Freemasons... are you a member?

Killer Pigeon · 23-10-2011 06:41PM

I'm a member of the Illuminati.

Ellis Dee · 23-10-2011 06:45PM

I never cease to be astonished at the preconceptions people harbour about freemasons. I'm not one (because I'm slightly more atheist than Richard Dawkins), but a good friend of mine is. He's Scottish, Catholic (nominally anyway), multilingual, as gay as it gets and great fun. He tells me there are Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, various flavours of Christians, etc. in his lodge.

As far as I can gather, freemasonry is all about grown men acting like boys in odd rituals, funny handshakes and a lot of fundraising for good causes.

In other words, pretty harmless. Definitely not a threat to the world as we know it.:)

FinnLizzy · 23-10-2011 06:46PM

http://www.irish-freemasons.org/

Whatever they do, their website is well overdue for an update!

talkinyite · 23-10-2011 06:51PM

Ellis Dee wrote: »

As far as I can gather, freemasonry is all about grown men acting like boys in odd rituals, funny handshakes and a lot of fundraising for good causes.

In other words, pretty harmless. Definitely not a threat to the world as we know it.:)

What about the orange order? :P

Ellis Dee · 23-10-2011 06:57PM

talkinyite wrote: »

What about the orange order? :P

I am not aware of any connection or equivalence between the Freemasons (who happily accept Catholic members and rarely if ever parade in places where they are not wanted) and the Orange Order, which ...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

talkinyite · 23-10-2011 07:00PM

Ellis Dee wrote: »

I am not aware of any connection or equivalence between the Freemasons (who happily accept Catholic members and rarely if ever parade in places where they are not wanted) and the Orange Order, which ...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I'm just messing

the_syco · 23-10-2011 07:12PM

I've seen the rules of "you must not do..." and decided against joining until I hit 50 and stop running around like a lunatic getting up to mischief :P

My name is URL · 23-10-2011 07:28PM

Ellis Dee wrote: »

I never cease to be astonished at the preconceptions people harbour about freemasonry.

It does have quite a colorful history in all fairness!

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

Ellis Dee · 23-10-2011 07:45PM

My name is URL wrote: »

It does have quite a colorful history in all fairness!

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

Yes, I remember that, too. But P2 was a rogue branch and those of its members who got up to funny tricks had their own agenda, which had little if anything to do with Freemasonry.

hiram · 23-10-2011 07:55PM

My name is URL wrote: »

It does have quite a colorful history in all fairness!

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

True,

And Ireland is one of the Oldest Branches of the Craft in the World. Yes, the boys at the top really need to get their heads around the official Website, especially when you compare it to any of the UK ones. In Fact, most of the Irish Lodge Websites are millions of times better than the main one. Im a Catholic and a Mason, which to some people, does not compute. I dont own a woolly jumper, Im in my 30's, I have just one car, i was born in a council estate, but I have an Interest in History and Esotherical stuff, so I joined up because that is where all those Interests come together. Its a really cool Order, and has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Orange Order, which was a "make it up as we go" effort concocted up North by the Unionists, nicking some of the regailia etc from us.
There are around 50,000 people in the Republic who are members, and millions around the World. It IS great for networking, especially when you find yourself at a loose end anywhere in the World, you can just call up the nearest Lodge and they would be happy to help out. We give Millions to Charities every year, and are one of the main Sponsors of the Samaratains. However, you kinda need to "get it". The Rituals tend to puzzle people, and its only when you see a full Ritual done in the way it has been done for Centuries,verbatum and without notes, that you really begin to understand the allure. Most Masons only do the first 3 Degrees....Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, and then stop and are quite happy to use it as a social ocasion once a month. We call them "knife and Fork Masons", others, like me go on to other side orders, such as the Mark Masons, Templars and Rose Croix, to name but a few. Thats where things really get interesting because these are joined by invite only. The Demographis are not great at the moment though, and it is only at the huge Grand Hall meetings when you notice the amount of grey hair, especially in Ireland. I think a job of work needs to be done to make what is essentially a Medieval Order attractive to those x-Box Wielding folks of the 21st Centuary. There are still plenty of new members of course, and you would be very surprised who are members. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw who was in my own Lodge!!! Great craic all round I can tell ya!!
The Bould Dan Brown will have the Lost Symbol coming out on Film soon, so that should spark up a good debate!!:D

