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?

There are many ways to raise money for charity without that oddness and exclusion

Quite right. Ban the freemasons and anyone else that looks different, or not to your liking.

I Am often around the grand lodge in London area so see more than my fair share of Masons with their macs and black briefcases. All white all similar age profile (not sure heave ever seen one under say 50 but feel they may look older than they are?), all looking a bit under successful, often reminded of CaptainMainwaring.

Good for rotary clubs for charity work obvs but I find the whole thing (masons and rotary) very outdated and downright odd.

If there is nothing to hide then why is it all so secretive, why are many lodges windowless or have blacked out windows, secret handshakes etc, why some rumours of satanism, animal abuse, orgies etc.

HeronLanyon, what specific aspects of Rotary (as opposed to Masons) do you find outdated and downright odd?

Masons have always seemed an odd group to me.

Rotary on the other hand have always been lovely and generous and kind in all my dealings.

Judgmental Julies! God the sole purpose if rotary is to raise money for charities locally and worldwide they are run as clubs and people are given jobs to do "treasurer" "president' in charge of community, in charge of youth, in charge of worldwide etc it really is just that just because you don't really know what it is don't assume everyone is weird. These people want to give something back they pay membership fees so they can organise events to raise money for charity every single penny goes to charity they do so much good and use most if their free time to do it they are sociable kind and yes usually sensible people (boring possibly) so please don't judge Google and you will see the good they have done in the world including almost eradicating polio stepping in when there is a world disaster and helping sick old and disabled people.

“ why some rumours of satanism, animal abuse, orgies etc.”

That’s new to me!

The only mason I know is a woman. 🤷🏻‍♀️

nonamehere you’re quite right to question this - in fact I should have thought more carefully when lumping the two together.
I know little about the Rotary Club - i have a very real deep memory of it being male only and this only changing after it fought very hard against allowing women members. Just googled and was reminded of why I thought that.
I know of one rotary club activities in 200k population coastal town - politically, socially it seems one dimensional.

YABU. The masons, Rotary etc donate so much to local charities.

Hhmmm very judgmental my dad uncle and an ex boyfriend are all masons and are not weird in the slightest they do amazing charity work the wives of masons who have passed away get looked after in times of need.

HeronLanyon Rotary was originally a men- only group, but hasn't been so for many years, and is now actively seeking women members- as they realise, it makes no sense to exclude the skills of half the population. In my 60k population town there are 3 clubs- I 'm a member of the newest , and over the 11 years of our existence we have raised £85000 for local and international charities. And anyone can join. The only requirement is a commitment to 'Service above Self '.

OP “ Let's just say, not attractive to women types”

Imagine statement made about women.

I always thought the rotary were a charitable organisation too and totally different to the Masons?

My only experience of the Masons is that one of my close male relatives was a member. He was very open with us about the fact he only joined because it would give him a 'leg up' in his company, which it did. He wasn't generally a big fan of socialising in big groups and didn't enjoy it much, but said he would have been at a disadvantage career wise if he hadn't joined as there were a lot of Masons in his company.

I remember on occasion when someone we knew didn't get a promotion or other opportunity he would express surprise as they or their parent was a Mason. As far as he was concerned, that was the whole point.

That's only one experience though. Perhaps that was particular to his chapter or maybe the organisation has moved on. I can't make a judgement from that one experience. I'm not sure though that you can say it's wonderful because you know someone nice who is a Mason either. This is interesting and I will read up more on it.

I think I may have received my first biscuit above - always thought it looked more like a flower and have never been too sure of its meaning. I’ll say ‘thank you’ and to
Cover all bases also ‘how dare you!’

@HeronLanyon “ politically, socially it seems one dimensional.”

I’m expecting that to be an arrestable offence soon. Sigh. How very dare they!

My other half is a mason and all the masons I've met have been decent men, many a little eccentric but kind and motivated to do good. Definitely Scouts for grown ups!

What a very judgementalperdon you must be. My Grandad was a Freemason and he was the best man I've ever known, a caring family man, kind to a fault and certainly not a freak or mummies boy.

Well note the excellent protective nature of the Freemasons here. Quite the brotherhood.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/579523/Paedophile-Mason-lodge-GCHQ

That’s the Express LexMitior. More fool you if you believe ANYTHING that rag publishes.

Seriously paedophiles exist everywhere, a head teacher was recently convicted....are head teachers weird too?

My father in law and my husbands grandfather were both Freemasons. FIL is 81 now and can’t be bothered with it all anymore, when he and MIL moved away to be near SIL across country he didn’t bother joining the local ones.

They seemed to do fund raising and a load of silly ritual stuff ....silly stuff not animal of human sacrifice. All seemed to be businessmen among my FIL’s group. I know some of them still...paedophiles they are NOT. Not as far as I know anyway.

They're really not that secretive any more or many lodges aren't. I got a tour of the chamber and saw the pinnies hanging up and I've helped my partner with the rubric he had to learn. It goes on a bit but full of interesting symbolism. Less weird than the Catholic mass in terms of hopping around on one leg and making oaths etc. It's all online for anyone to see. Their lodge has the symbol on the door for all to see so everyone knows where they are!