So the root of it all is numbers. I will point out that our history shows that in Texas we have done some of our best work when we were a small group. I would also point out that Masonry follows economic trends as well, yet in the last few years we have seen increases in the number of new Masons. To put it in a strictly numbers sense, right now the group that swelled our ranks to record levels 50 years ago are accounting for the greatest number of losses among our members. Not to be crasp, but when the largest demographic comes to the end of its run, it's natural that our numbers go down.
The thing to remember, is that they 40 and under crowd is the demographic that is picking up steam, and they are the ones that don't want Masonary Lite. They want the full experience. So if numbers are your concern, then marketing strategy would dictate that you market to your target demographic, and that demographic wants the work. You've heard too many of them speak about that on here to even begin to legitimately deny that. If Scottish Rite and Shriners are so concerned with getting their numbers up, then I would suggest they become more active in their blue lodges to get their numbers up first. This is not so different then the Cola Wars from the 80's. Coke changed their famous formula to be more like Pepsi all the while they had been marketing to the wrong people. Pepsi was marketing to the young crowd while Coke was marketing to the people they already had. You lessen the work to market to the people we already have, just like Coke, you blinked, and we will continue to lose good men by not marketing to them.
I suggest you put aside your differences with the Committee on Work and open your mind to reason and the facts. Look at the facts, lodges with active members aren't the ones that lessen the work, they are the ones enrich the Craft and educate their members. Those aren't the little clicks that you suggests, they are the future of Masonary regardless of if you like it or not, because they are the part of Masonary that is growing. You see them as a little click because these are the people just now starting to show up at GL, but it is also the group that grows larger every year. And for your information, this "little click" as you call it, isn't worried about the "Grand Inquisitor" because what they strive in themselves is beyond what the "Grand Inquisitor" looks to pass. They hold themselves to a higher standard. They compete with themselves and help each other to be better ritualist, better morally, better men, and above all better Masons. And they will not let you take those things from them because you can't or won't get along with the C.O.W.
If Masonary dies, it will be because people like you JEbeling made it irrelievent by making it so easy. Open your eyes and look what the young brothers are wanting, because it's not to be coddled and made weaker. Look at the numbers, overall in the state a third don't make it from EA to FC, but in the Lodges of the people on here who have spoken out against lessening the work are in Lodges +90% success rates. We are the ones having the success, I wise man would listen to the people who are having success.