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)

I'm back - sorry yes every group of people including the Freemasons is infiltrated by the Group that i mentioned.

There will be a separate clique containing several members of this Group in a Freemasons meeting room filled with other Freemasons right now... & as soon as there's a break in proceedings the members of that clique will file out of the meeting room, looking furtive...

Then, hidden away outside, the special greeting ritual of the co-conspirators will begin... usually starting with the phrase:

''Anyone got a light mate?''

Smokers. Shocking how they all stick together.

If anyone on this thread hasn't read the 'THEM: Adventures with Extremists' by Jon Ronson - then i recommend it; i found it hilarious but maybe that's just me

My dad is one and I used to go to the lodge xmas parties which gave great pressies I never understood what it was and my dad used to say it was a special org that would look after myself and my sisters if he died.
My mum said it was the only reason my dad got his job.
Definately there is something dodgy, my dad nearly throttled me when I tried to look inside his ritual suitcase.

Honestly OP, get a fucking grip and stop bleating on about things you clearly know sod all about!

I'm getting fed up of hearing about 'conspiracy theories' from friends, social media, acquaintances etc.. especially because i'm quite paranoid anyway.

The Freemasons are a club of men who like to do odd rituals, network, gossip, do good works & can probably be corrupt at times. Like any other group of people ever! Because we are all human & that's how humans behave in groups.

Even if all Freemasons declare that they are members of that group; what about other groups??

Does every person in every job need to declare their membership of religious / political group or charity or sports club ffs??

(For example the bar at the local golf club is where all the local councillors & businessmen & other golf players from all backgrounds in my home town meet up & network, discuss what's going on locally; & maybe even indulge in some corruption because - THAT is JUST what like-minded people do!! It's normal!!)

seriously - can someone explain why this person who really should have gone to prison for a lot longer than he did, was let off with a much lesser sentence because, and this has been confirmed, the judge and his father were masons? I cannot see that as a good thing.

but - the particular circumstance you describe is corruption; but corruption can exist anywhere in any circumstance when there are humans who are not very moral.

It may well be total coincidence that those 2 people - the judge & the person's father - were Freemasons. They also may have known each other from other situations eg. the same church, university, school, street, whatever; & yes, some corruption there may have motivated the judge.

Or, there could be a reason that the sentence was lower - you were there; but do you understand every single technical detail & legality of why & how sentences are handed down... if not then you'd be surprised at what technicalities can alter a sentence or affect the outcome of a case.

Coincidence & chance are more reliable than conspiracy theories & superstitions IMO.

Oh, in passing we don't ask for a masonic handshake before the boats we buy for the RLNI pull you out.

Well bloody said OMC!!

StickMe - YABVU to even have an opinion about an organization about which you have zero knowledge, let alone call for its abolishment.

Your conspiracy theories aside, Freemasonry is not a political organization but an intellectual one. It is not secret but esoteric. Look up the word. Let a bit of light shine on that deep dark ignorance.

amazing how peoples views change on something where they are an outsider, not included .....and they dont like it - to suddenly perhaps the " thing" being OK because they may have a bit of dosh thrown their way!!!

fwiw its not an all boys club either ladys can join

not convinced and not stupid either but hey

You're wrong, Sock. There's a separate women's mason movement.

YY, eliza. Always the way, huh?!

Latara, thanks a million for the Ronson link! I've just read an extract of "Them", where he finally gets to discover there really is a Bilderberg Group and interview some members! What a fantastic story :) Will definitely have to buy the book, and his "Psychopath Test".

butisthismyname
if it isn't in the least bit 'dodgy' then how come someone I know was 'let off' a serious prison sentence ( which he fucking well deserved) because his father and the judge did some stupid little signal to each other??

Details? I suspect bollocks, which every other enquiry has shown this stuff to be...

