The decline and eventual death of freemasonry...

Originally posted by Mintwithahole.
1. What if I joined, agreed to the terms and conditions and then found the secrets went against my moral code?

You could immediately leave without further reprecussions.

Could I be attacked for divulging these secrets?

Certainly not. Your minty goodness would remain unharmed.

2. I am terrible at keeping secrets! I can't tell a lie and I cannot for the life of me keep a secret, so I wouldn't last very long before the grand lizard (only joking) came and ate me

One of the reasons we keep 'secrets' is that it shows you are and can be considered a trustworthy person. If others confide in you it displays your moral character if you can withold the trust that was placed upon you. This stands for all persons, not just Masons.

. . . What is the fate of anyone revealing masonic secrets?

Nothing, see above.

Originally posted by Mintwithahole.


I think we will just have to shake hands and agree to disagree. It's the secrecy thing that really puts me off freemasonry. The idea that a group would share terrible secrets with me when I became a member fills me with dread for two reasons.
1. What if I joined, agreed to the terms and conditions and then found the secrets went against my moral code? What could I do about it? Could I be attacked for divulging these secrets? And that leads me on to number two.
2. I am terrible at keeping secrets! I can't tell a lie and I cannot for the life of me keep a secret, so I wouldn't last very long before the grand lizard (only joking) came and ate me. . . What is the fate of anyone revealing masonic secrets?

lol, I see where you're coming from.

As far as the secrets of Masonry are concerned, any Mason who violates his obligation of secrecy stands automatically expelled. However, Masons don't lie about the secrets....if asked about them by non-Masons, we simply respond truthfully by saying "If you wanna know, you gotta join", with a wink.

This was posted back in 2003, but it's interesting to note that in 2009 it's still true:

Originally posted by Netchicken
Freemasonry is a refuge for the geriatric set

Why all the fuss over an organization that is dying out rapidly?

Another generation and it will be just a bad dream with old buildings

Are the freemasons here just scamming for new blood?

www.thepanamanews.com...

Membership is down nationwide. Participation in Masonic activities is in decline. Attendance is low or spotty in most Lodges. A shortage of worthy and well-qualified candidates has inhibited the orderly flow of succession from chair to chair, thus forcing the "recycling" of past masters to keep the chairs suitably warm. We've become a refuge for the geriatric set.

tracingboard.com...

From 1963 the fall in membership has been sadly just as consistent and steep. Our numbers have fallen by 14,061 or 30% in the last twenty two years.

The present 1.01 percentage of masons to the country's total population is the lowest ever in the history of the Constitution, to be compared with 2.1% in 1956. (Our Sister Constitutions' normal policy of non disclosure of membership prevents the coverage of the total craft in New Zealand but their experiences have been very similar.

Dual membership has not been eliminated from the figures in this paper, but, with the Grand Lodge estimate of 5% in the forties and 7% today, may not be of material significance.

www.freemason.org...

Membership statistics reported by the Grand Lodge of California reflect a continuing decline in total members, from over 116,000 in 1996 to less than 99,000 in 1999, an average loss per year of nearly 4400 members. One statistic, deaths, over which we have no control, averaged over 4200 per year during that same period. But death is not the only cause of loss. Voluntary withdrawals plus men dropped for non-payment of dues averaged 3375 per year and for the same period only about 80% of those initiated were passed to the degree of Master Mason. We lost these men too. All of them were already Masons, yet the vast majority will never return. Somehow we disappointed them.

www.geocities.com...

In English speaking lodges around the world there has been no change over the last fifty years in:

the average age of men joining freemasonry - about 40
the average time masters have been freemasons - about 10 years
the average resignation rate - about half the men who join resign (range 30% to 70%)
the average number of candidates in a lodge - about 10 every five years (range 5 to 15)

The number of men affiliated with freemasonry around the world is declining because the average number of years between joining and resignation has declined from 20 to 5.

sric-canada.org...

Several studies of the growth and decline of Freemasonry and related societies have been published in the United States. Similar studies have not been undertaken in Canada, but we know that the patterns are similar. In the state of Maryland, for example, Masonic membership increased from 8000 in 1900 to 48,000 in 1960, and then declined to 36,000 in 1985, a drop of 12,000 members. Correspondingly, the population of the state in the same time period has steadily increased. Membership in The Odd Fellows also grew to 23,000 in 1925 and declined to a low of 1200 in 1985; the Knights of Pythias membership is at a low of 1000.

