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Why do people leave/ become inactive?

Lowcarbjc

Registered User
Was just wondering about the question in the topic.

Do people go through the degrees until MM and maybe even side degrees and get the teachings like someone who goes to university and learn the things, and then leave because they have now learned the main "basics" of what can be learned at lodge level, or what would the general reasons be?


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Michael Hatley

Premium Member
They don't get made into a vampire or a werewolf and figure fish fries and wrangling over who mows the grass is a poor substitute :51:
 

Mlugo1247

Premium Member
Mike your funny bro lol. In my experiences they leave due to typical day to day life struggles.


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JJones

Moderator
They don't get made into a vampire or a werewolf and figure fish fries and wrangling over who mows the grass is a poor substitute :51:

I was led to believe that I'd receive my share of the templar treasure every lodge has in their hidden basement after I became a MM. :1:

Still waiting on that check...

On a more serious note though, there is a wide range of reasons for people to go inactive but I personally feel the biggest reason is the disappointment from each lodge not living up to the expectations of the new brother...I know that's why I went inactive for a few years after being raised. Many people join expecting something marvelous but end up with something that appears mundane on the surface...poor ritual, a wide open west gate, and fish fries are part of the culprit.
 

Lowcarbjc

Registered User
Some funny replies. Well, my initiation is on the 17th (next Saturday) and I have decided if they don't give me an opportunity to feet the goat some of the cabbage I'm bringing with, I'm leaving! No way I pay for the cabbage and don't get an opportunity like everyone else ;)


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rpbrown

Premium Member
We have had several "older" members stop coming for a while. After a few years of contacting them, I had one ask me if the lodge had gotten any younger. I looked puzzled but informed him that yes, we had indeed become younger and with more members. He stated that one of the reasons that he stopped coming was that when he did come, he would have to take a chair and he had served 6 years as the master and was tired, as was a lot of the older members. I assured him that we have a full slate of officers and several in the wings to take the chairs in years to come. The very next week, there were 6 of these gentlemen that came, some of which I had never seen. They were all dues paying, card carrying members just never came for fear they may have to serve as an officer again. They all said they had grown weary of the officers and wanted to be "just members". Told them to have a seat and watch the show.
Had a great night and they taught me so much that one night that I look forward to seeing them next week.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Some people don't find what they're looking for on the other side of the door. They find "Rotary with a ritual" when they expected a pseudo-religious experience, or they find a pseudo-religious experience when they wanted Rotary with a ritual. Freemasonry, for better or worse, is not a uniform organization with cookie cutter chapters all doing the same thing. I recommend people approach a lodge when they're interested in joining, but perhaps I should consider tempering that recommendation with "but make sure that lodge is the kind of lodge you want to join."
 

robert leachman

Registered User
I became inactive for several reasons:
Moved out of neighborhood-though my Lodge is on the way home from work

My kids are young and I'm needed at home

Promotion and shift change at work

Mandatory overtime at work





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PM Fendrick Gabaud

Registered User
I believe that some people just get tired of all the BS that goes on in the lodge or grand lodge? The older member need to sit back and let the young brother take over the lodge. It's a new generation now, and I strongly believe that the young are tired of the old??


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stevens43

Registered User
So you telling me I'm not going to be a werewolf. I'm so disappointed now. Just kidding around.i love masonry I think no I know it was the best choice I made beside join the military. I put my masonic working tools to work from day one and still putting in work at my lodge. I was in the senior steward chair and now in the filling in for SD chair :)


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FlBrother324

Registered User
Was just wondering about the question in the topic.

Do people go through the degrees until MM and maybe even side degrees and get the teachings like someone who goes to university and learn the things, and then leave because they have now learned the main "basics" of what can be learned at lodge level, or what would the general reasons be?


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All joking aside,

One reason for new Brothers leaving Blue Lodge is because they aren't being given any type of fulfilling duties within the Lodge. This is especially true in the bigger Lodges, where some of the "old guard" seem to run most committees, not giving the newer Brothers an opportunity for reasonable advancements.

Some joined to be part of something bigger than themselves, they want to participate and be accepted amongst the Brethren, and they haven't seen that from the Brothers.

There have been some cases in our district where they have joined just to be part of appended bodies, spending only minimal physical time at their Blue Lodge, but still maintaining membership in good standing. Though this may be frustrating as a Blue Lodge Brother, ask yourself this: aren't they still doing Masonic work in those appended Bodies?

That is why Masonry must be a "calling" for an individual, a way of life, not something you do a few times a month.
Learning to find one's path to Light in Masonry is a "Life's Journey" not a day or weekend trip. You must decide the right path for yourself, while having the guidance of the Brethren to help educate you along the way, otherwise you will go elsewhere to find Light.

You will only get out of it what you put into it, but at the same time you can't let it consume you either. Like anything we do in life we must stay balanced.

Yours in His service.
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
So what body do I join to become a vamp because i am getting impatient

I think the group you're looking for meets in the park at dusk. The meetings end when the ring leader's mom picks everyone up and drops them off at home. :)
 
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