Masons

[Deleted member 66701]

So you don't have to believe in God just a greater "presence" of some form? Sounds quite open to each persons interpretation, I like that.

So do I We have Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus etc in the lodge, yet peace and harmony prevail.

The world could learn a lot from Freemasonrys example.

Freemasons are amongst the most tolerant humans on the planet.

It was quite nice to see them do there wee bit at the crematorium, was as if he was a soldier or something.

Yes, I've formed an honour guard once before - a final act of brotherly love and support for a fellow mason and his family.

 

[DM]

My Grandad was a mason, and also Detective Chief Superintendent of the Met. The sceptic in me say that there is a relationship.
My Father was invited to join, but he refused as he didn't believe that a you should benefit in life because of being in a 'secret' organisation.

Nothing secret about it, and whats wrong with helping a mate up or getting a bit of help?

 

[Deleted member 66701]

My Grandad was a mason, and also Detective Chief Superintendent of the Met. The sceptic in me say that there is a relationship.
My Father was invited to join, but he refused as he didn't believe that a you should benefit in life because of being in a 'secret' organisation.

It's not a secret organisation.

They even print the meeting details of lodges in the local paper in Scotland.

Go on http://www.ugle.org.uk/ and tell me if that's an organisation that's trying to be secret.

You can even find local lodges present on the web:-

http://www.masonichall.org.uk/

*Crap website - I'm going to redesign it soon.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

Im a mason, believe half of what you see and a 1/4 of what you hear, we do a lot for charity

Amiga has summed it very well there.

Without ruining it for anyone that wants to join I hope!

Nothing secret about it, and whats wrong with helping a mate up or getting a bit of help?

Quite - I'll help them because they are a friend, not because they are a Freemason. The same way as I'll help my friends that aren't freemasons.

 

[DM]

Without ruining it for anyone that wants to join I hope!

Of course you havent, it is what it is, you are a good advert for them, some of the stupid secret squirrel ******** in my lodge want shooting.

 

[RDM]

Freemasons are amongst the most tolerant humans on the planet.

Other than the one glaring exception obviously...

 

[Deleted member 66701]

Of course you havent, it is what it is, you are a good advert for them, some of the stupid secret squirrel ******** in my lodge want shooting.

Haha, I'm of the exact same opinion!

Other than the one glaring exception obviously...

Women can join Freemasonry through the Order of the Eastern Star.

EDIT: Oh, and slaves aren't allowed to become a Freemason.

 

[cotton_flex]

My (somewhat obvious) questions:

Historically why are they hated/feared so much? Do you like any other social/religious group have your 'extremists' that cause problems for the rest of the Joe do gooder masons?

Do they really have orgies with masks on aka eyes wide shut style?

What are the repercussions of leaving the Mason group? Do you get shunned for life?

 

[DM]

My (somewhat obvious) questions:

Historically why are they hated/feared so much? Do you like any other social/religious group have your 'extremists' that cause problems for the rest of the Joe do gooder masons?

Do they really have orgies with masks on aka eyes wide shut style?

What are the repercussions of leaving the Mason group? Do you get shunned for life?

Anything unknown is feared, thats human nature.

Sadly no orgies

Shunned by who, if you leave you leave, if you get slung out you leave, its just the same as being barred from a pub, you just cant go back there.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

My (somewhat obvious) questions:

1: Historically why are they hated/feared so much? Do you like any other social/religious group have your 'extremists' that cause problems for the rest of the Joe do gooder masons?

2: Do they really have orgies with masks on aka eyes wide shut style?

3: What are the repercussions of leaving the Mason group? Do you get shunned for life?

1: Because they refused to adhere to one religion and were thus a target of, originally the Catholic church, and later Islamic leaders. Freemasonry were heavily persecuted by the Nazis as Freemasons fought against the reduction of civil liberties and lack of democracy under Hitlers reign.

2: No comment - I woulddn't want to spoilt it for any future Masons

3: You can't leave Freemasonry, once a Freemason, always a Freemason. You can leave a lodge though and at that point you become "unnassociated". In England, you could then still visit every lodge in England ONCE.

 

[DM]

3: You can't leave Freemasonry, once a Freemason, always a Freemason. You can leave a lodge though and at that point you become "unnassociated". In England, you could then still visit every lodge in England ONCE.

He's asking what happens if you leave, as you say you dont retire but you can become inactive or in extreme circumstances get slung out , but nothings going to happen to you, they dont sent the masonic ninja squad out anymore

 

[DM]

It sounds a bit **** now. It's an after school club for grownups basically..

But what were you hoping for? Nights out standing on one leg making secret signs?

 

[DM]

I don't know, just something of actual value!

This isnt the place for "actual value" but its there if you want it.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

He's asking what happens if you leave, as you say you dont retire but you can become inactive or in extreme circumstances get slung out , but nothings going to happen to you, they dont sent the masonic ninja squad out anymore

Oh, Yes, I see. You're explanation is better than mine

But what were you hoping for? Nights out standing on one leg making secret signs?

Have you ever noticed how people get really disspointed when Freemasonry is proved NOT to be this shadowy organisation trying to take over the world?

I don't know, just something of actual value!

The benefits I get from Freemasonary are that it has massively improved my confidence - especially my public speaking and ability to chair large meetings. My decision making has also greatly improved and I can arrive at a conclusion much quicker that many of my co-workers or immediate management chain. My air of authority has also perceptibly vastly improved because I can state facts in an assured and confident manner. I have also noticed an increase in my vocabulary as well (but unfortunately not my grammar or punctuation!).

 

[DM]

Have you ever noticed how people get really disspointed when Freemasonry is proved NOT to be this shadowy organisation trying to take over the world?

Thats because everyone loves a secret this and a world domination plan that, we buy life boats as you know, and enjoy the company of like minded people, it is what it is.

 

[Ahleckz]

Nothing secret about it, and whats wrong with helping a mate up or getting a bit of help?

I don't think they are particularly secret anymore, I think they've come a long way and diversified to try and remove the old ideas people had about them. However, I understand that they held considerable influence back in the 50/60s which is slightly... dubious perhaps?
There's nothing particularly wrong with helping a mate up and whatever but I think where my Father was coming from, he thought it was wrong that there are people in the World who benefited that weren't the best. He was a wishy washy Liberal back in the day which no doubt shaped his opinions a lot with the Masons. Nowadays, he sees them much more of an old boys club that just get together every now and then as friends do. But, are also active in charity work.
Finally, I was a bit wrong to say that there was a link as from speaking to people I've learnt that it was entirely appropriate for my Grandfather to achieve the rank that he did on merit alone.