Talk to me about Freemasonry

[Squatch]

I'm moving to DC next month and have been thinking of joining the Alexandria Lodge. My old man was a Freemason, but seeing as how they're all secretive and shit, he never told me what they did.

My motivations, I guess, are a little more self-serving than magnanimous, as I've often heard that professional connections can be very beneficial in the Freemasons. Additionally, I've also heard that they engage in various philanthropic "things" as a means of achieving self-improvement/actualization.

In any case, should I look into this?

[Blue-Jay]

1. Can you build me a brick barbeque pit?

You'd be surprised at the number of masons who don't know shit about masonry.

[Squatch]

4. Not only can I do that...

I can also do a wicked-mean slump test.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GoneOffShore]

30. Skull and bones is not Freemasonry.

[spillthebeans]

33. yep ,but like all secret societies

the Order of Skull and Bones, Ordo Templi Orientis or the Grand Orient Lodge of France have secret signs and rituals just like the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry has secret signs and rituals.


Besides, I like how Bush does his "he he he".

[GoneOffShore]

37. Let me say it again.

Freemasons are a 'society with secrets' not a secret society. Pretty easy to find out if someone is a Mason. Just ask.

[spillthebeans]

43. A Porch Mason would probably always answer, but a politician?

I'm not sure

It's like Cheney lying to his voters about his CFR membership
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x7730




BTW there was an Anti-Masonic Party in the 19th century


Although now an ex-president, Mr. Adams did not long remain in private life. The greatest part of his career still lay before him. Owing to the mysterious disappearance of William Morgan, who had betrayed some of the secrets of the Masonic order, there was in some of the northern states a sudden and violent prejudice against the Freemasons and secret societies in general. An "anti-mason party" was formed, and by its votes Mr. Adams was, in 1831, elected to congress, where he remained, representing the same district of Massachusetts, until his death in 1848. He was shortly afterward nominated by the anti-masons for the governorship of Massachusetts, but was defeated in the legislature, there being no choice by the people.

http://www.virtualology.com/johnquincyadams/

[TK421]

3. I have two roommates who are Masons....I don't trust the Masons period

Too many secrets....don't hide shit from me. If your organization has the best interest of humanity at heart, don't hide shit. I've heard some things they do that completely turned me off to them....they are just like a cult

Edited to add: yeah...look into this ::beer:

[GoneOffShore]

31. The only secrets are in the ritual

Certainly not a cult like Scientology, or anywhere close. You may have heard some anti Masonic propaganda devised by the RC church or fundies.

All the Masons I've ever met have been pretty good guys, most often Dems. They don't even ask you to be a Christian. Just believe in a supreme being who is oftern referred to as the Great Architect of the Universe.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. 'Having once identified a Mason

immediate steps must be taken to isolate him from the general public. Having accomplished that, it is now possible to cure him of these unfortunate Masonic tendencies through the use of behavioural psychotherapy."





(This Monty Python bit was found at http://freemasonry.bcy.ca. Apparently, Masons have a sense of humor.) :7

[Phillycat]

6. Too bad Khephra's not still here

He was a Mason, IIRC.

[otherlander]

7. They've conspired to control the entire automobile industry.

They're the ones who killed the electric car, you know! And they're also squelching the news that cars have been invented that can travel faster than the speed of sound, and have been successfully keeping such cars off the market for several years now.

In addition, they've been planning the details for the next giant earthquake to hit California, and reshape the entire space-time continuum to resemble an ice cream cone.

It's the electronic supersonic conic tectonic freemasonic conspiracy!

[spillthebeans]

8. I think no one wants to buy such cars

http://www.speedace.info/thrust_ssc.htm

[otherlander]

12. NANANANANANANANANANA ... BATMAN!!!!

:7

[blondeatlast]

40. Don't forget those damn chemtrails.. nt

[JVS]

9. Freemasonry is forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

IIRC you are Catholic. If you join you are commiting an act by which you automatically excommunicate yourself, from what I've heard.

[Squatch]

14. Not any more.

Episcopal in training.

[JVS]

16. Hmmm, then I suppose you can go for it.

In your place I'd avoid it and go with the Lion's Club, Rotary Club or Kiwanis because they don't have quasi religious mumbo-jumbo which is why they are forbidden.

