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Reply ID 2207

I must say I am surprised that Peter Ruffles is a freemason. I am very suspicious of freemasonary as a secretive society that gives preference to its members in interviews for jobs etc., and discriminates against the vast majority of the population. I have always admired Peter Ruffles as the best local politician (he always gets my vote), he is honest and open and does everything to get things done for the electorate. His personality just doesn't sit well with freemasonary.

Reply ID 2210

I'm more suspicious of golf club members.

Reply ID 2211

Wizkid - I too had always had a slight suspicion of Freemasonary mostly because of all the secrecy that seemed to go on etc. However, I visited Englands Grand Lodge in London last year and since then my suspicions have been watered down somewhat. A lot of work for charity and community seems to be done and yes, I do still think that the ceremonys and dress etc are a bit over the top but then all groups of people who are members of anything (secret societys, football teams, womens rights(!)) all look out for one another and have their ways of doing things. With Freemasonry there is a history going back hundreds of years and I just think a lot of their customs may be a bit ancient and as they do not seem to change much they are regarded as "a bit strange" by the rest of us. Yes, I have read various books on the subject - one notably called "The Brotherhood" or something along those lines by a very anti-Masonic author. If I remember rightly the author was killed in suspicious ciscumstances not long after the publication, and of course, everybody blamed the Freemasons. But Freemasons seem to be like one huge extended family and even if this man was killed by them, then it is just like somebody doing your family great harm and there are always going to be people in an group who are going to want to hit back. There are always going to members of any group who are going to use their position to their advantage and this will be the same with the Freemasons, just like it is the same with the Police etc etc etc. Maybe I have gone a bit off topic here but just because Peter Ruffles is a Freemason doesn't necessarily mean he is bad news. I don't, for the record, have much interest in local politics and I wouldn't know Peter Ruffles if I see him in the street (unless he had those great big chains round his neck of course!!!) but he shouldn't be judged on his membership of a group, who as a whole, seem to do a lot of good.

Reply ID 2215

I am certainly not judging against Peter Ruffles, he will still get my vote...... I have voted for him for years even though he is a Tory.... I have never held that against him.

Reply ID 2216

I hope I don't offend any of Emma's extended family on this site. ''even if this man was killed by them, then it is just like somebody doing your family great harm and there are always going to be people in an group who are going to want to hit back.''

Reply ID 2217

I hope the brotherhood don't find out my identity, I now feel very unsafe.

Reply ID 2218

Unfortunately Girls cannot join the Freemasons - I would love one of those aprons! I would just like to point out that I do not knowingly know any Freemasons I am just stating my current opinion. Barry A C - you have nothing to worry about - the only apron I will ever be wearing is one in the kitchen.................!

Reply ID 2220

Too late Wizkid. You've been rumbled.

Reply ID 2224

Freemasonry is an intriguing society. There is much uncertainty about where it came from and what its purpose is today. What is certain, however, is that many influential people around the world are among its members. Here is an interesting glimpse of the history of the Order and its influence on modern civilization: http://www.theinsider.org/news/legal_symbols.asp