March 01, 2023

Carl Sams | Freemasonry progressive and inclusive or a secret society? BBC Drama The Gold littered with the theory that criminals used the Freemasons to corrupt police - Fact or Fiction?

46 minutes

Carl Sams joined the Freemasons in 2006 to spend time with his father, who was also a Freemason. Over 17 years he has developed his contribution to the Freemason community from new member to Worshipful Master, Provincial Grand Steward and is currently working alongside senior officers on development projects concerning charity, membership and mentoring.

Given the recent BBC drama "The Gold", which has several references to the historical beliefs that criminals used the Freemasons to corrupt the police, Carl openly discusses where these beliefs came from and why the Freemasons is a progressive and inclusive organisation that is ahead of many other organisations when it comes to issues including, gender and diversity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Freemasons have nothing at all to do with Satanic rituals, it was a rumour spread in the early days to try and create doubt about a group of people who had influence in the community.
The Freemasons are one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world who stand for integrity, friendship, respect, and charitable giving. People join for three different reasons, charitable interest, personal development, or for spiritual reasons. You get what you want out of it.
It’s a myth that women can’t be Freemasons, there are women’s Freemason lodges which are growing larger and working more and more with the all male lodges. They’re in the same buildings doing the same things and are on the same website. Considering that it wasn’t too long ago that you hardly had women in the workplace, the masons were well ahead of the times.
When it comes to gender reassignment in the Freemasons, the policy is that once you’re a Freemason then you’re a Freemason. You won’t be excluded and will still be treated in the exact same way as any other member. You are a member and you will be supported.
There is a perception that the Freemasons are an old boys club, but there are so many people within the Masons who grew up in an inclusive and diverse world. They strive for upholding their values and their values don’t exclude when it comes to race or gender.
Wherever there are powerful people there will be cronyism. When it comes to the Masons then people think it’s a conspiracy, but if it was in a group of bakers for example, nobody will spread rumours about a bakers conspiracy.

BEST MOMENTS

‘It’s a myth that it’s a men only thing’

‘The men like their men groups, the women like their women groups, and the mixed ones like being mixed’

‘There’s the perception that it’s all secret handshakes and back scratching’

EPISODE RESOURCES

United Grand Lodge of England

The Gold - BBC One

Dawn's Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.willock.98

Link for MAGB www.magb.com

Tracy on Facebook

Follow Tracy on Instagram

Tracy's LinkedIn

Witchproperty.com

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Dawn and Tracy are real women who are fed up with all the “noise” out there in the real world. Life isn’t simply rainbows and unicorns, it's broken relationships, hard work, hot sweats and never ending laundry baskets. But life as a real woman is also about being honest, having good gossip and speaking our truths. Whether it’s peeling yourself into your spandex for a night out, or running a business meeting barefoot because the heel has fallen off your stilettos, there is always something to laugh about in life.

Dawn is mid 50’s mid menopause straight talking business maverick. Four kids, three grandchildren, two businesses, one husband and a self proclaimed “hottie”.

Tracy is a mid 50’s awesome mum, business and property mentor. Proud of her raw, honest nature, “bonkers” sense of humour and good old fashioned northern humility.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

The business of being a real woman juggling life, love and work for many of us is pure sweat, grit & hustle. This podcast is for those of you who are tired of the “noise” and just want real down to earth gossip with no filters or fluff. Dawn and Tracy bring heart felt humour, raw honesty, spandex, stilettos and intelligent conversion on being a real woman in today's world.

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By Tracy Cartland-Ward & Dawn Willock

March 01, 2023

Carl Sams | Freemasonry progressive and inclusive or a secret society? BBC Drama The Gold littered with the theory that criminals used the Freemasons to corrupt police - Fact or Fiction?

46 minutes

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Freemasons have nothing at all to do with Satanic rituals, it was a rumour spread in the early days to try and create doubt about a group of people who had influence in the community.
The Freemasons are one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world who stand for integrity, friendship, respect, and charitable giving. People join for three different reasons, charitable interest, personal development, or for spiritual reasons. You get what you want out of it.
It’s a myth that women can’t be Freemasons, there are women’s Freemason lodges which are growing larger and working more and more with the all male lodges. They’re in the same buildings doing the same things and are on the same website. Considering that it wasn’t too long ago that you hardly had women in the workplace, the masons were well ahead of the times.
When it comes to gender reassignment in the Freemasons, the policy is that once you’re a Freemason then you’re a Freemason. You won’t be excluded and will still be treated in the exact same way as any other member. You are a member and you will be supported.
There is a perception that the Freemasons are an old boys club, but there are so many people within the Masons who grew up in an inclusive and diverse world. They strive for upholding their values and their values don’t exclude when it comes to race or gender.
Wherever there are powerful people there will be cronyism. When it comes to the Masons then people think it’s a conspiracy, but if it was in a group of bakers for example, nobody will spread rumours about a bakers conspiracy.

BEST MOMENTS

‘It’s a myth that it’s a men only thing’

‘The men like their men groups, the women like their women groups, and the mixed ones like being mixed’

‘There’s the perception that it’s all secret handshakes and back scratching’

EPISODE RESOURCES

United Grand Lodge of England

The Gold - BBC One

Dawn's Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.willock.98

Link for MAGB www.magb.com

Tracy on Facebook

Follow Tracy on Instagram

Tracy's LinkedIn

Witchproperty.com

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Dawn is mid 50’s mid menopause straight talking business maverick. Four kids, three grandchildren, two businesses, one husband and a self proclaimed “hottie”.

Tracy is a mid 50’s awesome mum, business and property mentor. Proud of her raw, honest nature, “bonkers” sense of humour and good old fashioned northern humility.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

...more

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Carl Sams | Freemasonry progressive and inclusive or a secret society? BBC Drama The Gold littered with the theory that criminals used the Freemasons to corrupt police - Fact or Fiction?

Carl Sams | Freemasonry progressive and inclusive or a secret society? BBC Drama The Gold littered with the theory that criminals used the Freemasons to corrupt police - Fact or Fiction?