I wonder how many freemasons are in the TRNC?

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 03:25

I know of two, one being myself perhaps there is more?

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 07:34

dib dib dib there are loads go to pegasus on a friday.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 07:35

i know another one



kav

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 08:03

There are three masons in the TRNC !



Cooper

rcroton


Joined: 05/06/2008
Posts: 192

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 08:15

maybe they can come round my villa and fix the cracks!!!!!

Aslan


Joined: 23/06/2008
Posts: 757

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 10:11

I think there is possible 30+ Free Masons in the TRNC, I know of 11 members and their lodge and thats in one village west of Girne.

sunnyday


Joined: 14/03/2008
Posts: 269

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 10:36

I know of one in Tatlisu who goes to a lodge in Dikalia

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 10:41

Am I allowed to say that I don't really care?

Aslan


Joined: 23/06/2008
Posts: 757

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 10:47

Hilltop,



Off course you can.

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 10:52

Fine people whose charitable work often goes unnoticed.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 11:21

Are they surpose to be of a standing character ?

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 11:38

Yeah, but like other societies you need to get proposed, seconded etc so it would probably be easy enough for someone to get in if they wanted to. On balance I reckon they're OK despite the conspiracy theories.

donegal



Joined: 23/04/2008
Posts: 48

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 12:19

In the west of Scotland and 6 counties of Northern Ireland they stand as religous bigots

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 12:25

donegal,



I don't think being a Mason (I'm not one BTW!) is the same as being a DOB, of whom I agree there are many in these parts. If the Masons won't accept Catholics then I think that's wrong and disgraceful. But is it really the case? I don't know either way.

Peterg



Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 13:49

Catholics are certainly welcomed, but I do believe that the Catholic Church discourages its people from becoming Masons.

I know of Jewish Masons, Mulim Masons but can't think of a Catholic one.....although strangely it's not a question asked either when joining or at any time during a normal Masons life.

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 13:52

"how old is your grandmother" Nuff said.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 14:37

I know a mason and he is a Catholic, he will be moving to TRNC in the not too distant future.





The Butlers wife

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 19:46

Wow great response, and interesting views thks all.

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 20:37

I can not join my balls are white !!!







I hear you have to beblack balled by the raob to join the masons .

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 21:08

There are no freemasons in the TRNC " they are all busy "

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 21:18

Can I ask what the point of this thread is? Most people who have responded don't have a clue what a Mason is or any of the good works they do around the world. They seem to take pride in ridiculing something they know nothing about.



The Butlers wife

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 21:52

can you trust them in business ?

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 23:20

If this was a question for one FM to find others OK. If not it is not really relevant to the rest of us.

Susie


Joined: 06/06/2007
Posts: 87

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 23:49

If a thread isn't relevant we don't have to add to it. There are lots of posts that i don't read because i'm not interested in them. Personnally, i like a bit of diversity.....

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
26/06/2008 23:57

Q. How many Masons does it take to change a light bulb?





A. After much research this tricky question can now be answered. It takes 20, as follows:





2 to complain that the light doesn't work.

1 to pass the problem to either another committee, the Temple Board or the Master of the Lodge.

3 to do a study on light in the Lodge.

2 to check out the types of lights the Knights of Columbus use.

3 to argue about it.

5 to plan a fund-raising dinner to raise money for the bulb.

2 to complain that "that's not the way we did it before."

1 to borrow a ladder, donate the bulb and install it.

1 to order the brass memorial plate and have it inscribed



Lem lol

FIVETINS



Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 13:52

If you want know something about freemasonry then ask a freemason. He will be happy to tell you or you can go to a library (if you are in the UK). The only secret about freemasonry is that there are no secrets. All are entitled to opinion and ridicule here. But next time you find misfortune dont be surprised if the answer to the problem lies with someone in the background who says nothing or does nothing but quietly goes about his business removing that problem while you are totally unaware.

gillken


Joined: 25/05/2008
Posts: 521

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 16:19

At first I read this forum with great respect.........there are a few members that I still have great respect for.



