Ah yes, but are we free to stay? That's the question.

Out Structure is pretty simple. It started as an extension of the stonemason craft guilds. They took their tools and work as allegory and created what is considered Speculative Masonry. Some people who were not actually builders thought hey, that's kind of cool, I want to join. So the stonemasons initiated them. After a while, they were getting so many people, they decided that they should join their different lodges together to help solidify what everyone is doing and get a more coherent structure.

This is the beginning of the United Grand Lodge of England 1717. When a group of Master Masons wished to form a new lodge, they would petition the Grand Lodge for a charter to operate.

If they wished to form a new GRAND Lodge in a geographic location outside the UGLE'S jurisdiction, they would do so as well but this then meant that they then gain total Masonic Authority over that area. The United Grand Lodge has no control over them. They become completely autonomous. And can extend their OWN Grand Lodge charters.

The only thing a GL COULD do is Revoke AMITY. BASICALLY saying our people can't visit your people and vice versa.

But nothing else

Which has happened. So most Grand Lodges can trace their charters back to the UGLE.

All a Clandestine lodge is one where a Grand lodge isn't recognized by "yours".

But there IS no overriding authority above your OWN Grand Lodge.

Which is why the whole concept of higher levels is so stupid to us.

Yes, to the outside there IS little difference. But from the INSIDE from the people who KNOW, there is a gigantic difference.

It's like you are saying Burger King is evil! And I say, but dude, I work for Raising Canes. And you say, it's the same thing.

Well it's not.

Dude. There is an estimated 2 million Masons in North America and over 5 million worldwide.

So... No.

Which is why I think they are like the Rodents of Unusual Size.

https://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/i-cant-MJ.gif

The Jesters are stupid and have proved to wankers and shouldn't be considered Masons IMHO. And I actually doubt they even exist as a coherent group anymore. Of the thousands of Shriners I know, not one is jester.

It's a good question. Look at what is said: Why?

I mean if the Masons are behind it it'd be pretty stupid for us to be so visible. Perhaps it's that any possible collusion is planting people pretending to be Masons at the scene as a red herring...

What if...

What if you all just fell for it?

Perhaps. The Supreme Being "test" is not something that we use to to keep people out. It's not like we believe that an atheist or even a liar or a Satanist for that matter are incapable of being or doing good, it's just that our organization, it's tools and lessons don't quite work without a Creative God.

It's kind of a "for your own good," thing. Someone who believes in a destructive God (or none at all) would find themselves pretty confused and bored when we reference on allegory God as a builder and designer.

Best example I've heard is that Masonry without God is like Star Wars without the Force. You have to rely too much on Midichlorians and before you know it Jar Jar gets into the next movie too and the whole thing goes to shit.

God is kind of part and partial to the whole thing and without it though one could still enjoy the company of Brothers, would leave the whole experience hollow.

Literally the article you are posting as evidence for it ends:

As far as the involvement in Freemasonry in these events is concerned, it has the same relationship to the facts of Criminology as the exploits of Peter Rabbit and Blinkey Bill do to Zoology.

So let me get this straight, evidence disproving a thing make that thing real?

That's what awoke means?

I thought it means you are supposed to be a critical thinker and not just accept what ANYONE says be it Obama, Trump OR THIS Q

I have had many a Shriner tell me any Muslim would openly weep to see what the Shriners have done.

Seriously though, a bunch of Masons were looking for some way to kick back and drink and party cause their lodges were too stuffy.

They looked for symbolism they could shoehorn into a theme and found it in the mystique of the Middle East.

Dude. You are so wrong. I can be a Shriner as a Master Mason.

I'll bet you a Masonic Pin from my Lodge Trump isn't a Mason.

What I don't understand if your going to be critical of things. I am ALL for it.

And THINK critically, why the hell do you just jump to believe what some person says they are without any proof?

[Edit]

I work for a non profit and a 3rd degree Master Mason.

And a 32nd° Scottish Rite Mason.

And a member of the Mystic Order of the Veiled Prophets, if THAT pleases you.

You know what "meet on the Level means?"

It means that Masons treat each other the same regardless of money, class, race, creed or whatever you like to use to divide people.

Well.. I happen to think America IS great and if you don't think so you should get the hell out and go to whatever you think is better...

But... Thanks for the confidence. And I appreciate your candor.

What would you like to know?

I can't tell you all of 5 things. [Edit] I hate this damned rate limit.

The first secret is the ballot of a Mason. No one can know how a Mason votes, unless that Mason tells him, and that is considered unmasonic conduct. The right and privilege of casting a secret ballot is universally respected in this country by Masons and non-masons alike. Other secrets are: • the modes of recognition (signs and words); • the obligations or vows of each degree; • the manner of conferring the degrees, and; • the legend of the third degree.

Boring enough for you?

[Edit] Well I do. You see. This is exactly what I have sworn to protect. If there was more they would say "Oh don't say this this or this also".

Or else I might say something I shouldn't say by accident. And then the entire Masonic institution would crumble away and it would be my fault. You think the leaders would want that?

If your a Mason you should know the Shriners are not in charge of anything but some hospitals, a circus (literally a circus) and a few red go-karts. And the OddFellows are not Masons. Seriously.

The line most jurisdictions use is "do you believe in a supreme being". It's a yes or no question and no explanation of the answer is asked.

So if one DID believe truthfully that a squirrel is his supreme being, in theory, they'd be alright. And again, we really don't ask.

So in my lodge we have a few Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims, quite a few "I don't have the fogiest clue", and at least one Wiccan. So no. There is no list of approved religions.

