# Lovingly dedicated to anti-Masonic tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931 "2004-12-21T04:58:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/41 "2004-12-21T17:00:56Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Neuroman, > The woman said what she said. Her personality was what it was. You and Bubba can turn all the venom on me that you like, and those facts won’t change. The only **facts** that are apparent are that you either bought her story or you made it up. But don’t kid yourself. When you jump into a discussion and call the people in an organization goat fuckers its pretty obvious whose turning on the venom first. You can dish it out (poorly I might add) but you can’t take it. ---
**Author:** ![Bean\_Counter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@Bean\_Counter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bean_Counter)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/42 "2004-12-21T17:01:47Z")
> [@Sean Factotum](#): > > The off-limits part sounds odd to me. A friend of mine, who is a devout Catholic, offered to sponsor me as a member (if I would have moved back home.) The Catholic Church and Freemasons have had an adversarial past. In reading the [newadvent.com](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09771a.htm) enty on Freemasons, it says, “In view of these several reasons Catholics since 1738 are, under penalty of excommunication, incurred ipso facto, and reserved to the pope, strictly forbidden to enter or promote in any way Masonic societies.” That entry is from the 1913-1915 Catholic Encyclopedia, so the decrees are probably still in force but I would question their current rate of enforcement. Besides, I thought they were not allowed to recruit. You know, “2B1ask1”? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/43 "2004-12-21T17:08:21Z")
**Scumpup** , you’re being a bit of a jerk. I know this is the Pit and all, and that lines of decency here are kinda vague, but while your anecdote is simply what it is, your concluding comment suggests that you would indeed call Masons “Goat Fuckers” who build windowless meeting halls so as to indulge their…preferences…beyond the reach of prying eyes. At that point you endorsed the assertion indicated in your anecdote. This endorsement was offensive, and **BubbaDog** delivered a comparatively mild rebuff which seems to have relieved you completely of your senses. Shut the fuck up about it already. you were being a smartass and you got busted. Deal with it. I don’t believe you’ll find allies to say me nay. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/44 "2004-12-21T17:20:16Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > IF she’s telling the truth her husband is FUCKING a GOAT fer chrisakes! She better have some fucking humor! They don’t do it with a goat they don’t do it on a boat. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/45 "2004-12-21T17:21:52Z")
So how does one become a Mason, **Scumpup’s** fantasies aside? I’ve always been kind of curious- my grandfather was a Mason, and I’ve never known much about it- other than some Eastern Star stuff my grandmother had around, it wasn’t a topic of conversation. But at his funeral, a bunch of old guys in aprons and stuff showed up and did the Masonic funeral rites, and this piqued my curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/46 "2004-12-21T17:28:45Z")
In regards to the “off limits” thing - if you’re not devout and apt to follow that particular teaching then you can join. You’re not actually prevented by anyone from joining. Kind of like “yeah, I’m Catholic but I’m on the pill and having sex before I get married” kind of thing. -scout, one-time Job’s Daughter ---
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/47 "2004-12-21T17:29:37Z")
Becoming a Mason is easy and painless. Find your nearest lodge, tell them you want to petition, fill out the form, hand it in, be interviewed (they ask a few questions, you can ask questions too), and within a few weeks you’re initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason, a few weeks later you’re passed as a Fellowcraft Mason, and a few weeks later you’re finally raised as a Master Mason. Voila! If you need more help or info, email me. WRS/Thû ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/48 "2004-12-21T17:36:15Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Neuroman, > I’ve looked back over my posts, and just as I suspected, I didn’t requisition a random asshole to jump into my little discussion with Bubbagoat. So, now that you’ve made yourself feel important with that thoughtful post, you can jump back out again. Such requistions are implicit in posting to a public messageboard. Jackass. -Miller Random Asshole Not a Freemason ---
**Author:** ![usar\_jag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@usar\_jag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usar_jag)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/49 "2004-12-21T17:50:06Z")
> [@bump](#): > > So how does one become a Mason? It depends on the Masonic jurisdiction in which you reside. Most jurisdictions have rules prohibiting Masons from actively soliciting members. So, the easiest way to join is to find a Mason, and ask for a petition to join. If you don’t know of any Masons, contact the Grand Lodge in your state, or a local “blue lodge.” A member will be glad to get the petitioning process started. I joined the Masons several years ago, and am not an active member of my lodge. I’m glad I joined, though. I met some quality people. As to the conspiracy theorists: If the Masons were really trying to take over the world, I would have a much better job! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/50 "2004-12-21T17:54:19Z")
