I'm sure a mod will come along and want to move this thread, as it's not specifically conspiracy oriented. But I'll go ahead and reply while it's here, since this is the only board I'm paid to patrol.

The internet is the epitome of democratic publishing. Anyone can have a blog for free and spout whatever they want, true or false, well researched or pulled out of their collective * and all have the same accessibility. Similarly the preponderance of YouTube videos that could be made on something as low-fi as a cell phone can be viewed right next to trailers for the next big Hollywood blockbuster.

So the internet has changed the field in big ways. One result of that is anti-Masons being able to get their ideas more widely spread. Look at Freight Tomsen's post history promoting his own self-published book. There is so much more noise, it can be difficult identifying the signal. Insert needle + haystack metaphor here as well.

This leaves people who question those theories, people who see the outrageous claims of reptilian cabals in positions of power, and they want to do their own research into these claims. That might lead them to the relatively few Masonic bloggers and other sources of actual Masonic information on the web.

In that regard, the internet has helped shine a light through the darkness of hatred.

Well truth be know I did post is jest, but the more I think about it, I wonder, it kind of makes sense in a way. It would explain why all of the sudden there are so many old threads being reopen. Nah can't be. Your right Josh I should know better.

would Dan Brown not be the reason for an increase in masons, this sudden limelight ,people love a clique and everybody wants to be in on a secret.

Ohio, which hosts one of the largest Masonic populations in the Republic, is still facing steep decline in membership.

The Grand Lodge has made efforts to digitize the record keeping of all Lodges to get a better grasp of the situation, however, nothing is being done and as of now it is a rumor.

However, it is not secret knowledge that lodges are keeping suspended, and even dead Masons on the books in the effort of retaining money to ensure the lodge can operate..

meanwhile Ohio lost nearly as many as California gained, and the average age of Masons continues to increase.

And to add to this problem, the Grand Lodge encourages making it easier for men to become Masons, and many new age members as well support "one day classes" of which the retaining ratio is pathetically low. In fact, seeing as the majority join through one day classes, the number of suspended Masons due to un paid dues continues to increase as well. an obvious burden for the small town lodge.

Is there a growth in awareness in regards to Masonry?

Yes.

Does the internet help?

Yes. People read the works of conspiracy theorist, consider it complete crap and investigate for themselves and become members. In fact, several of us, my self included, on ats joined the frat this way.

However, without a complete overhaul in the way Masonry is handled, governed, and addresses the public I do not see a Masonic resurgence to which we all hope for.

of course, that's my opinion, and my opinion on the future of Masonry is bleak .. at best.

One way or another we need reform in masonry.
Masonry has kind of dropped the ball on its main goal of what its purpose is. The main purpose of freemasonry (in America at least) is charity. I’m not saying that charity is a bad thing at all, but that shouldn't be our main goal? It’s about spirituality and finding the answers to god and the universe and taking on the whole spiritual aspect of the world. ONLY in the U.S.A is freemasonry considered "a charity organization" everywhere else in the world freemasonry takes a different stance on their purpose.

I believe freemasonry in the U.S. needs to find its roots again and go back to the "good ol' days" (starting to sound like the South during the reconstruction period post-civil war), and to the way Freemasonry was. We need to bring back the spiritual side of masonry, and also make our investigation on new initiates stricter. Most of the lodges, that I know at least, are looking for a mass quantity of people, but for the most part don’t care about their well-being. We need to look at QUALITY over quantity. A few good masons are better then many that will benefit the fraternity in any way.

I hate to say this but the older generation of masons who turn the lodge into an elk's lodge, needs to die off or at least give the reigns to the newer generation who have good idea's for a change in masonry. We need to not be known as a charitable organization (not saying completely rid of charity, but not make it the procuring cause behind our purpose), but as a spiritual organization that seeks to turn those that join into spiritual beings.

Of course all of what I have said is in my opinion, just thought I would get that out there and see if anyone was sharing a common ground with my views.