As an ex - Freemason.....

[big_al]

I've read a lot of posts where people seem to think its sinister or corrupt.

Well I can only speak from an (ex) Master Masons point of view - I know nothing of goings on above that level, but as far as I was concerned it was boring, repetitive and overall quite silly.

At best it was some singing, a continual re-enactment of a tale (about some bloke getting coshed) that most strived to get word perfect, lots of silly handshakes and 'signs' followed by a small donation to charity, minutes read out and approved then onto a bit of entertainment, a meal, more bloody singing and some beer/whiskey(probably the best bit)

Most of the time it involved getting pished and having struggles with the microphone of the karaoke machine at 4 am (particularly in Scotish lodges)

I was aware of in-fighting, people being disgruntled with others or even openly pissed off with another, none of this 'brotherhood' shite.

Why did I leave?

I questioned to myself what exactly did the sign/symbols/imagery relate too exactly, what was I really worshipping, why wasnt there ever any mention of Jesus and when a new master is installed into the chair, the past masters and the new master has a meeting which people of the rank of Master Mason are not entitled to be at and I had to wonder why?

Other than that it bored the tits off me.

I just thought I would share my experience.

[krakhead]

Lol! Thanks for sharing that!This sounds like the experience of a friend of mine, he told me almost exactly the same thing! Maybe, at the lower levels, this really is all that Masons get up to?

(unless it's a script provided by the Grand Wazoo's in an attempt to fool us all! ;) )

[chris]

I've read a lot of posts where people seem to think its sinister or corrupt.

Well I can only speak from an (ex) Master Masons point of view - I know nothing of goings on above that level, but as far as I was concerned it was boring, repetitive and overall quite silly.

At best it was some singing, a continual re-enactment of a tale (about some bloke getting coshed) that most strived to get word perfect, lots of silly handshakes and 'signs' followed by a small donation to charity, minutes read out and approved then onto a bit of entertainment, a meal, more bloody singing and some beer/whiskey(probably the best bit)

Most of the time it involved getting pished and having struggles with the microphone of the karaoke machine at 4 am (particularly in Scotish lodges)

I was aware of in-fighting, people being disgruntled with others or even openly pissed off with another, none of this 'brotherhood' shite.

Why did I leave?

I questioned to myself what exactly did the sign/symbols/imagery relate too exactly, what was I really worshipping, why wasnt there ever any mention of Jesus and when a new master is installed into the chair, the past masters and the new master has a meeting which people of the rank of Master Mason are not entitled to be at and I had to wonder why?

Other than that it bored the tits off me.

I just thought I would share my experience.

LOL, yes funny! This is what I try to get over to people but they are too caught up with the every Mason is a Satanist thing which was brought to them by the Christian element in the conspiracy culture.

This is why Masons don't generally wake up when they hear good info about 9/11 and then absolute rubbish about Masonry.

[dondaz]

This is why Masons don't generally wake up when they hear good info about 9/11 and then absolute rubbish about Masonry.

Bloody good point chris. I'll remember that one!

[raffles]

Thanks for sharing that big al.

[perry_mason]

I've read a lot of posts where people seem to think its sinister or corrupt.

Well I can only speak from an (ex) Master Masons point of view - I know nothing of goings on above that level, but as far as I was concerned it was boring, repetitive and overall quite silly.

At best it was some singing, a continual re-enactment of a tale (about some bloke getting coshed) that most strived to get word perfect, lots of silly handshakes and 'signs' followed by a small donation to charity, minutes read out and approved then onto a bit of entertainment, a meal, more bloody singing and some beer/whiskey(probably the best bit)

Most of the time it involved getting pished and having struggles with the microphone of the karaoke machine at 4 am (particularly in Scotish lodges)

I was aware of in-fighting, people being disgruntled with others or even openly pissed off with another, none of this 'brotherhood' shite.

Why did I leave?

I questioned to myself what exactly did the sign/symbols/imagery relate too exactly, what was I really worshipping, why wasnt there ever any mention of Jesus and when a new master is installed into the chair, the past masters and the new master has a meeting which people of the rank of Master Mason are not entitled to be at and I had to wonder why?

Other than that it bored the tits off me.

I just thought I would share my experience.

Hi Big Al,

Good post,

Your experience shows that Masonry isn't for everyone, some people join and find it's not to their liking others continue to go to lodge for the rest of their life. It's a shame that there was in-fighting and disharmony in your lodge but it happens, also it's sad that that you didn't feel much in the way of fraternity in lodge.

The reason Jesus isn't mentioned is apart from the ritual, which is all Old Testament based it is because it's meant to be accessible to people of all faiths, the ritual just happens to based on events in the OT and some that are products of Masonic tradition. I would have thought you would be worshipping your own God, whatever that may be, the use of Great Architect of the Universe is intended so that it's accessible to anyone who believes in a supreme being.

[perry_mason]

Wow I actually understand the religious bit a bit better now...why couldn't someone just put it that easy when I asked before... suppose i should've left out the pope

Glad to be of service. ;)