only odd men join organisations like the Masons

[GoodGriefSunshine]

Maybe I have just been unfortunate but the only men I have ever met that belonged to the Masons (...Rotary etc) have been kind of odd. Let's just say, not attractive to women types. Mummy's boys, odd-bods who are into train spotting and sci-fi in too big a way. The kind of men you feel may be a little on the boring side. What sort of men join these predominantly men's clubs and what is appealing about wearing aprons and performing bizarre rituals?

The masons I know seem to be perfectly ordinary blokes. It wouldn’t be my sort of thing and I love a bit if sci-fi and seem to be good at producing geeky offspring. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What sort of men join these predominantly men's clubs

Not sure what you’re looking for by way of an answer here. All sorts, obviously.

and what is appealing about wearing aprons and performing bizarre rituals?

Camaraderie. Philanthropy. The chance to mix with like minded people.

The ones I know are former military men who appreciate the sense of community and achievement they get from the fundraising and community support they can provide.

My grandad was one. He was a catch in his youth. Interesting bloke.

A gay male friend of mine who is gorgeous in an androgynous way, is it at least was one.

YABU.

The whole thing is very odd, I can’t say I approve of it at all but I don’t think that means the individuals are always. I’ve met at least one mason who was young and very nice. Isn’t the Rotary club just for local businesses? It probably has a higher ratio of odd people because of all the accountants (dh is an accountant btw) .

Ok, OP. Times have changed.

Approach a Masonic lodge local to you and ask if you can register a charity of your choice to be considered for giving.

if it's approved, see what happens. And don't forget to say thank you.

I wouldn’t put Rotary into the same bracket as the Masons even though they are both networking organisations for businessmen. The first I have no problem with but I’m not keen on the latter - mainly because it has allowed nepotism to thrive in my organisation. The fact that both raise money for charity does not mean it’s their primary purpose - if that were the case why does the Masons need to be so secretive? ( and what’s with the quasi religious aspect?)

But remember you cant join if you're a woman, yiu just have to meekly accept what they deign to give you (and the womens lodges dont count ...) Do they still exclude black people or has that changed now too?

@canveyisland

👍

Well aren’t you a gem OP. A mean spirited, ill-informed thread. Congratulations. Masons across the UK come from all walks of life, all types of personalities and collectively not only support each other but raise millions for charity as well. And there are a large number of female masons as well. Please take your bigoted views and get back in your box.

@Findumdum1

Women’s lodges don’t count? Why?

www.owf.org.uk/

My dm is a president of the rotary and it's a very forward thinking n club which is trying fb hard to enroll younger members. And things like rotact the youth branch are encouraging this as well.

However, it is attitudes like yours op which is hindering this.

I should add, The members of my dms club are all perfectly lovely and normal

I also know younger people who are masons

Well they accept transwomen apparently. 🤷‍♀️

because:

works on the lines of regular male Freemasonry. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) have, in a statement issued in 1999, acknowledged the regularity and sincerity of women’s Freemasonry, although they do not officially recognise it and their members cannot take part.

anachronistic, everyday sexism that does not fit with modern society and women's place in it in 2019. Try being a woman in technology or a female member of the police and see how the masons are used (or have the effect of) excluding women from power and decision making and restrict them in the career progression that is available to male masons and you will see why I object to the Masons as an organisation (though not individual masons, some of whom I like and respect).

although they do not officially recognise it and their members cannot take part.

And men can’t join the WI.

Try being a woman in technology or a female member of the police and see how the masons are used (or have the effect of) excluding women from power and decision making and restrict them in the career progression that is available to male masons

That’s the fault/responsibility of those respective organisations and within their purview to rectify. Not Freemasonary

Not sure about sci-fi or train spotting (harmless pastimes). However - Masonic rituals are seriously weird and secretive, and anybody wanting to be involved in pulling up trouser legs, baring breasts, being led around by a rope blindfolded and swearing ridiculous allegiances has to be odd.
At the lower levels Masonic Lodges might present as 'charitable drinking clubs', but at the higher levels they are corrupt and corrupting, and your average 'jo mason' will never get there.

Oh... and I am a woman in technology and I have never been disadvantaged due to a Freemason.

If the masons are such fine, upstanding men, why is there so much secrecy surrounding what they do?

@Findumdum1 yes, black men are members.

There's another thread at the moment where people are claiming that the is no sexism.against men on MN.

The OP had proved there is.

I've known a number of masons and rotory club members. I wouldnt say they were oddballs at all, in fact I would say they were all stupendously normal. TV sitcom normal. Next door neighbour normal. Sinisterly normal.

I'm sure they do a lot of good charity work and all, but I am just a little suspicous of older, richer, whiter men gathering together in the one place. That usually doesnt bode well for the rest of us.

It's just Scouts for grown ups YES! this is what I think. Not that there is anything wrong with Scouts, but it's for kids. It seems to be a society for the socially aspirational (not in a good way) and sad and lonely and the odd bods who like to think they belong to a secret society. Nothing wrong with Sci-Fi by the way. It's the sort that are overly invested in things like sci fi that I am referring to. They wear peculiar little bib/apron things and call each other 'Worshipful Master' and whatnot and have peculiar little rituals. It's just way on the unattractive end of things in my mind.

I know and have grown up around several masons and all are very kind family men who take part in many charitable fundraisers. In my experience they treat women with respect and grace and have a real sense of community spirit. When a mason sadly passes away, the support and rallying round for any widowed partner or children is astonishing and actually, the masons donated a life saving piece of equipment to my family for my little sister when she developed severe childhood epilepsy and my parents couldn’t afford it.

Nothing in my experience suggests that your offensive assumption is anywhere near to the truth and I think you need to look into it some more.

why does the Masons need to be so secretive? ( and what’s with the quasi religious aspect?)
If the masons are such fine, upstanding men, why is there so much secrecy surrounding what they do?
Masonic rituals are seriously weird and secretive, and anybody wanting to be involved in pulling up trouser legs, baring breasts, being led around by a rope blindfolded and swearing ridiculous allegiances has to be odd

All of these statements are what I mean. They are just ....odd....

@Malteserdiet

Why was the equipment unavailable on the NHS? We shouldnt be relying on the charity of secretive society members to save childrens lives.

I'd agree with you, the Masons I've met are in general very kind, but its a certain sort of paternalistic kindness.