A study of the records shows that the 1920s were the last year of significant growth for orders and fraternal societies.

The above post accurately describes the decline in Masonic memberships, particularly in the United States. In the old days (like in the year 1900), there wasn't much for a man to do if he stayed home; but in the 21st Century, there's a lot to do i.e. texting, watching TVs with hundreds of channels, internet surfing (which is exactly what you're doing right now

), studying for online educational degrees and a lot of other very exciting things for men to do that did NOT exist 100 years ago. It's a battle between using electronic gadgets or attending old fashioned Masonic theatrical plays. Electronics are beating Masonic memberships hands-down.

The DaVinci Code made some curious men join Masonry to see what it is, but after they know, most of them are bored stiff and then they simply quit attending meetings -- and then quit paying their dues.

Also, in the old days, powerful people were Masons, but today, almost any Tom, Dick or Harry can join the lodge.

[edit on 11-4-2009 by Yxboom]

reply to post by Yxboom


Actually we have been having positive growth in masonry in California for the past couple years. i went to the Grand Lodge Annual Communication last year in San Fransisco and listened to the reports for the year and got some feedback that Freemasonry is growing stronger than ever and is dropping it's age. It's not just the guys who saw the Da Vinci Code who joined.

I have met many other masons from all over who have joined for different reasons that have to do nothing with National Treasure or the Da Vinci Code. To be honest a lot of them are joining for esoteric and spiritual reasons. They are on a path and believe that Freemasonry will be an amplifier to their journey. Of course we have been getting more light and are seeming to get a bigger presence in the world due to the media 9movies, shows etc..), but there is still that agreement upon which they join., that of different reasons. Everyone Joins Masonry for a different purpose, and will get something different out of it as well.

Masonry i believe is subjective in nature (like i have posted in other threads) and that one's own personal gain from it could be different from another Mason. For instance i get a more spiritual and esoteric meaning out of Masonry where as another ember in my lodge might get the brotherhood and hanging out with other masons gain. Of course i still enjoy the brotherhood part of it and enjoy being around my brothers all the time, but my main goal is different. There is no rule or oath in Masonry which tells you all to believe the same thing, in which it leaves Masonry open for free thought and interpretation.

This is why Masonry is becoming popular, and why more men are joining. The most highest goal of Masonry in which i have been studying for awhile in new members, is that they are looking for something more in life, and want to help and be a positive beacon on society as well as in their path to enlightenment. You have no idea how many conversations i have had with other young members on quantum physics, sacred religion, spirituality, ascension, Astral traveling, meditation, 2012, etc.. I think that Masonry is changing from the inside and that it will make a big jump in its evolution very soon.

My experience west of Toronto is comparable to Bushido's. The Lodges in our Temple are showing a net gain in number of members and the average age is dropping. Does this mean that the same can be universally said? I doubt it. However, we're in a suburb where the men have the gamut of options in terms of socialising and such and we're still seeing growth where Yxboom's logic would suggest that we should be barely hanging on, let alone prospering.

I think we're seeing a swing away from the 'I'm alright Jack' ethos of the Boomers and Masonry's tenet of the Mason being an unheralded contributor to society as a whole appeals to men who're tired of publicity hounds who only do good when it is seen that they've done good. Maybe "Pay It Forward" had more impact than I thought.

reply to post by Yxboom


It should be noted that a lot of powerful people were Masons because Masonry was popular.
Masonry has been fairly open in the States for a long time. Long as they met the qualifications, they were allowed in.
So, every Tom, Dick, and Harry was just as welcome then as they are now.

Originally posted by RuneSpider
reply to post by Yxboom

 

It should be noted that a lot of powerful people were Masons because Masonry was popular.
Masonry has been fairly open in the States for a long time. Long as they met the qualifications, they were allowed in.
So, every Tom, Dick, and Harry was just as welcome then as they are now.

That's odd because on a previous thread I was told that not everyone was welcome and that you could be black balled if your face didn't fit.

Originally posted by yeahright


reply to post by Mintwithahole.

 

...you're pretty much welcome to join a lodge. At least in my area.

Just curious...'' IF '' your not a mason, how do you know about
freemasonry' recruit habits, in your area..?

reply to post by yeahright


I once had a neighbor, who was a mason. he was always saying to me
how great freemasonry is and bla bla bla but indeed, he always said,
the only way to become a mason, if i want to, is to ask him.

