Page 15 | DH is a Freemason and it makes me cringe

YerJokin · 2024-12-27T15:44:21+00:00

He takes it so seriously. He's always gone through hobby phases but he's done this for years now and takes it very seriously. He's currently on the phone discussing 'Bretheryn' and it gives me the major ick, I actually want to cry listening to it. I've tried to stand by him as he takes it so seriously so i attend events and smile encouragingly but I can't bear it. Never knew when I married him that he wanted to do this. It's not the worst thing he could do of course but it's an old boys club and we're only in our 30s! He has lots of friends and other hobbies so it's not even his only social outlet, no idea why he needs this in his life and treats it like a second job.

SavingTheBestTillLast · 27/12/2024 21:31

CountryMouse22 · 27/12/2024 21:23

Theÿ do raise a lot of money for charity.

Why do people keep saying this RTFT.

AllTheChaos · 27/12/2024 21:32

I only really know about them from experiences in my home town. What kept cropping up was those of them who were battering their wives, but their ‘brethren’ in the police wouldn’t get involved; and those who despite being young and with sod all experience, got promotions over women with a lot of experience and relevant qualifications. Best was the NQT made head of English at the 6th form after 6 months of teaching, whilst the well-loved and respected female English teacher who’d been there a decade was told she didn’t meet the requirements. He and the head of the college were at the same lodge, so go figure. I’ve always assumed that they are corrupt, and the only variable is a question of degree.

Mmhmmn · 27/12/2024 21:33

HellofromJohnCraven · 27/12/2024 15:56

God, yes that would give me the massive ick.

💯

Totally icky. The ways in which they help each other excludes others. Why do you need to get involved in his icky hobby? No way I’d be doing the stand there and smile like a good wifey bit, fuck that.

SavingTheBestTillLast · 27/12/2024 21:36

AllTheChaos · 27/12/2024 21:32

I only really know about them from experiences in my home town. What kept cropping up was those of them who were battering their wives, but their ‘brethren’ in the police wouldn’t get involved; and those who despite being young and with sod all experience, got promotions over women with a lot of experience and relevant qualifications. Best was the NQT made head of English at the 6th form after 6 months of teaching, whilst the well-loved and respected female English teacher who’d been there a decade was told she didn’t meet the requirements. He and the head of the college were at the same lodge, so go figure. I’ve always assumed that they are corrupt, and the only variable is a question of degree.

Well said!
I’ve been passed over for Masonic kids just out of Uni myself, I’ve lived it and it’s shaped ( or not so to speak ) my entire career.
So glad someone has come on with examples
👏👏👏

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 21:39

TrollTheAncientYuletideCarol · 27/12/2024 20:49

There's currently a proposed suggestion of a Bill to make the police and other servants of the crown declare membership of any secret society, which is deliberately targeting Freemasons precisely because of concerns about these networks of power and influence, it's not all funny handshakes and charitable giving. It's like deciding things at the golf club, or behind closed doors, or places women can't go- of course men benefit from this including those in the police and criminal justice systems, and if they don't, they won't have any issue declaring their membership then, will then? Then we can properly calculate whether it has any effect.

Those saying this is irrelevant and doesn't apply otherwise Masons wouldn't be in prison are extremely naive, of course some people get caught, it's about making evidence go away, complaints disappear, sometimes that is not possible but where influence is to be had, people, no correction, men will take it. Women rarely can, especially in the police force.

Do you have evidence of this? Pretty serious allegations

LBFseBrom · 27/12/2024 21:44

CountryMouse22 · 27/12/2024 21:23

Theÿ do raise a lot of money for charity.

Many people/organisations have done that and it obscures what they are really like.

Projectmee · 27/12/2024 21:49

mealdeal20 · 27/12/2024 17:17

I think it's totally irrelevant how much charity work they do - it does not in anyway take away from the fact it's a sexist, racist and sectarianist organisation that's purpose is to promote and protect its members first and for all.
It's linked to corruption in the police and linked (in Scotland at least) to the orange order.
I'd be disgusted if I knew anyone who wa sa member and would stop knowing them pretty quickly!!

