Masons

[gg333]

can you tell me how Masons identify each other when they first meet? Is it more than a 'special handshake'??

[woofgang]

white dust on the boots and a car full of big hammers used to give it away at the Somerset local I used to frequent

[3s_a_crowd]

Freemasons can & do identify each other with their "secret" handshake. They could also make identification by spotting the wearer of a Masonic tie or even a Mason in uniform (presumably only in the lodge). It's highly unlikely that you are going to get a more comprehensive answer from a Mason.

[gg333]

thanks for that - so what is the 'secret handshake'....?

[darth vader]

Obviosuly a mason won't tell you and therefore a non-mason won't know BUT it is alleged to be no different to an ordinary handshake except a mason will add slightly extra pressure on the middle finger, to the other's hand whilst shaking

[sft42]

Most masons wear rings simliar to the ones shown on this page http://www.foxjewelry.net/

[gilf]

There are 3 basic levels of freemasonary (there are up to something like 33 higher levels, but your man in the street doesnt get involved in all that). The hand shake is used to identify which level he is on so if he is a first degree mason when shaking he applies pressure to the 3rd nuckle on the hand is 2nd degree its the middle finger nuckle and finally if 3rd degree the top one.

[woofgang]

don't tell anyone... the secret society have got a website http://www.freemasonry.org/

[answerbonk]

Most Masons don't advertise the fact that they belong to the Brotherhood. Certainly most would not wear a ring, unless they were in their Lodge. The same goes for ties etc. The handshake is often one of the only way of knowing another Mason, and even then it is likely to be followed by a confirmatory question such as "are you on the square ?"

[FredPuli]

What's the answer , answerbonk ? Is it that if you say you are not on the square then you are definitely a mason ? How frank of them !

[answerbonk]

The square has great significance to a mason. Candidates for Masonry hope to obtain the privileges of the 'degree' by "the assistance of the square". The Masonic Lodge is duly opened on the square. Candidates are obligated within the square. Masons move on the square in the course of their Masonic duties. The square has been used symbolically for thousands of years by non-Masons as well as by members of the Craft. The ancient Egyptian word for "square" was used as meaning "just" and "proper". To the non-masonic public today, a transaction is "on the square" when it is honest and above board. As a Masonic symbol, the square is very ancient and was familiar to the operative Masons. In 1830, workmen rebuilding a bridge near Limerick, Ireland, found an old, corroded brass square, inscribed with the words I WILL STRIVE TO LIVE WITH LOVE AND CARE UPON THE LEVEL - BY THE SQUARE, and dated 1517.

[sft42]

Would answerbonk like to put forward the bad points of masonic society now? Like how many well qualified people have been overlooked for positions cause someone else up for the post was in the "brotherhood"?....how many drunk drivers and other petty crimes were waved away with a nod and a shake to the local constabulary? how does the public at large trust any secret society who when they clain they have nothing to hide threaten pain of death on anyone who divulges their secrets? and I can only speak of my own previous experiences and of the 7 masons I knew well 5 wore rings on a daily basis....5 out of 7 is most in my book

[answerbonk]

Sft42....My answers above are factual.
I have no desire to get involved with you in speculation.
You are as entitled as anyone to your opinions whether they be right or wrong.
I am neither a Freemason nor do I consider it my place to defend them however, I do consider your opinions to be misguided.
I suggest that you may be better advised by actually speaking to a (or some) Mason/s.

[sft42]

I have spoken to them in the past, including one thrown out for reasons I'm not going to go into here, and they have freely admitted all these things go on (and I have personal experience of one getting away with drunk driving as it was me who reported him, i watched him being stopped then let away without charge)....trying to prove it is another matter entirely of course....and you seem to know an awful lot for someone outside the brotherhood :>)

[woofgang]

Most of the so-called craft secrets have been public knowledge for many years, as I said there is at least one website and many books, perhaps the most famous is darkness visibel by walton hannah. Iam not and have never been a mason, but I have known some and as in every other walk of life and exclusive club, there have been both the nice and the not so nice. Oddly enough, none of them have felt the need to be particularly secretive about their membership, but I did used to meet them in a pub which at the time was the local masons local.I do have a problem with any society which feels the need to have secrets for the sake of it, but that's just me...

[woofgang]

sorry about the grammar, spelling etc of the last post, I obviously haven't eaten enough alphabetti spaghetti lately

[templeman]

There is plenty of information published on the net and in print form concerning the Masons. I doubt if they have any "secrets" that are not publicly available. I am not a mason but took advantage of an invitation to be shown around one of their lodges and ask questions. Most enlightening. I have to take issue with sft42s postings prompted by what he demonstrates as a very limited knowledge. There are many recent examples of footballers, celebrities etc getting away with all sorts of things. Not because they belong to any particular club but because they have, and can afford, good lawyers. Also you would have to say that all clubs, organisations and businesses have something about them that not everyone is aware of.

[Moog]

Hey sft42 are you David Icke?

[sft42]

Sorry...no turquoise shell suits in my wardrobe!

[Janetex]

By their bigotry.