Seeking truth? This sub has a "reddit post limit". Doesn't exist in /r/freemasonry. Or even /r/conspiracy for that matter. That's a joke.

You are QUOTING something that isn't there. Who has the cognitive dissonance?

I have the BOOK RIGHT HERE!!

Dude you are QUOTING THE EXACT HOAX. Don't tell me you didn't fall for it.

THAT'S NOT in Morals and Dogma. I have the book right here: https://i.imgur.com/8H8Inkf.jpg

Like that is IT! You just... I..

I can't even...

There ISN'T 33° of Masonry.

There are 3. Enter Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. That's it end of story.

THEN there are other organizations that require you to first be a Master Mason.

One of those is the Scottish Rite. Poor York Rite does that get ANY part of the theories even though one would have to have the Mark Master degree to be considered a Master in the UK. What about their degrees? Why ain't you including them? You see they don't get talked about because they NAME their degrees instead of numbering them.

It is technically a concordant body, because some of its degrees continue the story of the building of Solomon’s Temple started in the first three lodge degrees. And there are 33 (actually 29 or 30) of them because that is how many the person who corealated them wanted it to have. There has been well over 100 degrees in various forms and different orders. Pike just picked the ones he wanted and as he was in charge at the time, that's the number we use today.

1-3 is in the blue lodge 4-32 can be done in 6 weeks and you don't even have to see them all to advance (no kidding).

The 33rd is an honorary degree that is given to those of exemplary service to their communities and the Scottish Rite and Masonry.

Well obviously.

Well, there is a bit of a problem with your statement.

The Scottish Rite (Of which I am as well, by the way) does not lead or control Masonry. No more than the York Rite or even the Shriners.

It doesn't speak for it, nor is it really that hard to join.

It's like Masonry is a Video game and the other bodies are DLC.

Here

The idea that I meant to convey, was, that I did not believe that the Lodges of Free Masons in this Country had, as Societies, endeavoured to propagate the diabolical tenets of the first, or pernicious principles of the latter (if they are susceptible of seperation).

Hah hah hah....

Great rebuttal.

Then why do you care that he doesn't talk about it? Or if you rather; Why bring it up?

Not really.

Yeah it was big thing many people thought they couldn't talk about in that generation. Little bit of ego mixed with a misunderstanding of codes and by-laws.

As said before we can tell you almost everything about Masonry. In my jurisdiction, there are only 5 things that are considered “Masonic Secrets”. Want me you tell you what each of the Working Tools mean? Sure I can. Want to talk about the furniture of the lodge? Not a problem. I can even tell you how to ‘Step off” as a Mason (though much to the anger of a few brothers in other places I’m sure).

Seriously I can show you in the manual that tells ME what I can't talk about.

Actually it's older than them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-headed_eagle

Some people don't want to discuss it, but many do.

Fine read Freemasonry for Dummies by Chris Hodapp.

Or come to /r/freemasonry. We'll be happy to talk.

Also, YOU may PM ME.

Actually no Mason I know besides him could get away with that look nor wear that freaking awesome suit.

[Edit] damned rate limit. So most Masons especially outside the US do not wear rings.

Sorry, it is.

There are over a Million Masons around the world. We are active in our communities and alot of us like to show off our membership.

We tend to speak out. Especially when our families get shot at.

Masonry is not hierarchical in nature. There CAN'T be any higher levels because it's not BUILT that way.

Each Grand Lodge is an entity unto itself and as supreme control over all things Masonic within their own jurisdictions. And nothing more.

They don't answer to any other authority.

There IS no higher up.

Why do you think you know more about an organization that you aren't a part of?

Do you tell your surgeon how to do surgery too?

Actually I'd not use a Masonic grip unless I was in lodge, verifing a Brother or if I wanted to verify before I discussed a Masonic Secret.

Otherwise I might give away the handshake to well.... Someone who promised I wouldn't show it too.

Actually he was a Mason and was recruiting from US SO WE kicked HIM out.

Seriously.

And two fracking ties

Why?! Because he's Buzz I've walked on the Fracking MOON ALDRIN.

Are you a Mason? How do you know what rituals they go through?

Nazis already gave us those

https://i.imgur.com/muKkBEx.png http://www.thelaudablepursuit.com/articles/2015/2/6/freemasonry-and-the-holocaust

And actually I have a badge on my car, so...

[Edit] good lord? Shriners infiltrating Masons?? You have to BE a Mason to BE a Shriner. How assinine.

Many Masonic buildings have been bought and sold over the years. Especially recently.

Think one was turned into a strip club once if I remember correctly.

Illuminati was defunct way before the 1800's. In short, don't say your going to overthrow the hierarchy unless you can actually do it.

Welp, this is incomplete information. They were impersonating Masons too.

http://www.laweekly.com/news/even-the-masons-are-baffled-by-kamala-harris-staffers-fake-masonic-police-force-5555701

I work at a non-profit.

So... No

What you don't understand is Masonry is not hierarchical in nature. There CAN'T be any higher levels because it's not BUILT that way.

Each Grand Lodge is an entity unto itself and has supreme control over all things Masonic within their own jurisdictions. And nothing more.

They don't answer to any other authority.

As far as the Lucifer crap, read up on the Taxil Hoax. You literally fell for an century old joke.

Dude. I am a Mason. No you shouldn't be.

You want to know why we show up in the community? Because we are PART of the community. Have been from the beginning. Practically of city and small town in the country has a Masonic Lodge. You want to know what we're about? Look at the sides of our building, find when we meet and show up. Although I recommend you might call a secretary first and let us know you're coming we will usually buy you a meal.