Why are the Free Masons usually old men and women?

Question

I have never seen any youth or even young adults at or near a Free Mason Temple. How can they sustain their society when there are no young people in the organization?

Answer 1

I will answer only for myself and from the viewpoint of the Order to which I belong, American Co-Masonry. We are Freemasonry for women and men. And yes, I expect that some masculine rite Freemasons will immediately tell you that Co-Masons are not "regular" Masons because we admit women. That said, let me get to your question as I see it.

First, we admit only women and men over the age of 21 (with occasional exception). We expect the person to be of legal age to make decisions for themselves, to be adult. Within this last year, I have been at the Initiation of at least eight people in their twenties, however. I am an old guy, 59. I came into Co-M pretty late (2 and a half years ago.) In my Lodges there are Brothers (we call both women and men "Brother") from 21 to their 80s.

I will admit that we are selective. What we offer is precious. Few even know that we (Co-Masons) exist and that Freemasonry is more that just a convivial society bent upon charity. Nothing wrong with both of those aims, mind you. However, we are esoterically oriented. We wish to continue the alchemy of turning the lead of the heart into gold. I assure you, I am not there yet.

Freemasonry accepts no slaves, and that includes to drugs. In our Order we ask the candidates about their use of drugs, both recreational and medicinal. Despite some outside opinions expressed about Freemasonry, our Order of it is rather clean and sober.

Freemasonry also only accepts people of good repute. Being convicted of crime is usually a bar to Initiation.

Freemasonry expects its members to attend Lodge once a month. In our case, that may mean devoting a day because it may take 3-4 hours drive each way to Lodge. Co-Masonic Lodges are going through a renaissance but still are fairly widely spread apart. I drive 185 miles each way to my Lodge in Santa Cruz and 200 miles each way to my Lodge in Los Angeles. That is a bit more of a commitment than most are willing to make.

Funny thing, most comments I read up here say that Freemasonry costs lots of money. It does not. My yearly dues are less than $100 per Lodge. And what I give extra is my own business, not required at all. I give because I see a need and I have the money. When I do not, I don't.

As I said, I see Co-Masonry growing. These things go in cycles. I think people want to have a place where it is safe to explore spirituality without dogma, to be moral without being preyed upon, to feel a kinship and to trust each other. We have women and men of all races, religions (yes, you have to believe in a Supreme Being to be an American Co-Mason), and gender preferences. We have Lodges meeting in Canada, the United States, Chile, and Brasil. I know of other Co-Masonic Orders meeting all over the world. From whom I have spoken with, there are young folks there, too.

I urge my masculine rite "regular" and other Co-Masonic Order Brethren to speak about how their Orders are doing. I hope that young people are coming to find you as well. And I do hope you understand that we are not in competition. Those who knock on our doors were meant to do so.

Offered on The Level,
A Master Mason
Hiram Lodge (Santa Cruz, CA)
Amon Ra Lodge (Los Angeles, CA)
Sapientia Lodge of Research (Larkspur, CO)

Answer 2

Part of the answer was that WWI and WWII nearly wiped out a large portion of the young generation of the day. There weren't as many children and grandchildren to pass the traditions down to. The ones who were left had usually become cynical and bitter towards all organized groups. As the Masons aged, they became less and less appealing to the younger generation.

They are no more "Satanic" than a Bridge club. They are merely an old organization that keeps its meetings secret from the public and has members that support each other. Nothing "Satanic" at all about them. How do I know? I've met with them, spoken with them, and learned about them instead of listening to people who make up stuff about them.

Answer 3

Free Masons is a society only for men, very influential people leading this society. They no need young people to run their society, they can sustain themself.
Even their wifes don't even know what the society is doing. They will wear only black suits and white shirt with white glove (so they say).

Answer 4

Free Masons used to be very popular organization when the WWII generation was middle aged. Less popular for the baby boomers and even less now for generation x and y.
From a friend of mine who is now a mason and joined when he turned 25 he said there is much talk about recruitment of the younger generation. I don't think they are having much luck though.

Answer 5

Its a secret group of brained washed people and the youth see through the Quack, they cant reveal there secrets to this generation unless your in the click!

Answer 6

because un like normal cults that followers join, The Freemasons Pick chosen people to carry there torch. Dude They are just Filthy Rich Satanist...keep reading on them, if you do you will learn more about how evil and twisted they are. KILLUMINATI!!!!! and know they are going to hell.

Answer 7

Strange... I thought they only allowed men into their society.