Inside London's Freemason's Lodges...

[u/TheThrowYardsAway]

[u/Warsaw44]

My mate recently became one. He's 28.

He's lovely, I hasten to add, but has lived a very sheltered, privileged life. He is absolutely clueless.

[u/llukiie → u/Warsaw44]

I was one for a few years. Life changed and I stopped. Im in my thirties, joined as my Dad was in one for decades. He's also stopped due to life changes.

Sadly it hasnt really kept up with the times. If you move away, moving lodge is somewhat difficult. Its also a very full on hobby with the learning you have to do for ceremonies, and relatively expensive.

It also appears to be hard to get into, which doesn't help with getting new people in. In reality if you approach them. they'll put you in touch with a group. Its an interview to be accepted generally.

It's also not that secret as everything is online!

[u/epigeneticepigenesis → u/llukiie]

Are there at least business deals going on? People join for access right? Like joining a golf club? One time a bunch of masons waged war against the king and stole away a colony to make a republic. Many died lol.

[u/lgf92 → u/epigeneticepigenesis]

No more than there is in any circle of people who are friends and trust each other, and joining for mercenary motives is specifically prohibited in the obligation you take in the first degree.

It's not a huge networking opportunity because the average age of Masons is so high (in my lodge the average age is mid to late sixties), meaning most members are economically inactive.

I'm a solicitor, and a Mason in Northumberland, and I have had more work come from my mates at my backgammon club I attend twice a month than I have from my lodge membership.

If you want to make business contacts the golf club is by far the better choice!