Is Freemasonry a cult?

[Churchill]

What's in it for you then?

The ability not to want to say "What's in it for me!".

[minestrone]

What's in it for you then?

Goats I bet, loads of big hairy goats.

[zara_backdog]

Goats I bet, loads of big hairy goats.

Didn't have any goats in my lodge, prehaps they have been allowed to join since I left?

[Churchill]

Whether it's as a recipient (i.e., in preparation for receiving the first degree of Freemasonry) or as a perpetrator, rarely does one fail to hear mention of "The Goat". It was - unfortunately - sometimes the first warning heard prior to entering the lodge as an Apprentice and - regretfully - it's a tool of anti-Masons in order to cast aspersions.

The origin of this ostensibly humorous initiatory jest is unclear and there doesn't seem to be anyone who can cite its beginning. It might have come from the practical joker and Freemason but that's speculation at best. There are no references to it in the major Masonic reference works although some anti-Masonic works have used it as a source of derision for years. Further, it was common to joke about such a thing with initiation into other fraternal organizations as well, particularly groups like the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

An explanation of "Riding the Goat"...

[Moscow Mule]

Or just a fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man.

I'd love to join a cult dedicated to 70s pop groups.

*sings*
Kisses for me
Save all your kisses for me
So long honey so long
Hang on baby hang on

[Moscow Mule]

We don't solicit donations from the general public. Unlike the round-table/rotary etc.

Are you saying the charitable work of these groups is bad?

[Churchill]

Are you saying the charitable work of these groups is bad?

No I am not saying that. They are very worthy organisations. I was merely pointing out the origin of the donations.

[minestrone]

FFS. "Knights of Pythias"

Grown men showing their tits to each other and calling themsleves the "Knights of Pythias"



Freaks!!!

[Incognito]

FFS. "Knights of Pythias"

Grown men showing their tits to each other and calling themsleves the "Knights of Pythias"



Freaks!!!

In one thread you go on about how the hoakey coakey is meant to be an attempt at ridiculing the Catholic mass and yet here you are ridiculing Freemasony acts. Is it one rule for you?

[Churchill]

FFS. "Knights of Pythias"

Grown men showing their tits to each other and calling themsleves the "Knights of Pythias"



Freaks!!!

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society[2] founded at Washington, DC on 19 February, 1864.

The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress[3]. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship that are central to the order.

The order has over two thousand lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.

The order's auxiliaries are the Pythian Sisters, the less serious Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, The Nomads of Avrudaka, and two youth organizations: the Pythian Sunshine Girls and the Junior Order, Knights of Pythias for boys.

Membership requires "Belief in a Supreme Being".

Degrees of Pythian Knighthood in the subordinate lodge (or Castle) are

Page
Esquire
Knight

Hmmm, two very different descriptions of the same thing.

Now I admit, Wikipedia isn't always 100% accurate but...