Ellis Dee · 23-10-2011 08:25PM

hiram wrote: »

---
The Bould Dan Brown will have the Lost Symbol coming out on Film soon, so that should spark up a good debate!!:D

Thanks for that info. What a coincidence BTW that I'm watching The Da Vinci Code (with Tom Hanks) on TV right now and just checked the Internet during an ad break ...

pragmatic1 · 23-10-2011 08:28PM

No but wouldnt mind joining.

luckyfrank · 23-10-2011 08:29PM

Most of them are swingers and into hidden meanings

the_syco · 24-10-2011 12:07AM

As someone who is going over to Amsterdam to smoke weed, I wouldn't get in, as they don't like people who take any drugs I think.

Oh, and I don't really believe in God, so it seems they don't like "my sort".

The_B_Man · 24-10-2011 01:14AM

Do you have to believe in a God? I was under the impression that you didnt have to believe in religion but could believe in something else, like Science or whatever. Just as long as you believed in something.

hiram · 24-10-2011 01:12PM

The_B_Man wrote: »

Do you have to believe in a God? I was under the impression that you didnt have to believe in religion but could believe in something else, like Science or whatever. Just as long as you believed in something.

No, you dont have to believe in God, just as long as you believe in a Supreme Being, which could be the frog at the end of the garden, to which you light a candle and chant to every night!!, But Seriously, we are open to all religions, just as long as you dont have a criminal record

hiram · 24-10-2011 01:15PM

Ellis Dee wrote: »

I never cease to be astonished at the preconceptions people harbour about freemasons. I'm not one (because I'm slightly more atheist than Richard Dawkins), but a good friend of mine is. He's Scottish, Catholic (nominally anyway), multilingual, as gay as it gets and great fun. He tells me there are Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, various flavours of Christians, etc. in his lodge.

As far as I can gather, freemasonry is all about grown men acting like boys in odd rituals, funny handshakes and a lot of fundraising for good causes.

In other words, pretty harmless. Definitely not a threat to the world as we know it.:)

All the above is exactly right, and we have a right laugh at some of the Conspiracy stories out there, It is, however, in the side Orders where it gets more Esotherical, and thats where it goes off on one. I am a mere Master Mason, so it will be another 4 or 5 years before I am asked into any of the "Other" Degrees...

hiram · 24-10-2011 01:22PM

pragmatic1 wrote: »

No but wouldnt mind joining.

Well, we DONT make a point of Recruiting. It is up to YOU to contact us through Grand Lodge in Molesworth Street. The process is as follows.....(deep breath)

1. Make Contact to Grand Lodge expressing your wish to join giving details of where you live etc.

2. They will then contact your nearest Lodge, and ask THEM to contact you to arange an informal, get to know you meeting.

3. In the meantime, you will be descretely "sussed out", just in case you are some kind of weirdo...(I know!! I Know....pot and kettle black and all that!!:D"

4. If the two guys who meet you think you will "get it", they will propose you as a candidate at the next lodge meeting, and a vote will be taken, using black and white beans or balls. If the vote is all white, well you are in, If there is ONE black bean or balls, then you are out, or as the saying goes...Blackballed:cool:

5. Contact will be then made to you to arrange your Initiation.

SIMPLES;)

My name is URL · 24-10-2011 01:25PM

When you say 'sussed out', what exactly do you mean? I've heard that background checks are sometimes conducted.. any truth to that?

hiram · 24-10-2011 01:36PM

My name is URL wrote: »

When you say 'sussed out', what exactly do you mean? I've heard that background checks are sometimes conducted.. any truth to that?

Yep, Its called Googling!! Plus, Local Masons would know rairly well who would be suitable and who isnt. Most Potential Candidates would have already done some homework on the net, so would already be keen.

My name is URL · 24-10-2011 01:49PM

hiram wrote: »

Yep, Its called Googling!! Plus, Local Masons would know rairly well who would be suitable and who isnt. Most Potential Candidates would have already done some homework on the net, so would already be keen.

