very unpleasant remarks made to me....in work?

Question

Hi guys,

I volunteer, and I am a Freemason. A fellow volunteer, (female) upon seeing my ring, procceded to lead a 10 minute tirade of how wicked, evil and corrupt we were, how we were Satanists, involved in all forms of corruption and criminal conduct.

When I responded that we had been persecuted for our beliefs, and that 300,000 of us died in the concentration camps, she replied
"they deserved it. Must have had an argument with Hitler."

I live in Scotland. I wonder if anyone can advise me as to whether I could press criminal charges? Would I be able to bring an action based on a hate crime?

Answer 1

What crime did she commit - she voiced an opinion. I don't like it and think she was way out of line for what she said, but she didn't do anything other than voice what she has been taught. Some people believe those things, and that's their business. All you can really do is avoid the woman in future - but definitely report any threats or acts of violence against you.

Answer 2

A hate crime? No. I think a hate crime would be vandalizing your temple. This woman is clearly misinformed. I don't think the Masons are bad people, but I don't think all the Masons are good people either. You will have that in every club, career, city, good people and bad people. This woman probably saw one of those 10 minute make you feel like a genius for watching viral vids online and thinks she knows more about your organization then you do. She didn't hate crime you, she is just stupid and opened her mouth about the wrong topics. I would try to forgive her for her uneducated information and try to end the fight next time. "Did 6 million jews, homosexuals and gypises deserve to die as well Mrs. Hitler lover?" is something I would have said to her face.

You have to be an asshole sometimes. You got walked all over by an uneducated woman. I think men like that sometimes. Im sure if you really wanted too you could sue this woman, I don't know what it will achieve. People suing each other over something called, in my country, FREE SPEECH. We have RIGHT to say how we FEEL to anyone, Sue me. She didn't slander you or your organization, shes not going out of her way with a hate speech, website or mailer, I would leave it alone and let her wallow in her misery.

Answer 3

Hi Tony, I'm truly not sure if you can press chriminal charges in Scotland...I don't know the law of the land. In the US, people can say almost anything they want and not be persecuted. The only thing they cannot do is threaten to kill you or touch you in any way (that would be Assault). Other than that, it isn't a crime to be an idiot, which this woman obviously is....there are so many. I would just take the high road and not even bother with her...there are A**holes everywhere.

Answer 4

There are people who think they know, and DON'T know what we are all about. Most of it is because we are supposed to be a secret society. How secret can we be if she knows you are a Freemason? There is no real point in arguing with these people, they are the ones that use YouTube as a reference resource. Remind her that all over the world fraternities exist, many at college campuses. They operate in primarily the same way that we do. Remember, Freemasons CAN talk about the craft to people who don't know, you just can't give up the PRIVATE information.

Answer 5

I'd ignore here if possible. If opinions like hers are tolerated in your workplace it might suggest that there is an anti-masonic element.......most sadly that seems to be an accepted attitude in the UK.



Another thing- people who behave like her are very often litigious- cause her any trouble and she will most probably file a lawsuit against you. Be cautious.

Answer 6

I am sure you know that many historical figure (eg, Hitler, Jesus Christ, the Japanese occupation, the Halocaust...etc) had been hated by most to today. By pressing charges would not lessen the other party hatred of you. Kindness and forgiveness has better effect than that.

Answer 7

No. I really doubt it.

Seeing that she's wrong anyway, leave it alone.

She has to live with herself and her own effed up beliefs which is punishment enough for her.

Just laugh it off.

unless she's publishing her remarks about you, don't listen.

Answer 8

You should talk to her again about what she said only this time videotape her secretly. You'll need someone's help for this obviously then go the police and human rights activists. Only this can help.

Answer 9

if it happens again go to someone in charge and tell them that she is harassing you

let them take care of it and if she still won't stop take her to court for slander