What is the hassan temple, masons, shriners, all about??

Question

It seems like it's all secret or something

Answer 1

Freemasonry is NOT a secret society, it is a society with secrets. Indeed, the only true secrets in modern Freemasonry are the signs of recognition since most of the ritual has been posted on the internet. Freemasonry has its origins in the 16th century in Scotland when the first lodges were formed. The 1717 date is just the date of unification of the English lodges into a single organization. The Scottish lodges are much older. Indeed, the oldest lodge in Scotland has the number 00 because it was the first.

There are two excellent books on the subject that are easily found:

Freemasons for Dummies

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry

Answer 2

I cannot tell you too much, unfortunately, as the Freemasons (or masons, as you called them) are a secret society, though they remain constantly under the wary watch of the public (especially now given the resurgent interest by the public fueled mostly by literature, especially that of one Dan Brown!). I don't know how much detail you would like since your question is rather vague, but I will attempt to make my answer brief yet informative as I have much experience with this topic, even though I am a woman and a cowan (non-Mason).
We begin with a little history. The most accepted date for the "founding" of modern Freemasonry is 24 June 1717, when the first formal Grand Lodge was established in London, England, though the concept of Freemasonry documents back to the 1300s and, in this archaeologist's humble opinion, reaches back MUCH further. The "original" concept of freemasonry is built upon the craft guild and the Medieval Operative Lodges, where skilled workers and the literati (I use this term loosely) shared a brotherhood, and a philosophical paradigm, specifically that of belief in a Supreme Architect. It is speculated that the original Freemasons were literally architects and builders, perhaps harkening back to Hiram Abiff, the famous architect of the now infamous Solomon's Temple (I assume this is the correct reference to the "Hassan Temple" in your question?). In its ritual and rite, Freemasonry seems to employ this foundation myth: that their origins lie in the foundation of a fraternity of the builders of King Solomon’s Temple, and they adhere remarkably to the story in their rituals (see my reference below). The history is sketchy, however, and most Freemasons will readily admit (or tell you, depending on whether or not you believe them!) that their history and the meaning of many of their rituals has been lost and is unknown to them.
Freemasonry has, of course, been closely connected with the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar, of the Crusades. They are thought to have spent some time in the ruins of King Solomon's Temple while in Jerusalem, and it is plausible that if the origins of Freemasonry do lie there, they picked up the flag so to speak. They did become extremely powerful (they are credited with many of the concepts of the modern banking system). Sometimes their power is credited to relics the Templars may have found in Solomon's Temple, such as the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, or fragments of the True Cross from the Crucifixion. Unfortunately, they ran at cross purposes with an endebted (in some versions) or scared King Philip IV of France (also ironically known as "Philip the Fair"). On Friday, October 13, 1307 (one possible origin of the Friday the 13th folklore), Phillip had "all" the Knights Templar ambushed and arrested simultaneously all over Europe.They were charged with heresies and debauchery I will not name here, and tortured by the Inquisition until many confessed and were burned at the stake. In 1312, Pope Clement V, as a favor to Phillip, had the order officially disbanded, and so ended the official history of the Knights Templar.
The Knights Templar are also reported to have been formed as the militant arm of the Priory of Sion. Claims describe the Priory of Sion as a secret society that was founded in the 11th century, to protect and preserve a secret involving the bloodline of Jesus Christ (Dan Brown galore!). A now infamous summary of this interplay and a great read if you enjoy being thoroughly steeped in theoretical history is "Holy Blood Holy Grail," the controversial book by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln (1982).
