my grandpa was a mason and proud of it. for the most part, it is a club that people socialize at. not much different than the elks or the moose or the eagles or the lions or the shriners, they do some kind of charitable work pooling their resources, etc. it never gets too complicated nor is it particularly evil in an overt way. it is used the same way church is, to socialize and network. the only thing my grandpa said was the wherever he went, he always had a friend that would help him in time of need, and that he would do the same for other masons. there are "secret identifiers, like handshakes, but as you see, people wear rings and put their stickers on their cars. i wouldnt belong just like i wouldnt belong to a church. god says to not show any favoritism in who i help, so i recognize everyones handshake!

Masonic Charity

Benevolence and charity are basic principles of Freemasonry. Every Mason is expected to maintain an attitude of benevolence toward all mankind and to perform acts of charity for those in need. This distinguishing characteristic of its members is a foundation stone of the fraternity.

In the Middle Ages each lodge of operative masons, who built the cathedrals, abbeys and castles, maintained a charity chest to help widows and orphans, or members in distress. In addition, they assisted a fellow mason by giving him a day's work or the means of traveling to the project of a neighbouring lodge.

Lodge Activities

In the same manner, Masonic lodges of today have an account reserved for charitable purposes to which every member is expected to contribute. these funds are used to quietly assist members in need, send remembrances to widows, or special greetings to brethren confined by age or illness. Many lodges extend their benevolent activities by supporting worth-while community projects.

District Responsibilities

To assist the individual lodges and to encourage benevolent and charitable activities, each Masonic District has a Chairman of Benevolence. He receives, investigates and makes recommendations on requests for Grand Lodge benevolent funds. His knowledge of the availability of social services and health programmes can be of valuable help to the lodges in his District.

An increasing number of Districts are becoming involved in community fund raising projects such as disaster relief, specialized hospital equipment, vehicles for the handicapped or additions to hospitals. In planning these undertakings, Districts are urged to contact The Masonic Foundation for counsel and administrative advice.

Masonic Board of Relief

In previous years, Boards of Relief existed in 19 Ontario centres to assist in administering Grand Lodge benevolence. With changing roles, the number has decreased and the few remaining primarily address local Masonic and social needs. some operate under the title of Masonic Service Guild.

Grand Lodge Committee on Benevolence

While each lodge has the first responsibility for benevolence toward its members and their families, further assistance may be available through the Grand Lodge Committee on Benevolence.

This committee has the entire revenue produced by the Memorial Fund, currently about $85,000 per year, with which to assist Masons and their families in Ontario. In years when the Memorial Fund revenue has not met the needs, additional funds have been provided by Grand Lodge.

To request assistance on behalf of one of its members, a lodge submits an application to the District Chairman of Benevolence. the Grand Lodge Committee reviews the request and advises the lodge of its decision. Before submission, each application must first be approved by the lodge, anonymously if appropriate. The lodge is expected to provide some financial help in each situation.

Committee grants are made in one sum or over an extended period depending on the need and are distributed through the requesting lodge. Individual grants, which tend to be modest, are designed to provide a measure of comfort beyond that available through governmental agencies.

Masonic Foundation of Ontario

The Masonic Foundation of Ontario is a registered charitable organization and receives gifts and bequest from lodges, individual Masons and others who wish to share in its work. It was founded in 1964 by Grand Lodge as a means of extending Masonic charity beyond helping only members and their families. The Foundation's capital fund, initially endowed with $160,000 by Grand Lodge, was over four and one half million dollars in 1998. The fund alone provides in excess of $400,000 annually for contribution to a broad spectrum of activities and projects in Ontario. Certain programmes are continuous in character while others may be short-term and receive a one-time contribution.

One long-standing activity concerns non-repayable bursaries to Ontario university and college students who need help. In the first 34 years of this programme 2,600 students received in excess of one and one half million dollars. During the 1997 - 1998 year, 80 students received bursaries totaling in excess of $100,000.

The Foundation has a strong interest in youth related projects. It presently supports Voice, a provincial organization that assists hearing impaired children. Financial help goes to Autistic Homes of Ontario, an expanding organization providing homes in which small groups of adolescents with this severe learning disorder receive instruction and guidance. Other youth groups to receive assistance include the 40H Council, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Mentally Challenged Children and the C.N.I.B. Camp for Children.

