What is going on?

[Benjamin Baxter]

There certainly has been an influx of new potential brothers on the forums. Has a new movie or novel been released that I did not hear about. I wonder why the increase in interest all of a sudden. I welcome it, but was wondering.

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[JJones]

I noticed this also but I don't know of any popular books or movies that feature us recently.

I just like to think everything happens in cycles.

 

[RexxValent]

I know why I have become interested in freemasonry just lately, though I can not speak for anyone else. I was told as a child, by shriners, that to be a mason you had to be invited. After many years I just happened to find a website a few days ago that talked about the masons and some of the myths about them. I was surprised to see that according to that website, instead of having to be invited to join, masons are actually not supposed to actively seek out petitioners.

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[crono782]

Yeah, I've noticed that too. It looks like a lot of them are using the app. Maybe, the app got feature or something, hah.

 

[JGMarto PM]

While the myth of being invited may be one reason for the influx. I have noticed quite a few young men approaching me about membership. The common theme seemed to be they were all into hip hop and rap music. After a little digging I discovered these idiot rappers claiming to be Masons and Illuminati talking about Big Secrets and such. I even saw a video with one of these clowns (my apologies to any shrine clowns out here) wearong an apron like a bandits mask.
I could do without these guys as Brothers.

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[Bro. Vincent]

I know about the rapper you are talking about. I saw that video last week. That guy is not a mason. He is bogus. He as an idiot trying to get attention by creating some controversy. If you look at his youtube views...I doubt his ploy is working. As far as other rappers there is only one that openly says he's a mason that I know of and that is Rick Ross. And I actually believe he is..Alot of other rappers are part of the "5 percent nation of Gods and Earths" which has alot of similarities to masonry and Islam.

You said rappers as plural and as an avid listener of rap music I don't see it that often. "Other People" speculate about Jay-Z and Nas, buts its always been speculation. No proof. I do feel there is an uptick in membership because there is a conciseness of young people wanting to belong to something bigger and greater than what they are used to...Also I think there are many lodges "mainstream and PHA" that are loosening some of the requirements to upgrade membership. Hey if it a makes a good man better I am all for it. This kid in this video is ignorant at best. Why would anybody scream they are part of the illmuinati?! Wearing apron around your face to hide it liike you're a hardcore gang member and in the next clip you show your face. This guy is a clown. We are doing exactly what he wants and that is talking about him.... that's last I will ever bring him up.

 

[JGMarto PM]

I can't say I listen to rap at all. However I am a musician and have nothing against it other than it's violent undertones and demeaning messages. But the same could have been said about heavy metal back in my day. Haha.
But back to the subject at hand. I am all for making good men better. But these kids joining out of idle curiosoty I don't want. We have initiated enough like that and shortly after thier third degree, we never see them again. Yet they flash the S&C on eveything they own. And all the Illuminati talk just makes me sick.

Too many Grand Lodges are loosening membership requirements and some even giving inventives to Brothers for signing up new candidates. We seem to be more concerned with quantity over quality. Our state gives out ties, jackets and watches for being a first line signer. Which is fine if you are signing for a good candidate. But too many sre just signing for the ties.
We can make good men better. We rarely can make a bad man good.

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[Bro. Kilpatrick]

Well said, our fraternity is about quality, not quantity.


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[Michael Hatley]

And all the Illuminati talk just makes me sick.

Can't tell you how much I agree with this. It drives me crazy. Small minded men in small minded times I'm afraid.

I seriously told one fella who seemed to have strong illuminati/woo-woo type motivations flat out that what you see is largely what you get. And try my best to tamp down and debunk it. But nothing doing, they figure the secret to it all is right around the next bend. And that the more you try to set their expectations realistically the closer they watch to see if you sparkle when you go out in the daylight.

That, and seeing things on here about how candidates get their petitions signed by men who have never met them a single time makes me pretty serious business about signing a man's petition.

 

[widows son]

"Can't tell you how much I agree with this. It drives me crazy. Small minded men in small minded times I'm afraid.

I seriously told one fella who seemed to have strong illuminati/woo-woo type motivations flat out that what you see is largely what you get. And try my best to tamp down and debunk it. But nothing doing, they figure the secret to it all is right around the next bend. And that the more you try to set their expectations realistically the closer they watch to see if you sparkle when you go out in the daylight.

That, and seeing things on here about how candidates get their petitions signed by men who have never met them a single time makes me pretty serious business about signing a man's petition."

- I find it hilarious that these masonophobes have been around for years, saying the same thing, and yet they have nothing to show for it other than a few bogus "masons"making the headlines. (the man in Norway who massacred those people for example)

 

[Bro. Vincent]

I realize that you get all types to join the craft for different reasons. Some good some bad. I agree loosening requirements is not the best option. Though I am only a FC my lodge is drilling me on proficiency and degree work. So nothing is being given to me at all!

I liken this stuff to some of the Hollywood movies that in accurately portray the craft. And people accept it as real.

I've come to learn some people want to be apart or say they are apart of something with out doing the work to get it. I don't think you will ever change it. All we can do IMO is be shining examples of the craft and may be these fools will go away.



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[dfreybur]

The other day Amazon recommended I pre-purchase the next Dan Brown novel so it looks like another adventure book is coming out. We get a surge of petitions every time he publishes a book.

Is he driving the trend towards increased interest in fraternities or is he riding an existing trend? I figure it's a positive feedback loop so it's some of both.

 

[JGMarto PM]

You are going through the right way Brother. Get proficient and stay active. We say this at nauseum but You only get out of Freemasonry what you put into it. It's corny but so true.


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[crono782]

I'm interested to see what the surge will look like when The Lost Symbol movie comes out. :/

 

[JGMarto PM]

I'm sure it will be huge.

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[URSA]

I became interested in Masonry through seeing a Discovery special on the Freemasons and wanting to know more.

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[Pscyclepath]

I'm interested to see what the surge will look like when The Lost Symbol movie comes out. :/

I read The Lost Symbol a little before I petitioned, and it's amusing to read the mistakes and assumptions he made. Still, not all that bad a book...

 

[JKC84]

While the myth of being invited may be one reason for the influx. I have noticed quite a few young men approaching me about membership. The common theme seemed to be they were all into hip hop and rap music. After a little digging I discovered these idiot rappers claiming to be Masons and Illuminati talking about Big Secrets and such. I even saw a video with one of these clowns (my apologies to any shrine clowns out here) wearong an apron like a bandits mask.
I could do without these guys as Brothers.

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Was the video referencing Rick Ross? If so we saw the same video and funny because I saw that guy at an event my magazine was doing press for.


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[JGMarto PM]

Lost symbol was a good book. Some inaccuracies. But i agree it was a good read.

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[JGMarto PM]

Not sure who the video was. Gangster crap. A disgrace to freemssons.

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