I have friends who are freemasons and they are all great guys but it's not something that appeals to me. The secrecy and ritual is just something that puts me off.
It's mainly a group for blokes who no longer do teamsports and who miss the cameraderie and banter. They meet up for a few beers and learn a few lines. Not my thing, but if it gives them enjoyment, so what.
Been on a few of their weekends away, always had a great time.
There is history in my family of being in the Freemasons, but my father refused to join and I've never been asked. I would probably have said no as well - can't see the point.
Having said that a good friend of mine has just taken on a senior position within the masons (Chief Hod Carrier, I guess) and seems well into it, so it must have some merit, other than an excuse for a boys night out.
The bloke who we bought our house off was in the Masons - I know this because, for a number of months after we moved in, we received stuff through the post inviting him to various mysterious gatherings.
Other stuff I know about Mason's:
There were a load of people outside Charing Cross Station on a few occasions last summer holding "The Masons murdered "name I can't remember"" banners.
For any Spooks fans, Thames House, MI5's supposed HQ in he programme is actually the Freemason's Hall between Covent Garden and Holborn.
The average Freemason is normally a decent enough fella and doesn't even remotely come across the 'high level shanagans' that go on.........however there are most definately some lodges (in Central London for the most part) where real big time movers and shakers go to..........it's in these lodges where some dodgy things unquestionably go on, 99% of it unknown to the average well meaning Mason.
Its very good social life Rob, been to a lot of the functions, as well as you can do well for yourself. Alot of my family are Masons. They do a hell of alot for charities, especially childrens charities, and its very easy for people to have a pop at them as they do on here. I would give it a go.
There is history in my family of being in the Freemasons, but my father refused to join and I've never been asked.
I was always told that nobody is asked to join the Masons, you have to ask to become a member.
As stated above by others I have friends who are and have attended some great social events with them plus they do a lot of fund raising for good causes.
It still "opens doors" relating to business deals and oppotunities so depending on the line of work you are in I would not knock it.
There is history in my family of being in the Freemasons, but my father refused to join and I've never been asked.
I was always told that nobody is asked to join the Masons, you have to ask to become a member.
As stated above by others I have friends who are and have attended some great social events with them plus they do a lot of fund raising for good causes.
It still "opens doors" relating to business deals and oppotunities so depending on the line of work you are in I would not knock it.
it's in these lodges where some dodgy things unquestionably go on, 99% of it unknown to the average well meaning Mason.
Now this would interest me. A man of my statue has no interest in the lower level crap and no doubt the top bods are connected some how, as the saying goes it's not what you know... I'll join up and report back, as long as it's members only natch.
My dad was a freemason. When he died I was given the opportunity to join his lodge but I politely declined because at that stage my mum had started to resent the amount of time he spent out with his freemason mates and I could see the strain it was putting on their relationship.
I am a past master and treasurer now London Grand Rank. You want any details and to find out all the secrets you have to join. Alternatively, look at Wikipedia. Lots of crap spoken about a society that does a lot of good across all races and religions. Innocent amateur dramatic society with an average age of 50. These days in decline with lodges closing every week, especially London lodges.
I am a past master and treasurer now London Grand Rank. You want any details and to find out all the secrets you have to join. Alternatively, look at Wikipedia. Lots of crap spoken about a society that does a lot of good across all races and religions. Innocent amateur dramatic society with an average age of 50. These days in decline with lodges closing every week, especially London lodges.
Big respect to you and all at your lodge masicat..........the work done for charity all over the country is enormous and very well received by one and all. As I say, the average Mason is not involved in anything untoward but I suspect they'd be pretty shocked at some stuff that goes on 'further up the line' (for want of a better term) which thankfully, they will never come across.
Ask @RedArmySE7! It's a weird club where they dress up as wizards and orcs and put 'spells' on each other. I think that's how he ended up with a Lego head. Legoextremius!
Don't know much about them but I don't object to people joining. The very fact that I don't know much about them means they are not ramming their views/issues/fundraising down my throat so they can get on with it as they please! PS Can I join?
