Hey, there is a town nearby my city that has a ton of houses with those free mason signs in front of their house/ I have googled it and I understand it is a secret society, but what for? What is it that they do? Secret Society's creep me out personally. Does anyone know anything about this society?

LOL well my husband is a Mason, he was invited into the Lodge because his father was also one. I was a bit creeped out by it too when I first met him. He's been with the society since his early 20s (he's 32 now). Honestly even though I am his wife I don't know exactly what they do when they meet. He never tells me of course; he's taken an oath so he won't reveal what goes on. I know they have certain ceremonies, but what goes on exactly, I have no idea. I was recently invited to join The Order of the Eastern Star myself. It is the sister organization to the Masons, for their wives and daughters. I haven't had a chance to go to a meeting yet, too busy with kids and other things. But if I ever do, maybe I'll share here. Unless of course they'll kill me if I do! :p

When you looked up Masons in Google, did you check out Wikipedia: Freemasonry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry) ? They have a pretty extensive explanation of the society and how it got started. Their main purpose now, as far as I can tell, is charitable. They give money and take part in community activities, similar to the Lions Club or the Rotary Club. And I think the men like the idea of having their own secret place to go hang out with no women around lol. Just my opinion there.

Here are some good web sites that will give you a lot of iniformation.
Although some of their meetings are "secret" they are far from secret, members have stickers on their cars, they wear rings with their symbol, and their buildings have large signs on them.


Freemasonry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry)

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Masonry (Freemasonry) (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09771a.htm)

Freemason Information - Further Light (http://www.freemasoninformation.com/)

Honestly even though I am his wife I don't know exactly what they do when they meet. I would have a problem with that if it were my spouse (and I am by no means a controlling person).

Need, I couldn't comment because I had to spread it aorund. I do agree with you that I would be concerned that she doesn't know. I have heard that they are very secretive about what they do so it is not a surprise you can't find a lot about them, Cgirl. My brother knows a lot about them but I couldn't get a hold of him to ask.

Haven't you seen National Treasure?? That's what its all about! Lol ;)

Actually National Treasure is NOT what is all about. My daughter has been involved in Masonic youth organizations for the last 5 years.

Masonry started as a building trade guild prior to the Renaissance. Masons jealousy guarded the secrets of their trade, passing them from journeyman to apprentice. Freemasonry grew from these trade groups and maintained the façade of a secret organization. Free Masons are not largely different from Elks, Rotaries or Knights of Columbus. The main purpose of the organization is philanthropy and community service. They do have certain rituals they conduct during their meetings that are kept secret. But these rituals are simply a very structured way of conducting a meeting.

And to CGirl, if you want to know more, join Eastern Star, which is the women's equivalent.

I would have a problem with that if it were my spouse (and I am by no means a controlling person).

Yeah I'm sure it would bother a lot of people, but honestly, it really doesn't bother me. I trust him that he's not doing anything illegal or immoral. I look at it sort of the same as, he can't always tell me what he does at work either, because of patient confidentiality. I know that's not exactly the same thing, but it feels the same to me. He was in the Masons for a few years before I met him too, so it's not something new since we've been together. It's always been part of my relationship with him. Plus I may be joining the female version myself soon. So I will basically "find out" if and when I do that.

And Scott is absolutely right; they mostly exist as a charitable organization these days.

My wife's grandfather was a mason. He was a man of integrity, faith, and honor.

Yes... they have rituals we won't understand. At his funeral they had a whole ceremony that was obviously a masonic ritual.

While the idea of a closed society can be unnerving, I can tell you this man would never have been a part of something that wasn't wholesome, just, and of the highest integrity.

I named my son after him, and if I am just half the man he was, I'm doing a good job.

Plus I may be joining the female version myself soon. So I will basically "find out" if and when I do that. Go for it. You might as well have your night out a week too. :)

Thanks for all of the info everyone, I think I am beginning to understand more about it now... I guess "secret society" just throws everyone off at first.

