With regard to the can't standing the masons thing,
it's often simpler than it appears. As with all groups, if a member of a group upsets someone, then they all get tarred with the same brush. Every group has its extreme bad apples. the larger the group, statistically, the more bad apples you'll get, but it shouldn't apply to all. Mind you, you can't please everyone, and it's human nature. :)

I'm not a 'very high level' mason, just working my way up slowly and have been enjoying it for the last 8 years so couldn't comment on the 'plays' at any higher level. We have ceremonies where various stories are delivered and performed, so to speak, which act as allegories for some of the principles behind freemasonry :)
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 14:53, 3 replies)

Whats with
The handshake thing? Am I correct to assume that there are different versions used dependent on the seniority of the individual mason?

Also - out of interest do you agree with the media pressure regarding Rozzers who are masons should disclose their membership?
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 14:56, closed)

yup, different versions of the handshake are used to signify to other masons that you are a mason
it's a form of introduction :)

As for the Police thing, it's odd. Even among masonic circles, the Police members tend to form their own 'rozzer lodges', and some aren't looked at all that favourably even inside the fraternity.

that being said, it doesn't really have any impact on the person's job, be they police or not, if they are a freemason - it's about how they conduct their own life. I'd be more worried if they were paid up members of the Tufty Club, or the BNP, for example :)

/I also don't own a 'masonic get out of parking fines free' car sticker either
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 14:58, closed)

Appreciate your honesty
cheers... One more question - I've that there is a lady masons that was founded by Florence Nightingale - or this that bollocks?
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:16, closed)

this lady is regarded as the first true female freemason:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Aldworth
and we now have:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Women_Freemasons
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:20, closed)

Are they recognised by the Grand Lodge of England?

( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:29, closed)

not by the main one, no, but only because it was set up solely for men.
however, there are two separate Grand Lodges in England restricted to women only.
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 16:04, closed)

Thanks.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the Grand Lodge not only refuses to recognise the women as masons, it refuses to have dealings with any group that does.
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 16:12, closed)

that's not strictly true
on the simplest level, our lodge regularly welcomes senior members of female freemasonry to give talks on their craft to not only us, but also our partners as well, just so they can have an idea of what we do, but from a female point of view.
so, the UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England) does work with them, and accepts them as a masonic entity in their own right
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 16:17, closed)

Fair enough.
Now, can I have the recipe you use when cooking babies for your lodge dinners?
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 16:23, closed)

and give away ALL our secrets?
I think not!

/ever wondered why it was called 'Baby' Oil?

*taps nose*
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 17:47, closed)

Is it true there's 33 level sof Freemasonry,
and not just the 3 that most peeps see?

Or is it just bullshit.
(Bear Pookie The Frankly Challenged. Halloween is coming to town., Thu 27 Aug 2009, 14:56, closed)

This is complex, because it's two fold.
There are several degrees in freemasonry, yes, right up there to 33.
However, after the main three degress, the rest are consdiered 'side' degrees, as it is assumed that you are a master mason at your third degree.
However, the side degrees often go further in explaining more to the history, thus providing more information, and seemingly appearing to be 'higher up' in popular terms.

however, most masons stick with the three degrees. And why not, they were lookers in their day.
( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:01, closed)

sadly not so much anymore (the 3 degrees that is)
my one final burning question: is there an opportunity to learn some actual masonry skills?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:13, closed)

well, I haven't yet, not 'for real' anyway ;)

( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:16, closed)

shame
being able to carve your own corbels would be very rewarding
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:21, closed)

you can get cream for that...

( The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 15:22, closed)

If I can jump in here
In the main body of Freemasonry ( called Craft) there are only 3 degrees. There are however numerous additional (I normally call them "Side Orders") orders which can best be defined as Organisations that only take Freemasons as members. One of these a French order called "Rose Croix" has 33 degrees however I can't tell you much about that one as I'm not in it. Please feel free to concoct your own conspiracy theories :)
( Big Ian has stopped changing his sig, Fri 28 Aug 2009, 12:17, closed)

I figured that was probably the case
your explanation of things sounds pretty much like a way to get out and meet people. Without wanting to stereotype, or give too much away, I suspect that my dad came in contact with people from certain professions who are popularly perceived to have a high proportion of masons, and unconnected to their memberships they were dicks.

the deliverance of stories sounds like a plausible explanation for the plays!

thanks
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 27 Aug 2009, 14:57, closed)