tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post8364203033469107201..comments2024-03-29T00:44:42.046+13:00Comments on Bowalley Road: Chambers of SecretsChris Trotterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-61597565288190766112015-11-03T13:48:00.486+13:002015-11-03T13:48:00.486+13:00Although I agree with your commentary to a point, ...Although I agree with your commentary to a point, I do ha e some issue with your assumption that Freemasonry is somehow Right-Wing. As your correctly pointed out, Freemansonry (as we have come to know it) grew out of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment is certainly not a Right-Wing philosophical movement, in fact like most Mystery Babylon schools (and New Age groups) it has strong Socialist undercurrents - anti-Monarchist and anti-Capitalist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-38459918015614189002008-12-04T14:59:00.000+13:002008-12-04T14:59:00.000+13:00The levels of secrecy of trade unions and freemaso...The levels of secrecy of trade unions and freemasons over the last century or so are in no way equivalent. My father was a Mason and while living with him I had far less knowledge of Masons than is publicly available for unions. Unions may organise industrial campaigns with a certain level of secrecy, but the membership is open to people working in that area, people know who the leaders are, and many members tell others of the activities of the union and of what happens in meetings.<BR/><BR/>I can only recall 2 specific instances of hearing about my father's activities or membership of the Masons. I think it was my mother who initially told me he was a Mason, and I was told at some point, that a briefcase he kept in his bedroom was his Mason's case and held his Mason's apron. I was also warned that the whole thing was secret. <BR/><BR/>Of course, this secrecy stimulated my interest, so that one day (probably in early teens when home alone), I opened the briefcase.<BR/><BR/>The apron reminded me of a colourful version of the suspender belts I wore to hold up my stockings in those days. It seemed quite incongruous with my image of my father as a fairly soberly suited businessman. And the thought that this quite reserved man would dress up in a bit of drag and participate in some mysterious arcane ritual seemed pretty weird.<BR/><BR/>The only time I recall my father saying anything about being a Mason, was when we visited a near and fairly unfamiliar neighbour (one Christmas I think). As we left my father said the man of the household was a Mason. He added that he could tell if someome was one of them within a minute or two of talking to him, but he wouldn't divulge how.<BR/><BR/>How, is such a level of secrecy in any way similar to modern day unions (are the Masons still men only?}<BR/><BR/>While I grew up in Auckland where my father seemed to go to regular Masons meetings, I believe my father kind of inherited his Mason membership from his father, in the small town where he grew up. However, as far as I know my brothers haven't continued the tradition.<BR/><BR/>I don't know anything about how the freemasons operate today, but I don't hear of the kinds of reports through the media, that I get for trade union activities.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11140142800525092834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-44927123961304490612008-12-04T06:09:00.000+13:002008-12-04T06:09:00.000+13:00Spot on Chris, it is still exactly as you describe...Spot on Chris, it is still exactly as you describe in the smallish town (pop 9000) near where I live. Masons indulge in a crude form of ‘social networking’ for tinpot bosses and their mates with sometimes nasty consequences for the rest of us.<BR/><BR/>The National party also operates a clandestine “cell” structure with its links to local sports clubs, Country Womens Institute, Fed Farmers, Business associations etc which help create a specific ‘default’ political orthodoxy and a culture it is very difficult to deviate from for born and bred locals. <BR/><BR/>Well done in achieving so far the aims of this contemplative blog. The tone of the comment from “Rouppe” allows you to rest your case I feel.<BR/>“Criticize equally” hmmm reminds me of a certain quote involving sleeping under bridges.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-45158866782701909552008-12-03T17:08:00.000+13:002008-12-03T17:08:00.000+13:00I have published the above comment purely as a rem...I have published the above comment purely as a reminder to Bowalley Road readers of just how bereft of intelligence, sensitivity, or even - apparently - basic English comprehension skills, the right-wing habitues of the blogosphere really are. How anyone could read this posting and arrive at the above conclusions truly beggars belief.Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753486518085091399.post-15440095478333826852008-12-03T13:56:00.000+13:002008-12-03T13:56:00.000+13:00UmmmmmmGiven that what went on inside was "secret"...Ummmmmm<BR/><BR/>Given that what went on inside was "secret", and that your tone is clearly scornful, one must presume that you are not and have never been, a Freemason.<BR/><BR/>Therefore what you have written can only be categorised as conjecture. Which makes what you've said somewhat of a hate speech.<BR/><BR/>One must also consider that there have been many gatherings in similarly restricted conditions. Not the least of which would have been labour Union planning and strategy meetings, with the sole purpose of directing employers behaviour in a specific manner under threat.<BR/><BR/>You are welcome to criticise secret gatherings, with a purpose of organising a disparate band of individuals into a group able to wield more power than the could individually. But you should criticise them equally.<BR/><BR/>A group of craftsmen - builders, stone masons, engineers (the typical Freemason back then) - who band together to pressure local town planners to accede to their demands is no different than a group of workers who band together to pressure the landowner to accede to their demands. Same tactic. Same selfish motivation.rouppehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446734587426078093noreply@blogger.com