[QMPMom]

35. Catholics can't in good conscience become Masons.

It's a horrid organization. Be careful.

[Marrah_G]

50. Horrid Organization?

Care to give some detailed, factual examples?

My former husband is a the Past Master of 2 Mass lodges. Rather then golfing, drinking, sports or any other number of past-times, he spends his time, sweat, and money, trying to help make his community a better place. I have 4 other friends, all Wiccan (like myself), that are Masons. 2 of them are also Past and Present Lodge Masters, 1 being a Grand Lodge officer. The only religious requirement is the belief in some form of a higher power.

Without the Masons we would not have Democracy that we have. Without the Masons there would be no Shriners Hospitals. Without the Masons there would be a loss of numerous community-based charities such as the CHIPS (child identification program)here. They are not some super-secret Illuminati front group privately plotting the end of the world (although I did used to tease him about his super sekret decoder ring). Indeed, even if they were, it would be quite a task considering the average age of a Mason is like 80.

They are instead a group that strives to better the world around them and to better themselves.

Interesting note: The Grand Lodge in Boston has the largest old text Library in the country, including the Minutes from the meeting the night of the Boston Tea party. The page simply has a big "T" on it.

[hedgehog]

18. I'm not certain if Catholics are still forbidden to join.

I know a United Church of Christ minister who was quite irritated when one of the teenagers blew off Confirmation classes to participate in quasi-mystic rites with a Masonic youth group.

[noonwitch]

48. Isn't the Knights of Columbus the catholic answer to the masons?

I thought that's what they were about-giving catholic men a social equivalent to the masons.

The masons do sponsor a tutoring program for kids with dyslexia that boasts a high success rate.

[trof]

10. I don't know if the 'connections' are what they once were.

Grandpa was a Shriner, which I guess is a branch or offshoot or 'degree' or something.
My 'gut' is that it's more blue collar, trades, middle management thing than it was back when most (many) of the presidents belonged.
I believe Washington was a Freemason.
You can google a lot of info now.

[spillthebeans]

17. That's interesting

The Shriners are an Islamic-oriented Freemasonery organization

and they dedicated the Peace Monument in Toronto, Canada

[trof]

20. Nice. But I might have a teeny problem with the 'nobles titles'.

Yeah, now I remember about the 'Great supreme Potentates' and such.
It kinda reminds me of all the 'wooly-wooly, super-secret' BS I endured/observed in my college fraternity.
Same kinda thing.

And I am reminded of Amos & Andy's 'Mystic Knights of the Sea' lodge hall.
What a stitch that was.
;-)

When I was 18-19 it was OK.
Even in my callow youth, I didn't take much stock in it.
Now it just seems silly.
Whuhtevah.
:shrug:

[spillthebeans]

23. Yeah, but unfortunately all this secret stuff has still importance today.

Have you heard the speech, JFK gave to the press,where he laments about secret oaths and handshakes ?
http://www.archive.org/details/jfks19610427

[Marrah_G]

51. Here you go

The Bunch of Grapes Tavern was also the birthplace of the first Masonic Lodge in America. This Tavern to those who do not know was one of the Boston Taverns where plans for the Revolution were discussed. The Green Dragon Inn was the headquaters of the revolution and the tavern the "Mowhawks" left from to turn Boston Harbor into one massive cup of tea. The second floor of the Green Dragon was the location of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and the St. Andrews Lodge at the same time.

20 GREATEST NAMES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

* John Adams - Spoke favorably of Freemasonry -- never joined
* Samuel Adams - (Close and principle associate of Hancock, Revere & other Masons
* Ethan Allen - Mason
* Edmund Burke - Mason
* John Claypoole - Mason
* William Daws - Mason
* Benjamin Franklin - Mason
* Nathan Hale - No evidence of Masonic connections
* John Hancock - Mason
* Benjamin Harrison - No evidence of Masonic connections
* Patrick Henry - No evidence of Masonic connections
* Thomas Jefferson - Deist with some evidence of Masonic connections
* John Paul Jones - Mason
* Francis Scott Key - No evidence of Masonic connections
* Robert Livingston - Mason
* James Madison - Some evidence of Masonic membership
* Thomas Paine - Humanist
* Paul Revere - Mason
* Colonel Benjamin Tupper - Mason
* George Washington - Mason
* Daniel Webster - Some evidence of Masonic connections

Summary: 10 Masons, 3 probable Masons, 1 Humanist, 2 Advocates of Freemasonry, 4 no record of connections.

