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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New ish boyfriend - masonic lodge - weird?

353 replies

Creambun2 · 08/09/2017 17:17

Have been seeing a guy for just over three months now, all going well, seems a "normal" person (important for me after some awful relationships). However, this guy is part of masonic lodge and is asking me to come to some "ladies" night - sounds like some do from the 1930s or something.

AIBU to think this is a bit weird? He is in his early 30s. The only knowledge of the masonic world I have is that they used to deliver my grandmother a Christmas hamper every year after my grandfather died.

Why would a young bloke want to mess around in aprons doing "rituals" with loads of probably older men?! Is he going to suggest sex with aprons and gloves next Grin

Anyone got any experience of this or been to one of these ladies nights ever?

OP posts:
Botanicbaby · 08/09/2017 21:49

"You do realise there is a Womans Freemason Movement that runs along the same lines and doesn't allow men to join?"

Do they have 'men's nights' though?

roarityroar · 08/09/2017 21:50

Yes they do

minisoksmakehardwork · 08/09/2017 21:56

Blush I might just have a bee in my bonnet about Freemasons being unilaterally badmouthed.

centreyourself · 08/09/2017 22:06

minisoks hey you sound so rock 'n' roll. Confused
I get you. You like to pretend your a bride, whilst being 21st centuuuureee
As far as urging people to educate themselves about the Masons, I hate to break it to you, but most of us couldn't give a fuck.
I urge you to read janicebaytersbys posts about non-declaration by police officers and councillors.

Also while I'm here, could you define 'God' - presumably for the old-fashionds
V
'A higher being' - for the rock 'n' roll

centreyourself · 08/09/2017 22:08

This whole thread is making me cringe. As in really feel embarrassed for you all getting excited about dressing up in a frock and getting a present.
You did hear about what happened in 1918 didn't you?

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 08/09/2017 22:11

It's no surprise that people who have benefited from a family been a member of the Freemasons defends them. I don't think they are the big "Illuminati" evil but there is a issue of nepotism.

Members look out for each other, this is ok when it comes to look out for each others families in a time of tragedy but when it makes it's way into politics and police there is an issue.

DorisDangleberry · 08/09/2017 22:12

As a Mason he is almost certainly an alien lizard plotting to overthrow us mere humans

Nakedavenger74 · 08/09/2017 22:43

Going back to the OP's question It would a massive turn off for me that he elected to join a gender specific 'club' for 'networking'. I'd find it totally creepy, mysogynistic and overbearing. And yes I would feel the same if it was a golf club. Bleeeugh.

minisoksmakehardwork · 08/09/2017 22:44

@centreyourself. If you don't give a fuck about educating yourself about masons, why post on the subject?

To be fair, I am allowed to offer my opinion as are you.

God would specifically be for those faiths that have the New or Old Testament versions of higher beings.

Otherwise higher beings might be Adonai, allah, Waheguru, Brahma, Vishnu, any of the Buddhas. Hell if they want to they can have a belief in Odin, Jupiter or Zeus if that's what floats their boat.

I have read @JaniceBattersby's posts. What she stated happens whether members are masons or not in my local area. The parish council are the biggest bunch of self serving pricks I have ever met. Funny how things magically end up going how certain people want even if a majority have opposed that way, contracts mysteriously being awarded to the family of one of the more prominent councillors. I can assure you that none on that council are Freemasons.

Dare I say that some may also be member of the chamber of commerce in the local area. Which may also be why they get awarded contracts where others may not? Maybe they are in the same farmers union, or golf club.

It doesn't matter what club a person is in, if they are so inclined they will use it to influence and steam roller people. Masons just get more of a bad press than others because people need a scapegoat.

JaniceBattersby · 08/09/2017 22:51

Dare I say that some may also be member of the chamber of commerce in the local area. Which may also be why they get awarded contracts where others may not? Maybe they are in the same farmers union, or golf club.

But none of those organisations block women from general entry. Neither do they encourage members to be secretive about their membership.

user1497863568 · 08/09/2017 23:06

My grandfather is heavily into it and used to take me into the Grand Lodge all the time. I couldn't go into the meetings, one of the women at reception would look after me.

