Shriners

The Shrine was established in New York City in the 1920s as the fun part of the Masonic movement. The group adopted a theme of the Middle East and soon established "Temples" meeting in "Mosques" across the continent. An earlier Masonic group, the Mysterious Order of the Veiled Prophet of the Enchanted Realm (known colloquially as the "Grotto") had adopted a similar theme in 1890.

It must be emphasized that this decorative theme, now perceived as "politically incorrect", was adopted in an earlier time. The Shrine is not Islamic, nor is it in opposition to Islam.

The Shriners often participate in local parades riding comedy versions of cars and motorcycles. They are recognizable by their elaborate red fezzes.

The Shrine's charitable arm is the Shrine Hospitals for Children, a network of twenty-two hospitals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. They were formed to treat young victims of polio, but as that disease was controlled they broadened their scope. They now deal with all pediatric cases, most especially with orthopedic injuries and disease and the damage caused by burns. The Shrine has pioneered new treatments for these conditions.

There is never any charge for treatment at a Shrine Hospital. There is no requirement for religion, race, or relationship to a Freemason. Patients must be under the age of eighteen and treatable. Local Shrine temples most often provide free transportation to the nearest hospital.

Until 2003–4, the Oscars were held at the Shriners temple/auditorium in Hollywood / Los Angeles.

Some famous Shriners include:

Buzz Aldrin Miguel Alemán Valdés Ernest Borgnine Millard F. Caldwell Ty Cobb John Diefenbaker Porfirio Diaz Gerald Ford Clark Gable Barry Goldwater

Warren G. Harding J. Edgar Hoover Hubert Humphrey Jack Kemp Douglas MacArthur George McGovern Sam Nunn Pascual Ortiz-Rubio Arnold Palmer Michael A. Richards

Albelardo L. Rodriguez Roy Rogers Will Rogers Franklin D. Roosevelt Red Skelton Dave Thomas Strom Thurmond Harry S. Truman George Wallace Earl Warren Harold Lloyd

In 2002, a mascot named Fez Head Fred debuted, primarily to visit their children's hospitals.

Imperial Potentates