Free Masons - Should they "come out"?
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Free Masons - Should they "come out"?
This might be an old question but I really would love to know:
Why can't we all know who the Free Masons in the RAF are?
Of course, there is the perpetual myth that Free Masons look after one another... nudge nudge wink wink! I'm sure that cannot be true, especially concerning careers in establishments such as the RAF and mutual support in that arena. I'd imagine that they are just a society of generous individuals working for the greater good of all mankind.... a bit like say, the Rotary Club or the Round Table. If that is true, whats all the secrecy about. I for one would be a lot more comfortable if a list was published showing us that it is highly unlikely that Free Masons "run the show" and in any case, in todays society, don't we have the right to know? Come on chaps, its time to reveal yourselves, divulge what it is you actually do and take the credit that you are likely to deserve. Wear that badge with pride! Put the myth to the sword. I doubt whether the senior Grand Wizard (or whatever) of RAF officers reads this type of forum, but just in case, what should you do Sir? Any thoughts Pruners?
Testing testing 1 to 3.
Why can't we all know who the Free Masons in the RAF are?
Of course, there is the perpetual myth that Free Masons look after one another... nudge nudge wink wink! I'm sure that cannot be true, especially concerning careers in establishments such as the RAF and mutual support in that arena. I'd imagine that they are just a society of generous individuals working for the greater good of all mankind.... a bit like say, the Rotary Club or the Round Table. If that is true, whats all the secrecy about. I for one would be a lot more comfortable if a list was published showing us that it is highly unlikely that Free Masons "run the show" and in any case, in todays society, don't we have the right to know? Come on chaps, its time to reveal yourselves, divulge what it is you actually do and take the credit that you are likely to deserve. Wear that badge with pride! Put the myth to the sword. I doubt whether the senior Grand Wizard (or whatever) of RAF officers reads this type of forum, but just in case, what should you do Sir? Any thoughts Pruners?
Testing testing 1 to 3.
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Oh no, am I the only non-Mason out here? Makes sense!! Or is there something I don't know, like, now I've spoken I'm a marked Testingtheseatlimit? Someone must have an opinion, especially a real Mason!! Come on chaps.
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Testing TSL
I think you will find that people are reluctant to say if they are a Mason or not because of all the incorrect crap that has been written about Masonry in the past. Scottish Masonry is infact very open and non secretive and the lodge tends to be the center of many small communities in Scotland, and as you rightly point out is just a group of people who do an huge amount of work for the benifit of the local community and charities. English Masonry (of which the RAF lodge is a part) is still a little more secretive. However despite this let me dispell any myths. Masons do not eat babies or worship Satan, they do a great amount of work for charity for which they never seek recognition or thanks. In all my experience i have never sought special favour or been asked for special favour by any Mason, i would not dream of it. If indeed they do look after each other it would only be the same as you looking after a really good mate from your mess.
Heard a wonderful story though from an old boy quite a few years back. He was with a scout patrol from a Scots regiment during WW1. He and three others were captured by Jerry and basically they new their number was up (prisoners needed food and security - so it wasnt worth taking them), trying anything as a last ditch effort to save their skin, one of them let it be known that he was infact a mason (secret squirrel signals etc), as it happened so was Jerry and his mates. The captured four were given food and a map and directions to get them back behind safe lines. Now that was a real benifit of being a Mason then, i think the four like Blackadder wish they had just been sent to the local convent to sit the rest of the war out!
Hope you get more replies but not sure that you will.
I think you will find that people are reluctant to say if they are a Mason or not because of all the incorrect crap that has been written about Masonry in the past. Scottish Masonry is infact very open and non secretive and the lodge tends to be the center of many small communities in Scotland, and as you rightly point out is just a group of people who do an huge amount of work for the benifit of the local community and charities. English Masonry (of which the RAF lodge is a part) is still a little more secretive. However despite this let me dispell any myths. Masons do not eat babies or worship Satan, they do a great amount of work for charity for which they never seek recognition or thanks. In all my experience i have never sought special favour or been asked for special favour by any Mason, i would not dream of it. If indeed they do look after each other it would only be the same as you looking after a really good mate from your mess.
Heard a wonderful story though from an old boy quite a few years back. He was with a scout patrol from a Scots regiment during WW1. He and three others were captured by Jerry and basically they new their number was up (prisoners needed food and security - so it wasnt worth taking them), trying anything as a last ditch effort to save their skin, one of them let it be known that he was infact a mason (secret squirrel signals etc), as it happened so was Jerry and his mates. The captured four were given food and a map and directions to get them back behind safe lines. Now that was a real benifit of being a Mason then, i think the four like Blackadder wish they had just been sent to the local convent to sit the rest of the war out!
Hope you get more replies but not sure that you will.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I know several masons and have visited some events in RAFShire. I know of several ex-RAF masons but none in the lodges that I have visited were regulars.
Not only that, but in keeping with other service organisations, they all seemed well on the wrong side of 55.
Maybe uniformed masons stay in their own lodges and do not join 'civilian' ones. I know a member of a lodge (name of ex-RAF unit but that is a coincidence) who only became a mason after he retired. I suspect his local lodge, that he could visit, not a stone's throw from Carterton, may well have more light blue. That might be why he is not a member of that lodge!
Not only that, but in keeping with other service organisations, they all seemed well on the wrong side of 55.
Maybe uniformed masons stay in their own lodges and do not join 'civilian' ones. I know a member of a lodge (name of ex-RAF unit but that is a coincidence) who only became a mason after he retired. I suspect his local lodge, that he could visit, not a stone's throw from Carterton, may well have more light blue. That might be why he is not a member of that lodge!
