Freemasons

[butterflies]

Could you ABers who know of and about freemasons tell me what you think? Is it really a secret group?

[crypticone]

I am a Feemason and it is all about being an upright citizen and charity. Charitable giving includes Masonic and non-masonic (medical research, youth organisations, hospices, lifeboats, church, educational etc). The secrets are to do with proof of membership if, for example, one was visiting a town where you were not known, you could with a few days notice visit a Lodge and prove you were qualified. Freemasonry is not a secret society....its in the phone books and on the web, and the Museum in London at Grand Lodge is open to the public. The 2nd World War brought about a lot of the "secrecy" because "walls have ears" Before the war local newspapers reported events quite freely, and still do in Scotland, The U.S.A., and Australia. Many famous people, including 8 or 9 astronauts were freemasons...........its not a secret!!

[Whickerman]

There's a really interesting book on Freemasonry - or rather the origins of the token rituals - written by two masons. It's called "The Hiram Key" and it comes to some of the same conclusions that Holy Blood and Holy Grail did.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hiram_Key

Worth a read.

[Abdulmajid]

I am not nor ever have been a Freemason, but am a member of a non-masonic Lodge.

Basically it is just a sanctuary for gentlemen who wish to talk politics, news or whatever over a nice single malt with like minded individuals. We also have links with the local Conservative club and local dignitries and help where we can with local events and charities.

We pay a yearly subscription which is non-profit making and have all made successful social networks in this nepotistic world we live in!!!

There is no snobbery any more and we have even let in a Polish man.

Go for it.