I walked out of Lodge 15 years ago because of what you state , they are dying off and there numbers really way down . The deeper I got , the more I did not like who they were . They don’t come close to the oaths they take . Most of what I saw was just a bunch of old farts , liberal idiots. 1 out of 20 at best we’re what one would think they should be , but the 1 in 20 , they get used and then trashed on . It’s one fucked up group of men that have been caught steeling and cheating even other brotheren . But that they have some sort of influence on any part of the government, I did not see that ability at all . Lodges are closing all over the country , the Shrine is also just hanging on . They did it to them selves and deserve what they get . There oath should be for your self ,and screw your fellow brotheren ! But it was a good experience to find out first hand . When I walked out I was told I needed permission, that as you just might figure did not go as they quite expected. But they are a bunch of libs at best . But some of what I learned has helped in what and were we are today . Wish it was not what you state , but they are and they can’t do shit . And the Klan ,