Free masons

Next to the London Hospital in Whitechapel, was amongst other boozers besides the excellent Hospital Tavern, The Freemansons Arms, which still exists I believe ? It was a strange kind of place where nobody ever spoke openly, and the buying of rounds was unheard of (hence the silence). One great advantage of this pub was that if one happened to dislocate one's shoulder by whipping out (or in) a wallet too swiftly, the finest Hospital in the Capital was on your doorstep (providing you could find a Doctor that is ?)innit.

Fritz Von Though you'd probably as a brother be whisked off to Westminster

jayd,

To my way of thinking, at least, conspiracy theories without supporting evidence hardly qualify as a side to the story.

The real other side to the story, IMO, is simply that secret societies by their very nature are susceptible to abuse by corrupt individuals. The more open the Masons become, the less scope there will be for corruption and conspiracy theories.

quote:

Originally posted by JeremyD:
To my way of thinking, at least, conspiracy theories without supporting evidence hardly qualify as a side to the story.

Thanks, JeremyD. I've read fairly extensively, and formed my own opinions on this matter. Doubtless we all have our own notion about what constitutes supporting evidence.

FWIW, the excerpt from Poe's story seems to suggest that during his day (well before Hitler), an air of secrecy already surrounded the Masons, if not about who belonged, then at least around their rites, etc. Poe is not the only supporting evidence. Each of us is free to decide where we draw the line between "nothing to hide" and "none of your business".

Jay

Masonry is not so much a secret society but more a society with secrets.

It possesses secrets from the days of Solomans temple and those secrets are given as a brother rises through the ranks.

The secrecy which most outsiders are suspicious of is the secrecy of membership.

These two secrets are different and mutually exclusive.

One one really knows the origins or the order but the most likely explanation is that it is derived from the stone masons who built cathedrals during the middle ages.

A boy would work his apprenticship, become a journeyman and qualify 7 years later as a Master Mason.

Stone masons were a transient lot and travelled all over the country to seek work.

When they passed the various stages of their training, they were given secret sign, codes and means of recognition to know each other by and to distinguish them from the rest of the world.

Those codes are still used and it is that element which will remain secret other than to members of the craft.

That is the secrecy what was mentioned before the 30's rather than the secrecy of membership which prevails today but which is slowly but surely fading.

Regards

Mick

I think it says a lot for our society that we are both tolerant and suspicious of Freemasonry. We have come to expect transparency as a matter of course. This expectation has stemmed from democratic principles of government but it now extends into everyday life. It is quite normal and natural for people to form exclusive groups such as the Masonic Lodge that are formed for the benefit of their members. Freemasonry has evolved from that into an ostensibly charitable organisation.

It is also quite natural and normal to withold knowledge and skills from people who are not members of the group. The Masonic Lodge is one of the few of these groups left that are obtuse about the boundaries of the group. Other groups use different methods of exclusion. Universities and other academic organisations exclude people from their territories of knowledge in more subtle ways - usually by controlling language, meaning and relevance.

Deane

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Kirby:
Strangely here in the US of A you have to apply to become a Mason, it is illegal or 'summat' to approach people to become a Freemason. Andy

Andy, I think that may have changed by now. I've lately seen a lot of Freemason bumpertickers which read: "2B1 Ask1" Which seems desperate and idiotic to say the least. I have read somewhere else that their numbers are hurting, in the States anyway, and they adopted a less secretive attitude.

daniel

As secret societies go, Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo is tops for my money. Oh, to be Grand Snark of the Universe...

... yes, or The Grand Horticulturalist: Pakalolo.

dn'l

I didnee know Hitler had Scottish ancestory ?


Fritz Von Burn Burn Burns

Isn't Dr Mick talking about charity an oxymoron?

Nime

Deane F, JeremyD --

Oh dear,

Well it looks as if the National Secular Society has got it all wrong then.

Wasn't Fred Flintstone a freemason?

Regards
Steve M

Steve,

That's one of the silliest posts you've ever written here!

You might have a point though....

Cheers,

JR

Mick, I commend your honesty on this one, though I wonder if before posting you cleared it with your people first ?(Go on tell it like it is me old China ).


Fritz Von Can't be too carefull these days, innit

Fritz

Yes it has been cleared. The craft is much more open these days and we are always prepared to address concerns etc.

Regards

Mick

Tim,

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Danaher:
Deane F, JeremyD --

Oh dear,

Well it looks as if the National Secular Society has got it all wrong then.

I'm afraid you've only linked to their home page, so I have no way of knowing what point you're making. Would you please provide a link or explain?

The last rumors i have talk about bloody reunions in ancient and scary castles were the masons are use to meet.
They dance in circles and scream loud to the full white moon leaded by a 90 years old, naked housekeeper.
Often a postman in uniform is sacrificed but also a washingmachine is liked too.
At the end of the ceremony they stop exausted and watch in eachother underwear.

I don't know.
Maybe it's only another american soup.

quote:

Originally posted by Gianluigi Mazzorana:
The last rumors i have talk about bloody reunions in ancient and scary castles were the masons are use to meet.
They dance in circles and scream loud to the full white moon leaded by a 90 years old, naked housekeeper.
Often a postman in uniform is sacrificed but also a washing machine is liked too.
At the end of the ceremony they stop exausted and watch in each other underwear.

Surely a local phenomonem from the land of Indeshite?

(Dr Mick never actually mentioned washing machines per sé. So it can't possibly be true)
But I suppose it all depends what spin you put on it.

Nime

PS What's this about a 90 year-old, naked housekeeper? You have my undivided interest. <woo-hooh>

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Danaher:
Deane F, JeremyD --

Oh dear,

Well it looks as if the National Secular Society has got it all wrong then.

Words are commonly misused in our age of evolving language.

For example: people that have no sexual relations with anybody (including themselves, one presumes) these days call themselves "celibate". However, to be celibate means to not marry. If one has no sex by choice then one is, properly speaking, chaste.

Deane

Well 'chaste me properly' said the beggar down on his luck !



Fritz Von Picking Hairs

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:
Steve,

That's one of the silliest posts you've ever written here!

You might have a point though....

Cheers,

JR

Fred was a WATERBUFFALO

I am amazed that this thread has not been protected by the obligatory handshake, raised trouser leg and commemorative "penny" ........

quote:

Originally posted by long-time-dead:
I am amazed that this thread has not been protected by the obligatory handshake, raised trouser leg and commemorative "penny" ........

Then that shows how little you know about the craft!

quote:

Originally posted by Deane F:

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Danaher:
Deane F, JeremyD --

Oh dear,

Well it looks as if the National Secular Society has got it all wrong then.

Words are commonly misused in our age of evolving language.

Now I'm even more confused. What have I missed?