Masonic Lodges today

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

Just a short response to your answer about Masonic Lodges. While much of what you have said is factual it is important to note that Masonry today is very different than in the past. Masonry supports many different orginazations like the Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and all the Shrine Hospitals across the country. Masonry is alive today because of dedicated men who would like to help in the community in which they live. I really believe that masonry has taken a bad rap for many years because we have never stood up to say anything different. I must be understood that sometimes it is better to say nothing rather then making an issue out of a non-issue.

David M. Baskin

2

Sir DMB, are you referring to a “mailbag” item answered by the “Straight Dope” staff, or are you referring to the Cecil Adams-penned column What’s the story on Freemasonry? (11-Mar-1988)

I have read an article recently in the Los Angeles Times that stated that the decline in membership in fraternal organizations has been accompanied by a fall in local charity causes in many cities. Most fraternal organizations support charities, one example being the Shriners’ Hospitals for children.

3

Under the assumption that this is, indeed, a response to Cecil’s column, as ref’d by Arnold, I am moving it to the appropriate forum.