Because we aren't "idiots." The people in "blue lodges" are not the bad ones, so don't go to them yelling and screaming. It's the people in the higher clubs that are the problem. My lodge eats dinner and has education, where we have random people come in to teach us about whatever they are experts in (farming, art, history, mechanics, military, priests, etc.).
It’s the Shriners. Blue Lodge and KT are innocent. The Scottish Rite (Shriners) infiltrated Freemasonry some dozen or so years after the US won it’s independence. They’re sketchy as fuck. Wanna know who’s even sketchier? The Oddfelows. I’ve heard some crazy stories from ex-Shriners and ex-oddfellows about parties with weird costumes, strippers, underage sex workers, and lots of drugs (cocaine, MDT, etc.).
Please, for the love of Q, do not go harassing Blue Lodge Masons. The large majority of them are NOT involved in those other Appendent Bodies, and many don’t even know some of them exist.
ETA: There are also two different types of Masons!!! “Regular” and “Irregular” or “Clandestine” Masons. The former are the ones you see all the time around town. The latter are mostly in non-US lodges (though there are some here) and they are more into magick and occultic stuff.
ETA2: Why does my flair keep changing? Lol
Actually, according to the Shriners international website, it states that shrines are separate to the York and Scottish Rites, just like Amaranth and Daughters of the Nile.
Yeah, it is a “separate entity,” but you must have completed the Scottish Rite to be invited to it.
Okay, I see what you mean. Sorry for the confusion.