be subjected to torture and death should he break the oath of secrecy. Any Catholic who becomes a Freemason is automatically excommunicated. Many of the Popes have spoken out against Freemasonry.

However, it IS acceptable to receive medical care and treatment from one of their hospitals, since one is not actually going about joining the Masons or supporting their work directly. The Ask an Apologist forum had a question about this some time ago.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

Catholic Answers has an excellent article on Freemasonry and why it is diametrically opposed to Catholicism. According to Catholic Answers (and I have heard this elsewhere) one of the principle aims of Freemasonry, especially in Europe, is to destroy the Catholic Church. One of the higher degrees of Freemasonry (this is according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, which has an extensive article on Freemasonry) requires the initiate to trample the papal tiara. The blood oaths extracted are sacrilegious due to the fact that: a) most “secrets” of Freemasonry are widely known, and b) the initiate swears that he will be subjected to torture and death should he break the oath of secrecy. Any Catholic who becomes a Freemason is automatically excommunicated. Many of the Popes have spoken out against Freemasonry.

However, it IS acceptable to receive medical care and treatment from one of their hospitals, since one is not actually going about joining the Masons or supporting their work directly. The Ask an Apologist forum had a question about this some time ago.

Regarding “destroying the Catholic Church” – I suppose this could have been a goal when the group started a few hundred years ago, but modern Masons are basically like Elks or Lions Club members. It’s a bunch of old guys hanging out and having fun together. The church should get over old grudges and lift the excommunication ban.

Regarding secrets that aren’t secret and silly “blood” oaths – I guess Catholics should avoid pledging fraternities or sororities too

Also, think of this: Catholics can’t be Masons. And Masons swear not to tell non-Masons about what the group does. So no good Catholic can tell you anything about Freemasonry based on actual first-hand knowledge. And anything they’ve heard second-hand comes from someone who can’t be trusted to keep an oath …