> [@WeRSauron](#): > > If you need more help or info, email me. But if all you are saying is not true about the Masons really ISN’T true, then why bother? But I’m assuming you are too low-ranking to know about the GOOD stuff. [quote=The Associated Press, May 23, 1981 **Justice Minister Quits in Scandal Over Masonic Lodge** ROME - Justice Minister Adolfo Sarti resigned today after his name was linked to a Masonic lodge that prosecutors are investigating as a possible “criminal association.” The widening lodge scandal has led to the arrest of a former colonel in the Italian secret service and threatened Premier Arnaldo Forlani’s 7-month-old coalition government. Italian newspapers and magazines have alleged that the so-called “P2” lodge was involved in a variety of illegal activities ranging from bribery and tax evasion in the oil industry to a **far-reaching plot to set up an authoritarian regime in Italy.** The names of top politicians, businessmen, publishers, diplomats and military officers were on a list of 953 lodge members Forlani released to the press two days ago under pressure from Parliament. Two cabinet members were on the list: Minister of Foreign Commerce Enrico Manca, a Socialist, and Labor Minister Franco Foschi, a Christian Democrat. Sarti, who has helped direct Italy’s battle against terrorism, was not named, but documents found in the home of the lodge’s grand master reportedly says he was a candidate for membership. **On Friday, Milan prosecutor Pierluigi Dell’Osso issued an arrest warrant for Grand Master Licio Gelli on charges of political espionage and the procuring of information on state security. Gelli is listed as a fugitive outside Italy.** A parliamentary committee investigating the case has said it suspects the lodge helped stage the phony kidnapping of Italian financier Michele Sindona in 1979. Sindona is currently serving a 25-year prison term in the United States after being convicted on 65 counts of fraud in the collapse of the Franklin National Bank. He is also being tried on charges of staging an 11-week kidnapping before his fraud trial.[/quote] Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera: [http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vatican2.htm](http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/vatican2.htm) [http://sfbg.com/nessie/35.html](http://sfbg.com/nessie/35.html) > **['God's banker', the mafia, masons and Vatican fraud](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/dec/07/italy.theobserver)** > > Reopening the inquiry into the 'suicide' of 'God's banker' has exposed links with the mafia, masons and Vatican fraud, writes Nick Mathiason. As you can see, suspecting the Masons is FAR more fun than actually being one. 😉 (putting on my tinfoil fez) ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/51 "2004-12-21T18:09:24Z")
Dammit, now I’m confused. Am I a Mason? Oh, sorry. The fucking of goats is _necessary_ but not _sufficient_. Sorry 'bout that. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/52 "2004-12-21T18:49:30Z")
> [@Tracy Lord](#): > > Nor do they, it seems, keep Atlantis off the maps. > > Nor the Martians under wraps – as evidenced by fine documentaries like _Signs_ and _The X-Files_. They don’t keep Atlantis off the maps, Nor keep the Martians under wraps. They do not give a tinker’s dam, About taking over the Sudan. ---
**Author:** ![chukhung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/53 "2004-12-21T19:25:29Z")
How many Masonic lodges engage in rituals that involve shooting at new members with blanks? That shit sounds pretty damn scary, not to mention utterly dangerous if somebody comes to the lodge carrying a _loaded_ pistol as well as the one with blanks. From this [page](http://www.iht.com/articles/509723.html) > [@](#): > > The climax of Monday night’s ceremony [at the Patchogue, NY Masonic lodge] was to have been simple enough. A new member of the Fellow Craft Club, a select group in the lodge, would sit in a chair while an another member stood 20 feet, or 6 meters, away and fired a handgun loaded with blanks. > … > The gunman, a 76-year-old Mason, Albert Eid, was carrying two guns, a .22-caliber pistol loaded with blanks in his left pocket and a .32-caliber loaded with live rounds in his right pocket. > > He reached into his right pants pocket, pulled out the wrong gun and shot William James, a 47-year-old fellow Mason, in the face, killing him, the authorities said. Do frightening and potentially dangerous stunts like these go on in any other Masonic lodges, or was what happened in Patchogue on the far fringe of Freemasonry? 'Cause I don’t think I want to get involved with any group that pulls crap like that on its own members. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/54 "2004-12-21T20:31:23Z")
Has he some particular significance? He’s from my state, and was an officer in the Confederate Army. There is a lodge named after him here. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/55 "2004-12-22T01:27:05Z")
> [@WeRSauron](#): > > Actually, there are lodges of Masons that admit men and women. There’s a term for them, but I can’t recall it. The **Bobbie Ann Masons**. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/56 "2004-12-22T01:49:51Z")
