Do you think that movies like National Treasure, and books like The Lost Symbol have done anything to help or hurt Freemasonry?
I'm thinking this is true also. Being that this generation is mostly non-joiners, and mostly geared toward visual stimulus movies more than books would spur interest. Of course, lots and lots of books are being made into screenplays for film. I'd like to see a little less fiction in the representation of the fraternity though. Those that are drawn to it by what they see in the movies may wind up disappointed.
I think that when the original National Treasure was released that it spurred a lot of people to check out Masonry. Some chose to join I'm sure. I think that if someone is sparked by a movie to investigate, it is good. Those who investigate masonry with an open mind will find too many illogical things in the anti-masonic information. Those who choose to investigate will then be prompted to investigate further, those are the men we are interested in for the most part. Just my opinion of course
At several meetings where GL officers have been present in the last several years, they have remarked that the GL office has received many inquiries directly to the GL office by young men who told them they became interested in FM after seeing the first National Treasure.
Sorry to bring a thread back from the dead but I am a Mason today because of Dan Brown. I read Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and The Lost Symbol in 1 months time. All of the talk of Masonry led me investigate and eventually join. I'm sure that it stirred up some negative thoughts/comments but as the cliche goes "there's no such thing as bad publicity" (even though we all know there is).
I think it has brought the name out again in people's mind who might have forgotten about it. Good or bad is up to you to decide. I'm sure we get some due payers, some who quit after MM and some who become good MMs.
I'll admit National Treasure did peak my interest, but I didnt join cuz of it. Seeing the certificates my old boss and his brother in-law had from the Scottish rite gave me a chance to ask them about it(to find out they did everything for the title and not any other reason) But it was 3 years later i start doing my own research, for the good stuff, bad stuff and the myths of freemasonry. Then I decided to petition after getting support from my wife. And here I am. Glad I made the decision.
Watching "Hunting the Lost Symbol" on Discovery channel. Interesting and annoying. Nancy is asking questions about the ritual depicted, EA cabletow, S&C in MM, Tyler inside the space.
