Mason's and "Free Masons". Conspiracy theories and the Occult!

[DawnCt1]

My dad was a Mason. I was a Rainbow Girl. My mother belonged to the Eastern Star. There was never anything sinister or conspiratorial about it. As a RG we had "rituals" and wore white dresses. I have recently read two books; Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco and Club Dumas by Arturo-Revez Reverte. (I get stuck on themes) Anyway, books of this nature at some point, besides mentioning the Templar Knights, which is in every conspiracy theory/occult book, always mention the MASONS! Last night I had the radio on and what comes up on Coast to Coast AM (Art Bell's former show) the Masons! Why is that?

 

[Cool-Beans]

Honestly, the only masons I knew were big-time racists. When I was a teen a friend of mine asked me to go to some Rainbow Girl spectacular and mom wouldn't let me. It turned out that black people couldn't even join that organization if they wanted to. I talked to her about it and she told me that she wasn't a racist, but didn't like "dirty" black people.

...and so ended the friendship. That was my first dealings with racism and I remember it clearly.

I think it was about 13 years ago a guy I knew (who I didn't like for reasons other than being a mason) made a big show out of announcing that his group had recognized a black chapter or started allowing black people in or whatever. He made it very clear that he was being sarcastic and didn't approve of the move at all.

I don't know if it is like that all over the country, but that's why hearing about "the masons" always made me a little sick.

I'd be happy to learn that most of the group isn't like that. I honestly have had little dealings with it. Those two people are the only ones I've ever known.

 

[Virgo10]

Another former Rainbow Girl here. As for your question, people fear what they do not understand.

I wanted to join Rainbow more than anything in my teenage years. However, I was Catholic. When I approached the most liberal thinking priest in my parish, he told me that it would be considered a sin against the church. So I left the catholic church never to return. I spent 6 years in Rainbow and it was one of the most important things I did as a teenager.

Today everyone can join Rainbow so things have improved. Perhaps as more people get involved with the Masonic order, the sinister theories will start to disappear.

 

[Cantw8]

Father is a Mason, mother is in Eastern Star and I was also a Rainbow Girl. Didn't know exactly what that meant back then and still I'm not quite sure today. It was something my parents wanted me to do so I did. I do remember they had great dances with the DeMolay

 

[OhMari]

My dd won a scholarship from the local Masonic Temple. The group is getting pretty old in our area. I think it will fizzle out soon. But this group raises funds and gives out scholarships.

 

[mjkacmom]

My dad was a Mason, as was my Grandfather (he was a Grand Master), and my grandmother and aunts were Eastern Star, and I was a rainbow girl. I don't remember there being anything racist about it, and my father is certainly not a racist - despises them. And I'm also Catholic!

 

[DawnCt1]

There were black girls in our order. I do not remember any racist about Rainbow. I wonder if it was "regional" and wouldn't have mattered what organization it was.

 

[eclectics]

Why is that?

The Masons are a very old organization with some "secret" traditions. Nothing sinister. Just like the Knights Templar, the Masons have always been looked at with suspicion. I think it's just mostly out of habit, passed down through the years.

 

[Cool-Beans]

My dad was a Mason, as was my Grandfather (he was a Grand Master), and my grandmother and aunts were Eastern Star, and I was a rainbow girl. I don't remember there being anything racist about it, and my father is certainly not a racist - despises them. And I'm also Catholic!

There were black girls in our order. I do not remember any racist about Rainbow. I wonder if it was "regional" and wouldn't have mattered what organization it was.

I'm happy to hear these things. Really and truly.

Learn new things all the time on the DIS.

 

[Galahad]

I have been a Freemason (mason is just short for Freemason) all of my adult life. I am neither a racist nor privy to any conspiracy. My grandfather became a mason in Germany. My father is a 33rd degree Scottish Rite mason (I am a 32nd degree) who rose to high office in the fraternity (it is just a fraternity) through great and lasting public service. I have found that masons in general are slightly more liberal than the general population, FWIW.

The reason the masons get mentioned in conspiracy things is the history and premise of the fraternity. The roots of the fraternity go back to King Solomon and the building of his temple. Basically allegories and symbolism are used to teach moral lessons to members of the fraternity. Freemasonry is open to men of all monotheistic traditions. You must declare your belief in God and are admonished to worship and follow your own religion. My lodge has Christians and Jews and Blacks and Whites (lodges used to be segregated - another story). Other lodges also have Muslims and there are lodges in India.

So, at the last 'take-over-the-world' meeting we were undecided about how to control the economy and we decided to put on our fezzes and ride our scooters instead.

 

[Galahad]

There were/are regional differences. In the US they date back to the whole north/south thing. Lodges were segregated in the southern jurisdiction longer than in the northern jurisdiction. Historically Black lodges practices are identical - they are called Prince Hall Masons,named for a black mason that left racist and separatist white lodges in the south and started lodges for blacks. The two are not officially merged, but my lodge has black members and his a partnership with a Prince Hall lodge that has white members.