Yep, its more of a secretive organization, then some ultra secret society plotting nefarious deeds.

Masonry started out as a building trade guild prior to the Renaissance. Masons jealousy guarded the secrets of their trade, passing them from journeyman to apprentice. Freemasonry grew from these trade groups and maintained the facade of a secret organization. Free Masons are not largely different from Elks, Rotaries or Knights of Columbus. The main purpose of the organization is philanthropy and community service. They do have certain rituals they conduct during their meetings that are kept secret. But these rituals are simply a very structured way of conducting a meeting.

That's just what they want you to think!! Its all a cover-up he he he

</tinfoilhat>

Freemasonry has pretty evil ties that are very well hidden. It takes some serious research to get to the facts which many consider lies. My take is it has NWO ties and to stay away from it. I have much more info on this subject but I do not share it openly. They have skeletons in their closets. MANY.

Hypatia

Freemasonry has pretty evil ties that are very well hidden. It takes some serious research to get to the facts which many consider lies. My take is it has NWO ties and to stay away from it. I have much more info on this subject but I do not share it openly. They have skeletons in their closets. MANY.

Hypatia


There wasn't enough room in the comments for me to say all I wanted to about this garbage. Given the roster of people who have been Freemasons in the past (Like George Washington, Will Rogers, Teddy Roosevelt and MANY others), given the Masons I have personally met and been friends with. There is no way there is a evil side to them. I have no clue what NWO is, but I think this borders on Libel.

I have no clue what NWO is, but I think this borders on Libel.

New World Order? At least I think that's what it is.

I think it's interesting that Masons were targeted as political prisoners in Nazi Germany and that between 100,000 - 200,000 of them were killed. Hitler and Nazi Party accused them of being aligned with the Jews and wanting to create a World Republic.

Hi,
Masons contribute much, much to America.
George Washington, Abe Lincoln, etc, etc, and on and on were Masons.
The Shriners in VA help children, contribute to charities, and are among the "tops" of Masons.
The only "secrecy" is that one has to be ask another member about it. There are no "membership" drives, as other organizations. They also have their own funeral rights, with a short eulogy after a funeral.
Free Masons were started when this country was founded, doing charity work, and enjoying life. My Aunt is a member of Eastern Star, a womans' ties to Masonry, with charitable work all over our county in VA. Masons have a long tradition, and will continue to have for the future generations.

Hi, again,
I have asked the Administration to change my "approval" comment to "disapproval" comment, in Hypatia's answer.
I mistakenly left it on "approval", and meant it to be "disapproval".
Thank you. And best wishes.

Go for it. You might as well have your night out a week too. :)

LOL well at this point baby would have to come with me, as I am breastfeeding. But I guess I could take him along. :)

LOL well at this point baby would have to come with me, as I am breastfeeding. But I guess I could take him along. :)The joys of "expressing" may benefit you. :D

LOLL I haven't tried that yet, but yes it would be awesome and would allow me a break now and then. I'm a bit paranoid about having him on a bottle though, because he took some time to latch on, and my friend with 2 kids said they sometimes reject the breast afterwards. But it's a good idea to try, because I'm pretty tired from having to wake up every 2-3 hours or so to feed him.

Yea nipple confusion can be an issue. With our kids the breastfeeding part didn't go well so we resorted to formula after a month. I need much less sleep than my wife so I was able to have a little extra bonding time night and the wife slept - win/win.

Good for you Orange for breastfeeding by the way, I breastfed my son until he was 11 months, but some good advice to you too would be to start giving them a bottle soon as well, otherwise you will never get out of the house! I waited too long to start doing this and he REFUSED to take a bottle, and it was absolutely murder trying to wean him. Just some words of the wise. Best wishes, breast milk is the best thing for babies! (I wanted to put this as a comment on your post but the dang system wouldn't let me :))

=) a little off topic, eh? But since it was brought up...