LynetteScavo
OneMoreChap, it may not by your (Masons) issue what religion a memberis, but I'm pretty sure the Catholic church wouldn't be too impressed with with a Catholic being a mason

Don't know, and as not a Catholic, don't care.

garlicbutty provided every other group, of every type disclosed its membership. If it was the Law, of course, naturally Freemasons would obey it.

amillionyears
OneMoreChap, Freemasons give jobs to other freemasons,when often other candidates are more suitable.
This is a test question.Are you going to agree.

Easy one to answer. You'd never prefer a Mason to a more suitable candidate. It would be bad for business.

Madmum24
My dad is one and I used to go to the lodge xmas parties which gave great pressies I never understood what it was and my dad used to say it was a special org that would look after myself and my sisters if he died.^

That much is true.

My mum said it was the only reason my dad got his job.

Bollocks.

Definately there is something dodgy, my dad nearly throttled me when I tried to look inside his ritual suitcase.

Sorry, pet, your dad is/was a nana.

_

Hope it's helped a bit, and I'll check in again tomorrow.

I've got jobs before which are purely down to being a member of a club - I thought something like 50% of jobs were found through your personal network and not job adverts / job centres etc. ? Knowing Fred, and knowing that Fred is a good Carpet Weaver, is how you hear about and get the interview. It doesn't mean there's a conspiracy.

OneMoreChap,it wouldnt be if it was the public sector.

And there are other places,where people are not going to know or notice so long as the freemasons they hired were just good enough to do the job.

And that answer is rubbish.It doesnt stand up to scrutiny. hmmm.
I could make a whole list of jobs and situations where your answer does not stack up.

garlic i shall tell that to the provincial grand master. or perhaps you would like to phone 020 7229 2368 during office hours and tell the order of women freemasons that.

On reflection,OneMoreChap, it is ok thanks.
You dont need to reply again. I will not be be changing my mind on this.

Oohhh Lord, here we go again, Freemasons are not dodgy and as my dh pointed out during the last mason-bashing thread there is a website that tells almost all anyway. United Grand Lodge of something, I'll ask him when he comes down from settling the kids.

He's been a mason for 9 years and it's only in the past year or so he has seen any type of benefit in terms of career etc. and that's only because one of his friends needed someone that does exactly what dh does as his previous model was coming up to retirement. I dare say if they'd met down the pub and not the lodge then the same thing would have happened.

Most mason's wives will probably have helped them rehearse ritual so it's hardly top secret. I've certainly done it.

That said, I was definitely vetted, although I didn't twig at the time. I can't remember the exact questions but I got the impression they were checking I had a decent profession and would support dh.

OP You're entitled to an opinion obviously but I don't see why anyone should have to justify any part of their lives to you.

The mason hath returned, look here and educate yourself.

Common Purpose is far more insidious and dangerous than Freemasonary.

Million of pounds of taxpayers money in these difficult times is wasted on The Common Purpose Cult.

Common Purpose " Graduates" are often reluctant to admit their involvement.

... tell the order of women freemasons that.

Precisely, Sock. It's a separate organisation. Ever get invited to a freemason's Lodge on fraternal hospitality? Nope. Because you're not a freemason, you're a women's freemason.

OTOH, if this has all changed in the past year or so - and The Order of Freemasons is now called The Order of Men's Freemasons, you join each other's lodges and share meetings, etc - then I'll be corrected.

No-one has tackled the conflict of interest issue.

Eliza - Personally, as i said earlier, my opinion of it changed because before DP joined, all i had heard were the conspiracy theories, and am against anything which gives a few an unfair advantage. However, it emerged that they just seem like a bunch of guys titting about together and fund raising for charity. Nothing to do with dosh which might be coming our way - that is for those members who have fallen on hard times/for funeral expenses etc. I am not anticipating ever needing that kind of help (fortunately) - but would be glad to help someone who does.

Just out of interest as well (before i met DP) i had my wedding reception at a lodge (none of us were involved with the masons - they just hired it out), all the rooms were open and they had their trinkets and things all on show, it didn't seem like they were hiding anything at all.