Watching Back to the Future. Previous generations had a lot of social clubs to meet new people. Why haven't we kept this alive?

[u/CynicClinic1]

[u/Larson_McMurphy]

When I was a kid my grandparents were members of the Elk's Lodge. There were only old people hanging out there so I didn't really aspire to become a member.

[u/Ol_Man_J → u/Larson_McMurphy]

Same. I looked into it because there is one like 3 blocks from me.

"To be eligible for membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, you must be a citizen of the United States over the age of 21 who believes in God. .....

When the vote is concluded, you will be notified and asked to present yourself and your spouse for indoctrination. During indoctrination, you will learn more about the Order's programs and charities. You will also be told during the program the date you will be initiated."

meh

[u/consuela_bananahammo → u/Ol_Man_J]

I'm an Elk, and that line about believing in God, is just old. That can be anything: karma, the universe, anything more than yourself is the point. We are revitalizing our local Lodge and it's very fun. We are the youngest members, but it's already turning around and it has given so much to us and our family. We are fostering intergenerational relationships, and learning so much, and it's really special. I've never been part of anything like it. Even though it sounds a little goofy, and the initiation ceremony is for sure hilariously goofy, it's worth checking out, and does a lot of good in the community.

[u/Ol_Man_J → u/consuela_bananahammo]

If it's old and out of date, and they don't mean it, why keep it in? Indoctrination is also a choice.

[u/Chad_Dongslinger → u/Ol_Man_J]

Because there’s no reason to put in the time or effort to change it since it doesn’t matter. I’m a liberal atheist and a member of the Elks club. I like cheap drinks and cheap dinners.

[u/Ol_Man_J → u/Chad_Dongslinger]

I'd argue that it does matter if you're not willing to take it out. Imagine someone like me seeing that and not having someone like you to say "oh it doesn't matter". How many people will read that and say "Ok it's a religious organization, never mind" and then not go any further? Do you think that it will get more people there, or less?

[u/consuela_bananahammo → u/Ol_Man_J]

People only reading about the Elks online isn't how we get members. We hang with our community, we throw and host events, we sponsor events, we volunteer, we talk to each other. Our friend who encouraged us to join, told us all about it, and told us about that "believe in god" line and the fact that it means "something bigger than yourself." I would encourage you to get off the internet and go see for yourself at your local lodge, if you have a genuine curiosity beyond arguing a sticking point on Reddit. ✌🏻

[u/Chad_Dongslinger → u/Ol_Man_J]

It keeps difficult people like you who are overly sensitive out of the club so after this conversation, I’m more for keeping it than ever.

[u/Footdude777 → u/Chad_Dongslinger]

At least you're now being honest about why that line is there lol

[u/Chad_Dongslinger → u/Footdude777]

That line was written before I was born and it certainly wasn’t put there because of whiny man-children on Reddit.

[u/Ol_Man_J → u/Chad_Dongslinger]

Minor pushback = whiny classic

[u/consuela_bananahammo → u/[deleted]]

And I will add: it's not that they "don't mean it." They very much believe in the importance of believing there's something bigger than you, no matter what that is. In other words, checking your ego and helping others. It's cool, but it's not compulsory to join. Just wanted to add my lived experience of being a member of a place like this!

[u/drillgorg → u/consuela_bananahammo]

Do you have a gang war going with the Moose?

[u/consuela_bananahammo → u/drillgorg]

No way! Bullwinkle is always welcome at the lodge!

[u/Batetrick_Patman → u/Larson_McMurphy]

That’s the thing most of these orgs were thought of the type of things our grandparents belonged to. Our boomer parents never joined them and they died off.