Yeah it’s horrific in Glasgow anyway.

My friend who is mixed race walked into one of their lodges during an “open day” they had and the men at reception were gaping at her in such a shocked appalled way that even her friends young kid she was with noticed. He said something defensive to them like “and that’s my aunty Louise” and looked at them sternly lol. They kind of closed their mouths after that and tried to be civil.

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 21:49

Mischance · 27/12/2024 20:33

They're great people and the misconception on MN are clear. Calling it a cult is extremely offensive Oh it is a cult - the stuff I cleared out from my FIL's flat after his death shows that very clearly.

What did you clear out precisely, was he part of any side orders? Maybe someone here can clear up some of the questions you might have about those things? Some of the things you found might appear “cultish” to you but aren’t. Did you find a skull, anything in Hebrew? Was he a member of the SRIA?

Astrak · 27/12/2024 21:54

Two of the kindest, most helpful, clever men that I have ever known were Masons. I don't think generalisations on their behaviour whilst at their meetings is helpful. One of the men was part of my crew when I was sailing in races. He was calm, efficient and completely unflappable. The other man was the husband of a close friend of mine. He was a secondary school maths teacher. He was funny, musical, tolerant and helpful.
Sadly, both are now dead. The first man was killed by a remarkably arrogant and demanding racing skipper, who gave an order which resulted in my friend being beheaded on a bridge support. The second one dropped dead from a massive heart attack at work.
I still miss them. Their membership of the Masons did not define who they were. They were far more than that.

soundsys · 27/12/2024 21:55

The orange order and the masons are two different things.

This is true but in the West of Scotland there's a LOT of cross-over, particularly with regards the police etc - certainly in the recent past

Sunhatweather · 27/12/2024 21:58

If it was something my DH felt passionately about and could fit in with family life, why would I not support it? From the little I’ve read up about it, I believe it encourages self-reflection and being a good person - there are much worse pursuits!

Moonlightdust · 27/12/2024 21:58

We had several family members part of it in the past and I had always heard from other relatives there is a weird undercurrent in that association.

Thaiyogamassage · 27/12/2024 22:00

Women have the WI, so of course men have their own club. But because they're men, it has to be a secret club, with a cool handshake, and fancy outfits, and a load of waffling bollocks to make it seem far more important than it actually is.

The corruption doesn't surprise me as that happens anywhere you get large groups of men. Army, police force, politics, etc.

Namechangetheyarewatching · 27/12/2024 22:00

There are also women only freemason lodges

DancingOctopus · 27/12/2024 22:01

Baxterbaxter · 27/12/2024 16:14

Oh this is interesting! Do you have to give them money as a member? Sort of like Scientologists?

They give a huge amount to charity, but do it secretly.

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 22:03

What I find very interesting is that there is a very well documented cross over between those with anti semite beliefs and those who are anti mason..There is a widely understood link, it even has a name -the Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory. It is often identified by people saying “oh the police let them off because they are part of the same lodge” or “ Such and such was promoted/got the job because they’re both free masons”. And best of all “it’s a secretive cult-no one knows what happens”.

The only issue I’ve ever seen is an above average level of misogyny- although equally there are many men in there who will call it out
and be very supportive of women. Unfortunately it has largely lost its esoteric angle (except the SRIA) although generally remains focused on self improvement.

Im more put off by those who buy into the conspiracy theories (and what this might say statistically about their views on other groups) than anything else.

RafaFan · 27/12/2024 22:03

mealdeal20 · 27/12/2024 17:17

I think it's totally irrelevant how much charity work they do - it does not in anyway take away from the fact it's a sexist, racist and sectarianist organisation that's purpose is to promote and protect its members first and for all.
It's linked to corruption in the police and linked (in Scotland at least) to the orange order.
I'd be disgusted if I knew anyone who wa sa member and would stop knowing them pretty quickly!!

