Funny handshake?
Discussion
I was invited to join the funny handshake brigade yesterday. I said I'd think about it. After a bit of research it transpires that as an atheist I'm ineligible anyway.
What is the current thinking on Freemasonry? Anachronistic boys club, doers of good deeds, secret satanic society...?
What is the current thinking on Freemasonry? Anachronistic boys club, doers of good deeds, secret satanic society...?
I'm interested to hear more about this is anyone has any personal dealings?
My father & grandfather were both past-masters in the masons, but I know very little about it (got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!)
I approached a friend of my late fathers not so long ago to try to gain further understanding, to find a brick wall and response of 'you will be approached when you are more mature'!!!
My father & grandfather were both past-masters in the masons, but I know very little about it (got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!)
I approached a friend of my late fathers not so long ago to try to gain further understanding, to find a brick wall and response of 'you will be approached when you are more mature'!!!
pcwilson said:
I was invited to join the funny handshake brigade yesterday. I said I'd think about it. After a bit of research it transpires that as an atheist I'm ineligible anyway.
What is the current thinking on Freemasonry? Anachronistic boys club, doers of good deeds, secret satanic society...?
They would ask you at an interview if you believe in a god, if you said no, you wouldn't be allowed to join.
They are doers of good in the fact that Freemasonry donates vast amounts of money to charities.
There is nothing satanic about the rituals, some can be a tad dark for want of a better word and it is a society of secrets not a secret society.
I just find it to be a good way of escaping the pressures of life for a few hours a week or month.
My only contact so far is the annual Ladies Evening around this time of year, with my FiL's Lodge, or the Carol Service... both of which are charity events with a meal afterwards.
He did invite me the otherday if i wanted to join, but i dont have the time or the money ATM.
its all play acting rituals and a story that unfolds as you run through the ranks. and dont forget - yer missus can always join her Brothers in the Lady Masons
He did invite me the otherday if i wanted to join, but i dont have the time or the money ATM.
its all play acting rituals and a story that unfolds as you run through the ranks. and dont forget - yer missus can always join her Brothers in the Lady Masons
soir said:
got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!
Other than that there's not much more to add. You meet loads of different people from all walks of life.
Things like the rituals, symbolism and the meanings behind the initiaions are quite interesting too.
At my intitiation I was taught to be cautious
sleep envy said:
got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!
Other than that there's not much more to add. You meet loads of different people from all walks of life.
Things like the rituals, symbolism and the meanings behind the initiaions are quite interesting too.
At my intitiation I was taught to be cautious
Cautious of what? (If you dont mind me asking)
Re:blue pill, red pill - your not far off the conversation, he kept hinting that I was being some-what watched and would be approached when ready - WTF is that all about???
My boss is a mason and is a member of several lodges. They do an awful lot of charity work and hand cheques out to a lot of worthy causes.
They occasionally have open days where the general public can go and learn about the history of freemasonary and what goes on.
It seems to be mainly a social thing (lots of dinners and ladies evenings) along with charity work.
They occasionally have open days where the general public can go and learn about the history of freemasonary and what goes on.
It seems to be mainly a social thing (lots of dinners and ladies evenings) along with charity work.
soir said:
got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!
Other than that there's not much more to add. You meet loads of different people from all walks of life.
Things like the rituals, symbolism and the meanings behind the initiaions are quite interesting too.
At my intitiation I was taught to be cautious
Cautious of what? (If you dont mind me asking)
Re:blue pill, red pill - your not far off the conversation, he kept hinting that I was being some-what watched and would be approached when ready - WTF is that all about???
Don't worry, it just means you are being 'groomed' and when the time is right you will find the true meaning of man-love
gasblaster said:
got the old it's a society with secrets, not a secret society, it's charity and as my father put it more clearly..it's where the crooks socialise with the cops!
Other than that there's not much more to add. You meet loads of different people from all walks of life.
Things like the rituals, symbolism and the meanings behind the initiaions are quite interesting too.
At my intitiation I was taught to be cautious
Cautious of what? (If you dont mind me asking)
Re:blue pill, red pill - your not far off the conversation, he kept hinting that I was being some-what watched and would be approached when ready - WTF is that all about???
Don't worry, it just means you are being 'groomed' and when the time is right you will find the true meaning of man-love
hehe - lucky me huh!?!
Just some innocent questions from someone who is totally ignorant of all of this (despite having a father and a grandfather in the masons!):
What is the reason behind the secrecy? There must be a reason - every other club or society is open about what they do and why.
Why is it that this society offers escape from everyday life? Whyso more than, say - a cricket club or rugby club?
What is the reason behind the secrecy? There must be a reason - every other club or society is open about what they do and why.
Why is it that this society offers escape from everyday life? Whyso more than, say - a cricket club or rugby club?
RobM77 said:
Just some innocent questions from someone who is totally ignorant of all of this (despite having a father and a grandfather in the masons!):
What is the reason behind the secrecy? There must be a reason - every other club or society is open about what they do and why.
Why is it that this society offers escape from everyday life? Whyso more than, say - a cricket club or rugby club?
I wrote the following on a similar thread back in November:
There is an awful lot of nonsense put about regarding freemasonry. I'll be controversial - most of it is propogated out of spite by people who have failed to become members.
What is freemasonry? Essentially it's nothing more than a social club of decent people who meet to raise money for charities. There is a lot of tradition involved and things that people write about in ignorance and pick up in isolation actually start to make perfect sense when you are part of the ceremony. There are 34 degrees to freemasonry and to pass a degree you have to learn about its historical significance and demonstrate the knowledge you have acquired.
freemasonry is not a secret society, but it is a society with secrets. These secrets are the knowledge that you have to acquire in order to advance. There wouldn't be much point if that knowledge was freely available. There's nothing sinister in it at all.
In order to be a freemason you have to declare a belief in God (although it doesn't stipulate which God, and freemasonry and religious belief are kept separate) and you have to prove yourself to be a decent, upstanding, moral citizen, without a criminal record. There are no Chavs, wasters or thugs in freemasonry, so you find yourself socialising with a select group of people. If you ever develop a criminal record you get chucked out.
I belong to a lodge based in St James' in central London - it's one of the oldest lodges in the country and is in a prestigious location. Why am I a member? Because I enjoy the history and heritage and I like meeting a diverse group of interesting people to drink high quality, heavily subsidised beer and have a formal sit-down dinner evey couple of months. I also enjoy donating money to worthwhile causes through choice.
Despite what people think, being a freemason does not make you above the law or guarantee business success - a freemason who used his membership to try to gain any pecuniary advantage would be chucked out post haste and would almost certainly be more harshly dealt with.
It is true that business can develop between members, but this is not a raison d'etre. If you need a PR consultant and you find that somebody who you regularly socialise with, get on well with and trust is a PR consultant, is it not natural that you might choose to work with them?
There's nothing complicated or sinister about it and there are no real secrets to what takes place. Problem is that, due to its nature, freemasonry is seen as elitist and is therefore denigrated by the usual jealous and embittered suspects, who then pass on doubts and negativity to the ignorant.
As I have said before, anybody who has any specific questions or interest in freemasonry should just drop me a note and I'd be happy to do what I can to help.
>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Monday 6th February 14:28
Mon Ami Mate said:
I wrote the following on a similar thread back in November:
There is an awful lot of nonsense put about regarding freemasonry. I'll be controversial - most of it is propogated out of spite by people who have failed to become members......All the rest of the stuff Mon Ami said
....As I have said before, anybody who has any specific questions or interest in freemasonry should just drop me a note and I'd be happy to do what I can to help.
I agree 100% with that.
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