> [@WeRSauron](#): > > Okay, listen up you conspiracy theorists! I have had it with you bashing the Freemaons! > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to destroy Christianity. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to destroy Islam. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to steal your money. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to establish a one-world government. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to deprive you of your freedoms. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to worship Satan, Lucifer, or anything else evil. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to “convert” you. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to brainwash you into their ranks. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to implant symbols into your brains suggesting their awesome dominance over everything. > > No, the Freemasons are _not_ out to save you with their own religion. > > No, the Freemasons do _not_ believe they are the straight and right and only path to Heaven or Salvation or God or all of the above. > > No, the Freemasons do _not_ control the government of the United States of America. > > No, the Freemasons do _not_ control any other government. > > No, the Freemasons do _not_ follow Albert Pike or any one authority. (Each Grand Lodge is autonomous; there is no one central, universal, worldwide Masonic authority.) > > The biggest thing Freemasons worry about is getting enough recruits to survive all the old Masons dying, so they can run their programs, buildings, and hospitals. The last thing they need to worry about is ruling the world or destroying a religion. > > So take off your tin-foil hats (or tin-foil skullcaps) and consider actual facts for once rather than your contrived garbage! (Maybe if I have a bad day I should read your trash, so I can feel good - with “proof” - that we Masons control the universe!) > > WRS/Thû - We are a Master Mason (and 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason, and Shriner), and We approve this message (although other Masons and Masonic bodies may not approve this message; void where prohibited; must be 18 years old or older (21 in certain jurisdictions) and male to apply.) This rant was inspired by an actual falsehood-ridden anti-Masonic rant on one of the Muslim message boards We frequent. I’m afraid this just shows you are not high up enough in the organisation to know what is really going on. 😃 What is the legal branch of the Masons called? … err … Perry (you fill in the rest) ---
**Author:** ![MXR90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MXR90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MXR90)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/57 "2004-12-22T02:02:32Z")
> [@chukhung](#): > > How many Masonic lodges engage in rituals that involve shooting at new members with blanks? That shit sounds pretty damn scary, not to mention utterly dangerous if somebody comes to the lodge carrying a _loaded_ pistol as well as the one with blanks. > > From this [page](http://www.iht.com/articles/509723.html) Do frightening and potentially dangerous stunts like these go on in any other Masonic lodges, or was what happened in Patchogue on the far fringe of Freemasonry? > > 'Cause I don’t think I want to get involved with any group that pulls crap like that on its own members. That is a crock of shit, and there is no female mason, never was and never will be. You fucking dopes are toking on the bong way too much. You’re clueless. ---
**Author:** ![MXR90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MXR90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MXR90)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/58 "2004-12-22T02:04:25Z")
> [@usar\_jag](#): > > It depends on the Masonic jurisdiction in which you reside. Most jurisdictions have rules prohibiting Masons from actively soliciting members. So, the easiest way to join is to find a Mason, and ask for a petition to join. If you don’t know of any Masons, contact the Grand Lodge in your state, or a local “blue lodge.” A member will be glad to get the petitioning process started. > > I joined the Masons several years ago, and am not an active member of my lodge. I’m glad I joined, though. I met some quality people. > > As to the conspiracy theorists: If the Masons were really trying to take over the world, I would have a much better job! 😛 As would I, but I prefer to be a traveler instead. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MXR90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MXR90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MXR90)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/59 "2004-12-22T02:09:23Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > The wife of a high ranking Mason once told me that they have sex with goats as part of their lodge rituals. She was a woman utterly devoid of humor, too, and unlikely to make something like this up for sport. > I don’t know for sure if they are goat-fuckers, but it does seem to explain why Masonic Lodge buildings here in the US don’t seem to have windows. I like that when someone uses the phrase “don’t seem”, when you have to take a piss do you seem to have to or do you have to? Either you can attest they don’t at all or you’re asking, which is it? Oh, and there is two reason why this woman said that to you, either her husband doesn’t want to fuck her anymore so he told her he fucks farm animals to keep her carcas off his crank or she thinks you to be a fucking idiot and the jokes on you. I’m open to either, which one do you like better? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931/60 "2004-12-22T02:54:58Z")
**MXR90** , brilliant. You gonna be subscribing now, right? Perty pleezze? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovingly-dedicated-to-anti-masonic-tin-foil-hat-or-skullcap-wearers/280931.md?page=4)