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.

I call them Undercover Elephants.

Because they walk.through town on a Wednesday at 6pm, groups of 3 - 5 men, dressed in black suits carrying black briefcases.

Secret, yeah right. 😎

I've known a few. I was in business with one that was a Grand Masterflash or something one year. I think they are generally harmless, raise money for charity whilst doing strange, half dressed, hoppy dances. If they leave me alone to go to my soundbaths and yoga, I can live with it.

I met a member once and they were insufferable. Lots of ooooh you mustn’t tell wink wink. I was an acquaintance with zero idea why they even brought it up, other than they were trying to my arsehole ex to join

Probably for the same reason they were members in the first place, @JANEY205: so they could be the little boys in the playground who knew secrets which nobody else did

It's about the same mentality, and in fact the word was used in the title of a friend's dad who'd crawled his way up ... "Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret".
Not just a secret you understand, but a ROYAL one and a "sublime" prince rather than some common or garden version, with a massive fancy certificate to prove it

Pathetic

@YerJokin I cut up old worn out masonic Aprons to get the gold bullion metallic fringe the old ones have on them..I use it for restoring a certain type of old toy that had the same bullion {made in London} on them as a trimming

A friend's father was a Mason, and his Mum was a ''Lady Mason''
She was given an award by The Queen - clearly Masons are part of The Establishment.

A friend of mine who is an active Mason offered to introduce, if that's the term, me to the lodge. I hope my refusal didn't offend but I've had a lifetime's experience of social anxiety and my DP would be an even worse fit than me.

FIL certainly was not doing this.

A great example I have heard of this is a plasterer who is a Freemason. Apparently by all accounts he is absolutely shit but they all have to recommend him which is fine amongst themselves but if somebody’s little old aunty needs to spend her last 500 quid getting the kitchen re plastered it’s Twatt here who gets recommended.

DH is on the Square too (he’s a Mason).
The mason charity paid for our IVF to have our son, I will be grateful forever

Why isn't it publicised or why isn't it mentioned in the media more? Sorry just trying to understand why all their hard work is so buried.

My father was on a "gentleman's club". Not sure what they did there but most of the participants have died so the club seized existing.

From what I understand, they don't like to blow their own Trumpet.

The son of a Mason said they do raise loads for worthwhile charities.

Agree
I know quite a lot from my various offices.
Its the only way crap Architects get work.

Wearing a little pinny, doing a secret handshake, rolling up one trouser leg....😂 all very unattractive!
Seriously? What do they DO at these Lodge meetings??
Is this just "networking" for men who didn't go to public school??
Just hate the whole idea.....Why would anyone under 70 join? Baffling

he loved being the centre of attention.

This was my fil too. Loved being seen as a ‘character’.

"You promise to be honourable, not break the law and to respect women"

Lots of men do these things without the Freemasons making them promise first...

Yuck. This would be a major turn off for me. I’ve met quite a few Freemasons in my time, and every single one had this air of self imposed superiority about him. It’s nothing more than a misogynistic boys club

My grandad was one and we always went to the annual children’s christmas party when we were little and came home with a toy and a huge selection box.
The lodge was a huge part of his life.

I can’t take the idea of a group of men sharing secrets seriously. Are we talking faking moon landing style secrets or sharing who they fancy?

For me the problem is (certainly was, it could have changed) was that your first loyalty was to the Freemasons and those in your lodge even if that put you at odds with the law, the requirements of your job etc. This is what caused the ties to police corruption especially in the 80’s and 90’s. Yes, loads done for charity but they historically only took certain people so where the money went was decided by a very limited group.
Like a pp I feel much the same about Orange lodges.

I don’t think it’s funny -it was (still is??) rife in the Scottish police -so you’d have people in powerful positions ‘helping’ out their Freemason friends - sounds ripe for corruption.

From whom is all this charity money raised and how? From businesses? From the public? From the members?
Not sure I’ve seen any charity events that say they are run by the masons.

100% this. Creeps covering for creeps because they’re all in the same club. Tale as old as fucking time.

No one’s even mentioned the black balling so far…

I think the Duke of Kent is or was the President.

Please tell me more. I’m fascinated by all of this. The more that is explained, the less I understand.

Corruption. The obligation to 'help' each other hence the desire to have high ranking business people, police officers etc. who can help you 'get on' or 'get off.'

Excude Catholics, Jews, women etc. etc.

Had one in the family. He was basically fascist.