Freemasons?

[RATTER15]

Following on from Joe's question.

What the hell is it really all about all this secret handshaking and bizarre rituals, Rolling up of one trouser leg to expose the knee, rolling up of one sleeve to expose the elbow, opening your shirt to expose a nipple and putting a noose around your neck. Isn't this the sort of thing you had to do to join the latest male gang when you were nine years old!!

Are we really supposed to have respect for these secret societies, I would be ashamed to be a part of it!! let alone all the skullduggery that goes on behind closed doors.

Is it really as pathetic as it all seems!!!

[sleepy1]

ratters watch what you say you might end up a marked man .

[Joe_the_Lion]

My Lodge has the same principles as the masons, but none of the shennanigans (SP?).

I agree, it is all a bit odd. I find it akin to the having the blood smeared on the newest huntsman after a stag has been stalked or a fox caught.

Very odd. The Wicker Man with Edward Woodward also springs to mind.

[RATTER15]

lol sleepy, Where shall I hide!! I am terrified!!

[Hellyon]

My Grandfather -in -law taught me the handshake and when I was introduced to men at work I used to do it it. It was huge fun seeing the starled look on their faces as a woman gave them a supposedly secret handshake!!

[sleepy1]

i think all this group stuff is rubbish . im sure they all think they are better than anyone else . i think they are all just a bunch off di*Ks

[RATTER15]

But what is the point of a secret hand shake ?

[Hellyon]

To identify yourself as a mason, if you get no response they are not a member. Havng said that it was a bit tickly so they might just think your gay!!

[RATTER15]

That's what I mean, if you give someone a strange handshake they would think you are a bit odd!!

[legend758duo]

back in the day i think it did make a difference much the same as being a memeber of your locla round table etc.
nowadays its just a dated idea and doesnt really mean anything today.
just a daft idea xcarried on my strange men who are partial to a bit of goat.live btw!!!!!!

the goat that is lol

[fine,thanks]

freemasonery is alive and kicking. watch your neighbours who skulk out on a weekly basis carrying a small case. a very tight group of people who i believe favour each other in eg business and commerce. wink wink , know what i mean,

[Supernick]

Apparently my grandfather was quite high up in the masons in his local area. I don't know about all the handshakes, leg-ups, and wink-wink nudge-nudge behaviour, but ever since he dies 10 years ago, they've really looked after my Gran. I want to laugh at them and ridicule their practices, but they pay for her to go on holidays with other widows, they help her shop sometimes, and seem to at the very least look after their own well. So I don't really have any bad words!

[Joe_the_Lion]

Totally agree supernick. It is not so much I object to their customs, I just find it a little strange.

Lodges, whether masonic or not, extend kindness in a number of fields. They are perhaps not as powerful as they once were, and many professions (especially in the legal and civil serivices) now have to declare their membership, but the good they do is overwhelming.

I have only objected to one passing at mine, as I was the only person who flatly refused to support The Countryside Aliiance and handed no money over whatsoever.

[Tedecc]

There are many different fraternal organisations around as well as sororities for the ladies. They have much the same basic principles.

Yes, most look after the welfare of members but most also give donations to and raise money for charity.

The secret bit stems from the fact that there are too many fraudsters out there who would pretend to be members of such organisations in order to con money or favours out of them. Passwords and handshakes help to minimise the risk of this happening.

I am not a Mason myself, I am a Buff and proud to be a member. we meet in our Lodge rooms to socialise, have a bit of fun and to organise fund raising events for local charities.

I know many Masons, Lions, Round Tablers, Sherwood Foresters and members of other like organisations and they are all very ordinary blokes who enjoy the company of others with similar interests.

Don't condemn what you don't understand.

[carrust]

Why do freemasons hate Catholics?

[Joe_the_Lion]

I think you'll find its the other way round carrust. Catholics are banned from joing them, yet masons welcolm them. Something to do with a beliefe that masons are occultists or something.

[carrust]

joe. Thanks for clearing that one up.

[nursecarla]

Are the original masons the knights Templar? xxxxxxxxxx

[Whickerman]

If you're interested in the history of the traditions, you shouel read the 'Hiram Key' by Knight & Lomas.

[Compostella]

Whats the handshake?

Very often, i receive handshakes that are a bit funny and I often wonder if it was a masons handshake.

Is it a bit feminine?