But, over the last few weeks, I have noticed a thread, and that is "the same people continuously like to relieve themselves of pathetic smallminded comments, why ??????



Do you enjoy this , or have you nothing better to do.



Well this is me off, lost all respect for this forum.

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 16:37

gillken,



Come back! Not everyone was disrespectful. I was sticking up for them!

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 16:41

I was only joking about the lightbulb.



Lem

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 16:57

maybe in the eastern star! ! !

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 17:15

Mind you, it is a bit creepy when you get your first unsolicited handshake.

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
27/06/2008 18:47

I came upon this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati



Greater Mysteries

Rex ("king")

Magus ("sorceror")

Lesser Mysteries

Regent ("ruler")

Presbyter ("priest")

MASONRY

Illuminatus dirigens / Scotch Knight ("director illuminated")

Illuminatus major ("more illuminated")

NURSERY

Illuminatus minor ("less illuminated")

Minerval ("skilled")

Novice

Preparation





I

Nunu1


Joined: 31/03/2008
Posts: 536

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 03:02

Interesting issue.....It does get boring with the same old people responding with child like quips! Im not a killjoy but come on people get a life!



Im intrigued and interested in the Masons, I have been approached several times in the UK to join but have not had the free time or real interest to join.



I would be interested in TRNC joining the Masons, as Im going to make the time for quality of life and stop being a cash cow for this incompetant useless UK Government! Ive always tried to help and advise people all my life, I understand that is part of what freemasonary is about?



nunu

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 08:01

Lighten up nunu you might blow a fuse !

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 08:24

Knuckle cracker= sense of humour

Bilko


Joined: 11/03/2008
Posts: 98

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 09:06

It seems that you can be a freemason in the TRNC, but you cannot become a freemason in the TRNC. However, and to emulate what has already been stated on this thread, you can see freemasons going about fulfilling their obligations by doing good work all over the island. They won't tell you who they are, they don't seek publicity; and expressly they will not respond to the juvenile quips which continue to tarnish this otherwise excellent forum.

Those seriously interested in freemasonry in Cyprus may care to visit http://www.cyprusfreemasons.org.cy a most revealing site about this open and admirable organisation.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 09:34

What do you mean there are no secrets?



OK if there are no secrets, publish a list of members, no?



Tell us what the handshake is?

Tell us why members have to take an oath of secrecy? BTW we realise it's a hangover from that past and the proscribed nature of the society.. but why does it persist?

It is not a secret society but it sure as hell is a society with secrets...

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 10:04

This seems to be getting to you Groucho.......Have you been Blackballed?



HT



Not a member, never been a member, never applied or been put forward to be a member, do not want to be a member.

hollander


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 10:31

The problem with freemasonry is that - to become a member - you have to believe in some form of "a higher being". And I cannot believe that grown-up men can believe that.

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 16:51

Hi DC.

A man with no invisible means of support.....I like that (I think)

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 19:06

My wife wears the apron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 20:09

I'm glad I started this, it has been most entertaining for me, and very enlightning even if I was taught to be cautious.... thanks to all who have added

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 21:26

Hilltop, not getting to me at all just don't understand the logic of the statement that there "are no secrets".... and no not blackballed although I think it would be rather fun to be... (not a "secret" ballot of course...) As the great man once said.. "I would not wish to be a member of any club that would let me be a member"



Hans....You are of course the highest form of being? Really?

hollander


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
30/06/2008 21:41

RE Groucho : (...) Hans....You are of course the highest form of being? Really? (...)



Wrong. Mankind is. Really.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 01:35

It is a somewhat secretive organisation but my father, father-in-law (Indian) & cousin were Freemasons. When my Master Mariner cousin died the Freemasons paid for all of his kids to their boarding schools. I am very glad to

hear Catholics are now in it. Was it not founded by stonemasons? I believe the

government at the time were deeply suspicious of it (time of French revolution

& all that)

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 08:08

Hans are you not a member of mankind then?



