Freemason numbers on the decline as members age - Video

Two very important things to consider in relation to the history of Freemasonry as it is commonly know today is the MODERNS and the ANCIENTS. Modern Freemasonry was established in England in 1717 as is documented,although older Grand Lodges in Scotland principally are also documented but largley ignored for obvious reasons by the British.It has evolved and spread throughout the world since then with all other Grand Lodges ostensibly at least being autonomous but being beholden to the British Grand Lodge as far as recognition is concerned which means they are in THE FOLD to coin a phrase, or in practical terms in amity with the practises of the British Grand Lodge. An example of a Grand lodge being on the OUTSIDE would be one that permits woman members, which is out of step with the current policy of the Grand Lodge of England.It is now GENERALLY accepted that the ANCIENTS were those masons from a time prior to 1717 who trace their formation from the stone masons of Europe and who were rersponsible for a great many of the cathedrals and churchs we see today in many parts of Europe and who formed themselves into groups to protect the knowledge they had. Whether they were called LODGES in those days is open to question as was their practises as nothing remains for serious scholar of the subject. The evidence either died with them or still lies somewhere undiscovered. Because this evidence does not at present exist it has propagated this enormous speculation as to the origins of Freemasonry, links to Knights Templars,etc etc.Freemasonry, according to some has evolved from biblical times to the middle ages but the links are tenuous in the extreme and unfortunatley speculation has taken the place of REAL evidence to muddy the waters even further.The basis of all MODERN masonry is the BLUE lodge where the three degrees are taken and practised. ALL other degrees with the possible exception of the Holy Royal Arch are SIDE orders with no connection to Freemasonry as practised

For those unfamiliar with the term 'Eastern Star', in latin it means bringer of light, or light-bearing. Speculative Masons -judges,loan sharks and lawyers mainly- consider themselves to be children of the light. And of course as the Entered Apprentice is initiated symbolically before the morning star,in biblical translations we discover that this in fact means Lucifer.

I can't see why anyone would possibly want to become a Freemason in this day and age.Not that I have anything against them, but the ceremonies strike me as vile and offensive.And once inside the 'Temple' anyone with enough common sense would just want to get the hell out. That today is a regular event.

I would like to add to this that I have found the Eastern Star and other associate organizations are very satanic like. I did join but after I was in there I found that they had absolutely no purpose except to do satanic rituals. The money they took in was never used to help the poor and under privileged, like I thought they did before I joined. That money was sent to the Higher Up Authority of the Eastern Star. I could never figure out what happened to it after that. The people who belonged felt they were so much better than others which was not a very good example to the community. They talk people into getting involved and then those very same people invoke their own ideas into whatever that person may be doing. That is because the organization is not "free will"...it is the will of the upper strong ones.I have found that with the Free Masons as well as the Eastern Star there is alot of dislike toward them only because of the attitude of members and the evil things they do behind doors. I would never talk a person into becoming a Star member or in conversation I have also pointed out that the Free Masons are not what "they"want people to think they are. Now I know this is a woman's point of view, but, remember they have to back their husbands in the work that comes with the Masons. The numbers are down because the younger people are getting wise to the fact that is absolutely no purpose in being a Free Mason except to worship satan. It used to be if you belonged to the Masons they would give you help in the time of need. Well, it never really applied then and it absolutely does not apply now.

"Raymond" I wish you no offence. America's founding fathers were masons and great men, they drafted one of the most liberating documents ever in the constitution and later with the Bill of Rights. However Washington did warn , on record, of the influence of a masonic off-shoot in 1785. "A" you are correct about 1717, I mistakedly wrote 1711, but I stand behind my other claims. Entered Apprenctice is first degree, "master mason" is only the third in the blue degrees, some think this is as far as it goes. I call them "neophytes", logically all below the 33rd degree are porch masons, as there is much that has not been revealed to them. The eye is the eye of providence/ god but is actually Horus- learn the history of the US dollar bill please (not just the one line explanation on the white house website). I do not blindly believe all anti-masonic propaganda as I have no reason to do so, I have researched it myself not just through the internet, but in person also. I know symbology is everything and I am a reasonably perceptive person. I know about individuals such as Jack the ripper and Aliester Crowley (who's book is sold through the Ordo Templi Orientis in Auckland). Trying to say such groups have no connection to masonry is historically false, and when you study the common esoteric symbols/rituals, is beyond common sense. It is also mathematically highly improbable that so many of our prime ministers would be members of an organisation that is a tiny percentage of the population, yet this occurs worldwide, logic and reason would suggest corruption. Aslo "A" would you care to tell me what obelisks represent? Where Hitler got inspiration for the Swastika from? Name a masonic symbol that is Christian, not Egyptian, since many think masonry derived from the Knights Templar without realising the Templars "fell out" with the Church as began mingling with the assasins hence aquiring eastern spiritual influences. Masons also worship Sirius, I could tell you why, "Order of the Eastern Star" is for Women, "Prince Hall" for Black men, and "De Molay" for youth. I am also willing to make a wager to back up my assertions, so instead of just saying I'm wrong please agree to a wager.

