Question for you Jacko.
If Freemasons where to declare themselves on a register in the armed forces, what would it prove?
You never replied to my earlier comments that, short of writing 'I am a Freemason' on my 7500, noone on the promotion board will know. Even if they did the chances that they any of them would be masons and, more importantly, that it would make any difference, are very remote.
All it would serve to do is highlight me as a scapegoat for those who have not been promoted to say 'he only got picked up because he is a mason'. (Not that I have, unfortunately!)
I still assert that you are more likely to benefit from being a golfer (which is good because I am also one!?) or a rugby player (I enjoy watching it, does that count?!).
I was a mason before I joined the Service and hardly saw anything to do with masonry in the forces until very recently. (Over 10 years). I would be very agrieved to be 'blackmarked' because of my association with this ancient organization.
Just because it is secretive, it should not be compared to the other militant organizations that you mentioned.
Freemasonry forbids all discussion of a political or religious nature. The Grand Lodges of Scotland, Ireland and england steadfastly refuse to take positions on any such matter.
The 'disparate loyalties' mentioned in the recently cancelled DCI concerning the craft is a load of old bo&*&ks! If Chris Mullin is trying to tell me that I am going to be more loyal to another serviceman because he is a mason he is as sad and disillusioned as I think he may be.
Why is it that this society is increasingly being dictated to by a number of petty minded individuals who enjoy going on their own personal crusades? I would have thought that the issues like Clause 28, the Freemasons and Fox hunting are, in the great scheme of things, far less important than re-establishing the education system, re-vitalizing the Armed Forces and sorting out the Foot and Mouth epidemic?
Given that the arguments have always been about perception rather than substance, I hope that the politicians start focusing on doing what is best for the silent majority and not the vocal minority.
On a lighter note, I am with you PW. I could do with getting paid for my floor work. If footballers can get as much as they do for their labours, surely we are worth a few bob?
It's a pity that all the work I do for the Lodge goes unsung... or will it be included in future, in my ACRs, if I am on a register?!!!