Our son breastfed for the first year and a few months. For the first, oh I don't know... maybe 2.5 months we did no bottle, as momma stayed home from work. Then when momma worked she was able to come home sometimes and sometimes not, so we used a bottle w breastmilk. But there was no problem going back and forth.

And at the end, about a year and 2-3 months it was kind of his idea to stop... he just accepted the bottle and didn't fuss much about wanting momma.

Thanks for the advice on breastfeeding, everyone... in the thread on Masons no less! LOL!! Maybe I should try the bottle soon... in a couple of weeks or so. I understand what you mean about being stuck at home Cgirl... that's what's happened to my one friend. She's never spent more than an hour away from her kids since they were born, and her oldest is almost 4 now!! As much as I love my baby, I don't think I could handle that.

A happy mommy = happy baby.

Yes, this thread sure took a turn didn't it? Yea, I would maybe wait a couple of weeks and then try the bottle, this way you can do both, and then your husband can get involved in the feedings sometimes too, this would probably make him feel good.

Orange, I am not sure if every one else was talking about formula in a bottle but you can try to pump then give the baby some. It'll be the best of both worlds. My wife pumped, wasn't easy but she did it. My first son was OK with the bottle but we did it more often. My second son would not eat out of a bottle right from the beginning until he had to. We went away for 3 days and by the next day he must have realized this was his only chance to eat. I thought it would take him awhile to wean off the breast but we put him on formula at about 11 months and he did great and weaned himself off. It all depends on the individual.

So how about the free masons? :D

Okay back to free masons topic, I started a new thread about breastfeeding:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/pregnancy-new-motherhood/decided-start-new-thread-dos-donts-breastfeeding-25678.html

I think that the whole idea of Free Mason's being evil, and connected to the satanic church is an urban legend. It sounds like they are a lot like any other organization, like the Kiwanas Club or the Shriners. I think some people who make these accusations need to look more into it, like I am doing. I have learned not to believe everything you hear, and to look into something more thoroughly before I judge someone/something. If everyone was like this, a lot of conflicts would be stopped before they ever even started.

The problem, or course, being the hidden information. Why would such a charitable organization be so secretive in their workings? I am not saying they are "evil" or "satanic"... Im just saying they are not as they appear ;)

Yea, I know what you mean. I don't get the whole secretive thing either. I guess that's why I originally started this thread. Why all of the secrets? I guess that is their right to do this, I just think it's weird that they are so secretive. I don't know. They seem like a good organization though, for the most part.

Here is a good website that I found about FreeMasons...

Freemasonry Explained (http://www.masonic-renewal.org/freemasonry_explained.htm)

I don't doubt that they do good things. I am really not familiar with the organization myself at all... it just seems to me that some people here seem to think they know exactly what they do. If people who are not masons know exactly what goes on and what they do and its just a charitable club, why would they bother trying to keep anything secret? Ya know? What's the point of being a "Secret Society" (which they have been known as sine the beginning of time) if people know what your doing... and if what you are doing is what people are describing here.

Yea, I see your point. These are questions which remain to be unanswered

Hmmm... interesting article.

However, my chronic paranoia and conspiriecy theories tell me that is the Masonic Façade, while in the deeper dwellings of the Masonic Lodges lies the agenda of the greatest minds in the world

</tinfoilhat>

Lol

Lets try to break this up a bit. This whole labeling of Freemasonry as a "secret society" is a bit off. The only thing secret about them is the rituals they go through at meetings. Meetings are very structured with specific things being said at specific points. Movements are precise and according to patterns. And the like. Its nothing more sinister then the secret handshake you may have had between your friends as a youth.

There is nothing secret about their purpose, their doings etc.

So you need to look separately at what is secret and what isn't. They are not a "secret society" with secret goals and plans. They are nothing more than a philantrhopic, community service organization that maintains the privacy of their meeting ritual.

