My Grandfather was a mason. And some high ranking one. I forget the rank, but I called him the 'grand poo pa'. I remember going to a meeting when he got his title thingy and we were allowed there for a while, and then we had to leave so they could do their secret stuff. And then we were allowed back for food.
By Grandmother was/is an Eastern Star.
See, I,m not even involved and am dying to know, WHAT SECRET STUFF?
If H was a mason, he'd be harassed non stop about it. I'd wake him up in the middle of the night: TELL ME THE SECRET STUFF!!!!
No Doubt. I don't like secrets!! TELL ME ALL THE THINGS YOU KNOW, DH!!
Aren't they connected somehow to the knights of templar?
I just know that when you die, you get a mark on your tombstone or a little thingy-do by your grave with the symbol. Also, the freemason building where I lived down South had whited out windows. Couldn't see it, or out. Nice.
Also I'd be weirded out because they still don't allow women, which would make me side-eye the shit out of my husband.
My dad, uncle, and cousins all belong, my grandfather did before he passed, and there is a women's group within the lodge that my grandmother and aunt belong to. They are all very secretive, again racist, and quite religious, too. I know back in the 50s-70s a lot of the core local members were also KKK members. They also have young men's and young women's groups along the lines of boy and girl scouts. Dee Molay and Rainbow Girls. The women's group is the Eastern Star. All are very secretive.
No, you do not need to be a mason to join. They are officially the Freemasons. Originally it was affluent members of society; doctors, lawyers, etc.
My Grandfather was a mason. And some high ranking one. I forget the rank, but I called him the 'grand poo pa'. I remember going to a meeting when he got his title thingy and we were allowed there for a while, and then we had to leave so they could do their secret stuff. And then we were allowed back for food.
Ok, if h decides to move forward, I'll make sure to tell him not to commit until he gets a good feel for the lodge.
I know the wife of the member h was talking to, and I'd be surprised if she was ok with her h being part of a racist or otherwise ignorant lodge, so I have some hope.
I have one branch of my family tree that's heavily involved, but they're a little odd so I've never asked about it. I have also had some customers ask for custom masonic jewelry and we've done it, but they are tight lipped about any details.
My dad and my brother both belong (different orders). I know my dad has gotten irritated with his chapter due to how they were handling one of their funds/charities and he felt there wasn't enough documentation (my dad is good at being a grumpy old man getting irritated over things so there is that fwiw). From what I can gather, they belong due to networking and business contacts, and don't take the 'secret society' part too seriously. I imagine there may be more specialized orders, or perhaps your level/rank of involvement would impact this, but my family seems to just be lowly peons at this point, lol.
Post by gerberdaisy on Dec 7, 2015 12:43:56 GMT -5
My ex h joined near the end of our marriage. I just remember thinking he looked like a tool trying to memorize all this stuff that made no sense. I looked through his booklets once cause I was curious, no idea what they were saying. He also had to have people come to the house and interview him, which was weird.
Aren't they connected somehow to the knights of templar?
I just know that when you die, you get a mark on your tombstone or a little thingy-do by your grave with the symbol. Also, the freemason building where I lived down South had whited out windows. Couldn't see it, or out. Nice.
And they do a closed door ritual before your casket is closed and you're taken to the cemetary.
My exwas considering it before we split, not sure if he ever went for it.
I feel like I'd be really, really pissed if my husband belonged to a secret society and didn't tell me what went on there.
FIL is a mason, and I told H he's only allowed to join if he tells me what happens (and he only wants to join to be in on the secrets!) FIL said he wouldn't invite his sons to join, so they'd have to find someone else. That doesn't seem like a glowing recommendation of the lodge he's in, it seemed kind of weird.
My grandpa was one. He promised that they don't secretly run the world, but that's the only info I got about it.
