Freemasons?

[Prudie]

I know very little about the masons but find it hard to believe that such a secret society still manages to be so powerful these days. For years at work there have been mumblings about people getting promoted because they are in the masons and several senior staff are reasonably open about being one. What is it that makes them look after each other, even defending what is morally wrong in some cases (so I'm led to believe)?

[Barmaid]

They aren't powerful at all. There might have been mumblings at work, but people will find any reason to moan about promotions. If they can pin it to something about which they know nothing, they will do.

Freemasonry is about brotherly love, relief and truth. Those are three of the pillars. They SHOULD NOT defend anything morally wrong, that is what the square and compasses which forms the basis of their rituals is about. Morality is one of their corner stones, which is illustrated by one of their key symbols.

You cannot explain it in a few sentences though, it is a way of life. It is also one of the largest charitable organisations in the UK.

I thought it was bunkum 5 years ago. But now I live with a mason. He is a genuinely good man who has never sought nor received any financial benefit from his lodge. Nonetheless, in times of trouble, the brethren are there to support you. I recall phoning the master of his lodge in floods of tears when he was in a very bad place. Immediately, support was forthcoming from angles I could never have imagined.

It is an organisation of mutual support and one to which I lend my support - plus their Ladies Nights are generally jolly good!!!!!

[237SJ]

I think it has that "old boys club" mentatlity which is probably why they don`t want outsiders knowing their business. I have a friend in Australia who joined the Freemasons (can`t think why as he was a bit of a reprobate) and he fell out with them big time. After he fell out with them, he broke the golden rule of keeping their secrets and told me all about the handshakes (and the variances and what they mean) and the rest. There are other strange groups as well - recently I worked with a French guy who belonged to the Knights of Malta and he showed me some photos of them. Very odd. Incidently, when I was 14 I was roped into waitressing at the local Freemason`s lodge christmas dinner. Some of those old boys were the rudest people I have ever met.

[giveup]

Well said barmaid, completely agree with you,you put it much better than I could. Whenever there is a disaster the Masons are among the first to send money for relief and I mean real money not promises.

[askyourgran]

That is the take I have barmaid. They support and comfort people in times of trouble. We have a friend who is in the Oddfellows organisation, somewhat similar to the Masons.

[237SJ]

BTW - if the Freemasons are so benevolent and all-giving, all-caring, why can`t women join?

[Barmaid]

It is based on the medieval notions of the freemason (ie the stonemason) and their guilds. In those days, women were not allowed to join.

It does not make them any less caring nor benevolent that women cannot join. There are, in fact, women's organisations of a similar ilk.

[cassa333]

I think it is a religious movement. They have rites and sermons and pray. My brother in law is one and is in a couple of lodges and even started a new one. When his son had a very serious accident at work there was imediate support and offers of financial help.

They do look after their own realy well.

[Barmaid]

It is not a religious movement in the sense that one worships one particular god - ie they welcome any faith or religion. You need to have a belief in a supreme diety, whomsoever that god might be.

[237SJ]

My Australian friend told me that the Masons started when people built the pyramids. Pyramids were built in stages and likewise, the Freemasons ideology follows the stages of the stonemasons. First stage, second stage etc. However, it`s 2013 and the old boys network needs to move on. The fact that things have been "done that way" for eons is neither here nor there. That ideology doesn`t make things OK. It`s a bit like women being -barred from the golf club bar - old fashioned and some people need to get up to date.

[Barmaid]

You can't apply to join the Masons. You have to be invited and then nominated....

Can blokes join the WI?

What's the problem with it? Let them get on with it I say. It's like a Tuesday night creche for me.

[Barmaid]

Anyway, women can join the Order of the Eastern Star should they wish, which is a masonic organisation.

[237SJ]

No blokes can`t join the WI but women can (obviously). They don`t have to be vetted, invited, etc they can just join. I don`t think that is the case when men join the Freemasons (or am I wrong)? It`s who you know, who invites you etc.

[Barmaid]

And the problem with an organisation vetting its members is?

[237SJ]

Sex discrimination?

[Barmaid]

Not at all. Just because you have to be vetted it is not sex discrimination. The Masons are essentially a private members' club and therefore exempt from sex discrimination laws. Just like the WI.

[Barmaid]

Duke of Kent is the Grandmaster. Always has been.

Not at all strange and not at all influential. As I say, I live with one and am involved in lots of freemasonry stuff (fundraisers, balls etc).

[friedgreentomato]

Is there lots of docs in the Freemasons?

[237SJ]

I`m going out with one (pilot) and they`re all in it. Pilots live their life in an old boys club (sorry Clanad) and the Freemasons are just that. Sorry but that is what I think.