I was so sick and tired to listen, is broken record speech about masonry,
that i start to avoid him, every time he was outside.

For me it was abvious, he was promoting freemasonry, to influence me
to ask to be one and i had enought.

Just like a crook who is telling you '' i don't sell anything but if you ask
me something....i might find it for you...'' got the picture..!

What freemasons are doing is, imo, exactly the same, they are recruiting
but they try to hide it to avoid to be judged and tag publicly, as a religion.

Freemasons behaviors here in ATS is a perfect exemple, they massively
infiltrated, the secret society forums ( some even became Moderators)
and they are defending and promoting freemasonry 24h a day, 7 day a
week, 360 day a year...and they all, always say, '' if you want to become a
mason just ask to be one'', they promot it, and they say out loud, where
to find the key to open the masonry' doors...


But of course, this is only my humble opinion....

reply to post by yeahright


Since 99% of amway members always try to recruit, yes, comparing
masonry( and ATS freemasons ) with amway is a good one...

I also have a watchtower follower, who knocked on my door 2 month
ago, he didn't want to recruit me..., he ONLY wanted to give me a fraternal love hug...

Oh..! And one more thing, i am just curious, since we are in a secret society forum
and in a conspiracy site...are you at less, interested in conspiracies,
involving freemasonry or not at all.. ?

Originally posted by NoMoreTyranny

What freemasons are doing is, imo, exactly the same, they are recruiting
but they try to hide it to avoid to be judged and tag publicly, as a religion.

It has nothing to do with being "tagged a religion". Traditionally, it is not proper to recruit, and the would-be candidate for admission is required to ask for admission without being solicited. Some masons therefore try to make it a point to let other people know that they have to ask.

If you're not interested, I can see how it would be annoying. To tell you one time is more than enough. On the other hand, your neighbor thought highly enough of you to want you to become a Mason, so even if you're not interest, it's still flattering.

Originally posted by NoMoreTyranny
Freemasons behaviors here in ATS is a perfect exemple, they massively
infiltrated, the secret society forums ( some even became Moderators)
and they are defending and promoting freemasonry 24h a day, 7 day a
week, 360 day a year...

Achilles, you really need to change your posting style, you are going to get yourself banned again. Your zealous and redundant posting casts you in the same light as all the people you accuse of being 'Masonry defenders and promoters'.

Originally posted by Masonic Light
It has nothing to do with being "tagged a religion". Traditionally, it is not proper to recruit, and the would-be candidate for admission is required to ask for admission without being solicited.

I've always believed the only reason one cannot recruit is because of the ritual. During the initiation, the candidate is asked:

"Do you seriously declare on your honour that, unbiased by the improper solicitation of friends... you freely and voluntarily offer yourself a candidate for... Freemasonry?"*

If a candidate could not answer this question with a "Yes", he could not become a Freemason.

(* UGLE Emulation Ritual)

[edit on 18/4/2009 by Saurus]

reply to post by NoMoreTyranny


We, only want to spread Masonic Light throughout the world,
to help humanity, why all that anger towards the Light of Masonry.

Your neighbor saw you as a "Good" man and he only wanted to show you
the way, from Darkness to Light, You should have Appreciated his Efforts to help you...

With the light of thirty- three thousand suns, Freemasonry illuminates the
darkest corners of the earth. sometimes out of sight for breaking the
darkness, with the illuminated brightness of Masonic Light
with the blessing from the Great Architect Of The Universe.

Fraternally yours,
2b1ask1.

Originally posted by NoMoreTyranny
What freemasons are doing is, imo, exactly the same, they are recruiting
but they try to hide it to avoid to be judged and tag publicly, as a religion.

So any group that recruits is a religion? That boys and girls is what they call a non-sequitur argument.

Originally posted by KSigMason

Originally posted by NoMoreTyranny
What freemasons are doing is, imo, exactly the same, they are recruiting
but they try to hide it to avoid to be judged and tag publicly, as a religion.

So any group that recruits is a religion?

No, of course not...it only aply, to those, who wants to

'' spread the Light throughout the world, to help humanity get from Darkness to Light...
with the blessing of a occult God named, the Great Architect Of The Universe. ''.

There is nothing more to had but Amen....