 

[Galahad]

Also, (more info). The official organization was first organized in England in 1717. It spread to Europe and then to the Colonies. A very large number of the founders of the U.S. were Masons and much of our constitution and such are written in language and phraseology borrowed from masonic ritual and writings.

 

[DawnCt1]

There is nothing worse than having belonged to a "secret" organization and never knowing exactly what secrets the "Masters of the World" "Illuminati" share. They didn't tell me!!! After all, what was in those catacombs?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

...So, at the last 'take-over-the-world' meeting we were undecided about how to control the economy and we decided to put on our fezzes and ride our scooters instead.

Ohhhh thats why!!! It probably dosn't help that books and movies have come out that expound on the "secret" society angle. I guess people want to believe in that sort of thing!

Its like the "evil" Government conspiricy!! Always trying to hassel people, cause they have nothing better to do!!

 

[Magpie]

Honestly, the only masons I knew were big-time racists. When I was a teen a friend of mine asked me to go to some Rainbow Girl spectacular and mom wouldn't let me. It turned out that black people couldn't even join that organization if they wanted to. I talked to her about it and she told me that she wasn't a racist, but didn't like "dirty" black people.

...and so ended the friendship. That was my first dealings with racism and I remember it clearly.

I think it was about 13 years ago a guy I knew (who I didn't like for reasons other than being a mason) made a big show out of announcing that his group had recognized a black chapter or started allowing black people in or whatever. He made it very clear that he was being sarcastic and didn't approve of the move at all.

I don't know if it is like that all over the country, but that's why hearing about "the masons" always made me a little sick.

I'd be happy to learn that most of the group isn't like that. I honestly have had little dealings with it. Those two people are the only ones I've ever known.

I only knew one guy whose dad was a Mason - they were Lebanese, but his dad was a big name businessman. I got the strong impression from him that it was all about the money and who you knew.

 

[GeorgeG]

I had an uncle and many friends who were very active in the Masons, not to mention a horde of colonial era ancestors. Not all of them would be what I consider honorable people, though many are. It was often suggested to me that this would be a good orginization for me to become involved in. One of the roadblocks, of course, was my lack of religious belief and one friend was actually baffled at how I could be such a good person and not "believe." Anyhow, in response to the rhetoric about how the Masons was a good orginization, I had questions... lots of them. I think the secrecy was a major turn-off for me. I think it's only fair to know what you're getting into.

Like someone has mentioned, we tend to fear what we don't know, but that also begs the question: "What is so secret that must be kept hidden?" Hence, it is a "secret society" and open to at least some suspicion from "outsiders."

 

[DawnMarie]

My FIL was a mason before he died(1988). He was black. I don't know if his group was multi-racial or not. Since he died my MIL receives a $25.00 check every christmas, other than that none of his brothers have spoken with her. She said she would expect to get a call every once in a while but she's never heard from any of them since his funeral. He paid his dues, attended and participated in their activites. She doesn't like them because she said my FIL thought before he died they would see about her. When her son(not my DH) told her he was thinking about joining, she strongly encouraged him not to. Says they can't be trusted.

I never met my FIL. I met my husband in 1989. The only thing I know about them is they wear those little red hats.

 

[Galahad]

My FIL was a mason before he died(1988). He was black. I don't know if his group was multi-racial or not. Since he died my MIL receives a $25.00 check every christmas, other than that none of his brothers have spoken with her. She said she would expect to get a call every once in a while but she's never heard from any of them since his funeral. He paid his dues, attended and participated in their activites. She doesn't like them because she said my FIL thought before he died they would see about her. When her son(not my DH) told her he was thinking about joining, she strongly encouraged him not to. Says they can't be trusted.

I never met my FIL. I met my husband in 1989. The only thing I know about them is they wear those little red hats.

It's the shriners that where the red hats - part of the masons but just a subset if you will. If your FIL was a mason before 1988 it is not likely his lodge was integrated.

We have a number of things we do for the widows and families of lodge members who have died. Many of them live in retirement communities here in Indiana that are free (or VERY cheap) for the widows of masons.

 

[Phrebert]

I am a Mason, Scottish Rite Mason and soon to be a Shriner (yes those crazy guys you see at parades.

The Masons are asked if They believe in a Supreme Being. There are some "secret rituals" that we don't want publicized but you can find all the facts out on the internet.

Shriners fund their Hospitals for Children. The Kids do not have to pay a cent for their treatment.

Walt Disney was a Mason.

Every mason I know likes National Treasure.

 

[mssocks]

My dad is a mason ( 32nd or 33rd degree Scottish Rite ) and my grandmother was in Eastern Star. Our family never was and never will be "well off". As kids we got excited when we were allowed to buy a "brand name" item instead of what was on sale. Our pastor also belonged. Don't know what all the ins and out are, but they would have been appalled at any sort of racism. Looks like differences might come from the region the chapter is in and the culture of that region.

All I know is that Dad stressed, if at any time I needed help away from home, I was to call on the masons. So far I've only called AAA.