Ask @RedArmySE7! It's a weird club where they dress up as wizards and orcs and put 'spells' on each other. I think that's how he ended up with a Lego head. Legoextremius!
He even gets his missus to dress up as a Wizard in the bedroom now. Weird!
My father was a member, I went to a few social gatherings very pleasant affairs. There were one or two individuals whose political views I found unacceptable but you get those in all walks of life. They do a great deal of good for charity and when my father was ill they did help with hospital bills etc., .
My only concern is the clique of self interest. It is a practice the organisation frowns on but we all know people who have been promoted well above their capabilities and I certainly came across two people who were elevated through their masonic connections. They indicated I join for the same reason. To that extent it is an extension of the "old school tie" brigade.
It's a bit like the CL clique, you don't join until you are asked.
My grandfather was a mason all his life and apparently was London's third most senior FM once, I've never had the slightest interest in joining. As with Groucho Marx I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.
I was told that in order to join you have to believe in god. No atheists allowed. Not sure how true this is but if it is it might account for the dwindling numbers.
I was told that in order to join you have to believe in god. No atheists allowed. Not sure how true this is but if it is it might account for the dwindling numbers.
Correct.............. and was the reason I couldn't/didn't join.
I was told that in order to join you have to believe in god. No atheists allowed. Not sure how true this is but if it is it might account for the dwindling numbers.
You have to believe that the world was created by a supreme being - not necessarily God, could be any diety or mother nature etc etc.
Freemasonry is totally non-religious and non-political. As for secrets - you can read them all on the internet, or go into the Welling meeting place and ask !
Most Cathedrals in England were built with funds raised by Freemasons, but so are many hospitals and schools nowadays. The key thing is that Freemasonry does not go for massive publicity for it's charity work - a bit like Smashy and Nicey!
Comments
Been on a few of their weekends away, always had a great time.
Interests me in a way but just don't have the time to investigate
just got this image that they'll all be like Boycie out of OF&H.
Having said that a good friend of mine has just taken on a senior position within the masons (Chief Hod Carrier, I guess) and seems well into it, so it must have some merit, other than an excuse for a boys night out.
Other stuff I know about Mason's:
There were a load of people outside Charing Cross Station on a few occasions last summer holding "The Masons murdered "name I can't remember"" banners.
For any Spooks fans, Thames House, MI5's supposed HQ in he programme is actually the Freemason's Hall between Covent Garden and Holborn.
As stated above by others I have friends who are and have attended some great social events with them plus they do a lot of fund raising for good causes.
It still "opens doors" relating to business deals and oppotunities so depending on the line of work you are in I would not knock it.
Sounds like an Indie band
As I say, the average Mason is not involved in anything untoward but I suspect they'd be pretty shocked at some stuff that goes on 'further up the line' (for want of a better term) which thankfully, they will never come across.
PS Can I join?
Wizard in the bedroom now. Weird!
My only concern is the clique of self interest. It is a practice the organisation frowns on but we all know people who have been promoted well above their capabilities and I certainly came across two people who were elevated through their masonic connections. They indicated I join for the same reason. To that extent it is an extension of the "old school tie" brigade.
I didn't.
My grandfather was a mason all his life and apparently was London's third most senior FM once, I've never had the slightest interest in joining. As with Groucho Marx I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.
The "all seeing eye" which is a key freemasons thingy appears on USA paper money.
At the lower levels they are like a "rotary" club and do lots of charitable works.
Its what affects if any they have and do at higher levels that could be a question.
I always ahve a good chat to our mate The Needle man9Grand water rat/pooba/buffalo that he is) as it is intresting.
There are women only lodges, jewish lodges etc etc etc
Freemasonry is totally non-religious and non-political.
As for secrets - you can read them all on the internet, or go into the Welling meeting place and ask !
Most Cathedrals in England were built with funds raised by Freemasons, but so are many hospitals and schools nowadays. The key thing is that Freemasonry does not go for massive publicity for it's charity work - a bit like Smashy and Nicey!