The Illuminati are real. Only thing is massive amounts of collaboration among people who think they are 'enlightened' ones somehow above the laws they expect everyone else to adhere to. They can be a very violent organization too but rarely do the higher ups get actively involved in that.

GrapesAreMyJam · 08/09/2017 23:08

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

GladAllOver · 08/09/2017 23:21

My personal experience of masons is limited to the time I lived opposite to a lodge. The amount of booze they had delivered before meetings was amazing.
And they all drove home from meetings.

minisoksmakehardwork · 08/09/2017 23:25

Anything can be considered secretive if you're not involved in it. Freemasons secrets are based on 'trade secrets' from their origins.

Most business people don't want everyone knowing their business inside out otherwise they might lose their competitive edge. That is just as true today as it was a millennium ago.

Costacoffeeplease · 08/09/2017 23:50

JumpingJellybeanz has it

Secret society for boys who've never grown up, I'd avoid like the plague

ADishBestEatenCold · 08/09/2017 23:57

Can atheists join the masons, minisok?

Onthehighseas · 08/09/2017 23:58

I used to go out with a senior police officer who was in the masons. It was a sure fire way to get promotion in the police force and a blind eye was turned when fellow masons were caught speeding/drink driving etc. I refused to have anything to do with the organisation.

cdtaylornats · 09/09/2017 00:29

Secret society for boys who've never grown up, I'd avoid like the plague

Like the Woman's Institute for girls?

TitaniasCloset · 09/09/2017 00:31

Interesting, most women on Mumsnet are a bit posh and it turns out loads of your men are in the masons too.

Storminateapot · 09/09/2017 00:39

Does this make them inherently bad people?

TheWeeWitch · 09/09/2017 01:08

My grandfather was a Mason and was a high ranking police officer. He was a cruel and corrupt man who was openly aided and shielded by his chapter. Our whole family are, to this day, very wary of the Masons, to the point where my aunt will cross the road rather than walk by a Masonic hall.

Maybe it's all changed now and they are all a bunch of fluffy do-gooders who like nice parties, fundraising and dancing, but I think that the bad things you've heard about (misogyny, racism, nepotism) have certainly occurred in the very recent past.

TitaniasCloset · 09/09/2017 01:23

Dunno Storm just interesting.

Twitchingdog · 09/09/2017 01:33

I know mason
He vile bully of teacher . His chikd told the whole school how he used to beat his mum and him. He kept his job . The headmaster left school . It turn in to academy he was out the door with in weeks .
He drive drunk the whole time . Never get caught . He has accidents
Ps I know for fact he beats his now wife . So I believe his son that he used to beat his wife and child.
Would not go near them .

Being thank for looking after the kids while your husband goes out and pissed . Really this 2017 .

BoysofMelody · 09/09/2017 02:01

The Oh they do so much for charity is overblown and misrepresented...as the court ruling mentioned in the article below mentions, the 'charites' they donate to (up to 75%) are overwhelmingly Freemason charities set up for for the benefit of their members in times of need. They pay in knowing they get it back if they hit a sticky patch. It is no more altruistic than taking out an insurance policy that pays out if the main earner dies or is unemployed or whatever.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10661581/Freemasons-millions-arent-true-charity-rules-judge.html

Seeingadistance · 09/09/2017 02:16

The Masonic Lodge and the Orange Lodge are two completely different organisations. Basically, the key purpose of the Orange Lodge is opposing Roman Catholicism. The key purpose of the Masonic Lodge is a bit more opaque, given the secrecy which is very much part of Freemasonry. Although it might seem that the Masons are anti-Catholic, it's actually the other way around - the Roman Catholic Church, as do many other Christian denominations, views Freemasonry as heretical and any RC who becomes a Mason is automatically excommunicated.

The public face of Freemasonry is benevolent, raising money for charity, but they are are organisation of secrets and whose members work to benefit each other, and whatever else they do.

If I found out a guy I was seeing was a Mason that would be end of the relationship for me.