[MysticCat]

I'm just trying to figure out where people are getting the idea that Freemasons do so much for their communities or try to make a difference in the world. I've certainly never seen it. Shriners (an auxilliary body to Freemasonry) yes, but not Freemasons per se.

Granted, historically Freemasonry has been at the heart of democratic and even revolutionary movements. But in America, it lost any political facet long ago.

Freemasonry exists to make men better men and to provide mutual support to its members. That, of course, should translate into men who are involved in and give of themselves to their communities. But I've never seen a Masonic lodge that does anything more than meet, have some social events and turn out for funerals or stone-layings.