[PrimeRibGuy]

11. I just moved to MN

I am looking at joining the local chapter.

Probably not as influential as the DC group but a good way to meet people, that is my thoughts.

[Taverner]

13. I'm a Mason

It's fun, but you must memorize a lot.

That's really the only secret part.

American Democracy was developed in some of those lodges in the original 13....

[RetroLounge]

15. I come from a long line of Mason

My dad, grandfather, great uncles, great grandfathers, etc.

All I know about them is the chapter in Chetek, WI. where my folks live has a great pancake breakfast every year over the 4th of July weekend...

:D

RL

[madrchsod]

19. my grand father was one

and i`m normal

[trof]

22. So YOU say.

That could be a debatable subject.
;-)

[YankeyMCC]

21. Are they really secretive anymore?

I went to a blood drive at the local - Lodge is it called? And right there on the table where the "Secret Rites of Freemasonry" or something like that. I know "Secret" was in the title. Seeing that they were lying there on the table in front of the general public I assumed they either really lax in how they keep secrets are they just don't care any more ;)

[Nikia]

24. My mother's family are Masons and she finally got a husband to join

My dad wasn't into elite, secret societies. He even thought that the Order of the Arrow in Boy Scouts was a little lame. My mother's second husband didn't really like the idea either. Her third husband did though. My mother is into Eastern Star too and my half sister is in Job's Daughters.
I was in a sorority and I think that quasi religious secret stuff is kind of cool. It is all in the tradition of the Classical mystery cults where the initiates are given secret knowledge.

[InvisibleTouch]

25. Most of what I know about the Masons...

...comes from this movie:

http://www.amazon.com/National-Treasure-Full-Screen-Nicolas/dp/B0007L43D2/sr=8-2/qid=1165367753/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-5512430-4778318?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

...which admittedly doesn't help you very much, but it's a blast to watch none the less. Makes you think about what secrets they really might have. :)

A friend and I stumbled into a Masons' event one evening and were accosted by one of the guys in funny hats, trying to convince my friend what a great deal it would be if he joined up. We listened with as much polite patience as we could muster, and finally managed to slip away. But the joke between us for years afterward was, "Beware of guys in funny hats!"

Seriously, though, I have heard that there are a lot of potential benefits to your career and helpful contacts that you can make. I just don't know what else it may involve.

[flamingyouth]

26. My grandfather was a 32nd degree Mason

I've actually been interested lately in joining the Order of the Eastern Star. I've had a lifelong fascination with esoteric knowledge and such. :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. My mom and her sister were Eastern Star girls...

They became too involved in family and careers to keep it up; but they performed a lot of community service projects way back when. I'd assume they haven't changed in that respect.

[crim son]

27. My grandfather was and my father is a Mason.

I looked into joining Job's Daughters as a teenager but the flowing garb we were required to wear put me off. As far as I know, Grampa's Masonic activities were either fund-raisers or social gatherings where much alcohol was consumed. Since my mom is Catholic, Dad doesn't participate beyond supporting the Shriners.

[leftofthedial]

28. don't answer the knock on your door

[GoneOffShore]

29. Ask one to be one

But you probably already know that.

Yes, they are philanthropic - Shriner's Hospitals, Masonic Homes - and generally interested in self improvement and "actualization" (?).

My dad joined, became Master of his Lodge and eventually Secretary. He enjoyed it as a way to get a night out (he didn't drink or bowl or do other stuff). And he enjoyed the social aspect. It didn't seem to help his business any,

You can find out an enormous amount on line or in any bookshop. Masons are NOT a secret society, but a society with secrets - most of which have to do with the rituals. That being said, I helped my dad learn his Entered Apprentice lectures and everything else. All the 'lectures' are written down, with certain words redacted. Not that it matters, as you can usually guess what the words are. The handshake is 'secret' as are some ways to recognize a fellow Mason if he's not wearing the square and compass pin. "Are you from the East?"

The Brotherhood is "greying" at this time as younger men aren't joining.

And no, I'm not from the East.

