My husband is thinking about joining the Masons and I am horrified

[SovietTrumpet]

I hate boys’ clubs and silly rituals etc and doing each other favours. He thinks it will help him at work. Arguments please against and in favour…

I suspect it is tradition rather than anything else Assembly.

The masonic lodge in my town is absolutely beautiful, the floor like a chequerboard, the ceiling - celestial. It is an amazing space.

Always open on the open house community days with talks and tours given by the members.

Cross posted @SweetMeadow - you aren’t my sister are you?

@StormBaby

I’ve never met one who wasn’t an egotistical insufferable bore

My FIL is a mason, you have just summed him up perfectly 😂

They are Deists…believe in a higher being. Their archive and museum from a historian’s point of view is excellent….was researching William Stukeley of Stonehenge fame who was a mason for a while. Their early history from the 18th c is also fascinating…first meeting houses were pubs. And, no I am not a mason.

@ClaudiaJ1 I’ve been clear (if you read back through my posts) that my experience is based on anecdata.

To suggest disliking The Masons is similar to disliking swathes of the country or a race displays ignorance: Masons are not negatively affected by a negative attitude towards them (indeed, their maintenance of secrecy ensures this).

I will say that the Masons I’ve met (over a number of years and areas) have done lots for charities. They have also been white, racist (whilst denying), sexist and arrogant.

Comparing:
“ For example my DHs lodge has raised money and donated ambulances recently (they have the Masonic logos on them so you know which ones they are)”

And
“The masons do a huge amount in my local community to help local charities. Mostly under the radar, there's no song and dance about the money given in support, it just happens. Whereas most other organisations that fund require some sort of publicity in the funding terms.”

Freemasonry is wholly incompatible with Christianity.

The vast majority of "new recruits" are from Asian/Indian backgrounds - so Hindu/Muslim/Sikh - it is seen from (relatives comments - not mine) - a way to move on socially and not be defined by race, religion or background.

However the beliefs are conservative with a small "c"" and the aim is for influence and respectability.

Sadly from what I hear those from different backgrounds are not treated as inclusively as they'd like and a lot of prejudice - irrespective of "how high up they get" in the organisation.

As for women Mason's - ask yourself why a MTF Trans person can be a mason but not a FTM Trans person?

Misogyny writ large

I believe the Masons do a lot of good work. My fil was a mason, but my dh is not. However many people I work with are involved with the Masons and they are all good people. I’m guessing you get good and bad people in all walks of life.

Are they the ones who roll up their trouser legs? If so, what's that about?

My granddad was a mason, he was the most amazing man. I dislike the Masonic traditions, people saying ‘it will help his career’ makes me absolutely seethe. That’s the whole point of it!! How do we, as women, compete?! We can’t! Surely this is what we are fighting against, that people can get promotions based not on their talent, experience, degree, etc. As for ‘ladies’ night’… I work in a very male dominated sector and I have witnessed the handshakes. I’m all for single sex environments, but when they have the sway to make or break peoples’ careers, then this has to be quashed. You would have thought by now a membership like that should be declared to your workplace.

You do not need to be a Christian to join the Masons ClaudiaJ1 not sure why you would think that?
"no atheist can become a Mason—but we are not concerned with theological distinctions or your particular religious beliefs.”
As previously stated we have Sikh and Jewish members (and I'm sure other faiths but what they are not relevant to Masonic activities so are not known to me).

@SW1amp

Comparing: “ For example my DHs lodge has raised money and donated ambulances recently (they have the Masonic logos on them so you know which ones they are)”

And
“The masons do a huge amount in my local community to help local charities. Mostly under the radar, there's no song and dance about the money given in support, it just happens. Whereas most other organisations that fund require some sort of publicity in the funding terms.”

I work for an organisation that provides funding at a local level, maybe the masonic set up allows for different funding criteria across the country?

My male friend went to one and was offered a lot of consulting work with local companies done the line, which benefitted him and his family immensely.

@Bonnealle

My granddad was a mason, he was the most amazing man. I dislike the Masonic traditions, people saying ‘it will help his career’ makes me absolutely seethe. That’s the whole point of it!! How do we, as women, compete?! We can’t! Surely this is what we are fighting against, that people can get promotions based not on their talent, experience, degree, etc. As for ‘ladies’ night’… I work in a very male dominated sector and I have witnessed the handshakes. I’m all for single sex environments, but when they have the sway to make or break peoples’ careers, then this has to be quashed. You would have thought by now a membership like that should be declared to your workplace.

But in reality, people chatting in a pub can decide the promotions - and often do.

As a non white woman, I might get my next job because I tick a diversity box. I certainly think that was a factor in my previous one.

Also, the whole ‘charity’ thing as an argument is ridiculous. Anyone can donate to charity. It’s the best cover up there is, whilst also helping to offset tax. There are so many undesirable/dodgy organisations that have a cop out of ‘donating to charity’. If you feel that strongly about charity, donate yourself. Don’t leave it up to an inherently misogynistic organisation to do it for you.

Claudia, your comment is laughable and I suggest that you find out a little more about the organisation that you are so vigorously defending. You do not have to be a Christian (ie follower of Christ and His teaching) to join, you are however,required to confess a belief in a supreme being. Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity and it’s teachings.

My grandfather was in the masons he wasn't racist or a bigot .

I can't believe we are still saying 'lady mason'. Partly in feminist grounds and partly on Hyacinth Bouquet grounds.

@DaisyNGO
I’m sorry you feel that way, a lot of women have imposter syndrome.

@WinterDeWinter

I can't believe we are still saying 'lady mason'. Partly in feminist grounds and partly on Hyacinth Bouquet grounds.

At least it's not maisonette....😂

[quote Bonnealle]@DaisyNGO
I’m sorry you feel that way, a lot of women have imposter syndrome.[/quote]
It's realist syndrome. I got paid, I might be going back actually, been out the workplace a few years.

More realism - having worked there before might give me an advantage over other candidates.

@pantherrose

Claudia, your comment is laughable and I suggest that you find out a little more about the organisation that you are so vigorously defending. You do not have to be a Christian (ie follower of Christ and His teaching) to join, you are however,required to confess a belief in a supreme being. Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity and it’s teachings.

Yes I made the mistake of saying you had to be Christian - no idea why I said that because I know you have to have a belief in a higher being, however to say it's 'incompatible with Christianity and it's teachings' is plainly ridiculous and laughable, and you clearly don't know much about Christianity if you think it's incompatible with Christianity. You are embarrassing yourself @pantherrose .

@BackInBlackAgain 🤣

I dated one for a few years, plus his dad was one, I work with two, have had dealings with one in business and a friend is one…and they all have the exact same personality. Just so pompous and full of themselves!

They are the old fashioned version of people who film themselves giving food to the homeless, just to upload it to social media

@SW1amp

Comparing: “ For example my DHs lodge has raised money and donated ambulances recently (they have the Masonic logos on them so you know which ones they are)”

And
“The masons do a huge amount in my local community to help local charities. Mostly under the radar, there's no song and dance about the money given in support, it just happens. Whereas most other organisations that fund require some sort of publicity in the funding terms.”

I think it’s more so it’s not publicised in newspapers etc, it’s done under the radar, there was no newspaper article telling everyone about the ambulances, not even in the local paper, most people don’t know especially if they don’t know what the Masonic Logo is, I only know because of DH 😁

@DaisyNGO
I understand that you have the mindset of ‘everyone is out for themselves’, but I’d like to try and level the playing field and getting rid of inherent misogynistic secret societies would help everyone.