People are people and some are members of fraternal organisations, such as freemasonry.

I used to be a member of a charity that was perceived by some as being a fraternal organisation, and having American origins, it certainly did have a few rituals that some (though not in my area) performed. I used to be a bit uncomfortable when we were mistaken as such.

Mind you, not that I have anything in theory against members of a club and back scratching. Most political and community based groups can be just that, but at least Freemasons are honest about it..

So to the negative bits. There is a lot of pseudo religious mumbo jumbo, and it is rather disturbing to think that most leaders and opinion makers in The UK over the last few hundred years have happened to spend a night a week at their lodge. Also, many have interpreted their membership as granting them privileges that go far outside of membership. The truth or urban myth of each case is whatever it is, but sadly for most members, there have been some high profile cases of membership being abused and affecting decisions in court, in local government and in that sense, affecting you and I. I recall Derbyshire Country Council used to have on their job application forms two questions; Are you a freemason? and Would you be willing to relinquish your membership if offered this post? Despite the awful (and possibly not used nowadays for legal reasons) lack of freedom the council seemed to be pushing, it was sadly based on genuine occasions where membership had affected council decisions in the past.

You can't blame people either for viewing membership with suspicion. The secretive air that membership offers can be exciting for someone going into the craft, (as it is referred to,) but likewise, fuels suspicion especially where stories, both true and false, imply they influence the greater society.

Two things then. 1) They don't influence these days, even if they did once. In case nobody noted, public services are run by both younger people and women, neither of which will be influenced by silly old men. 2) If we are left with men getting together, muttering nonsense and then having a few pints, then good for them. Hope they get their rocks off to it, although it isn't for me.

Mind you, I have very good friends, both personally and in business, who are Freemasons and I have never felt paranoid in business for not joining them, despite a few offers.