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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Freemason's

95 replies

silky4960 · 10/03/2020 09:18

I have a lady friend who has informd me she is going to be initiated into the womans free masons, she hasnt googled what this entails but I have and are concerned as the initiation consistes of wearing a black skirt below the knee a white blouse and stockings, the candidate is then blindfolded and a noose put around their neck they then have to remove a stcoking to reveal a knee reveal a bare arm and this is what I find disturbing reveal a bare left breast, she is a vunerable lady, should I tell her what will happen?

OP posts:
NemophilistRebel · 10/03/2020 09:39

She will be given ‘homework’ before the initiation which will not reveal the surprises that will happen but will explain the reasons behind anything to ensure she is relaxed and comfortable with the process

They wouldn’t initiate anyone who has fears about it

Lycanthropology · 10/03/2020 09:39

No one will be forcing her to do anything. And she will be there through choice.

WalkingDeadTrainee · 10/03/2020 09:40

So she is not really vulnerable then.. She can make her own decisions? If yes then it's her decision

fearney · 10/03/2020 09:41

Do you know what a vulnerable adult is OP. It isn't just someone who has no family.

Snaketime · 10/03/2020 09:42

She isn't vulnerable and she isn't in danger.

canterburytales · 10/03/2020 09:43

They would have visited her at home two or three times before they allow her to join, asked lots of questions, answered anything she wants to know .if she is deemed at any point vulnerable she won't be allowed to. They have a huge welfare support available and one thing they don't do is prey on the vulnerable.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 10/03/2020 09:43

If she's got to the point of initiation she will know exactly what will happen so don't such a GF.

WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 09:46

and this is what I find disturbing reveal a bare left breast, she is a vunerable lady, should I tell her what will happen?

Can you explain why you find that disturbing?

WalkingDeadTrainee · 10/03/2020 09:48

Cause boobies flopping out @Worra. Don't you get it? Boobies!🙄

FrancisCrawford · 10/03/2020 09:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

silky4960 · 10/03/2020 09:53

fearney I wont go into details

OP posts:
MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow · 10/03/2020 09:54

@silky4960 your hysteria is unfounded and I will repeat again, the acts of the initiation ceremony are all symbolic.

I get the impression you are trying to insinuate that the Freemasons are deviant in some way? She will be safe and supported with a group of women who have already been through the ceremony.

Why are you focusing on a few minutes of an initiation ceremony that is none of your business and not focusing on the benefits your friend will find with a new thriving social group?

silky4960 · 10/03/2020 09:54

FrancisCrawford i was using terminology from another person who replied

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 09:55

WalkingDeadTrainee I have my winceyette nightie buttoned all the way to the top at the mere thought of it! Shock

WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 09:57

Why are you focusing on a few minutes of an initiation ceremony that is none of your business and not focusing on the benefits your friend will find with a new thriving social group?

This ^^

And why is he focusing on the 'breast flopping' part as being disturbing?

silky4960 · 10/03/2020 09:59

MiaFarrowsWheelbarrow Your (hysteria is unfounded) seems a bit strong and sounds very defensive, sybolic or not being paraded around with a breast showing even to a room of women that have all done it does seem very bizare in this day and age, if that was carried out in a church there would be hysteria

OP posts:
GinDaddy · 10/03/2020 10:01

This whole thread is so cringe @silky4960 because it strikes me of the kind of thing where people love to get excited about something "secretive"...

..so secretive that the entire ceremony is posted across the whole Internet.

If your friend wants to feel special and not know anything about it, then fine - that's their choice.

But www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41804543 covers it, there are websites that explain all of this.

If she chooses not to read that in order to get excited about being in something "secret" then ok.

canterburytales · 10/03/2020 10:01

There's a lot of unnecessary attack on here. if you don't know how the FM works then it can obviously look cult like to some. It's easy for those who do know how it works to say what's been said but give the OP a break. She's looking out for her friend. Isn't this what's the forum is for? Seek advice for what we are unsure or uncertain of?

GinDaddy · 10/03/2020 10:04

@silky4960

No one is co-erced into doing this. She wants to do it. It is a ceremony that mirrors the male one. Is it odd? I think perhaps so. But she is doing it, and in front of women who will all have accepted it and done it before.

There are other very real horrible and coercive things to focus on for women in society, I'm not sure this is one of them.

canterburytales · 10/03/2020 10:07

@silky4960 check your inbox - there should be two replies. Let me know if not received.

MintyMabel · 10/03/2020 10:10

She's looking out for her friend.
No she isn't. She is trying to whip up froth and is making judgments whilst pretending there is a vulnerable friend involved.

Isn't this what's the forum is for?

Haven't been here long, eh?

WalkingDeadTrainee · 10/03/2020 10:11

paraded around with a breast showing even to a room of women that have all done it does seem very bizare in this day and age,
In this day and age I would think I can parade my breasts, so can any woman, in appropriate settings without being judged... I actually did. Not for free masons though. Just the beach goers.

if that was carried out in a church there would be hysteria
Comparing the incomparable here.

WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 10:12

There's a lot of unnecessary attack on here. if you don't know how the FM works then it can obviously look cult like to some. It's easy for those who do know how it works to say what's been said but give the OP a break. She's looking out for her friend. Isn't this what's the forum is for? Seek advice for what we are unsure or uncertain of?

The internet explains everything and 'she' is a 'he' - not that it matters.

WorraLiberty · 10/03/2020 10:15

Mind you I say it doesn't matter that the OP is a man but it might go some way to explaining the focus on the breast part being 'disturbing'.

TypingError · 10/03/2020 10:15

Why don't you go along and think about joining?
I don't think it works like that. You can't just trot along there. You have to be invited officially, by all.