What I know I learned from Brad Meltzer's show Decoded...lol. There are several documentaries on it. I've watched them on Netlix, etc...I am a woman & catholic & it's secret so of course I must try to see what I'm missing..lol. Here is a brief synopsis on why Catholics can't join: www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/CAMASON1.HTM
Aren't they connected somehow to the knights of templar?
I just know that when you die, you get a mark on your tombstone or a little thingy-do by your grave with the symbol. Also, the freemason building where I lived down South had whited out windows. Couldn't see it, or out. Nice.
And they do a closed door ritual before your casket is closed and you're taken to the cemetary.
My exwas considering it before we split, not sure if he ever went for it.
I equate them with Rotary, Moose, Elk, Eagle and all the other lodges...useful for networking and philanthropy. Only older, a lot more secretive and with more famous people (founding fathers like, not George Clooney like) in it.
As someone posted above, they do have a women's division, but the Masons themselves are men only. Rotary is open to both men and women. The others are more men/women (divisional) than men and women (unified).
The extent of my knowledge is based on the fact that my mom and step-dad were Moose (I was a junior), dad and his wife were Elk, FIL is Rotary and I dated an Eagle. MIL was DAR (different but the same idea, imo) and DH was a CAR because of his family's involvement in the DAR. It looks like I still have a couple to check off.
I've often wondered how these secrets have remained secret for so long. Like, there hasn't been one guy in the last few centuries who got drunk and spilled the secrets to a non-member? Is the secret that there are no secrets? lol
I equate them with Rotary, Moose, Elk, Eagle and all the other lodges...useful for networking and philanthropy. Only older, a lot more secretive and with more famous people (founding fathers like, not George Clooney like) in it.
As someone posted above, they do have a women's division, but the Masons themselves are men only. Rotary is open to both men and women. The others are more men/women (divisional) than men and women (unified).
The extent of my knowledge is based on the fact that my mom and step-dad were Moose (I was a junior), dad and his wife were Elk, FIL is Rotary and I dated an Eagle. MIL was DAR (different but the same idea, imo) and DH was a CAR because of his family's involvement in the DAR. It looks like I still have a couple to check off.
My (not biological) mom and sister are DAR and I'm totally jealous because Emily Gilmore.
But considering my sister, I gather it's not the high society thing I thought it was.
So, sounds like it just perpetuates the good old boy network?
Yes but the Shriner and Scottish Rites Hospitals are pretty amazing (generally speaking) and do a LOT of good. A few of my Great Uncles joined after my cousin received some extensive therapy and surgery via a Shriner's hospital. I had surgery at a Scottish Rites Hospital as a young teen and it was excellent (went their due to it having the best specialist for what I needed done).
My grandad was a mason. I only found out because a high school friend came over and noticed my grandad had a weird handshake and mentioned it to me. My grandad wasn't very secretive about it. In the UK, I know a lot of people think the Freemasons run the government and also top schools like Oxford etc.
And they do a closed door ritual before your casket is closed and you're taken to the cemetary.
My exwas considering it before we split, not sure if he ever went for it.
my dad had a masonic funeral ceremony the night before his actual funeral. He was buried in his masonic apron. We were all welcome at the masonic funeral ceremony. he has a masonic symbol on his tombstone.
My grandmother was a member of Eastern Star, the women's auxiliary thing, but no one else I knew was.
And they do a closed door ritual before your casket is closed and you're taken to the cemetary.
My exwas considering it before we split, not sure if he ever went for it.
my dad had a masonic funeral ceremony the night before his actual funeral. He was buried in his masonic apron. We were all welcome at the masonic funeral ceremony. he has a masonic symbol on his tombstone.
My grandmother was a member of Eastern Star, the women's auxiliary thing, but no one else I knew was.
They kicked us out of my uncle's, but I'm not sure what level he was or which branch he belonged to. I was a freshman in college, I remember trying to peek through the crack in the door and my Dad yelling at me. He was leader of two different drum & fife corps, so he was buried in full highland dress. He was the last person in my family to be a member (that I know of).