[pokerfan]

32. I'm a 69th degree Stonecutter

[spillthebeans]

34. the traffic jam service they provide is cool nt

[Generator]

38. Just read the DaVinci code

It's all there.

[QMPMom]

45. I really would not rely on the DaVinci Code as an accurate

depiction or or primer on anything. It's a load of crap.

[spillthebeans]

49. I got "Da Vinci Code Decoded" DVD as a present and still haven't watched it

http://www.disinfo.com/site/displayarticle6512.html


It's a disinfo.com DVD production
http://www.disinfo.com/site/displayarticle46.html

[GoddessOfGuinness]

39. You should do it, if for no other reason

than the fact that the temple in Alexandria is one of the coolest buildings in the DC area...

The hill it was built upon used to be a test-flight area for Wright Brothers planes...

[itsmesgd]

41. shhh don't tell the secrets

just kidding. my old man is getting me into the "club" in the same manner. I too want to join to learn the secrets and for the biz connections. Actually I want to get into the clubhouse for the biz connections and the car decal so that I won't get pulled over quite as often. Here in my hometown, the mason are still a big club.

[SPKrazy]

42. They Are Evil

they want to rule the world

they are part of the new world order

they work with the trilateral commission and are going to make robots of us all.


:rofl:

Sorry my brother in law was channeling me for a moment

Masons are what you describe, and so what if your motivations are self serving. If you have an opportunity to open doors for yourself and help others, why not.

Besides, you will then be in line to rule the world with the Bushes

:hide:

[Generic Brad]

44. Tubal Caine

Need I say more?

[Zomby Woof]

46. Go for it!

My great-grandfather was a 32nd-degree Mason, and a proud Democrat. He was a good man... during the Depression, he kept a lot of local families fed because he had a secure job as a railroad engineer. He bought groceries for them without a second thought.

I am acquainted with a Mason with some considerable rank at his lodge. He invited me to a swearing-in ceremony of a post he was elected to (I forget the title, but family and friends are always invited to attend these kinds of ceremonies).

They do good charitable work, and when it comes down to it, it's just a club. I have considered joining the aforementioned lodge, but time constraints right now would not allow me much participation time.

[gmoney]

47. "You wouldn't let me join, you blackballing BASTARDS!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyRUelk1Hr4

Client 1:
I'm sorry. We want a block of flats, not an abattoir.

Mr. Wiggin:
...I see. Well, of course, this is just the sort of blinkered philistine pig-ignorance I've come to expect from you non-creative garbage. You sit there on your loathsome spotty behinds squeezing blackheads, not caring a tinker's cuss for the struggling artist. You excrement, you whining hypocritical toadies with your colour TV sets and your Tony Jacklin golf clubs and your bleeding masonic secret handshakes. You wouldn't let me join, would you, you blackballing bastards. Well I wouldn't become a Freemason now if you went down on your lousy stinking knees and begged me.

Client 2:
We're sorry you feel that way, but we did want a block of flats, nice though the abattoir is.

Mr. Wiggin:
Oh sod the abattoir, that's not important.

(He dashes forward and kneels in front of them)

But if any of you could put in a word for me I'd love to be a mason. Masonry opens doors. I'd be very quiet, I was a bit on edge just now but if I were a mason I'd sit at the back and not get in anyone's way.

Client 1:
(politely) Thank you.

Mr. Wiggin:
...I've got a second-hand apron.

[ileus]

52. Quickest way to make "friends" is to be one...

[Crazy Dave]

53. "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

Comes to mind.

All that secret handshake, initiation stuff and all.

[Irreverend IX]

54. There's quite a bit to memorize...

Here's the "secret" rituals for the first three degrees. Try to disregard the "Saints Alive" blather. You can find the same material in many publicly available books and on other websites.

http://www.saintsalive.com/freemasonry/blue_lodge/blue_lodge_index.htm

Masons swear to keep their secrets or be sliced and diced, but the oaths haven't worked very well; Samuel McGregor Mathers, Aleister Crowley and other members lifted many Masonic rites for use in their own spiritual movements, and today's Wicca religion is basically coed Freemasonry with a new coat of paint. The depth of symbology in these rituals is quite interesting, as is the concept of constructing a metaphysical Temple of Solomon.