Opus Dei, Freemasons, Knights Templar . . . do you belong to a secret society?

[phillybeth]

Shriners is a Freemason organization. Knights of Columbus is the Catholic "version" of masonry, since the Catholic church doesn't allow its member to join a masonic lodge.

Not true, not anymore anyway. The Masons originally excluded Catholics, so the Catholics formed their own secret society. Then when the Masonic bortherhood opened to Catholics, the pope decided it was a sin. But that was all put to rest quite a few years ago. My uncles were raised in the mid 70's and were also active Catholics.

 

[Patsfan7]

A family member receintly was approached in the downtown about becoming a Mason. (He does not really know anyone in town execept the neighbor on either side, neither of wich is a mason. I know that I read here that people aren't supposed to be approached, but he was)

Upon asking our Catholic Pastor if it was okay to become a Mason, he said to "stay clear". The pastor is relatively young, in his 50's, so it wasn't like he was speaking from centuries ago. He suggested becoming a Rotarian. Does anyone know anything about the Rotary?

An aside, my husband is a Knight.

 

[Sthronds]

I was also a Job's Daughter growing up. It was a great group for me to be a part of as a teen. We did tons of community service and as a Honored Queen (the leader for a six month period) I also learned leadership and responsibility. I made lots of good friends and had the oportunity to do things that I otherwise would not have had the chance to do. My kids love it now because they tell their frinds my Mom used to be a Queen!

Yes, I am a Past Honored Queen too. I still have my gavel and block sitting here by my desk! Oh, and there is a tiara in my cedar chest!

 

[Lanshark]

I belong to the "Peri Men o pause" society"

For entertainment were sacrifice our menfolk.

 

[rascalmom]

I was a Rainbow also - dd has been a Job's Daughter. She didn't last long - I think this particular group was really loosing its relevancy to today's teens. They spent most of time doing fundraiser to support their own groups budget. Too much "politics" among the adults who helped supervise & she has dropped out.

My grandfather & both of dh's grandfathers were Masons.

DH has been in Rotary - it's a civic/service club. Mostly a networking group - they try not to have too many people of the same career (realtor, optometrist, etc.) so that the competitiveness doesn't get in the way.

 

[DawnCt1]

I belong to both the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and The Order of Eastern Star.

Rather than trying to explain, here are their websites.

Eastern Star

Rainbow Girls

Rainbow was a very important part of my teenage years. Eastern Star was, to me, just boring.

Another Rainbow Girl here.

 

[susan1]

hi
fortunately my father was a freemason as he died when i was 5 and my sister.3. depite being thought of as an odd secret society they have a very strong charitable side and have schools for children of widowed parents. i had a wonderful private education. my mother is in a housing scheme which she loves. my husband is also a freemason. they really do look after you from cradle to grave so they are entitled to their quirky ways! not true that catholics can't be freemasons,they can but the church did not use to allow it!

 

[joshsmom]

I don't know much about Freemasons--other than what I've read on here, which has been SO COOL!! Thanks for the info!!

I've watched National Treasure about 3000 times and I know that is "the movies" and therefore may not be very accurate. But it did pique my interest in learning more. I did some google searches and found some information, but some of it was difficult to wade through. I like Galahad's "cliff's notes" version!!!

 

[Huggles]

just noticed this in the paper today, Galahd , and thought it may be of interest to you.

http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm?id=587052006

Makes very interesting reading.

 

[Galahad]

not true that catholics can't be freemasons,they can but the church did not use to allow it!

FWIW, that's what I said. Most of the Europeans that were Masons in the 18th century were Catholic. It was the Church that didn't like it - not the fraternity that didn't allow Catholics.

 

[Galahad]

just noticed this in the paper today, Galahd , and thought it may be of interest to you.

http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm?id=587052006

Makes very interesting reading.

Thanks. Great read!

The Capitol Building, the Washinton Monument and The Whitehouse are three of several buildings in DC that have masonic connections/design. George Washington laid the cornerstone of the capitol building in a Masonic ceremony in 1793, for example.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My father was a mason and shriner. I was a Rainbow Girl and held a Grand office.

Lori

 

[CheshireVal]

My grandfather is a Mason.

 

[LukenDC]

Aren't Freemasons a religious group??

What about the secret groups that presidents hvae been in, you know the one with skull and crossbones, many of the rich powerful white guys who go to ivory league are in?? What's that one called??

Skull and Bones is one of several secret societies at Yale. George W. Bush is a member, as is his father. Skull and Bones has a mausoleum style clubhouse located on the Yale campus. The society also owns a small island in eastern Canada.

There are many legends and myths surrounding the group. Most reports indicate that the initiation ceremony involves lying naked in a casket and reciting a biography to the membership. Some people claim that the biography is heavy on sexual details because it creates a sense of trust among the members.

When traveling as a group on campus, the Skull and Bones members wear translucent masks and black robes with cowls. Despite the disguise, the identities of the members are widely known. First year membership is open only to seniors and is co-ed. Members are simply "tapped;" there are no try-outs or interviews for Skull and Bones. After graduation, they have access to a very powerful network of alumni.

I was not a member of Skull and Bones, but I know some of my classmates who were members. They seemed like ordinary, good people. Nothing sinister or unusually powerful about them.

 

[Virgo10]

I was a Rainbow Girl and held a Grand office.

Lori

Cool! What office did you hold and what state? I joined Rainbow in my mid teens so I never became WA. Back in the mid 60's if was almost a necessity that you were a member from the time you were 12 to get that office. My highest office was Drill Leader and I had to try out for that!

I did receive the Grand Cross of Color though waaaay back in 1968. It's still in my jewelry box.

 

[caitycaity]

i don't think opus dei is really a "secret society." they had an office down the street from my old office.

 

[barbeml]

Here are the lyrics to our secret song:

Who controls the British crown?
Who keeps the metric system down?
We do! We do!
Who leaves Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do! We do!
Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star?
We do! We do!
Who robs the cave fish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscar night?
We do! We do!

 

[Geoff_M]

I think the only one I belong to is The Vast Right-wing Conspiracy (tm)!

One of my grandfathers was a freemason, as is/was my uncle.

Regarding Washington DC and freemasonry, if you tour the Capitol Building you'll see photos of the trowel and other masonic objects that were used in the laying of cornerstones of several early significant buildings in DC, including the Capitol. The objects still reside within the DC Lodge.

As for Skull and Bones, John Kerry is also a member. The list of political "movers and shakers" that passed through Yale during the 20th century and became members of the "club" is quite long.

 

[alabamaalan]

Bro. Galahad, the knocking at your door is from me and the other brethren who are coming to silence you for revealing too much.



Besides freemasonry, I was formerly active in Lions, which is a civic group and not a fraternal one (another huge difference is that you are invited to be a Lion but you have to ask to be a mason). They do great work and I miss my days with them.

 

[Deb in IA]

This has been a really interesting thread (if I do say so myself ).

I've learned quite a bit about these organizations!!

Thanks to all who contributed real infomation!!