They are the holders of the secret of the lost history of the lineage of Jesus of Nazareth, and his wife Mary of Magdala, and the only genuine descending group from the Templar knights, as explained in the book The Hiram Key.
Or they're a club for middle aged men to get out of the house.
My Husband greatly enjoys being a Mason.I greatly enjoy our yearly Ladies Night and other social events that we get invited to.But most importantly The Masons raise vast amounts of money for Charity.
The government of Singapore bans secret societies - with two exceptions, the Freemasons, and the Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes. The government recognises the good they do.
Secret societies are unbiblical, and the masons have a long history of subservant practice, promoting their own and protecting their own, almost like being above the law in some cases.
The power behind the throne maybe?
Why do they have to be so secret to raise cash for charity?
Their benign appearance is calculated, and the lower ranks are probably unaware of what they have gotten themselves into.
The lower ranks are unaware of what they've gotten themselves into - but you as a complete outsider have total and clear vision?
What a pile of pompous poppycock!
The Masons started off (despite what they'd have you believe about the temple of Solomon) in the 18th Century and took off because business men and the Nobility could rub shoulders and make connections in secret which they simply couldn't be seen in the social atmosphere of the time.
It's still a place where businessmen make contacts and do social networking but it won't get you off of a speeding charge nowadays
All the mystical stuff was very popular at the time and it stuck but I don't think they've cut out and buried any tongues in recent times!
Sorry Jake - But the police in fairly recent years have been associated with being above the law because of their masonic associations. But to be honest, I was just passing a lazy opinion, coloured by the vile oaths they take. no 20 / 20 vision needed to suss that one out.