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If indeed they do look after each other it would only be the same as you looking after a really good mate from your mess.
Just about lets the cat out of the bag. I understand the Scottish Masons are more open and they obviously don't seem to suffer as a result. If a list of RAF Masons could be released then at least there would not need to be anymore doubt. I'm really not trying to suggest that Masons are anything other than good men, but the thought that they could be a secret society that has members scratching each others backs/feathering each others nests/getting each other promoted pre-occupies me. I'm sure mates networks work too, but how far do they really stretch.... to the Board? I dont think so. However, could it be that a Mason sees another Masons OJAR, grades above all the other non-masons, and hey presto mason mate progresses. I do not really believe this happens (at least I hope it does not), but, a simple list and awareness of who the Masons amongst us are would surely dispell this once and for all. I'm not alone in this thought by the way. Many chaps I speak to, in many different walks of life, have a similar thought process. There is no room for secret societies in this country anymore! Are we not all meant to be part of one team?
Just about lets the cat out of the bag. I understand the Scottish Masons are more open and they obviously don't seem to suffer as a result. If a list of RAF Masons could be released then at least there would not need to be anymore doubt. I'm really not trying to suggest that Masons are anything other than good men, but the thought that they could be a secret society that has members scratching each others backs/feathering each others nests/getting each other promoted pre-occupies me. I'm sure mates networks work too, but how far do they really stretch.... to the Board? I dont think so. However, could it be that a Mason sees another Masons OJAR, grades above all the other non-masons, and hey presto mason mate progresses. I do not really believe this happens (at least I hope it does not), but, a simple list and awareness of who the Masons amongst us are would surely dispell this once and for all. I'm not alone in this thought by the way. Many chaps I speak to, in many different walks of life, have a similar thought process. There is no room for secret societies in this country anymore! Are we not all meant to be part of one team?
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TSSL
The bit youve quoted me on has been taken a bit out of context. I am not aware that anyone has pushed people through on promotion etc because the parties concerned were both Masons. I just dont think it happens, there is no feathering of nests or back scratching.
The bit youve quoted me on has been taken a bit out of context. I am not aware that anyone has pushed people through on promotion etc because the parties concerned were both Masons. I just dont think it happens, there is no feathering of nests or back scratching.
I'm not a freemason. Neither do I know how to give the 'tubelcain brotherly grip' or whatever that handshake thing is.
However, I accept that they do far more charitable work than most. If they choose to have a secret society, so what. Does it really matter?
However, I accept that they do far more charitable work than most. If they choose to have a secret society, so what. Does it really matter?
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There are enough arcane rituals of bonding and examples of favouritism outwith the square-and-compass fraternity!
Hang on, isn't there a secret box on the 7500? Maybe that was the reason my career reached an early and inauspicious peak!
Hang on, isn't there a secret box on the 7500? Maybe that was the reason my career reached an early and inauspicious peak!
We're taught that we're a society with secrets, not a secret society. If a mason wants you to know, he will.
Otherwise it's just as much his right to privacy as it is yours to keep to yourself your religion, marital status, or choice of beer
Otherwise it's just as much his right to privacy as it is yours to keep to yourself your religion, marital status, or choice of beer
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Sometime back in 1999 I had to do a bit of research into Masonry and the Armed Forces. Seem to recall that because of the fundamental secrecy about membership of the Freemasons that this was deemed incompatible with the Services and there is something in QRs and other regulations forbidding membership. Things may have changed and perhaps some helpful admin type could quote chapter and verse.....
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I seem to remember reading a book 'The Brootherhood', suggesting that the old cold war spies, kgb or whoever, would head straight for joining the masons as it was the place to be for intelligence gathering and other dodgy purposes.
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At last. A subject I know a little about. There is nothing secret about freemasonry. No hidden agenda, no sacrificial lambs, no vestal virgins and no politics. Freemasonry is simply concerned with showing tolerance and respect. Freemasons are charitable and work for the community.
If you are interested in joining why not pop down to your local lodge. You will be warmly received.
'HEAR SEE BE SILENT'
If you are interested in joining why not pop down to your local lodge. You will be warmly received.
'HEAR SEE BE SILENT'
As I'm sure southside will verify, since to use membership to further one's own agenda is against one of the prime tenets of Freemasonry, to do so would be so obvious to other members as to be self-defeating.
From what I've been able to learn about the Freemasons, and as much as it pains me to agree with him, their aims are entirely charitable, and their social activities are not that far removed from your average golf club.
But with unusual togs.
From what I've been able to learn about the Freemasons, and as much as it pains me to agree with him, their aims are entirely charitable, and their social activities are not that far removed from your average golf club.
But with unusual togs.
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Originally Posted by diginagain
and their social activities are not that far removed from your average golf club.
But with unusual togs.
But with unusual togs.
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The book the brotherhood was complete and utter s***e. It was written for the express purpose of selling books and it did. It is because of books like that , that Masons keep themselves to themselves because after reading such crap everone thinks that Masons are Baby Eating Bishops from Barton Wells.
As has been said it is not a secret society but a society with secrets some of which are of a historical nature. Some of it is fascinating stuff, as Southy said, go and join. You wont find a bad bone in the lodge.
The book the brotherhood was complete and utter s***e. It was written for the express purpose of selling books and it did. It is because of books like that , that Masons keep themselves to themselves because after reading such crap everone thinks that Masons are Baby Eating Bishops from Barton Wells.
As has been said it is not a secret society but a society with secrets some of which are of a historical nature. Some of it is fascinating stuff, as Southy said, go and join. You wont find a bad bone in the lodge.