To wonder what the Masons actually do?

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I hear various ideas from “they go for piss ups and fancy dinners” to “ they are a shadowy organisation with bloodthirsty rituals”

but what, do they actually get up to? Anyone know?

My late FIL was a Mason. They do lots of meetings and it really is a bit of a ‘boys club’ but they also raise a lot of money for charity etc too

We’ve printed their lodge summons to the meetings for years lol, some of the wording is nuts and makes me laugh, they take it very seriously. It’s harmless though

my uncle said it was a lot of talk about business, meet other people, plan charity events

Lots of meetings, lots of money given to charities and posh ladies nights.

No idea but they all wear suits to their meetings. I know this because I live right near a meeting place.

A lady I used to work with used to work as a waitress at the Masonic Lodge. Based on her experience, they go to the Masonic lodge most nights, get shit faced and sex pest the female bar staff.

In my relative’s case, network with high ups in armed forces (his field)/law enforcement (associated Masonic lodge) so no one would believe allegations about him.

It sounds like a conspiracy theory- he got to be senior in the masons so they would cover up his crimes for him- but it’s not really, it’s just human beings. When you hear something nasty about your good, charity-giving event-running friend wouldn’t you speak to them about it? And they do, which is why he nestled himself right in there.

The organisation itself is whatever, but I do question the motives of those seeking to join because of the above.

A lot of charity i understand

Oh and on a Tuesday and a Thursday they rent out a room to Fat Club.

Enjoy some lovely dinners, and spend a lot of time raising huge amounts for charity.

The one near us was/is basically a social club. Their hall is the go to place for hiring for parties.

Molested local kids in the 50s. At my grandads lodge anyway

I didn't know much about the Masons, other than the usual speculation of what goes on there, but we went to Beamish Village in the summer and they have a Masonic Hall there. There was a woman guide giving information about the Masons. It was so interesting what she had to say. A guy came in and tried to be clever by regurgitating insulting facts about the organisation and she was brilliant at answering everything. If you go to Beamish, call in.
But basically it's for business contacts and charity - which nationally they raise huge amounts of money for.

Ceremonies - so for the main speaking roles, lots and lots of learning lines (I’ve seen the book, it’s tedious). Apparently initiates have to show their chest to prove they’re not female as part of their joining up ceremony (🤭). So some dull amateur dramatics, then a meal and getting pissed and networking. They’re all suited up, some wearing their aprons, etc.

The other side of it is raising money for charity, where I am they tend to fund-raise for small local charities.

How depressing. Typical “boys” club.

I used to waitress for them as a teen. They ate dinner then locked us out so they could guffaw loudly and bang the table with mallets.
Once a year they had ladies night when we were allowed in. It was just a boring dinner.
They seemed to love the Queen.

My husband is a Mason, he is 31. For him it is a networking and social opportunity. Yes the wording is a bit old fashioned but so is most wording in formal traditional settings.

My son is a Mason, he is 26. I was gobsmacked when he told me but he loves it. Social networking, big dinners and charity work. I should have known as he always loved dressing up when he was little.

Some Christians see what they do as very dangerous - the rituals have a spiritual meaning and it certainly isn't a positive one.

I think the 'lower ranks' often don't realise this though.

It's not the same as Rotary Club!

There are levels to it.

Most people swim in the piss up and network part.

If you are susceptible to religiousosity then you can move up the levels. My dad got quite high and then became a Christian and got out..as it’s rituals, chanting and secret knowledge.

At its highest levels it’s meeting face to face with Satan. Although that is only what I have heard from an ex mason and may be just trying to spook me.

This. A slightly shite social club where you have to perform a tedious play for other members before you can socialise. It is all about achieving different positions, and then it is about pawning off said positions to unsuspecting junior members so you can just get to the social bit faster.

depending on the club they do provide a bit of broader career and life mentorship. My husband appreciates the multigenerational aspect- being able to socialise with members his fathers age as well as mentor young members.

mostly harmless, but fairly misogynistic

Bit of an am dram, social,,networking club. Primarily charity fundraising. DH is one, met loads of good pals, it’s harmless

I was given the impression by a colleague that it was lots of dinners where they “raise money for charity” but people don’t really donate much compared to the cost of the dinner. But could be just the particular place he was invited to.

I've watched a lot of discovery programmes and can tell you they're aliens, followers of the knight templars, they bury stuff on Oak Island and members of the illuminati.

I know numerous people who were educated privately by the Masonic Order after the death of a parent. One very successful elderly lady I knew was orphaned as a baby and educated privately in Dublin. She became a very successful business woman and was grateful to the Masonic Order all her life, she even inserted a tribute to them into her funeral service.