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, 1 reply)

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)