Freemasons
 

No they dont do things with goats. The way to become one is basically to apply, but youve got to know a Mason to become one!!!

No Im not of the craft or on the square.

Step #1 is to ask someone whom you know is a freemason about the organization and how to become one. One of the basic rules is that they aren't allowed to go out and try to "recruit" someone off the streets. The potential new member has to make the first move and seek out information from them first.

Another fundamental rule is that you have to acknowledge the existence of a "supreme being." Don't necessarily gotta call him God or follow a particular religion, but ya gotta believe that there's a supreme being out there somewhere.

My father, his father, and at least one of my uncles were masons. But I never asked about joining because I knew about the supreme being prerequisite, and that was a problem for me on account of I'm an atheist (although I have flirted with agnosticism in the past).

As to "weird things with goats"?!? C'mon, man. Fer chrissakes, they aren't the Knights of Columbus!:eek::eek::eek:

I asked a pretty good friend of mine who is one and pretty much got the same spiel as begos. That atheist thing kind of kills my application as well. I've got the hint that alcohol is forbidden in the clubhouse, so that kills my interest as well.

Edit: This might help in Estreeter's quest for freemasons in Oz: http://www.ausfm.com/join-freemasonry.html

Been There, Done That!!
 

The Monty Python sketch is 'classic'.

I joined in the 70's to 'please' my Grandad.

It doesn't 'open doors'

The charities they collect for are 'Their Own'

The initiation ceremony is 'Humbling' and Bloodcurdling.

But it is really an excuse for loads of 'backslapping' and a good booze up at the end of Lodge meetings, or Lodge of Instruction.

And...............................I have got a second hand apron:D:D:D

As a former Mason, I will tell a "secret". Charity comes from a wish to help - not for publicity - so charity is done "secretly". (Note: Shriners are allowed to be more public, in order to raise enough funds to keep their hospitals and burn centers going - Yes Shriners are a branch of the Freemasons).
Also most Masons get a good laugh from things like the Monty Python sketch.

I hear the guy in charge of the Glasgow branch is called Sheikh Mahon.

They don't :confused:

http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/24...8245657143.jpg :D:(

The only reason I asked all this, apart from nothing better to do was, yesterday I was going too my brothers place. On the way I always pass an old Masonic temple / lodge whatever they call it. Must be at least the hundredth time I've passed it. Never once have I seen the front door open, any sign of activity from there, nothing, almost like the buildings been abandoned.......Till yesterday. I saw an old bloke, had too be at least in his late 80's, appeared Jewish with his hairstyle. There's a metal gate that is pulled closed around the front door of the building, the old bloke looked like he was locking the gate with a padlock. It all just looked weird too me,

http://thumbnails104.imagebam.com/24...f245664250.jpg

Confession: I am a Freemason (don't tell BB :eek:).

I am also an atheist, meaning I, er, fibbed a bit about having a belief in some sort of Supreme Power/Being. Oh well.

I joined back in the '80s, more or less to check out what the hell they were doing. The whole scene bored the hell out of me. I haven't attended for many years, much less paid my dues (yes, there are dues), but technically, I'm still a Freemason (just plain old Blue Lodge, Third Degree Master Mason, no Scottish Rite).

No goats, no booze in the Lodges. Had there been either one I might have stayed active :D.