The Foundation is a major partner in the deafness and implant programme of the Ontario Deafness Research Foundation. During the past few years well in excess of one million dollars has been raised, which has allowed for sizable financial support of two organizations, "Parents Against Drugs" and "Council on Drug Abuse". these organizations currently train teams of students in their upper years of high school on the dangers of drug abuse, and then have them present educational programmes to the younger students.

International Interests

Masonic charity extends well beyond our provincial borders. Often Grand Lodge is called upon to support many worthwhile causes from disaster relief to assisting a member in difficulty while outside our country.

All communication with other Grand Lodges must be done through the Grand Secretary's office and this practice is to be followed on all matters including benevolence beyond our jurisdiction.

Participation

Total Masonic charity in Ontario, in all forms is currently well over a half million dollars each year. This is an achievement in which every member can take pride, and in which every member can take part.

Within his own lodge a Mason can contribute to the benevolent fund and participate in work projects to help widows and the indisposed, visit those confined to home, hospital or care centre, and be a member of a phone contact committee. He can support Masonic worship services, the offerings from which are used for benevolence.

Every member should take an interest in District fund raising projects, contributing and participating within his ability to do so.

Available to each mason is the opportunity to support the Grand Lodge Memorial Fund and the Masonic Foundation. Gifts to these capital funds are frequently in the form of bequest, annuities or life insurance policies. Information on this or other items concerning Masonic charities is readily available from the Grand Secretary's office.

Donors should be aware that the Masonic Foundation, most District fund raising projects, some Boards of Relief and some lodge benevolent funds are qualified as registered charitable organizations and may issue income tax deduction receipts.

The Need Continues

Even with increased availability of governmental social assistance, there remains a pressing need for Masonic benevolence and charity. Kindly acts of remembrance toward older members, the infirm and widows are always required. Practical assistance for those in distress is still the responsibility of those who can help.

Therefore, every mason through his private efforts, his lodge and the other avenues of Masonic charity, ought to consider what he should, can, and will do to assist others.

http://www.rense.com/general31/satanic.htm

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/masons.htm

http://www.bilderberg.org/masons.htm

http://www.gotquestions.org/free-masonry.html

Here's some stuff, not sure if it's quite what you are looking for...

Any fraternity that does not open their doors for none members to walk in and out of, is subject to all kinds of wild conspiracy tales, spun by wild eyed conspiracy freaks making tons of money by feeding peoples paranoia!

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Oath

Before any candidate for the mysteries, symbols, tenets, and secrets of Freemasonry can be admitted to a Lodge he is required to make a solemn oath by which he pledges secrecy and assumes the obligation of faithfully conforming his life to the teachings of the Order. There is nothing profane or immoral in the obligations assumed, nor is there the slightest elements of levity in the procedure. Hence this oath can not be regarded as the slightest perversion of Holy Scripture or in any sense objectional or sinful. Neither is the objection sometimes given that the oath is administered before the secrets are made known reasonable or just. Certainly an obligation, covenant, and promise, exacted previous to the divulging of the specialties of an Order wholly characterized by benevolent intent is not only free of reasonable objection, but fair and honorable.. The oath of a Mason is administered with solemn rites symbolizing and emphasizing the profound and meaningful character of the obligations being assumed. While these rites are peculiar to Masonry, they are no different in their import and meaning from ceremonies and rites common in administering oaths in other spheres of human relations. The Masonic oath is attended with the imprecation of certain penalties in the event of violation. There can be no oath without the elements of both attestation and execration. All these explanations apply to the oaths required of Masons in each succeeding step of advancement in the Masonic Order. Ex. 22:11 - Deut. 6:13 - Josh. 14:6-9 - Gen. 14:21-24

Oath, Tiler's

Before any strange and unknown visitor can gain admission into a Masonic Lodge, he is required in the United States of America to take the following oath: "I, A.B., do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely swear that I have been regularly initiated, passed, and raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason in a just and legally constituted Lodge of such; that I do not now stand suspended or expelled; and know of no reason why I should not hold Masonic communication with my Brethren." It is called the Tiler's Oath, because it is usually taken in the Tiler's room, and was formerly administered by that officer, whose duty it is to protect the Lodge from the approach of unauthorized visitors. It is now administered by the Committee of Examination, and not only he to whom it is administered, but he who administers it, and all who are present, must take it at the same time. It is a process of purgation, and each one present, the visitor as well as the members of the Lodge, is entitled to know that all the others are legally qualified to be present at the esoteric examination which is about to take place.