My only experience of Freemasonry was dropping into the bar in a lodge in Northern Ireland with a friend to pick up her dad after his meeting. The men were talking about the son of one of the other masons who'd "turned his coat" by marrying a Catholic and been ostracised. This was 30 years ago, and I've never forgotten it. Bigotry at its finest.

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 22:04

Thaiyogamassage · 27/12/2024 22:00

Women have the WI, so of course men have their own club. But because they're men, it has to be a secret club, with a cool handshake, and fancy outfits, and a load of waffling bollocks to make it seem far more important than it actually is.

The corruption doesn't surprise me as that happens anywhere you get large groups of men. Army, police force, politics, etc.

There are women only Freemasons and also co- masonary groups

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 22:06

RafaFan · 27/12/2024 22:03

My only experience of Freemasonry was dropping into the bar in a lodge in Northern Ireland with a friend to pick up her dad after his meeting. The men were talking about the son of one of the other masons who'd "turned his coat" by marrying a Catholic and been ostracised. This was 30 years ago, and I've never forgotten it. Bigotry at its finest.

Show quote history

I suspect this might have had more to do with the sectarian nature of NI than Freemasonry

poemsandwine · 27/12/2024 22:07

Since you were doing MLM, you were in your own cult. At least Freemasons give to charity.

SugarHeadache · 27/12/2024 22:15

'I give to charity' or 'I do good deeds' or 'I help the vulnerable' has been said by a great many including ....

Jimmy Saville
Pablo Escabar
Al Capone
Ted Bundy
Harold Shipman
Lucy Letby

It's not the great cover story it used to be....

Projectmee · 27/12/2024 22:17

SugarHeadache · 27/12/2024 22:15

'I give to charity' or 'I do good deeds' or 'I help the vulnerable' has been said by a great many including ....

Jimmy Saville
Pablo Escabar
Al Capone
Ted Bundy
Harold Shipman
Lucy Letby

It's not the great cover story it used to be....

Exactly this.

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 22:18

Although it’s not that great for in depth analysis This is a good overview of the anti Masonic movements, some of which are almost as old as free masonry itself. Of course we shouldn’t forget that the Nazis targeted Freemasons..

I think something that one should particularly consider atm when someone is expressing antifremason sentiments is the strong anti Zion links to anti free mason movements, Always consider the wider contexts. Most of these posts bear no resemblance to any actual Freemasons I have come across. For various reasons I have spent quite some time in Freemasons Hall and speaking with Freemasons it’s not what people are making out at all and it makes me very curious about some of the motives at play here..

Anti-Masonry - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Masonry

BoundaryGirl3939 · 27/12/2024 22:20

Astrak · 27/12/2024 21:54

Two of the kindest, most helpful, clever men that I have ever known were Masons. I don't think generalisations on their behaviour whilst at their meetings is helpful. One of the men was part of my crew when I was sailing in races. He was calm, efficient and completely unflappable. The other man was the husband of a close friend of mine. He was a secondary school maths teacher. He was funny, musical, tolerant and helpful.
Sadly, both are now dead. The first man was killed by a remarkably arrogant and demanding racing skipper, who gave an order which resulted in my friend being beheaded on a bridge support. The second one dropped dead from a massive heart attack at work.
I still miss them. Their membership of the Masons did not define who they were. They were far more than that.

What an awful death.

SugarHeadache · 27/12/2024 22:20

Feelingathomenow · 27/12/2024 22:18

Although it’s not that great for in depth analysis This is a good overview of the anti Masonic movements, some of which are almost as old as free masonry itself. Of course we shouldn’t forget that the Nazis targeted Freemasons..

I think something that one should particularly consider atm when someone is expressing antifremason sentiments is the strong anti Zion links to anti free mason movements, Always consider the wider contexts. Most of these posts bear no resemblance to any actual Freemasons I have come across. For various reasons I have spent quite some time in Freemasons Hall and speaking with Freemasons it’s not what people are making out at all and it makes me very curious about some of the motives at play here..

So apart from raising money for charity, what do freemasons do? What do they do at their meetings? Why is it secret?