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?

Yes. Why not?

Because most of the public, could not handle the truth,

Secrets are only required when the truth is shameful.

I'm pretty sure that I could.

Not always, imagine e.g. Humans already know the real truth about e.g. Religions, know about previous society's, ect.

Sometimes lots of secrets are kept to preserve society as we know it, etc.
No point in risking a collapsed society.

Basically, we need secrets, lies, mis truths, mis direction, ect,

Most Lodges require a minimum yearly donation, collect in weekly meetings and have a higher status collection on main lodge nights. They also run events such as golf days with proceeds going to charity. I hope those saying the charity element is minimal make contributions on a more regular basis than this. The official line is that the organisation has secrets but is private more than secretive. The comparison to the WI is interesting as Freemasonry forbids the discussion of politics and has actively been seeking a more diverse membership for years. Not sure the WI can claim the same. It was used by corrupt factions to cover their activities in the past but are very sensitive to that these days and will quickly get rid of members who let themselves down. The rituals are ridiculous in the same way that religious ritual is ridiculous. If anyone is interested in what happens, the information is available online if you want to read the reports of those who can't keep a promise. My husband was one and left because it was a bit daft but made some good friends and also met some idiots - similar to if he'd joined a running club or stamp collecting society.

Orange Order activity has no relationship to English masonry.

In a choice between Masonic nonsense and that spouted by Jehovah's Witnesses, I'd take the Masons every day.

Whenever I hear the phrase “do loads for charity” my spidey senses tingle.

I agree but would add "...or when the truth would lead to a substantial loss of power for those who hold it."

My husband's Masonic friends jokingly referred to themselves as Stonecutters, which is a pastiche of American Masonry and Mason type clubs. It's not the same as English Masonry.

Correct.

Problem is when the truth is boring so you keep believing the myths because they're much more interesting.

I was born into it - both my parents come from masonic families but from different factions. I don't know much about my father's lodge but my maternal grandfather's lodge had a strong family leaning and I was there every week throughout my childhood at family events.

My OH is a (highest) ranking freemason (unrelated to the two lodges mentioned). He belongs to a profession in which it is impossible to reach that level of seniority without achieving it in a parallel context. It is about implicit trust (and good food and wine!).

Growing up, I saw a few things I would prefer to forget but it was mainly all about improving the world through improving your lot and giving back/acting responsibly for the greater good. I sometimes wonder about the lodge on my mum's side of the family. I consider going back just to see if it is as I remember and whether they still commission those wonderful professional showstopper cakes .on Sundays.

A few things I would prefer to forget???

My father is a free mason, fairly senior in so far as he has grand rank. I've grown up around them and many of my male friends are masons.

I don't consider it in any way sinister. They enjoy a piss up with friends. The ritual and aprons add some ceremony. It's a great way to network. The masons give a phenomenal amount to charity.

This sounds very familiar to me.

Great loyalty and kindness towards local catering businesses in my dad's main lodge's case.

They look after widows and children of deceased masons.

My mum was very supportive. A harmless and very charitable boys club,

Isn't that standard life? The whole point of building a professional network?

Spot on.

Who decided that?

There have been a fair few tv programmes and there's info on line.

My grandad was one and it just seemed like lots of men hung out and did charity things.

I would not have it any other way. I have personally benefitted many times from the generosity. I know that my DCs have missed out on certain advantages through not being immersed in the scene. I have always been in two minds about whether to allow DS to access it because once they are in they are in!

The WI is not party political at all.