# Freemasonry: Threat or Menace? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 8, 2007, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269 "2007-12-08T06:19:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2007, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/41 "2007-12-12T16:49:52Z")
From watching my boyfriend become a Mason, evidently it’s about making thin men fat. Unfortunately, he was just installed as Steward, so the trend may reverse. Word to the wise - the people at Dentsville 398 are really nice, but after the new year I suggest you stop off at Arby’s first. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/42 "2007-12-13T00:14:23Z")
[QUOTE=wolf in second hand clothing] Did the “threat or menace” have an origin before J. Jonah Jameson’s libelous accusations against Spiderman? Maybe that… says something about me if that’s what I think of from the phrase. [/QUOTE] National Lampoon, circa 1971. That’s where I first heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/43 "2007-12-13T01:55:54Z")
For the record, I’ve never heard of a Masonic Lodge (in the States, that is) that served alcohol. The Shrine I joined had a bar, but they’re a different sort of fellers and exist not to compete with the Blue Lodge. Not much of a debate, is it? I guess we can all agree that Freemasonry is indeed the shining star in the history of mankind. Them Knights of Columbus are ok too… I guess 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/44 "2007-12-13T02:00:33Z")
Yeah, maybe, but those vicious little thugs in DeMolay, that’s a whole 'nother story! And the Rainbow Girls! Don’t get me started… ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/45 "2007-12-13T05:06:42Z")
Bill Clinton was a DeMolay. 'nuf said ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2007, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/46 "2007-12-14T23:22:17Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] Bill Clinton was a DeMolay. 'nuf said [/QUOTE] Jacques DeMolay, thou art again avenged! ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/47 "2007-12-15T01:33:50Z")
Well, I don’t know how (or if) this will liven things up in here, but I just got an invitation to private masonic-invite-only showing of the new _National Treasure_ movie. Not a pre-screening, alas, they probably reserved that for the next degree up from me. It’s a Disney movie after all, and Walt was another DeMolay ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/48 "2007-12-15T02:26:43Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] For the record, I’ve never heard of a Masonic Lodge (in the States, that is) that served alcohol. The Shrine I joined had a bar, but they’re a different sort of fellers and exist not to compete with the Blue Lodge. [/quote] So they say to justify their usurpations! I’ve heard of many Masonic lodges that serve alcohol in the states. > [@](#): > > Not much of a debate, is it? I guess we can all agree that Freemasonry is indeed the shining star in the history of mankind. Absolutely. 😉 > [@](#): > > Them Knights of Columbus are ok too… I guess 😉 Bloody Papists An interesting note regarding the Druze. After I went to see that lovely Masonic Opera _Die Zauberflaute_, a friend of mine who is knowledgeable in such things said that he heard that the Druze practiced a rite that had some very Mithraic tendencies to it, and heard that they claimed it was taught to them by Templars during the Crusades. He had not confirmed it, and was wishing he could get the funding to go find out whether or not this had any validity. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/49 "2007-12-15T03:07:20Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] So they say to justify their usurpations! I’ve heard of many Masonic lodges that serve alcohol in the states. [/QUOTE] Well, with 52 or so independent Grand Lodges in the States, I guess it’s possible. I’ve never run across one that serves. Not like an Elks Lodge, that’s for sure! Of course I’ve never been to Lodge in Wyoming. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/50 "2007-12-15T05:06:52Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] An interesting note regarding the Druze. After I went to see that lovely Masonic Opera _Die Zauberflaute_, a friend of mine who is knowledgeable in such things said that he heard that the Druze practiced a rite that had some very Mithraic tendencies to it, and heard that they claimed it was taught to them by Templars during the Crusades. He had not confirmed it, and was wishing he could get the funding to go find out whether or not this had any validity. [/QUOTE] So . . . does Freemasonry have a connection with the Knights Templar, or does it not? ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/51 "2007-12-15T06:39:27Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] So . . . does Freemasonry have a connection with the Knights Templar, or does it not? [/QUOTE] It’s the other way around. That’s ok, we’re used to it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/52 "2007-12-15T15:20:50Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] So . . . does Freemasonry have a connection with the Knights Templar, or does it not? [/QUOTE] Depends on who you ask. There is definitely a philosophical connection. Whether Freemasonry was spawned by Templars is a hotly contested debate. I suggest “Born in Blood” by John J. Robinson on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2007, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269/53 "2007-12-15T16:41:50Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] Not clocking the priest is just an attempt at Salvation through good works, innit? Seeking knowledge, helping children, valuing your family before the Lodge… that’s what sinners do before they burn, baby. :rolleyes: A random and almost humorous anti-Masonic rant [here](http://www.christswitness.com/freemasonry.php) [/QUOTE] That was what I kept reiterating to the gentleman throughout our flight, but he was firmly entrenched in his belief that my ring represented a goat’s head, and that I was part of a cult. To him, we are a threat and a menace. > [@Tomndebb](#): > > RCC? Orthodox? Anglican? > > I wonder where he got his views since I am not aware that any of those groups consider Masonry to be a ticket to hell? (My guess would be he grew up some place where the Masons were associated in the minds of the locals with the Illuminati and he never heard that stuff at the seminary. But I am curious where he came from and what he said.) We didn’t get into his background very much, as I tried to ignore him after 30 minutes of griping. The odd thing was he was such a nice guy on the ground- I have had occasion to fly seated next to men of the cloth in the past, and since. I usually make the “Glad I’m sitting next to you!” icebreaker, and we have great conversation for the trip. I did the same thing in this instance; we chatted about flying, baseball, and random things for 15 minutes before he noticed. It was one of the more bizarre instances I’ve had in my travels. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemasonry-threat-or-menace/429269.md?page=2)