Quote Originally Posted by DMS View Post
Freemasonry has been suppressed for centuries by authoritarian governments that considered it a threat. Communist countries and Nazi Germany are the most recent examples, along with many (all?) Muslim countries.
This was my only point and I'm sorry if how I tried to make it was confusing. It is indeed the governments of countries that suppress masonry.

As to other cultures or ethnicities, I personally know of members who are black, buddhist, jewish, muslim, of chinese heritage, etc.. I also know that there are lodges in Japan, India, Korea, and Singapore. There is a saying that almost anywhere in the world a mason goes, if he finds another mason, he has found a friend. This is true regardless of culture, religion, ethnicity, political views, etc. The common and binding thread is the organization.

DMS has also provided a great summary of the Masonic fraternity. Thanks DMS!

I'm not as effective in explaining things as others so I apologize for leaving you with more questions than I tried to answer, Reflux.