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.

Is it a “woman’s forum”?

Why are you on a forum making ill informed comments about something you clearly have no actual knowledge of?

You seem confused. This is Mumsnet, a site for women. Do you think the vast majority of women posting on this thread have knowledge of the Freemasons?

I’m not confused at all. I’ve news for you, not everyone here is a mum either. Some men join for parenting tips. Are you new here? There’s been men here for a long time.

oh it’s very clear who has actual knowledge of the Freemasons- clue it’s not the ones with ridiculous accusations and conspiracy theories

There are women freemason lodges, so why not

The vast majority of posters on this forum are women.

I’ve no idea why you’ve taken umbrage with me. Various intelligent posts are throughout this thread raising valid points about potential problems with ‘boys clubs’ such as Freemasons. Critical thinking obviously isn’t your forte so there is no need to engage with me further.

Oh critical thinking is very much my forte, - you seem to have moved from this is a site for women” - no it’s not to “the vast majority of posters on this forum are women” - yes, that means there are some men, exactly the point I was making.

I haven’t seen any intelligent posts about problems with “boys clubs” I’ve seen mainly unhinged raving about, sex rituals, “terrifying oaths” unsubstantiated claims of corruption and bizarre claims of people promoted to partnership straight out of University “cos he’s a Mason”. I’ve not even touched the posts about evidence going missing, running the government etc. looks like there’s been too much M&S sherry trifle consumed by some other posters

Merry Christmas

It is a site for women. That a small minority of men decide to join. The clue is in the name - MUMSnet.

Perhaps all the M&S sherry trifle has gone straight to your head, that would explain your posts. 🍷

Good try but I’m vegan so no trifle for me, I don’t really drink either so no sherry. What particular thing about my posts would make you reach that conclusion.

Do you think the site is just for mums, because that’s what the name suggests?

@Feelingathomenow My derision is very well-founded and not at all misplaced, thanks very much. I know about the pelican reference - feeding her offspring with her own blood and the tie up with Rosicrucianism and all sorts of other esoteric mumbo-jumbo, this nonsense has been around for centuries. Having a degree in a hard science subject goes some good way to helping me recognise scientific and philosophical bs when I see it. Don’t feel embarrassed at all. I notice that you haven’t denied or commented on any of my substantive accounts of FM activities. Have a very happy NewYear.

The biggest secret in freemasonry is that there is no secret

Why does mumsnet being a site for women bother you so much?

Why does people asking questions about the FM bother you so much? As I said before, any ‘boys club’ tend to have misogynistic undertones and it is wise to be aware of and questioning the practices of a so-called secret society. People are free to post their opinions here, it is not for you to police the thread. You seem very argumentative and frankly, a bit odd.

Ooh -now where do incorrect widely held beliefs about groups of people normally get us? The Nazis used this kind of justification to persecute FreeMasons.

It's really a quite harmless boys' club, and they do useful charity work. Could be worse, he might have caught some heavy-duty religion.

If being a freemason gets you a job (that should have gone to someone else), you're not off the hook. You may then be expected to rebuke your freedom later down the line as an employer and be told to employ a mason against your wishes. They will come looking for that favour back. Better off steering clear of them. No such thing as a free lunch.

Oh dear, sorry to hear that OP it’s a terrible group pretending to be good and covering up by doing charitable work but in reality they are not good

Oh my goodness I laughed out loud! My partner is the same, although thank f*ck he has just quit! I seen a picture of him in that apron and white gloves and my fanny never dried up so quickly in my life 😂😂😂

This. I work around the corner from the main lodge in West End in London and I see the men in the pubs around that area, many evenings a week, presumably after their secret “meetings”. All I can ever think/wonder is - who is home looking after their kids and cleaning and cooking and washing their stupid outfits?

I've known Freemasons, and a lot of the time for them it's about fundraising, networking, and in extremis like many organisations helping members who are struggling. This is very little different to the Rotary Club and the Round Table.

The only problem I have with Masonry is the mystique that lodges surround themselves with.

The biggest problem is when organisations start to consume every waking moment outwith gainful employment. This is irrespective of the org, whether it is a hockey club or Masonry. Within a marriage or partnership this is, quite simply, destructive.

For all of you saying it would give you ‘the ick’ if you’re husband or partner did this probably don’t even know what the Freemasons do and you’re just being ignorant! They do an awful lot for charity. My dad was one and a very kind person. Don’t ridicule something you know nothing about!

My uncle is one and they do a lot of charity work. They are the second biggest charity after National lottery. My uncle takes great pride in telling me they funded a lot of machinery for St Bart’s hospital. I’m not sure on what else they do as it’s always so hush hush

Never swallowed up
much of my time or income
over the last 35 years. I probably spend less time out of the house on personal interests than the wife. Of course, we learn not to mention it too often in public, people are so weird (hurtful) about freemasonry.

It might make you wonder why they don’t accept donations from Masons. Churches also refuse to dialogue with Freemasons and openly condemn them.
Why do they like to have high-ranking police officers as members? To avoid investigations and questioning of their activities, which are not primarily charitable but are instead hidden behind charitable works. The lower-degree members are often unaware of the true goals and agenda of Freemasonry.

Freemasons are dodgy as he'll. My cousin was hit by a speeding drunk driver. Went to court. Drunk driver was a freemason, so was the judge, got off without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Charity work and drink driving.