Oblation

An annual fee paid to an Order by its members.

Obligation

The solemn promise made by a Freemason on his admission into any Degree is technically called his obligation. In a legal sense, obligation is synonymous with duty. Its derivation shows its true meaning, for the Latin word obligatio literally signifies a tying or binding. The obligation is that which binds a man to do some act, the doing of which thus becomes his duty. By his obligation, a Freemason is bound or tied to his Order.

Obsolete

A term, usually applied to Orders, for a phaleristic item that is no longer conferred or awarded but there are living recipients. As distinct from extinct, which refers to a phaleristic item no longer conferred or awarded and there are no living recipients.

Obverse

In numismatics that side of a coin or medal which contains the principal figure, generally a face in profile or a full or half-length figure, is called the obverse. The side opposite from the reverse.

O'Clock

A method for specifying a location on the circumference of a circular badge by correlating the location to the face of a twelve-hour clock. Under the o'clock method, the top of the badge is twelve o'clock, three o'clock is the 90 degree position, the bottom of the badge is six o'clock, and nine o'clock is the 270 degree position on the circumference.

Olive wood

A hard, close-grained Mediterranean wood of yellowish-green color, with darker markings. Often used in the Holy Land region for making Jerusalem boxes. EXAMPLE
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/wages_box.htm


On - strength; light

This is a significant word in Royal Arch Masonry, and refers to the city of On in Egypt, and indirectly to the sun-god Ra, who represented to the Egyptians much the same conception of Deity as represented by the name Jehovah among the Hebrews. The city of On was the chief seat of the worship of the god Ra; Joseph's wife, Asenath, was the daughter of Poti-pherah, the chief priest in the Temple of Ra at On. Gen. 41:45

Opening Of The Lodge

What are the purposes effected at the opening of the Lodge? The Master is reminded of the dignity of his character and position, and the brethren of the respect and veneration due him in their sundry stations. These are not, however, the only advantages resulting from a due observance of the ceremony; a reverential awe for Deity is inculcated, and the eye is fixed on that object from whose radiant beam alone light can be derived. Hence, in this ceremony, we are taught to adore the Great Architect of the universe, and to supplicate the labors then begun may be continued in peace and closed in harmony. Psalm 33:18

Operative Masonry

What is the familiar characteristic of Operative Masonry? It is engaged in the application of the rules and principles of architecture to the construction of edifices for private and public use, houses for the dwelling place of man, and temples for the worship of Deity. It abounds, like every other art, in the use of technical terms, and employs, in practice an abundance of implements and materials which are peculiar to itself. This operative art has been the foundation on which has been built the speculative science of Freemasonry. 1 Kings 6:1-38

Ophir

What was the source of the supply of gold for the building of the temple? And they came from Ophir (It was probably a seaport somewhere in India or Africa), and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon, and the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. 1 Kings 9:28 and 10:11

Order

An Order may be defined to be a brotherhood, fellowship, or association of certain persons, united by laws and statutes peculiar to the society, engaged in a common object or design, and distinguished by particular habits, ensigns, badges or symbols.

Order, Rules of

In every Masonic Lodge there is a code of rules and order, well adapted to the work of the Lodge from long usage and universal adoption; they conform to the laws of parliamentary order and should be rigidly followed.

Ormolu

Literally, "ground gold." Ground gold leaf used as a gilt pigment. Also, brass made to look like gold.

Ornaments of a Lodge

The lectures describe the ornaments of a Lodge as consisting of the Mosiac Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star. They are called ornaments because they are really the decorations with which a properly furnished Lodge is adorned.

Ornan

Mt. Moriah, on which the Temple of Solomon was built, is symbolically called the ground floor of the lodge, and hence it is said that "the lodge rests on holy ground." This sacred spot was once the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, and from him David purchased it for fifty shekels of silver. 2 Sam. 24:18-25 Recorded as Araunah. 1 Chron. 21:18-27 Recorded as having paid Ornan 600 shekels of Gold.

Oxidizing

Accented beauty of ornamentation by the application of an oxide which darkens metal wherever applied. Shadows and highlights are created which give depth and character.

Kimber, the situation you've described seems fairly harmless, kinda like being invited by a co-worker to join the every Thursday Bridge Club, or driving with a Soccer Mom Aboard sticker on the rear bumper. As already evidenced, you are likely to get some answers to your questions on this forum and these may be a good start, but given the subject matter, there are other forums at this web site, as well as many other web sites, where you can read more in depth, both from a reality perspective, as well as a theory perspective.