Thanks Scottgem, I think I have a better understanding. I don't think they are bad in anyway, I just wonder what their secret rituals are. But I guess I would have to join to find that out. Thanks for all of the info.

So some of you believe that just because a groups outward appearance is charitable, seemingly healthy and just a normal type organization, that they could never be involved with more nefarious schemes? Next Im going to hear GWB is a good guy and he truly means well. There are orgs all over the world going back hundreds of years with secret social and political ties. To look at the surface and make a judgement is pretty shallow. I urge you all to do some research and you will not only find roses but you will find the thorns.
I have been with Job's Daughters, had dinners with these people and while the lower ranking masons are great people, average people, to get into the top degrees unspoken rankings it takes more than typical familial ties.
Ever wonder why almost every president is a mason?
Try doing a bit of research into these things. It isnt just a topic for conspiracy theorists. these ties lead to so many organizations like PNAC for instance.
Its more than secret handshakes and symbology. The symbolism alone goes back to some evil stuff. You just gotta dig far enough and look hard enough to find it.
Just because I do not go into detail with my information doesnt mean i am speculative.
Do not condemn my opinions because they differ from your own. That is so immature.

Hypatia

Are you a Psychic?

[B]I have been with Job's Daughters, had dinners with these people and while the lower ranking masons are great people, average people, to get into the top degrees unspoken rankings it takes more than typical familial ties.

But couldn't this be said of a lot of organizations, that the average members are good people whereas the top leaders are corrupt? Not that I believe it, but I've heard this very same thing being said about the Roman Catholic Church, for example.

If I (or someone else on the forum) wanted to do more research on Freemasonry, where would you suggest I start? There is a lot of stuff out there about the Masons, but how do you tell the garbage from what's actually true? What are some of your sources and how did you come to the conclusions that you've reached?

I'm not attacking you, I really am sincerely interested, especially since my husband is in the organization.

Ever wonder why almost every president is a mason?

Hypatia


That's the part that makes me wonder... and we all know that all these presidents were such charitable guys, right??

What other purily charitable organizations with secret handshakes are so many presidents and leaders a part of?

I'm not attacking you, I really am sincerely interested, especially since my husband is in the organization.

Don't concern yourself, Chava. Any organization that chooses to keep some internal things secret is going to be the object of conspiracy theorists. That's all this garbage is. I will state absolutely and unequivocably that the ONLY purpose of Freemasonry is community service. I defy anyone to present concrete proof of any sinister or nefarious agenda on their part.

Hey, Chava,
Some words can be blown completely out of proportion, and some threads can, too!
The word "secret" scares some, and some make more out of it than it really is.
There should be no need to defend Masons, or Shriners... their actions, character building, childrens' hospitals, and good deeds speak for themselves.

My husband just came home from his "initiation" with the masons. I couldn't reach him for 3.5hours by pager or cell. We have 6 kids, 2 of which are special needs. When I asked him why he didn't respond to my pages or texting he said "i wasn't allowed to carry my pager or my phone". He stormed out after quite a heated argument and I'm sure he's at one of their homes now asking how to handle it. Do I have a problem with this? YES!! Screw the masons... if my husband has to keep a secret from me, then he doesn't need to be involved with them. That's just BS!!

my husband just came home from his "initiation" with the masons. i couldn't reach him for 3.5hours by pager or cell. we have 6 kids, 2 of which are special needs. when i asked him why he didn't respond to my pages or texting he said "i wasn't allowed to carry my pager or my phone". he stormed out after quite a heated argument and i'm sure he's at one of their homes now asking how to handle it. do i have a problem with this? YES!!!!!!!! screw the masons... if my husband has to keep a secret from me, then he doesn't need to be involved with them. that's just BS!!!!!!!!!!

I side with your hubby. The one who has a problem is YOU! If you can't deal with not being able to contact your husband for 3.5 hours, especially knowing in advance this would be the case, then you have control issues. Would you rather not knowing where your husband is? By being an active mason, he is entering a support group that can be far more helpful to your family then detrimental.

