Freemasons Say They're Needed Now More Than Ever. So Why Are Their Ranks Dwindling?

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

So many churches told their members that joining the Free Masons was devil worship including certain branches of the lutheran church and some Catholic Diocese.
IMHO, the Freemasons are competing with a lot of other fraternal and civic organizations that used to cater to men.
As the article mentions, "Many lodges still don't allow women to join, and others have struggled to attract members of color". This IS a big deal in many communities. Even brotherhoods like the Elks and civic orgs like Kiwanis and Rotary Club have open membership that prohibit descrimination based on color, sex, national origin and religion.
A lot of different organizations in my city have died out simply because people had to prioritize to which groups they belonged. But I also live in a town that is dying a slow death.

I get confused as to whether groups like the Moose and Elks allow for women to be full members. I *think* for the Moose, it is male only with a women's auxiliary and for the Elks and Lions it is local option. Kiwanis appears to be co-ed worldwide.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by naraht

I get confused as to whether groups like the Moose and Elks allow for women to be full members. I *think* for the Moose, it is male only with a women's auxiliary and for the Elks and Lions it is local option. Kiwanis appears to be co-ed worldwide.

From the ACLU website, "Under a 1995 amendment to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Elks, the national Elks organization, women are allowed to join this previously all-male organization." I read this to mean full members.

What I find on the Moose is confusing. In 2019, Moose International website writes, " all members, both men and women will become members in the new “One Moose” Lodge". Yet, I find information on the same website called, "Women of the Moose" which appears more like an auxilliary. I haven't looked into it deep enough other than to quote when I'm able to find at quick glance.

As for Kiwanis, AGDee is President of her local Kiwanis chapter (co-ed) andour local Kiwanis has been co-ed for at least 25 years. But civic organizations seem to differ greatly from former brotherhood lodges.

[Sen's Revenge]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

From the ACLU website, "Under a 1995 amendment to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Elks, the national Elks organization, women are allowed to join this previously all-male organization." I read this to mean full members.

What I find on the Moose is confusing. In 2019, Moose International website writes, " all members, both men and women will become members in the new “One Moose” Lodge". Yet, I find information on the same website called, "Women of the Moose" which appears more like an auxilliary. I haven't looked into it deep enough other than to quote when I'm able to find at quick glance.

As for Kiwanis, AGDee is President of her local Kiwanis chapter (co-ed) andour local Kiwanis has been co-ed for at least 25 years. But civic organizations seem to differ greatly from former brotherhood lodges.

When my service club was pursuing affiliation with Frontiers International (a Black civic club), we learned that the organization was coed, but still maintained its auxilliary for wives. (We didn't like that.)