Wow Will, did you know you were parroting lines of a hoax? It amazes me in the internet age that people still parrot the Leo Taxil Hoax all these years later and treat it as fact. Did you do any research at all or just blindly believe in anti-mason propaganda? What does the eye represent? God, and its not a masonic symbol either. Have you ever read Morals and Dogma? Its obvious you have not. Albert Pike means nothing to 95% of freemasons because he only played a leadership role in one side order. The Scottish Rite's motto is not Ordo ab chao, there is no lucifer worship of any kind (or worship of anything else). You go from the 3rd degree to the 32nd degree in a day or less, because the degrees do not indicate rank, order, or anything else. The Scottish Rite is simply a side order. There is no such thing as a "neophyte" third degree master mason, third degree masons are the highest degrees in freemasonry. Other orders offer other degrees which are SIDE orders. There is no relationship between freemasonry and the Illuminati, skull and bones, or anything else. Get the facts straight and stop spreading the Alex Jones propaganda. You can't even get the year right, modern freemasonry was formed in 1717.

Come on! Genuine good people, surely if your the inteligent type you will do your own research remain unbiased and think more (some folk struggle with this, bless em!). Your not stupid so if you realy need to know find out properly with your own inteligent articulation and make a judgement when you have evidence. All those good guys are not there for seedy reasons, Im a member and if I was to find any shonky business I would be out like a rocket,Im worth more and so are the brothers. What on earth do you think we are up to, if in doubt check us out. Good guys wishing to grow with some old fashioned good will to mankind traditions. Your so welcome to ask us anything, you are mankind too and we want you to be good to mankind too. Whoever you are God bless and good will to you from our hearts.

By the way, where does 3 News get 5 centuries from?? The organisation officialy came together in London in 1711, although the organisation and its derivatives are clearly much older. Perhaps 3500 years old, masons trace their origin back to Hiram Abiff, King Solomans temple and the other temple that was constructed opposite. The Golden Dawn, OTO, Bohemian Club (1872), Order of death (Skull and bones 1832), Thule Society (which many nazi SS were members of), and Adam Wieshaupts Bavarian Illuminati (May 1st 1776, Ingolstadt) are all masonic off-shoots, sharing rites, rituals and symbology as does the KKK for that matter. My great grandfather was a prominent NZ mason, I fear many do not know what it's really about beyond brotherhood and chivalry, I know more about it than most members I have spoken too. They treat it like a Darts club.

"Paul", masonry is all about degrees and compartmentalisation of knowledge, whilst I agree many iniates are good, civic minded people, freemasonry at its upper degrees is something different. What does the eye represent, Albert Pike makes this quite clear in his book morals and Dogma. Above the 19th degree they teach that Addonnay (the Christian God) is an imposter and Lucifer is the true God of light, since he liberated man in the Garden of Eden. They use geometry to worship this "Grand Architect" and their motto is "Ordo ab chao". Above the 30th degree they refer to the un-initiated as cattle. There are many good Masons, but ultimately what matters is the intent of the organisation. Study them and judge for yourself, they have more influence in your life than you would care to think. Look at the Architecture around you, discover Boaz and Jachin, research BOHEMIAN GROVE. For it doesn't matter if you believe in God or no or think their religion is rubbish, what matters is the FACT that powerful, well placed people who have political influence DO believe in it. And they are not neophyte 3rd degree "master" Masons.

No.. I guess the point is that young men have a lot less free time threse days with family and work comittments. many other organisations would be seeing a similar downward trend. The money has come from several sources, but a significnat part would be the sale of land and buildings as lodges downsize and merge with others as well as canny investments.