I take a look at the stars, although it makes me feel small, the wonder of it overwhelms me... and no I don't believe mankind is the highest form of life.. too many faults. By the standards of the universe not enough creativeness.

hollander


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 09:37

RE Groucho : (...) Hans....You are of course the highest form of being? Really? (...)



Hollander : (...) Wrong. Mankind is. Really. (...)



RE Groucho : (...) Hans are you not a member of mankind then? (...)



What are you trying to start (off topic) here, Groucho? Some kind of a Socratian discussion? You didn't understand (didn't you really..?) that I meant that mankind is "the highest form of being" - so you and other people including me indeed are the highest form of being. Any talk about a higher being than mankind is a poor, unproven theory. Throughout the times any belief in "a higher being" basically has been inspired by fear of death. Yes, rationalism is the biggest enemy of believers in "a higher being".

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 14:25

Sorry mate I just don't get mankind being it.... There is more I'm sure of that, that I don't comprehend what that is does not surprise me either, I only need look through a microscope to see what mankind could never have acheived...



The fact that you can't prove something does not obviate its existence...



As for Freemasons... well I'm not interested in the Scouts either...

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 15:09

Hans is a member of the dutch free society they are free thinkers sence of humour is very very deep most brits do not see it ..... but if you persist it does rise to the surface and he has been know to smile.

jock1



Joined: 06/01/2008
Posts: 3786

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 15:22

I remember going to a football game the masons were playing the knights of st columbas.

I got in just before the ref blew for half time, i asked the guy next to me what the score was, he said "cant tell you its a secret"

hollander


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 15:27

RE Groucho : (...) I only need look through a microscope to see what mankind could never have acheived... (...)



===> Achieved yet! I think mankind is on the brink of making artificial life one way or another. And it'll be a blessing for the world when science puts an end to all forms of "higher beings" and religion. Just my theory - but nearer to be proven than the existance of a 'higher being' and miracles!

hollander


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 11

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 15:34

I'm afraid I have taken this thread off topic, so I better pull out and leave the discussion to the Freemasons. One of them was wondering how many there are in TRNC, I seem to remember...

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 15:39

Curious,



What was the purpose of asking this question in the first instance?



On the surface I do not see the relevance to life here, or indeed anywhere, to know if your friend or neighbour is a member of any particular club, society or whatever.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
01/07/2008 18:18

cyprusishome

I agree, but what can you expect from a name like Witchfinder????!!!!

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
05/07/2008 04:14

well I haven't found any witches yet?

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
05/07/2008 23:12

It is all one big secret

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
05/07/2008 23:58

Yawn!



Witchfinder, pleased that you also were taught to be cautious.

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 00:18

I used to be a werewolf.......



but I'm alright nowwwwwwwwwwwwww!



Lem



PS. Why, if you have been circumcised, you can't become a Freemason?

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 00:36

Is that so? I know of Christian & Hindus being Masons. Sure the wee snip wouldnae matter. The only reason Catholics were questionable was that, it

is a secret society, and if they were bound to confess by faith, then it would not

be 100% secret. Don't know why it has to be so secretive, anyway.

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 00:41

You have to be a complete prick to be a Freemason!



Lem

jakki



Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 865

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 12:51

I am not a Freemason but you might like to know that in June 2008 the Order of Women Freemasons celebrated its centenary. It is one of two Grand Lodges in England whose membership is restricted to women. One key figure was Annie Besant who was a campaigner for the rights of female workers. One extraordinary member to Freemasonry history is Abd El-Kader - an Algerian nationlist, Sufi Saint and a towering figure of 19th century Islam. Churchill, Wellington, Robert Burns (all Masons) the list is endless. A bunch of pricks in West Kent recently gave £173,000. to a children's hospice. Another bunch of pricks in Surrey (Lord Northampton being one of them) recently raised over £3 million for good causes.

