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.

Its a form of a cult - albeit with a credible side. Many members of the royal family are Freemasons. Definitely misogynistic, hate Catholics and generally weirdos. I would question anyone who wanted to be a member.

This thread is hilarious. Lots of sensible posters with knowledge about the masons trying to answer questions patiently peppered with the most outrageous unfounded claims from people who aren’t even members.
Going back to the OP, if you and your DH have different interests then that potentially does impact on your relationship. That said, I find the whole thing really boring and have no interest in joining but DH gets a lot out of it and that’s fair enough. I quite like that we have different interests. It has honestly not given us any backhanders or unfair advantages in life (sadly!!). From what I can work out, it takes a ridiculous amount of effort for them to organise a trip to the pub let alone a shadowy conspiracy designed to bring down the government.

That's actually ridiculous! I know of some older freemasons who are really rich (because of their membership) and I always wondered how exactly they get so much money... Turns out it's like any other cult/ponzi scheme where new member schmucks pay massive fees 🤣

A Masonic speaker made a joke funny at a meeting I went to. He said that you can end up with £10,000 in your bank account being a Freemason, providing of course, you had £100,000 in there to begin with!

No one gets material wealth from being a Freemason. That's another one of those myths which won't die. If anything, the complete opposite is true. You pay a joining fee when you first sign up and have to pay yearly subs. You make contributions to charity (how much is your own business) and you have pay for dining too. If you join companion orders, you pay even more! The rich old Masons you referred to will have acquired their wealth outside of Freemasonry.

What about the orgies, James? 😂

Have you married a boy child yet? I’ve seen video evidence of that happening. Freemasons are disgusting. I know the people personally that it happened to and they have zero reason to lie. I also know when you are that high up in freemasonry you’re sworn to secrecy so no point talking to you!

My husband is a freemason for about 5 years now and goes to the odd meeting and charity event, they give alot to charity so seems a good thing, I've only been to one charity dinner and 1 night out to a concert and everyone was really nice, I've noticed since he's joined he's a bit nicer, listens, more patience etc so is a good thing for us, I think especially for ex military it's nice for the guys to have some comraderie and he can go as little or as much involvement as he wants as theyre told at his lodge family first, so maybe depends on what lodge your husband is at. My dad wasn't a mason but my grandpa was and when grandpa passed away young I always remember my dad saying how they went to my grans door and said if she needed help in anyway to let them know so only positive things I've seen, he could be part of alot worse like sitting in the pub so I fully support his choice and enjoy having TV to myself anytime he goes.

“I won’t say much on here” I suspect that’s because you can’t. Freemasonry isn’t a religion, you just have to believe in a supreme being.

can you provide any evidence to back up your claims?

Can you give evidence ef this. I don’t know anyone who “pays massive fees”.

Yea some members of the Royal family have been/are members. So what? All the rest is pretty much bollocks.

The people who need questioning are the conspiracy theorists on here. It’s strange, on Mumsnet conspiracy theorists are usually laughed at. Yet there appears to be many here falling hook line and sinker for a conspiracy theory a few hundred years old. It’s hilarious (and slightly concerning how many gullible people there are).

What are you wittering on about?

Was replying to someone else. Not sure why you felt the need to chime in

So you have no clue about masonry, are not interested in finding out, yet you’re quite happy to just subscribe to unfounded allegations (btw I’m not a FM nor the wife of one) just someone who can research and think critically. I don’t subscribe to ridiculous conspiracy theories (most of which arose out of dangerous bigotry)

No they don’t. But if they did, how, pray tell would you know this? I’ll guess at an ex or father of a friend!

Can you pick out anyone in particular who is a member of the FM PR team you have “clocked”?

What are you on about. Firstly I’m female, if you research past posts on MN I’m sure you will be able to see this. Why, out of interest do you think I’m male?

Secondly, you don’t seem to understand Godwins law. Are you saying that the Nazis didn’t use similar theories and accusations to persecute FM? Are you denying Nazi persecution of groups generally or just FM?

My dad, my ex and my partner have all been asked to join. Ex just laughed, partner was baptised catholic and was very straightforward in his no, my dad bless him said he wouldn't ever join an organisation that discriminated against women. I think it used to be helpful if you were a bloke in business, contacts and favours but not sure that's relevant anymore.

so much misinformation in this thread, it's been entertaining to read 🤣🤣

I would consider this kind of cringe but essentially harmless. Better than a man having no friends, which is a major red flag to me.

My ‘experience’ of Freemasonary was in the mid 80’s. I worked in banking and through sheer hard work had been promoted to a position of responsibility at the banks head office at a very young age. (I was basically a young woman in an older man’s world!). I naively knew nothing about Freemasonry but quickly leant that most of the very senior men within the bank were Freemasons and that many promotions went to other Freemasons certainly not because of their ability to do their jobs well! It was an open secret.
More than once I had to provide cover for branch managers who had eventually been dismissed due to sheer incompetence as they had been promoted into relatively senior positions they were simply not capable of holding-just because they were Freemasons.
it was extremely eye-opening and disgraceful that a number of men were handed promotions on a plate without having to work hard for them.

It’s too personal for details but eventually he committed suicide
its a secret society, conducting secret sacrifices and rituals... It ican be quite dangerous to have a freemason around..Of course this varies from lodge to lodge.

I’m sorry about your loss.

But FM don’t conduct “secret sacrifices” rituals are found wherever groups of humans meet.

Unfortunately, people with mental health issues sometimes search out groups in an attempt to feel they belong somewhere or give themselves a narrative that they are special. Almost every esoteric group I’ve known has encountered this. Some specifically ask an individual considering following the groups path to undertake prolonged therapy before joining and experienced members will actively look for signs of poor mental health in others.I’m not sure exactly what the FM do with this, but I’m sure they will try will have similar concerns regarding members (my experience lies within other initiatory groups).

I hope all those affected have managed to get specialist help.

From posts on here there seem to be a lot of things foodbanks don’t take.

How did you know they were Freemasons? Did they advertise it/tell you? Pure speculation. I've seen lots of people promoted above their capabilities, usually those talk b.......s.

To be fair, I'm not sure the freemasons' position as depicted - secretive, in it due to business corruptions, potentially very nasty and unaccountable - is exactly unique in UK society. We see this in the police (who are said to have a strong Masonic contingent traditionally) but also in our regulators, local authorities, the Post Office, the NHS and so on. It's everywhere. If they were all freemasons you'd need a masonic lodge the size of Wembley Stadium.

Freemasonry does lean into the idea that secrets are powerful, even just for their own sake. In public life, if you know the dirty secrets you are up for promotion - so long, of course, that you make it clear you will not spill them. Very different if you will grass of course, then you're a whistleblower and you get the Witchfinder General treatment.

Often the person who has screwed up on a job, or done something terribly wrong, has a job for life because they are regarded as more biddable, more likely to toe the line. I mean, they're not going to whistleblow are they, given that there is dirt on them... So everyone is safe.

Cult-like behaviour thrives on the idea that those who are not in the cult very possibly may be a threat and out to get you, the whole thing reinforces itself.