Freemasons? Good? bad? Ugly?
 

Ive noticed another series on recently that seems to be showering praise upon them

Are they as powerful as ever?

They give to charity, some of which are masonic charities. 75% went to fellow freemasons? Yet this is called charity?

Are they really the kind open benevolent group they claim or is charity merely a ruse / a cover up to disguise the corruption? the back scratching? the favouritism and nepotism? Do they still give jobs to fellow masons above non masons? how is this even legal?

Lest we forget al capone gave a lot to charity as a front for his true crimes

if you take £100 million out the back door, its easy to give a million pounds out the front door to make yourself look good

any club that wouldhave me as member...........would not be worth joining

Mark L

Kings of noughties bops

I know someone who is one, they do give work to fellow masons in their group

All businesses' give to charity, it looks good and its tax deduct able.

Do I care about masons, no.

Grown men playing at being cub scouts.

Ugly, why so secret....what have you got to hide?

I know someone who is one. The "NO GIRLS ALLOWED!!!" vibe to it just makes it juvenile and a bit gay.

Not good bad or ugly,I just don't see the need for things with odd rituals and heavy secretive activities.
All they claim to do could be done anyway as a totally open grouping.

Just another stupid boys club - makes them feel superior. Leave them to their silly little games I say.

At the lower levels probably harmless.

Who knows what goes on near the top of the pyramid though

This. It's just a boy's club. One of my mum's best friends was a "grand master" and my wife's grandad was pretty "high up" too... There's no great mystery or secret organisation going on, it is exactly what it looks like. A working class protestant men's circlejerk.

They probably do pass each other work (which is nepotism and of questionable legality) / use it for making "trade buddies" e.g. Builders getting to know electricians and plumbers and then hiring them in on projects... Which is, I suppose, almost sensible in terms of wanting to ensure reliability (can't **** each other over because then they'd be "out of the club").

The nepotism is most likely what the secrecy is about. Other than that, it's basically just a sectarian protestant drinking club.