What's with the Freemasons/ Masonic Lodge?

Factual Questions
1

Will someone please enlighten me on the practices and missions of the Freemasons?

While sitting with my Grandpa in a hospital waiting room, a young stranger struck up a conversation with my old gramps and they talked like they had been friends for 20 years… All because they were both wearing their Lodge rings.

Completely mystified, I asked my mother about this. She was quite vague (probably because she doesn’t know, either), but mentioned that when she and my aunt were teens, they found Grandpa’s Masonic book. And it was in PIG LATIN?! She also said they have hoaky secret handshakes, etc. What gives? Why the secrecy?

Please go easy on me… This is my first thread. I just found out about the SDMB & I’m feeling my way around. By the way, I’m already an addict. And while I’m submitting my disclaimer, I would like to also mention that I don’t mean to offend any members of the Masonic Lodge who happen to be participants of this board.

  • nuttygirl

Why suffer from insanity while you can revel in it?

2

I’ve read my grandfather’s masonry book. He died sometime in the 70’s and was a mason for a long time, so I assume he had the book for at least 20 years. It definately wasn’t in Pig Latin, though. I couldn’t understand more than 5% of what it was talking about. It was English, but not…quite strange.

I would like to become a member because I liked what I read about their organization, but I understand it’s not very easy to do when you’re 18 and don’t know any masons.

Here is the best site about masonry I have found:
http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/

3

Freemasons are one of the more popular threads here. Check GQ, Great Debates and even Cecil’s answered some. Some searches will bring up a lot of information on the boards. I don’t know that anyone’s admitted to being a Mason in any of those threads though…

The Freemasons I’ve talked to are all too happy to have new members join. Look them up in the phone book and you’ll likely find them.

4

Welcome to the Straight Dope!

First off, we have talked about this quite a bit over the years and a search on the subject will give you many informative threads to follow. For local information, do a Google for ‘Grand Lodge of (Your State).’

Another excellent source of information is the Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page).

Briefly, Masonry is the largest and oldest men’s fraternal organization. Its origins are the subject of rumors and legends. Certainly it was very old when George Washington was a member.

It has secret handshakes, signs and symbols (you have seen them all your life, but have never paid attention). This is how I can recognize my Lodge Brothers wherever I go in the world. I have sat in Lodges in The Philippines, Panama, and throughout the Middle East.

If I ever need a friend, I am never far away from a man I can trust to help me.

We also have associated groups. You have seen the Shriners who march in parades, they are Masons.

I am a member because I support the philosophy of Ancient Craft. This is really rather bland nowadays. We support Charity, Relief and Truth. Nothing special to an American, fairly subversive in some countries and times. We were sent to the camps along with Jews and Homosexuals in Germany for example.

As for the ‘Pig Latin’ books, they are just aids to help us to remember our ritual. Noting really exciting.

I am leaving for vacation (in Panama) in a few hours, if I do not reply to you, I am sure the other Dopers will help you with your questions.

5

Thanks so much for the replies! And sorry for not researching the archives beforehand…

Cheers!

6

Our own Perfect Master, Cecil Adams has expounded on the Masonic Lodge as well:

What’s the story on Freemasonry?

Welcome to the SDMB. Just remember, it is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.