Hi Nate.
So is it football (soccer) or rugby?:001_smile:
Neither, actually. In fact it's rowing, but I deliberately didn't mention that because the concept is applicable to any sport.
Interesting concept - "special interest" lodge.
I realise that "special interest" Lodges are rare in the US, although not entirely unknown. In England, however, we have a great many Lodges which are based on a common interest in some particular subject outside masonry.
Here, because we have a custom of having a large number of small Lodges rather than your US custom of having a small number of enormous Lodges, it's quite practicable to have Lodges which are devoted to a special interest, because there are are usually several other Lodges in the same place for everyone else to join. Obviously in your system, where there might be only one Lodge in town, this wouldn't be possible.
So here, for example, we have specialist Lodges for men who all went to the same school, Lodges for men who are all in the same line of work, Lodges for men of a particular religious denomination, Lodges for men who all have the same hobby, Lodges for men who all have connections with the same foreign country, and so on. Nevertheless, of course, the majority of our Lodges are "general purpose", open to all.
I may have to check it out the next time I come to London, if visitors are allowed.
Of course visitors are allowed! The special interest criteria are for membership, but not for visiting - all are welcome. (There are a small number of Lodges over here which are not open for visiting, but only a few, and there are particular reasons why that is unfortunately necessary in each case.)
T & F,
Huw