DH is a Freemason and it makes me cringe

[YerJokin]

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.

the amount is generally expected to be 10%, some individuals may contribute more voluntarily, but the standard practice is to give one-tenth of their income.

in a sense no different than govt taxes etc

Except it’s exempt from tax

Maybe Labour should rethink that one too 🤔

The one Mason I know is the biggest idiot and one of the most immature people I have ever met. He doesn’t work and leeches off his wife for everything. I wouldn’t trust him with a pair of scissors, let alone a leadership position in any sort of organization or “secret” knowledge.

Same in our town.

Decrease the number of nights you join in, Op, if you don't like doing so. My aunt particularly enjoys the free concerts where they all joke about pretending to sing, and provide a great supper.

My dad , this was back in the 80's , unwillingly went to a Mason meeting as his friend was so keen he join. He came home and we are all excited "are you going to join?"
No effing way. Then he taught me the secret handshake.
I still laugh about that. A secret handshake, really, do they think they are international spies from the 1950's?

Cults are dangerous, secret society's are dangerous. Anything that runs in parallel with the government is dangerous. I come from a country where this was more in your face and it stole so many livelihoods. You would watch people advance in their careers, hell even college tests were given or government civil service exam questions were suddenly given to these cult followers because a member worked there and had access to it. Government contracts given to them. So many undeserving relatives or children got into positions that they had no right in. So many crime scenes or coroner reports messed about or crime punishments that were a slap on the wrist compared to the severity of the crime that was committed because there was always someone who was a member to erase it or play it differently who worked in the "office" that knew someone or were the member. On the face of it they were very charitable, giving bursaries to orphans or funding hospital treatment. The Freemasons in my home country were no different, they work to advance and protect their own.

Of those whose partners/husbands are Freemasons...

Would love to know roughly what job your DP/DH does..

And roughly how much they donate annually...

No need for the exact specifics, ballpark figures/roles will do...

DH is one and the donations aren’t significant - I can’t remember exactly but it’s small enough that it hasn’t impacted on our finances. It doesn’t bother me at all, I’m surprised how much it does bother some people! It’s not for me personally but I’m glad he has a hobby he enjoys.
DH tells me a fair amount about what he gets up to - he’s not meant to tell me the exact wording but I get the gist of what they do. He enjoys the challenge of learning his lines but it’s mainly a social thing of sitting down with a range of people from different backgrounds and having dinner. It hasn’t helped either of us in our careers or anything like that. He has explained quite a bit about the history of the masons and why they became more secretive which I found really interesting (all available online if anyone is interested!)

lol! Do you believe in other conspiracy theories? New world order? I would Uk debt describe anyone who believes conspiracy theories as anything other than deluded..

The nature of any initiatory group is that you get to know a bit more each level you go up., its abit like a promotion at work. The managers are usually privy to more information than a trainee.The system is designed to build on knowledge. We could have a discussion about how Scientology was conceived but it really wouldn’t help your argument. I know you’re trying to use that to attack the Freemasons lol

it sounds like the problem of this unnamed country was a corrupt government. Secret societies don’t pose any more danger than overt one. Most, by their nature keep themselves to themselves

Ah, I see. He learned the secrets of Free masonry on his first visit😂. Your Dad was having you on lol. You do realise what an initiatory society means don’t you..

What? A lot of Freemasonary funds are put towards charitable causes. You want to tax charities and reduce the money they receive?

You ought to go to Freemasons Hall (nice cafe and museum) you might discover a bit more about their membership. Often comments on Freemasons descend (like this thread) it’s utter drivel many become anti semetic. -having been one of the Nazis targeted groups. I don’t blame them for deleting posts trying to stir up hatred..

lol.l, but I an in that type of profession. I have never seen anything like that during the last quarter of a century. It either a very odd one off or not true.its insulting to say its a general masonic thing.

@Feelingathomenow but can you guarantee this country is clean as a whistle? Not corrupt, no influence from anyone or anything? I don't think any country in the world can. Some countries (like my home country) don't bother hiding it, other countries do it behind scenes which makes you think it's all democratic, fair and equal. From my understanding the lower the ranks in Freemasons which is where some posters fil,df or dh volunteered were lingering around more locally within their own communities for "charitable" causes and occasionally advancing each other but higher the ranks where the big guns are where these posters fil, dh's and df's have never met, I don't think for one second it's any different to my home country having power and influence against the government and it's governing bodies.

Ah but some countries are more corrupt than others aren’t they? fWIW I know some pretty advanced Freemasons generally nice, interesting blokes, more interested in gaining knowledge to improve themselves than advancing any new world order. I’m sure some bad apples manage to survive despite Freemasonry ideals. But thats the sane anywhere isn’t it?

My husband’s cousin’s husband tried to recruit him years ago, as my DH worked in private banking. I told him if he even thought about it for a second, I’d leave him. I can’t explain why I had such a visceral reaction, just that the whole set up gives me the absolute ick.

Are you telling me my dad lied/? Rude, Well, whatever, I can't remember how to do it anymore, so the secret is safe with me.. He decided to join a snooker club instead. He was quite high up in a university when this invte to join was issued.
Do they still do the secret handshake, I wish I could remember,it's something to do with your thumb down I think.. I was only about 8yo.
Also the person who asked about the lodges, in Australia you could barely go past a suburb let alone a town without Masonic Hall written on the front. They are eveywhere. Big, concrete and often a shade of salmon, weirdly

The Masons are not short of money, and I have no idea how much goes to charity but this their latest lodge in the very centre of SYdney

Why does my photo keep disappearing?

Trying again

Oh ffs, is there anything they don't run? Just google smc ( sydney masonic centre) There's some serious cash there

I’m saying an initiatory society don’t pass on secrets to some random who rocks up for one meeting lol! You do realise what an initiatory society means don’t you? Your Dad was having a giggle with his 8 year old kid bless him.

They do a lot for charity and is mostly what fees and money from events go towards. They do have "traditions" and they sort of have scripts to follow in the meetings which have to be learnt, and why meetings are referred to as "practises". They're similar to the Round Table but don't advertise/shout about everything they have done.
As @SleepToad says "It's not a secret society, it's a society with secrets." Freemasons have been a lot more open over the last 20 years or so to try and dispel a lot of the myths. When the Boxing Day tsunami happened, they were one of the first contributors to send aid.

Critical thinking must have bypassed you.