to think that Freemasonry should not be allowed to exist?

[StickMeToTheMan]

... or that members should declare their membership - especially those in positions of power - police, SS, politicians etc?

I am just flabbergasted that this is allowed in this day and age. Take a look at the JS scandal and the potential involvement of the masons, and surely no-one can dispute that this old boy network is dangerously shady.

Can anyone explain to me what it is really for, and if membership to any secret society is justifiable in this day and age?

AIBU?

(Namechanged as have been discussing on FB)

those in positions of power like police officers do have to declare if they are members

No they don't. It is voluntary for police.

What's the JS scandal?

I don't think the Freemasons are a secret society, given that everyone knows about them. Not everyone is a member, and thus the details of the inner workings are a mystery to some, but you could say that about any society. I don't know what goes on at a WI meeting, but I don't call them a secret society.

Jimmy Savile.

Yes, they are a secret society. They have secret rituals and practices that members are not allowed to disclose. Not so for the WI (although my nan was very precious about their jam recipe)

There are more stupid, ridiculous myths about the Masons than there are about the 'lizard' royalty.

It's not secret, Satanic, or weird in any way. All that was made up by some twat.

It's a charity organisation where some of the members play golf.

The 'scandal' may be just a load of old shite too.

Damn those WI, with their jams and sponges. They even knit poppies

Surely the misbehaviour of a few of its members does not mean that a society should not exist? There are wankers in every wall of life. If this were true there could be no organised religion, no scouts, just to name some. I bet there are members of the WI who behave badly. Can't judge a club by the actions of one of its members. I have not seen anything about involvement of the masons in the whole jimmy s thing, but if it's true that's a few people who should've held accountable, not the entire group.
My DH is a mason, he certainly would not condone what J S supposedly did

Although I'd love the group not to exist, banning it would not work as it would go more underground and more secret.

We also have a wonderful freedom to be who we are in this country that we would lose if we started banning groups like this.

There is much we don't know about the Masons, but there are books written by people who used to be part of it that revel aspects that I find concerning.

The higher up you go the worse it gets.

I don't see why people are so scared of Freemasonary.
I mean, it doesn't appeal to me, I can't quite understand why any adult would want to join a club that involves dressing up and rituals, but it's not harming anyone (indeed, raises a huge amount of money for worthy causes), so live and let live I say.
Do you honestly think that people don't look more kindly on people they have any connection with - be it same school / college / golf club / Rotary / Soporitists (sp?) / Inner Wheel / choir / badminton club or whatever ? This whole concept of "Old Boy Network" being confined to Freemasonary is ridiculous and extremely niave.

LFC, if only what you said we're true that it was a group so play golf :(

Yes, I believe that all freemasons should be forced to declare their names especially judges, members of parliament, doctors etc and the records made public.

Ditto for any other closed societies.

Also, there was a really long thread about the masons recently which discussed what they are, what they do etc. there was even a mason on it explaining things. Can't link due to phone but worth a search

The are not a secret society. They are a society with secrets.

I didn't know declaration of membership (which is not secret) was optional. I think it should be declared for eg all public sector posts which require vetting, by all candidates for local and parliamentary seats.

But I do think its reputation is way ahead of what it seems to be - a kind of Boy Scouts for adults (uniform, badges, little rituals).

I doubt whether you can stop influential men ganging together and taking blood oaths to support each other no matter what. You couldn't ban it, basically. But I strongly believe they should be compelled to publish membership lists and financial accounts.

marking my place, interesting in the js scandal.

i was always told they had to tell but then again im basing that on what my stepdad(senior police officer) told me so it may not have been a actual had to iykwim.

i do know most of the masons i personally know do declare membership and support the current thinking, that being lose the secrecy.

Was Jimmy Savile a master freemason?

I don't mind them existing per se, I mind the secrecy. I mind that world leaders and public figures are joined by a secret club - about which others don't have the right to have information. I mind that decisions are made about all kind of things that affect you and I behind closed doors, and that it can only be too easy to forge improper links.

It is not a charity organisation simply.

I was just debating this on FB witha friend, who provided me with this link to illustrate what freemasons are about. Tell me it doesn't sound odd. This is their own bloody website! "Constant advancement in understanding for the spiritual; the fellowship of good friends; the opportunity of self expression by participation in the beautiful ceremonies and ritual; sanctuary and peace within the Lodge from the rush and turmoil of the present world."

I don't think they should be banned although I am definitely no fan. However, all members in a public office should be required to disclose membership imo.

If you don't know what it is Stick, then how can you possibly say what it is not? They give Millions to charity every year. Every event they have has a charity aspect.

I can read their many websites, which state it is not simply charitable. They don't really say what it is though. utter twaddle

How much did js give to charity?

So why the secrecy? What is that for?

You do realise you linked to an American women's Mason site, Stick?

Here, try this for starters: www.ugle.org.uk/how-to-become-a-mason/

Ah, xpost.