Why is there no popular movement to abolish freemasonry?

[UndercoverElephant]

OK UE says "Do people not understand what Freemasonry is?". Well I don't really apart from it being
a male networking organisation a bit like a super golf club. So can UE give us a thumb nail sketch of
what he understands and what that understanding is based on?

It is a network of powerful and influential people: wealthy people, people in positions of power (police, judges, solicitors), influential businessmen, etc... And the core understanding - the thing that holds it together - is self-interest and protection of the brotherhood. In other words, masons are supposed to be absolutely loyal to other masons, even if it involves breaking the law or treating other people in grossly immoral ways.

How do I know this? I thought everybody knew this. I've seen it in action within my extended family, but I've also seen it presented in this manner in popular culture, and I've never seen anybody deny it. I am quite surprised by the answers in this thread.

It came to my mind recently after watching the BBC docu-drama series on the Brinks-Matt bullion robbery. One of the perpetrators was a police informer and mason, and the detective who led the investigation was chosen specifically because he was "straight" - NOT a mason. Nevertheless, the masons did interfere in that investigation, and did attempt to prevent the conviction of Kenneth Noye.

[clv101]

Just today I finished 'Toxic: A History of Nerve Agents, from Nazi Germany to Putin's Russia' by Dan Kaszeta. A fascinating history, and left me more comfortable that nerve agents aren't something to be very concerned about. Anyway, Freemasons get a specific mention as one of the minority groups targeted by the Nazi's Holocaust.

[invalid]

Modern freemasonry is a very different beast to the original organisation. It began as an occult/mystical organisation. This inevitably attracted the "wrong sort" of people -- people who desired occult power for their own selfish reasons rather than for spiritual reasons. All that is left of that original purpose is an empty shell. Freemasonry is now all about self-promotion at the expense of non-masons.

see: https://www.DODGY TAX AVOIDERS.co.uk/Secret-Teachings-Ages-Manly-Hall/dp/1585422509

Well, Greer, a long-haired Druid, is a Freemason himself. I don't think it's quite so clear cut as you make out. Even here in the UK I'm certain that there are masons primarily interested in the occult and philosophical side of things. The rituals are the same after all. Occult power gained for selfish reasons tends to blowback against the seeker anyway.

[UndercoverElephant]

Occult power gained for selfish reasons tends to blowback against the seeker anyway.

Yes.

[Potemkin Villager]

I suppose it depends if you believe Freemason (and similar) organisations are the cause of corruption, which seems to be your assertion, or an effect of corruption. The whole area of dealing with corruption is strewn with difficulties as conspiracies are very easy to postulate and very difficult to prove. Apart from anything else the International Illuminati conspiracy is more likely to say that there is nothing to see and you need to move along rather than it's a fair cop! I think what I am trying to get at that is that, whilst there are probably corrupt Freemasons who use their membership for personal advancement it is maybe not accurate to lay the blame for all corrupt practices at the door of the Freemasons. There are plenty of other shadowy and totally amoral influencing and lobbying/trade organisations around as well. Where does mutual aid stop and corruption begin?