I'd best apologise before a follower of the great architect of the Universe (or 13 or 33 of them) cuts my tongue out and leaves me at low tide. So let me re-phrase the sentance which caused so much ire.
Juvenile nonsense (I'm afraid that the trouser legs, left-nipple-bearing, solemn oaths and aprons means that I can't help but leave that in) or potentially and perceived to be corrupt?
Either way, there's no place for freemasonry (or any other secret society, political party or narrow interest group) in the armed forces of a democratic society. Serving Masons should be required to identify themselves, and if they fail to do so, then they should be exposed and sacked.
More from the commons committee
"d.
it is not possible on the evidence we received to say that there has never been any abuse of masonic contacts and certainly there are many allegations. But some of the extreme criticisms of widespread abuse we received are manifestly unfounded and the others can not be said to have been substantiated to us on the balance of probability let alone beyond reasonable doubt, although in a small number of cases, such as that in Blackburn, this is a reasonable inference;
e.
where there is evidence of criminal or otherwise improper behaviour by freemasons, the freemasons themselves are taking stronger action against the perpetrators than was the case in the past; whether or not this is because of increased public interest, we welcome it; and
f.
there is a widespread public perception that freemasonry can have an unhealthy influence on the criminal justice system, and we certainly believe that one of the main reasons for freemasonry's poor public image is a perception that it is a secret society. We therefore encourage freemasons to address this perception and to correct the negative image of freemasonry."
and "We believe however that nothing so much undermines public confidence in public institutions as the knowledge that some public servants are members of a secret society one of whose aims is mutual self-advancement - or a column of mutual support, to use the masonic phrase."
But if you want examples so badly, not everyone believes there haven't been any. How about the death of the previous Pope, Calvi and P2, Kenneth Noye's amazing ability to stay out of jail and ahead of his pursuers, and John Stalker just for starters - or was that all down to some charitable golf club? But I'm afraid that this is one thread I still won't take entirely seriously - you're having a laugh.
Aren't you?