I'll take a stab at a few of your question but your friend would be a better source. Ask him when his Lodge has a guest night and go with him.
Beiruty wrote:Let me ask:
Why there are 2 rites? When the split if any happened, who are the shrines? I have heard about allied organizations? Who are those?
I'm only in Blue Lodge so I can't explain the 2 Rites. Shriner is a separate organization that require you to be a Master Mason to be a member and that is where the connection ends. History -
http://www.shrinersinternational.org/en ... nings.aspx
Beiruty wrote:Why the york rites has to defend Christianity where the Scottish rite do not? Who is has the upper echelon in all those rites? Most likely there should be supreme figure over all the Masons.
Sorry can't answer but I believe some of the earlier post have some clarity on this.
Beiruty wrote:One member above mentioned Aribia and El-Mina (means port in Arabic)? Who are those Shriners?
The link about should answer a lot about Shriners
Beiruty wrote:I have interest in Masonry, since one of my best friend became a Mason. He is highly educated and intelligent person. A very loyal friend that helped me a lot. What still a Mystery for me is all the Conspiracy theories floating around Masons.
This makes for some great books and movies and ends there.
Beiruty wrote:And what is the relationship between Kinghts Templar who massacred hundreds of thousands in the Holy land a the time of crusaders and the York Rites?
NONE
Beiruty wrote:Are they the same organization under new name? Also, the new mass shooting in Oslao and most likely shooter is York Rite's Kinght or so he claims.
How one can better the good man when he resort to extreme violence (mass murder and terrorism)?
No. If one person belongs to an organization doesn't make the whole group bad. He's a nut case that went off the deep end.