I am not advocating any of those things. The point you seem to miss is, all the things you mentioned above were not what Masonry was originally about.
--I do not "miss" that at all. I know that when Speculative Masonry was organized in 1717, they had no idea of the Shriner's hospitals. The men who set up the first grand Lodge, would not recognize the various charitable and humanitarian activities underway today.
But because of those things membership numbers are important(to some) in order to keep financing these things.
Not necessarily. The Shriner's hospitals are financed through donations (from non-Masons), and from interest earned on securities. Although the charitable/humanitarian activities are operated by Masonic (and appendant) organizations, this does not mean that they are 100% financed by Masons.
They will go away eventually because the numbers will not support them.
Not necessarily. Alternative financing can be arranged for some of all of them. The Masonic home of Kentucky receives alternate financing from non-Masonic sources.
Charity was not the only reason some of these things came about.
Possibly. This is not a problem for me.
Some of it was to curry favor with the public, particularly after the Morgan affair.
And if Masonry is the "fabulous fraternity", why are you so dissatisfied with it?
I am NOT dissatisfied with Freemasonry. If I were dissatisfied, I would just ask for a demit, and walk away. I am concerned (justifiably) about the direction that Freemasonry ( and the appendants) is/are taking. When I joined the Shrine in 1989, there were 990,000 Shriners. Now there are less than 400,000 Shriners.
Freemasons have a choice. We can manage the changes that are underway (loss of membership, lodges closing). Or we can let the changes manage us.
Masonry is much different than when it was established in 1717. Masonic lodges now have indoor plumbing, carpeting, electric lights, and air conditioning. We picked up on technology, and our Masonic experience is improved and enhanced.
I'm done. You and I have been down this road before and I don't intend to travel it again. Merry Christmas.