I am not a mason, but not for reasons like yours. If your husband came to me to ask how to handle you, I would send him home pretty quick and give you the emergency # for the lodge to use, in case of a REAL emergency. That's how the masons I know would handle it.

My husband and I have 6 children... 2 of which are special needs. Our 7-year old is terminal. I did NOT know that I would not be able to reach him last night. I did NOT know he would be gone from 7pm until 10:30pm on a Tuesday night. When I posed the question about what if something happened to our 7-year old and I couldn't reach him... he said "if he up and died while you couldn't reach me, what difference would it make if I had my phone or not, he'd still be F***ing dead when I got back!" Is that what the Masons are good for? He walked out of the house... he chose the Masons over me after his first meeting. And if it's such a charitable organization and so good for the family to "make him a better husband, father, and man" then why doesn't anyone tell you about how much it costs to be a Mason? All I'm getting from it so far is that my husband has spent all of 3½ hours of his life at a Masonic meeting and he came home cursing, yelling, and throwing things at me, and walked out! The only thing he did this morning was shove me to wake me up and say "the hypocritial tooth fairy b**ch forgot to leave money for her daughter" and left. If that's a Mason... it's not a Christian organization and he doesn't need it.

Now this puts a different light on things. What I would do is approach the head of the lodge or his wife (who would probably be a member of Eastern Star). I would explain your concerns and how your husband reacted to them. If they are like any of the Masons I know, they will take your husband aside and read the riot act to him. No way would they condone or accept the behavior you describe. It is totally against the principles they stand for.

I also think the two of you need to seek the help of a counselor. I suspect the burden of a terminally ill child is weighing heavily on your husband and he doesn't know how to deal with. He probably finds the lodge an escape from those burdens. From my experience with Masons, they can be a great support mechanism for both of you in this situation.

I doubt if they are aware of how your husband is dealing with this and would not support it if they did. But you can't go into this attacking them. You are making assumptions based solely on what your husband has done. I think you need to give them the total picture and then see what happens before you condemn the whole Masonic community.

This was the first time he has ever been to the lodge (assuming that that is was where the initiation was). This is his first dealings with "being there". He had dinner at a guys house once and 2 Masons came here for a 2-hr visit once. That's it! So, I don't see this as an escape. He works at the hospital where he is on call and TRULY is hardly ever home! He also just turned 40 on Sunday, so I'm thinking mid-life crisis!

Another problem is, 4 years ago, while our now 7-year old son was recovering from his 3rd open heart surgery, hubby decided to have a 3-month affair with a co-worker. After the cat was out of the bag, the only reason I did not divorce him was because he begged and pleaded, swearing he would never keep secrets from me. Now this?

Third problem... at these meetings, from what I've read FROM A LODGE, they are banned from speaking of religion and politics at the meetings. His first concern is his walk with God. He's the spiritual leader in my house. Putting God first is witnessing! How can you witness if you are BANNED from discussing Him??

Might I ask why you decided to not join? Was it the money? The time?

One of my best friends is a mason and I trust him completely. His wife is cool with it even though she doesn't know what goes on in lodge either. They are a good group of guys that do a lot of good things via their organization. The Shriners are all freemasons. But because they are a "secretive" society then I guess all their hospitals and the burn units and the orthopedic specialists are "evil" and must be destroyed. These people do a lot of good in this world and if they have initiation rites and secret handshakes between themselves then fine. If your husband is a mason then he is one of thousands doing good works upon this earth, you should be proud not fearful. Do some actual research on the net, I think you will be surprised.

As to your husbands behaviour, that is a personal problem between you and him. The masons are innocent bystanders in this. If he had been in church with a priest for 3.5 hours with his phone off while praying for your son, would you still be angry? The lodge meeting was simply the catalyst for your angry outburst. Please direct the anger at your husband where it is due and not at those who are standing by.