If you research other forums and sites, you can learn that that part of the reality involved is that there is a widely open and visible society of masons (Exoteric) as well as a secretive society (Esoteric) made up of numerous, distinct, but in many cases inter-related leagues, orders, branches and associations. As implied the Exoteric orders are pretty much open to any Dick or Jane to join at the entry level IE> The Bridge Club, The Soccer Moms, The Lions Club, The Eastern Star, The Jaffa Shriners, The We Only Do Good For The Public Club, etc.. Even Fred and Barney qualified for the Water Buffalos Club. The Esoteric, by their nature, are not openly advertised nor generally known to the public, one does not freely enter these on their own or through casual invitation such as from a fellow employee or bowling buddy, and it probably should not surprise you that many of these are men-only clubs. People genuinely involved in the lower ranks of the open clubs are generally as clueless as the rest of us concerning the existance and activities of the Esoteric orders. A prevalent and widely spread theory involved is that this reality does not exist as such but is instead comprised of only the Exoteric. When one realizes that many of the highest positions of wealth, power and authority in this world are held by those from the numerous and far-flung brotherhoods and ranks of the Esoteric, it is a bit easier to understand 1)why their existance and activities are kept secret and exclusive, 2) why the realities and theories are so difficult to distinguish; furthermore when one realizes that your typical Esoteric Mason does not just belong to one secret club, but instead is a member in several in a long laundry list of such clubs, and there is inter-locking relationships in the hierarchy between many of these secret clubs, the vast network and reach of these kinds of clubs becomes evident.

the judges and lawyers and every store owner i am aware of in my area are all masons, even though many are full blown catholics as well. (the catholics like to tell you that the masons are deadly enemies!!!)

are the evil people? no, just average rich people, who when given a little freedom, extra money, they will screw thy neihgbor. well, maybe they are a little evil!!!!

in life, those chose to be group leaders, bosses, etc. are usually chose because they are jerks that will screw anyone for an extra buck. they are normally about the most stupid people, ones that make the top bosses look smarter, so they have to be verly low on the pole and be able to believe they are superior.

masons get priviladges, they don't go to jail near as easy, their mason buddies protect them as much as possible. in our area people come up dead, most have pointed the finger at a top mason cop that has been into drugs, prostitution and liquior running all his life and no one ever pays for the crimes, even when a small town sherrif was murdered, the out of town private dicks stated it was the local cop and no one ever goes to trial. a realitive of this cop a young half wit at work before he was fired for threatening to blow the factory up, stated that his uncle the cop helped his other uncle kill his x girl friend because she was going to testify. the same cops kid was seen killing a local boy at a stone quarry and again, it was just an accident that the poor boy took a 22 rifle and shot himself in the back of the head and through his body in the quarry off a 30 foot cliff all in the same process. these guys don't get speeding tickets, they get loads of easy money, they play the game of screwing the locals every chance they can. it keeps the people disturbed/scared just enough to keep the people at large unorganized and under control of the half/wits.

the common masons are normally taken in because they own a business or have money in some manner. most have no idea what they are apart of and belong because it makes them feel special.

my buddy had to become one to be able to keep his dead brother's bar, he died at 40 and that may be something in its self!!! my buddy was given an option, pay over 5 grand to have his brother burried or save a few grand and be able to own his bar "if" he agreed to join the club, which he did and is learning the secret language now. he is a super friendly guy, friends to all and not smart enough to say hell no.

brother jimmy was offered to be a mason many years ago by the local lima, ohio maffia, was offered lots of cash and turned it down. he said most of his buddies that went that way were all long dead.

the factory i work at is loaded with old masons, most are a little strange, they brag they get to buy cars, etc. 10% cheaper than the non-mason and other privilages, etc.

they have control, the usa was founded by masons.
the un was founded by masons.
the swiss bank accounts was founded by masons.
the presidents have all been masons.
the declaration was signed by all masons.
the statue of liberty was a mason gift from france for the new mason country.

yep, guess you could say the true mason is evil. most old guys have no true idea, they ate just sheep obeying the leader in exchange for more $$$.

to me,the word mason covers all groups that seek to rule the world, they have many names. most have no idea and are just average people doing what it takes to fit in.

mh