Figured I'd resurect an interesting topic from the thread below.

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=9&messageDisplay=0000000029856 

Are any of you newer guys "brothers" ??

Interesting thread Andy. My grandfather and all of his brothers/cousins were/are free masons. My Grandmother was also affiliated (what are they called... something like northern stars?). So I have a posative view.

On the other hand, my "crazy" uncle Louie (who was not crazy until what he experienced in the Battle of the Bulge) was convinced that the Freemasons were after him until the day he died for some reason.

I also I saw some show that claimed to know who Jack the Ripper was and that he must be a free mason based on some ancient torture techniques.

It is amazing how some demonize this group. I never viewed my grandpa as a killer or a stalker, or worse one of those people who drive the little cars and motorcycles 🙂

It is a fascinating group though.

teedubbya,

For some reason, we have a history of responding to accusations with indifferent silence, which probably has unfortunatley hurt our image more than it has helped.

If Jack the Ripper was a mason (as portayed in "From Hell" the movie which was based on a book by an anti-masonic author), his actions certainly would not have been condoned by the lodge at the time.

We actually have folks from all walks of life, and with the recent "recruiting efforts" alot of younger men have joined.

BTW: Eastern Star is the women's organization, and yes, their symbol is an upside down pentagram, however they keep the devil worship to a minimum and focus primarily on good deeds.

it's secret group who along with the aluminati control all government and corporations they control everything!!!!!!lmao

no seriously, they are a very interesting group i like the knights of the templar and i have read and also seen in a few shows how they where related.. masonic signs and emblams in templaric churchs and such.

I hear they can make people vote for whoever they want to be in office using sublimital messages in commercials. And also......someones at the door.....Ahhhhhh...the masonic goons......Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

BOB HAS TO TAKE A NAP NOW......

M Goon

Iwolf & Bob,

epublicansray areyay oodgay!

epublicansray areyay oooooooooooodgay!

Iwolf;

It is a very good possibility that when the Templars were dissolved (by force)they created freemasonry as their underground network.

Fidailio

Oh sorry that was from a Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman movie.

Interesting that you brought this back up Andy. Both my grandfather and great grandfather were 33rd degree masons and I have just started looking into the process of joining. I know you have to be invited, but am sure I can make some calls if I want to go through with it.

spadesman;

You don't have to be invited! You just have to show interest or ask about it. We are then permitted to discuss the particulars of membership.

I say go for it......it isn't much of a burden on your time if you don't want it to be (i.e. it is what you make it). My lodge doesn't even meet in the summer!

If you want a little info email me;

tev at kiski dot net

Andy, from my reading I've come to understand that the Freemasons and Templars coexisted together for a while. The Templars where most like the driving force in the creation of the Freemasons. When the Templars were pushed to ruin, many members (high ranking included) simply infused with the Freemasons.

Also, I find it quite annoying when people associate pentagrams with Satanistic worship. (not an attack on anyone, just a general statement) Certain pagan symbols became tarnished centuries ago as a form of propaganda from the Catholic Church. Posidon's trident became the Devil's pitchfork, the Wise Crone's hat became a Witch's hat, and the Pentagram has just as much Christain importance as it does to pagan religions. Early Greeks loved it's mathematical perfection (the divine ratio phi), the Hebrews refer to it as the Pentateuch or the first 5 books of the bible, and up until medieval times, the 5 points represented the 5 wounds of Christ on the cross. Even Constantine the Great (founder and motivator of the Holy Roman Empire) wore the Pentagram on his seal.

Sorry if that sounded like a rant, just bringing up a bit of religious history

so mode it be...:::extending hand for secret handshake::

handshake reciprocated....glad to meet you.

And The Order of DeMolay......

I didn't come up through DeMolay, but it is active in my area.

Topped

step father is. that is ALL i know. he can keep a secret.

Burgess,

No disrespect intended to your stepfather, but his tendency towards secrecy is his PERSONAL choice. It is not the policy of Freemasons....we can discuss ANYTHING but the actual details involving the initiatory rights.

A lot of older brothers like to maintain the image of an elitist secret society.........which I believe detracts from our good works.

i heard your secret talk, and i gotta say, my step father is democrat. 😉

anyway, i do know alot of their good works, and they usually have impeccable hospitals!