topic Re: Freemasonary in Community Spirit

Freemasonary

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:22:36 GMT

What do you know about it?

I was told that one Mason could identify another Mason by shaking hands with them.

Apparently they have some special secret handshake.

Re: Freemasonary

azureline** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:25:12 GMT

http://www.aboutfreemasons.com/Masonic_Secret_Handshake

but it is no secret.

My OH was one....he quit when he realised they were so chauvinistic......

Re: Freemasonary

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:32:53 GMT

yes, I did the google thing, and I have read a few books, I was just interested in some "real" examples iykwim.

I was talking to a really elderly gentleman the other day about it and maybe it was his generation or maybe even just him, but he was very secret about his involvement.

He admitted to having been one earlier in his life.

He didn't specifically say he had stopped/quit or whatever, but he didn't say he was still a member either.

And it was he who told me about the handshake thingo. He wouldn't show me the handshake but did say he would recognize someone else using it.

That's all he would say on the subject.

The only other real life knowledge I have is my grandma got preferential placement in a nursing home (20 odd years ago - she passed away in 1993) because "someone she knew" had connections to Freemasonary. My grandpa - her husband, may have been that person, but he passed away in 1977, so even if he was the connection, he had been gone for over 14 years.

Re: Freemasonary

mugssy65 — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:43:10 GMT

My fil is one, as far as I can tell, silly handshakes, sillier aprons and stupid antiquated rules! AND yes he is a chauvinistic pig a trait he did not hand down to his son!

Re: Freemasonary

azureline** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:46:40 GMT

Lucky Mugsy!

I spent many an afternoon whiling away the time making tea and cakes and floral deccies...while the boys played dress up.....:|

Re: Freemasonary

**meep** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:50:52 GMT

A couple of our close friends are. They invited the OH to join. Not sure about the handshake. I could ask them I guess...

Re: Freemasonary

darksideofthemoon — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:51:07 GMT

You'd need to know the enormous history behind the Freemasons before you would comprehend its significance.

There is is/was a reason for the secrecy that doesn't really apply today, but did back in the 1300s

The handshake is real but don't believe all the rubbish you read... there are some very big names in the Masonic movement. 🙂

Re: Freemasonary

azureline** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:57:17 GMT

It is a massive business networking thing and can be very lucrative.

Re: Freemasonary

darksideofthemoon — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:03:08 GMT

It is now azure but its history goes back to the 1300s

Re: Freemasonary

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:36:45 GMT

You'd need to know the enormous history behind the Freemasons before you would comprehend its significance.

There is is/was a reason for the secrecy that doesn't really apply today, but did back in the 1300s

The handshake is real but don't believe all the rubbish you read... there are some very big names in the Masonic movement. 🙂

When I was googling there was a list of prominent members.

Also, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that women are now allowed to join.

Re: Freemasonary

**meep** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:41:42 GMT

Also, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that women are now allowed to join.

Really? How?

Re: Freemasonary

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:47:00 GMT

I don't know - a women's chapter?

are ya gonna make me google again?

LOL

Re: Freemasonary

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:48:44 GMT

Yep - it seems it's true - I just googled Freemasonary Women and there are heaps of hits.

Re: Freemasonary

purple_haize — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:55:00 GMT

Here in Victoria, women can only go to the Freemasons Social Events.

Re: Freemasonary

**meep** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 07:56:49 GMT

I don't know - a women's chapter?

are ya gonna make me google again?

LOL

LOL no its OK...i just did and it looks like they cant join Regular Freemasonry - whatever that means..

Re: Freemasonary

freakiness — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:05:48 GMT

LOL no its OK...i just did and it looks like they cant join Regular Freemasonry - whatever that means..

From my childhood memories the only time women are welcome is to cook and clean for the annual function women are invited to :^O

Re: Freemasonary

azureline** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:16:47 GMT

From my childhood memories the only time women are welcome is to cook and clean for the annual function women are invited to :^O

and make tea, coffee, cakes and floral arrangements under the guidance of the head honcho's lady.......

Re: Freemasonary

**meep** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:24:31 GMT

so you were allowed inside the Lodge?

Re: Freemasonary

the_bob_delusion — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:27:19 GMT

Who's heard the conspiracies discussed in Dan Brown's books?

Re: Freemasonary

azureline** — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 08:34:45 GMT

Lodges usually have an ante room but yes, women are allowed in for certain ceremonies.