shriners are a subgroup within freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of freemasonry. Underwood, a native texan and past grand master of texas, has extremely strong ties to masonry, and to the shriners fraternity. His father was a mason,. Shriners and masons are both part of the larger organization of freemasonry, but shriners focus specifically on philanthropy and. while it is true that shriners are masons, not all masons are shriners. Shriners international provides unique opportunities for fun, fellowship, and philanthropy.
