I'm part of Freemasonry. All members are at least vested for criminal conducts, my lodge at least is very strict on background investigation, so it's easier to pick trustworthy brothers to talk to. I'm probably one the youngest members and benefitted from wisdom and patience from older brothers. I'm not a church member but that would be a good alternative.

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sersi 17 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I had a great experience when I was part of a lodge. I'm atheist and so could join a Droit Humain lodge in France (which does not require belief in a Great Architect of the Universe and is mixed). I'm now in Hong Kong but unfortunately have failed to find a lodge that doesn't require a belief in God and that is mixed (I refuse to go to a male only lodge).

It's a pity because I found freemasonry to be hugely beneficial in terms of friendship, interesting discussions and support.

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ConfusedDog 16 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Unfortunately, there are lot of politics involved in that. I'm in a traditional AF&AM lodge (male only and believe in the Great Architect of the Universe). I myself is not a Christian nor believe in any major religions. I believe praying/meditation is a private affair. I find being male only is hugely beneficial in fact. It doesn't mean that we don't have social activities with women. There's the Order of Eastern Star, and Jobs Daughters, Rainbow, etc., which we donate to and have social events with to celebrate holidays and awards, etc. They have their own supportive matriarch and sisters which is also mentally and socially beneficial for them.

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Screaming_O 16 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Or you could just choose to believe in God. It's not that bad, there are worse things.

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tavavex 16 hours ago | parent [-]

Most atheists can't 'just choose' to believe in a god. This is also why most religious converts come from other religions and not non-belief. If they thought about their opinion and made that decision consciously, the suspension of disbelief is gone. Religion will just feel too unreal, artificial and human-made. It's like asking a kid to just choose to believe in Santa after they spotted their parents hiding the gifts.

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Screaming_O 16 hours ago | parent [-]

If choosing to believe in Santa means he continues to get an extra present every Christmas, and revealing his lack of faith means he doesn't, then it makes sense for him to choose to continue to believe in Santa for as long as possible.

	▲	tavavex 16 hours ago \| parent [-]
		But that's exactly why I said it's not possible. Some people may be able to forcefully change themselves into truly believing whatever is the most advantageous for them, but most aren't. Once the illusion is shattered, you usually can't put it back together because they can't just choose to just swap their system of reasoning - it will feel like lying and fooling themselves. Any atheist can pretend to be religious in a hostile society like how the kid can pretend to never having seen the parents, but it will just be an appearance that's not indicative of what they truly think inside.

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Taikonerd 15 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Do lodges generally attract an older crowd? There's a lodge near me, and I have the impression it's mostly retired-age men.

	▲	ConfusedDog 14 hours ago \| parent [-]
		My lodge is also over 90% retired-age men, a few even over 90 year old... last month July 3 members died, but younger members are joining and replacement rate is probably evens out. The thing with younger men like me is we are too busy with work and family to contribute meaningfully to the lodge's operation.

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someguyiguess 16 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I want to join but the Freemasons lack a presence in my city.

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freedomben 18 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

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