OK enough history since most of it is speculative anyway. Back to your inquiry. MAY I FIRST SAY THAT FREEMASONRY IS NOT A RELIGIOUS GROUP. I REPEAT, THEY ARE NOT A RELIGIOUS ORDER, A CULT, OR ASSOCIATED DIRECTLY WITH ANY RELIGION OR BELIEF SYSTEM. Modern Freemasons are a "society with secrets," as they say, rather than a secret society. They are still based in a shared philosophy of a Supreme Being and remain in a spirit of respected brotherhood. Freemasonry is described as: "A peculiar (some say particular or beautiful) system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols," (as articulated in the 1991 "English Emulation Ritual"). They hold fast to the French ideal of "Liberte, Equalite, Fraternite," or "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." They currently have a structured system of membership through which each member works his way, rising in the ranks, or (as they say) "making his way through the chairs," with a series of rituals marking his rites of passage between ranks. (These rituals are CLOSELY related to the Hiram story.) The goal of this passage is to gain knowledge and understand himself, his relationship with others, and his relationship with the Supreme Being, (as he interprets this for himself).The "degrees" of masonic membership are as follows:
1. Entered Apprentice (EA) - the degree of an Initiate, which makes a Mason
2. Fellow Craft (FC)- a fellow of a Lodge
3. Master Mason (MM)- the "third degree."
We have all seen the famous symbols of Freemasonry: the architect's square and compass, and some version of a religious text (this is up to those involved as they are not religiously-affiliated) is always central to the brotherhood. Let me be more specific with regard to symbols and architecture allusions in Freemasonry using the heirarchy as an example. The Entered Apprentice is at the step of self-knowledge; the apprentice must recognize his own imperfection (symbolized by a rough stone), discovering and excising his flaws in a quest for betterment. If he succeeds, he is promoted into Fellow Craft (the symbol is the smooth, worked stone). The Fellow's goal is self-control, a requirement needed to fit with the other Freemasons into the building of humanity (symbolized by a rectangular stone). The Master Mason's goal is ennoblement (the symbol is the drawing board). The Master Mason seeks to understand that all life is transient. It is his duty to help others with his drawings to complete the building of humanity.
So, how do you become a Mason? Well, they don't recruit! You must apply to the local Lodge (in some traditions three times) and, in general, meet the following requirements:
- Be a man who comes of his own free will.
- Believe in a Supreme Being.
- Be at least the minimum age (18–25 years depending on the jurisdiction, but commonly 21).
- Be of sound mind, body and of good morals, and of good repute.
- Be free (or "born free", i.e. not born a slave, or bondsman).
- Have one or two references from current Masons (depending on jurisdiction).
(A number of Grand Lodges allow a Lewis, the son of a Mason, to be initiated earlier than the normal minimum age for that jurisdiction.)
Once your candidacy is accepted, your membership is voted on in the open Lodge, and you may take your Obligation and become an Initiate. Current Freemasons (since the 1600s) use signs (hand gestures), grips, tokens (handshakes), and words to gain admission to their meetings and identify that a visitor is legitimate. Other than that random smattering of information, I am not at liberty to discuss the goals and activities of Freemasonry.
The other part of your question (WHEW!) referred to the Shriners. You are correct in assuming that Shriners and Freemasons are related. Briefly, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, or Shriners, are essentially an offshoot of Freemasonry. They were established in the 1870s in New York City in Knickerbocker Cottage, the chosen lunch spot for a particularly good-humored and fun-loving group of Freemasons. They decided to form an alternative school of sorts in which service, fun, and fellowship would be stressed more than ritual. This is reflected in their numerous public works, the Shriner Circus, and the characteristic red fez worn by members. They are distinguished by a decidedly Middle Eastern slant to their organization, originally meeting in "Mosques" as opposed to "Temples," those red fezzes along with other Middle Eastern dress, and elaborate parties.
As a last note (FINALLY!), I refer you to a particularly good (in my opinion) work entitled "The Hiram Key: Pharohs, Freemasonry, and the Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Jesus" by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas (1996). They are both masons, and in this work delve into some of the "lost meanings" I alluded to earlier. A very scholarly, truthful and enlightening look at the subject, and a comprehensible read.
I promised to keep it short, but I have rambled on for quite a while! Please send me a post if you would like still more information!