I meant more *hush hush* checks, using the Gardai's 'Pulse' database etc. to glean information. There are a lot of Gardai who are Freemasons, so it presumably wouldn't be very hard to do, and considering many Gardai already use the system for personal purposes; not completely unimaginable. =p

Liber8or · 24-10-2011 01:56PM

hiram wrote: »

5. Contact will be then made to you to arrange your Initiation.

What does the Initiation involve?

talkinyite · 24-10-2011 02:09PM

My name is URL wrote: »

I meant more *hush hush* checks, using the Gardai's 'Pulse' database etc. to glean information. There are a lot of Gardai who are Freemasons, so it presumably wouldn't be very hard to do, and considering many Gardai already use the system for personal purposes; not completely unimaginable. =p

You know Gardai that are freemasons? that's a violation of their oath...

I do not belong to, and will not while I remain a member form, belong to or subscribe to, any political party or secret society whatsoever.”.

- http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0020/sec0016.html#sec16

My name is URL · 24-10-2011 02:22PM

talkinyite wrote: »

You know Gardai that are freemasons? that's a violation of their oath...

- http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0020/sec0016.html#sec16

It's a contentious issue, but perhaps bizarrely, Freemasonry is not considered to be a 'secret society' in Ireland.

hiram · 24-10-2011 02:38PM

My name is URL wrote: »

It's a contentious issue, but perhaps bizarrely, Freemasonry is not considered to be a 'secret society' in Ireland.

Correct, Freemasonry is NOT a secret society, its just that most people choose not to reveal that they are Masons. We have the Catholic Church to thank for that, as Freemasons were banned from the Catholic Church in the 1800's. Which is why Daniel O'Connell, who was a very active Mason, left Masonry when the Papal Bull was issued, and therefore thousands left The Craft with him. Therefore, being a member has been frowned upon since. In the UK and The US, Masonry is more open, but here, alas, people still think we are part of The Orange Order, and all Protestants, (sighs, and glances over at the Child of Prague:D)

We do, on the other hand, have secrets, and these, including the Initiation Rituals, will always remain a Secret, as we have all pledged an Oath. On the other matters, I think you will find that Gardai and Judges are more likely to be found in The Knights of Columbanus than Freemasonry.

hiram · 24-10-2011 02:41PM

Liber8or wrote: »

What does the Initiation involve?

Hi,

I'm afraid thats a .....oh, whats the word I'm looking for.....oh yes...A Secret!!

Sorry, but thats part of the Alure of Joining.....

hiram · 24-10-2011 02:48PM

By the way, here is a brief explaination of some of the Myths...Its American, but applies elsewhere....

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/debunking-common-myths-about-freemasonry.html

My name is URL · 24-10-2011 02:50PM

hiram wrote: »

On the other matters, I think you will find that Gardai and Judges are more likely to be found in The Knights of Columbanus than Freemasonry.

Fair point, but they are also present within Freemasonry, and are in no way restricted from joining?

hiram · 24-10-2011 02:50PM

Hi, Oh and before I forget, here is a Really Cool history of Grand Lodge in Ireland....There is a lot in it, but scroll down and have a read....

http://www.irishmasonicjewels.ie/overview22.html#(J)

Dr Strange · 24-10-2011 02:51PM

talkinyite wrote: »

You know Gardai that are freemasons? that's a violation of their oath...

- http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0020/sec0016.html#sec16

No, it's not actually.

Irish Freemasons (Ancient and Accepted Masons) are not a "secret society". They do not fulfill that role as all their meeting places, times of meetings etc are advertised and/or can be enquired about by the general public.

They are however a society with secrets. Just like any other social club or even bank etc.

As an example, you have a bank account. Your bank is not a secret society but there are certain "secrets" between you and the bank that nobody else should be able to access such as your PIN number etc.

Same with Freemasonry, there are certain signs (which by the way can also be words) of recognition related to the degree work. These are only open to members of the relevant levels of course.

When the members meet it is behind closed door. Again, similar to your local club, society or work-related professional association, if you have an AGM going on than it is not usual or even permitted to sit in on these if you are not a member because it's none of your business if you are not a member. However, as with any societies you are most welcome to enquire to join if you so wish.

Nothing conspiratorial about it.

Freemasons... are you a member?

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