ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by PrinceAlbert

I would like to think that this isn't the case. One of the pledges of being a Mason is to be a law abiding citizen.

when i did call ins on the radio : every session bar none , someone would call and say , may mates friend , uncles brothers dad was pulled by the police for drunk driving . He had done a whole bottle of scotch yet when he went to court he showed a masonic sign and walked out scott free. I would always ask in which county , town or court this happened and roughly which year or month . Never once did i get a decent answer , think about it the court is full of members of the public the press the police yet " he done a whole bottle of scotch " walked free ? I dont think so .

However like all urban myths this had a basic in some truth . A chap in 1912 was tried and convicted for murder ( which he probably did,nt do in the end ) once sentence was passed he was asked if he had owt to say . well for an hour he destroyed the case against him ending up with " by the great architect of the universe i am innocent " The judge a fellow mason still had him hanged .

it was at this time a photographer with a special camera built into a hat took photos of the court case for the daily morrow , some 8/10 years later this was heavily quoted in a report which eventually ended up with the banning of camera in court hence the court artist was back in business . hi fank yew .

Originally Posted by King_of_the_Burpas

Why do you need to be 'initiated' in order to go for a drink with some friends?

Indeed. I can't see the point of the whole thing. Also I'm not sure I could swear my belief in some undefined grand architect of the Universe.

Originally Posted by Pyianno

Indeed. I can't see the point of the whole thing. Also I'm not sure I could swear my belief in some undefined grand architect of the Universe.

I think it's a confidence thing. I’m not a Mason, but I’ve had to spend some time with Masonic chappies. But it all smacks of too much golf club snobbery and district councillors. There’s a general lack of self esteem, imho, involved among the members of the ‘club’ cos that’s all it is, inventing their own 'Mass' before having a drink and a laugh and then awarding each other Walty medals.

How anyone could read anything sinister into their peculiar past time is beyond me. If it cheers people up, then hats off. But to start bigging it up as some kind of local government illuminati is a bit sad.

Originally Posted by King_of_the_Burpas

I think it's a confidence thing. I’m not a Mason, but I’ve had to spend some time with Masonic chappies. But it all smacks of too much golf club snobbery and district councillors. There’s a general lack of self esteem, imho, involved among the members of the ‘club’ cos that’s all it is, inventing their own 'Mass' before having a drink and a laugh and then awarding each other Walty medals.

How anyone could read anything sinister into their peculiar past time is beyond me. If it cheers people up, then hats off. But to start bigging it up as some kind of local government illuminati is a bit sad.

It tends to be in the nature of such societies to exagerate their own importance and influence. I cannot see myself getting to the end of my life, whenever that might be, and regretting not having joined the freemasons. That is the test I usually apply before taking any significant decisions.

Originally Posted by Pyianno

It tends to be in the nature of such societies to exagerate their own importance and influence. I cannot see myself getting to the end of my life, whenever that might be, and regretting not having joined the freemasons. That is the test I usually apply before taking any significant decisions.

But so do other societies. There's always a contest at The Comrades in South Hylton (don't ask) to find the worst Christmas jumper sported by a member. The Special Forces Club probably have competitions to prepare the finest goat curry.

It's all the agreeable trivia you expect on a night out.

Why the Masons can't just do the same, without poncing about with ritual, is beyond my tiny brain.

the aprons and ritual is historic . Freemasonry started in 1716 when there were over 2,000 clubs and societies in London alone . So the ritual is based on three one act morality plays if you like . Charity , education and peace with your maker come the final day . It has an almost 300 year tradition behind it . Of course you don't have to be initiated to go for a drink if you want other outlets London clubs like the reform , RAC etc will fit the bill nicely and they have . Or failing that spent time in your local pub putting the world to rights. that's good to .
Freemasonry is a hobby and as such it aint for every one .

Originally Posted by sirbhp

the aprons and ritual is historic . Freemasonry started in 1716 when there were over 2,000 clubs and societies in London alone . So the ritual is based on three one act morality plays if you like . Charity , education and peace with your maker come the final day . It has an almost 300 year tradition behind it . Of course you don't have to be initiated to go for a drink if you want other outlets London clubs like the reform , RAC etc will fit the bill nicely and they have . Or failing that spent time in your local pub putting the world to rights. that's good to .
Freemasonry is a hobby and as such it aint for every one .

Freemasonry is a hobby, you say. But "it ain't for everyone". As I said, it smacks of a pretty inferior form of self-imposed elitism. We can agree that there is no 'all seeing eye' or a 'new order of assassins and Messianic truths' but you still think it's exclusive: "it ain't for everyone".

The Reform is shite, btw. Try the Travellers, but it's not everyone's brew.

nicer class of person use the reform, none of this taking your wellies off before going into the toilets stuff.

not biting anymore . grin