Catholicism, of course, has its own share of, ummm, cabalist power grabbing types who seek to promote a private agenda based upon their own absolutist interpretation of Catholic dogma.

The other day, I took a cab ride to downtown and had to sit next to the driver. It was a rare moment for me because the cabbie actually looked like an old time New Yorker and, also, spoke perfect New York-ese. He turned out to be a Mason. A frustrated actor driving a cab to make ends meet. I'd say he was about 30+ and he let on how he regularly attended his lodge meetings here in Manhattan on 23rd Street.

On 23rd Street ... in Chelsea ... there is a fairly sizable plot of land on which sits a building with "Masonic Hall" chiseled into the stone work. Cabbie says that there are over 136 lodges that use this Hall for their meetings and that it is the home of the Grand Lodge of New York. I'd say that this building must now be worth at least a $100,000,000 because of its location alone.

All I can say is that I've not seen any other fraternal order with an owned building in Manhattan. No Rotarians, no Elks, no Knights of Columbus, nada.

No buildings owned by "Opus Dei", Ed?

Thanks Taw. I checked out a few sites yesterday, and it is my belief that they have created a more mainstream version of the cult to avoid suspicion. There's probably a truly secret "inner circle", who offer "worthy" individuals the chance to join them in the aforementioned inner circle. The only thing is, what happens if they refuse?

@Esqy

LOL. They are not to be mentioned in name now, remember? I don't think they need "a building" as such. The RC Archdiocese of New York City, for example, is the largest single owner of plots of land. I'm sure they've got the use of some space somewhere ... OD's members include so-called "men of the clott," as I recall.

you don't fancy becoming a Mason then, Esky?

Indy - "They are not to be mentioned in name now"? I'll do it anyway, damn it! What're they going to do? Throw a brick through my window? Maybe the RC Archdiocese swiped that land from the Knights Templar .

Taw - I doubt it; the "Grand Lodge" is too far away (it's on the other side of the city), and I imagine that they would probably want to make me the "Grand Poobah" within a few years . What about you, Taw? You'd fit right in .

By the way, I just noticed this picture while "surfing"... I think they're on to me!



Edited by - esquilax on 7/4/2004 3:30:24 AM

*ahem* this is rather embarassing, but some years ago I was "asked" to join the Freemasons by a former employer of mine, a Mason of many years standing, but i baulked at the prospect and politely declined; it would probably have been a good career move, as my face used to "fit" in those days.

..She looks like the real thing
She tastes like the real thing
My fake plastic love...

Aha! Now we see why Taw has been stuck in that IT job that he complains about so much! The Masons have been making things difficult for him because he refused the invitation to join! We're through the looking-glass here people...

well it does make one wonder...

What a coinkydink Taw.

Much to my surprise, a colleague of mine who has since passed many years ago also was a Mason and asked me if I cared to join. I kid you not. I declined as well in as much as the only real club I ever joined was my College fraternity and the point of that was to obtain better housing, free beer and a more active party life.

so we can do the secret "almost-was-a-Mason" handshake, then? I'm really glad I turned it down, truth be known.

"The I-Almost-Was-a-Mason Group"? Damn, one more group that I can't be a part of *sigh*.

What are the Masons?

-- The Lancersreactor: where the screenshots are never blurry, and the spammers get publically kicked around.

The Lancersreactor FAQ
The use of signatures

the world's secret government, Wiz..

Ed, just think about where you might be today if you'd accepted...

Edited by - Tawakalna on 7/6/2004 5:49:22 AM

The trouble with men's benevolent societies or other fraternal orders is that your private life essentially will be defined by membership in it. Because to remain in good standing with those groups you have to be a regular participant.

They generally frown upon the members who only appear occasionally, even if their dues are paid up. I couldn't see my way clear to letting a group of guys dictate to me how I got to spend my time or fear the "repurcussions" ... and all of this, of course, AFTER, they take my money in the first place.


<Edit>
Pete. I'd rather not.

Edited by - Indy11 on 7/6/2004 7:12:04 AM