He may be viewing the lodge as a future place for escape. Joining the Masons can be very valuable in terms of networking, making contacts that can help with many areas of life.

These are not secrets he is voluntarily keeping from you. So I wouldn't include that issue.

Not sure where you read that, but Masons tend to be religious people. While there may be bans on discussing any specific religion, the Bible is part of their ceremonies. As for discussing politics, maybe not during actual meetings, but not during the social get togethers.

Not sure who you were asking about not joining but for me, the time, the money, the religious nature and not needing what they were offering all played a part in my decisions.

Hello all,
My name is Steve and I'm new to askmehelpdesk and came across this thread about Freemasonry and figured I'd make myself available to answer any and all questions since I am a Freemason and have been for 7 years now. Since Freemasonry is not something I can just go into I will just say some general things in response to some of the comments I saw on this thread. First off, YES we are a secret society. And what that means is that we have secrets just like every other organization, business, or person. Do you really think if you just walked into APPLE that Steve Jobs and the crew would just tell you everything they are planning or working on for their business and the release of new technology and products? OF COURSE NOT! Because it's their business and concerns them and they have every right to their privacy. It's the same reason you lock your door at night, because you want privacy. Not because you are a devil worshipper plotting to take over the world. And trust me Masons are some of the most incompetent people I know when they are together because they can't even organize a ritual rehearsal or a dinner dance without a million things going wrong. So, yes we have secrets, but none of them concern non-Masons because we aren't not planning to take over the world, we are only planning our own meetings and rehearsals. Next. The reason we don't allow religion and politics to be discussed in our lodge meetings is because they are two topics that, since time immemorial, have done nothing but separate people, and our goal is to bring people together. The "goal" of Freemasonry is to "take good men and make them better". This is our goal. That doesn't mean that it always works or that every man that is a Freemason is an outstanding human being, or becomes one. Quite the contrary. A lot of people join Freemasonry because they think they are going to get large sums of money deposited into their accounts, or that they will never have to pay parking tickets again(someone actually told me this is the reason why he wanted to join when I went to interview him), or that they will learn secrets that will help them control the universe. All not true! All we do is give men the opportunity to surround themselves with like minded individuals that want to get together and make this world a little better while they are here, and also improve themselves and become an example for those around them in their homes and communities. Freemasonry(only in the U.S.) donates over $2,000,000 a day in money and services. Did you know that if you have a child that is born without a limb or loses a limb growing up that we hospitals that will treat that child COST FREE until the age of 18. And "NO" you don't have to be a Mason or even know a Mason. We also have some of the best burn hospitals in the world. In N.Y. we have one of the leading medical research laboratories in the world that deal with cardiology. Welcome to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (http://www.mmrl.edu/) Take a look.

Anyway, it would be a lot easier if you all just asked question because I could write about Freemasonry for days.
Also, a great place to ask questions is the Grand Lodges of your states. Each state is run by a governing body called a Grand Lodge and each state has a building where they would be more than happy to give you a tour and answer all your questions. The three most impressive Masonic buildings are the Grand Lodge building of New York (http://www.nymasons.org/cms/virtualtour), the Grand Lodge of England, and also The Scottish Rite Building in Washington D.C. My lodge is in New York in case you are wondering.

Anyway, it's late and I'm getting sleepy...

Steve

Could anyone explain why females are kept out? (other than the lame answer that guys want their time alone) The “side� organization (eastern stars) seems that it requires the female to be subservient/submissive to the male. (which I feel has been misrepresented by man and their interp. Of the bible/relig texts to begin with in many walks of this world) I have read (yikes I know) that a female mason is an abhorrent thought to the fraternity. Does this all go back to Matriarch vs patriarch? Well calling all masons…what's the deal here or do I have to join in order to know the secret? I can't I am a women. Damn catch 22s.