jakki



Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 865

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 13:34

I'm Jakki's partner Arthur, and yes I'm one of the rolled up trouser leg brigade. Basically if you believe in a divine being, you can be a freemason whether you're Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu etc. Yes we have funny little ways, but the ritual is simply allegorical. A greater proportion of money we raise go to masonic charities, but a significant amount goes to charities outside the Craft. Unlike other bodies such as Rotary, Round Table etc, all the money we raise comes from masons themselves [not the general public]. Yes there are old farts in freemasonry and people who "want to climb the greasy pole", but no more so than in all walks of life. Keep a balanced view about freemasonry and you'll get it about right.

phantom


Joined: 06/07/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 14:47

hiya i'm muslem and a freemason and proud to be one but i dot belive in higher being

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 16:29

I just told the old Morris Dancer/Social Worker/Traffic Warden joke that you can adapt to any profession and incurred the wrath of Jakki.



It was a joke! I don't know anything about Freemasons except that the Metropolitan Police Chief advised his officers they should not join.



Lighten up..........



Lem

brandy sour


Joined: 09/04/2008
Posts: 310

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 18:10

Hi all

My husband (witchfinder) is not in the police force and all the money they raise for charity goes to the needy in Britain and people who think other wise are miss informed of what they do.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
06/07/2008 21:52

jakki & brandy sour,



Please accept that no disrespect is meant by the majority of posts here. You just have to accept that English (British) humour is at times away from the norm.



We all know the work that is done by this organisation and (using the term loosley) other fringe groups. It is just the anachronistic, and some say secret, rituals that lead people into anarchic style humour. How many times have you seen in the past on progammes such as The Two Ronnies when the rolled up trouser leg, pinny and briefcase are portrayed.



Really those involved should feel honoured and not riduculed that people take the time and effort to make humour from these good people. Knowing Kev's (lemtich) personal circumstances humour is a great asset to help you through life and I am sure he will not object in me saying that he and is good lady are positive saints.



Keep up the good work people.



David

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
07/07/2008 00:50

David. I'm speechless.



Thank you so very much. I never wanted to advertise any of our burden.



But I appreciate your comment. It was well meant.



Lem

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
15/07/2008 01:50

I never really got an answer to the question, still thank you for your replies.

Bilko


Joined: 11/03/2008
Posts: 98

Message Posted:
15/07/2008 16:31

Wonder no more - there are at least 100 freemasons living in North Cyprus, but there is no lodge, nor can there be, due to State ordinances.



This has been a most interesting and humourous thread, but as usual the subject of Freemasonry attracts cynical and sarcastic comments from the ignorant and the misinformed. Do we care? Not one jot. We know who we are, we're pleased with what we do and what we believe.



But, for the boneheads who delight in revealing their own silliness (or is that bigotry, perhaps jealousy), in my UK Lodge we have Christians including RC's, Muslems, Hindus, Jews and a Buddhist - and two Turkish Cypriots!



Maybe, one day in Kyrenia, there could be a lodge formed, but not in the foreseeable future: in the meantime, be assured that the brethren are getting on with fulfilling their obligations to their cause and to society generally. So there!!

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
15/07/2008 16:48

hi bilko ,how do they function without a lodge ? apparently there are a few in nc , can they not attend another areas lodge ? my friends husband is a mason , they do all sorts of charitable works .

simbas

witchfinder



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 02:23

I believe some travel to southern Cyprus to attend a lodge.

Nglbarnes



Joined: 08/02/2008
Posts: 89

Message Posted:
06/08/2008 15:45

Looking at this post it seems there are plenty of freemasons in TRNC.

Although it may be a bit difficult to actually be recognised by UGLE, although I believe there are people looking into the possibility of it, I am sure if enough members were interested a side order could be consecrated in TRNC.



What would be the most popular side order?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
06/08/2008 16:14

What about the Order of the 'not so' freemasons