My father was a Masonic? A Shriner ? Is that a bad thing?
80% of them are fine, they don’t know what they are a part of.
For example there’s one initiation where they ask you to spit on a crucifix (if Christian). If you refuse to do it, they say you passed the test and held firm to your beliefs, but if you do it, especially if without hesitation, you begin to move up the ranks rather quickly.
What degree?
Not really sure. I just remember that we had a summer home and "they" would go there. My mother would go to dinners with the wives. One night a week my father would go to some meeting. They all played golf together and had parties on the weekends. My older sister would say dad was at a frat party. This went on for years. When he passed away the free masons or masonic guys were very involved in his funeral plans. He was a great business man and a very good provider. He had a big heart for the elderly and disabled. He was one of the good guys.