Brotherhood?
 

A long shot, but... I am wondering if and what organizations there might be in the States for men, I guess what I mean is something similar to college fraternities, but aimed at mature individuals and not just about alcohol consumption. I often feel the desire to be part of something, a closed circle of sorts, in which I am not judged by how much money I make, but through my character and abilities.

Nothing associated with Scientology, though, or organized crime. I'm looking for brotherhood, something with meaning, not something that means 12 years to life.

It seems to be that all men's organizations are either religious or alcohol related.

That is except for the group that goes into the woods and spreads mayonaisse on each other, cries and hugs.

Good luck. :)

Shit. I don't like mayonaisse.

Well..if you can't find any. Make one. I'll be amongst the first members if permissable :D

That reminds of the Kids In The Hall sketch where the character Danny Husk goes on a male bonding trip. "I am an animal!"

The only "brotherhood" type of organizations for adults that immediately come to mind are the Freemasons, Mensa, and Optimist clubs.

You are looking for something like a lodge.

Masons, Knights of Columbus (Catholic), Eagles, Elks, Odd Fellows, etc. would all generally meet your criteria.

. . . Except the "not judged on money" criteria. As much as lodges claim to be about brotherhood, they're also about being expected to pay a good amount of money in dues and to charities. Many, like the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, are primarily about charitable contributions, brotherhood coming in second. I don't really like the judgments that go along with contributing less than expected, and I doubt you would, Prince.

It would still take some money, but if there's a sport or activity that you enjoy, maybe you could join their league. Bowling, pool, softball, whatever. They're about friendly competition. Er, maybe a little bit about drinking, too, but friendly competition is the main emphasis.

find a "cause" you are interested in fighting for.....there's your brotherhood.....good example is NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws)

Hey now I am in a fraternity. There are a lot of stereotypes associated with fraternities. And it isn't about just getting drunk. You learn many skills that will prepare you for future life. We stay very active with the school for example helping charities, drunk driving programs, school recruitment...the list goes on for a while. Yes there are some fraternities out there, but they are generally kicked off campus for some rape or alcohol charge. I can't really help you with finding a brotherhood, fraternities are the only real one I know of.

I would highly recommend the Mankind Project. From their website:

If any man has any inquires, feel free to pm me.

Oh and the website is www.mkp.org

Re: Brotherhood?
 

I know groups that meet your criteria, but they're all local. For example, I joined a men's only yoga class through the local parks and recreation department, and found out that nearly everybody in the class knew each other and hung out afterwards. I did, too, and it turned into a weekly club which still, five years later, meets weekly for dinner, talk, and yes, yoga. We do things together sometimes -- a movie, a trip, once we even went to Costa Rica together. A lot of the guys are former 12-step people or graduates of various new-age or men's spirituality programs, and a lot of them belong to other local groups that cover men's spirituality -- not religion, so much, as just talking about different ways of getting along in life. So assuming that you are more of the talk-about-the-big-issues side rather than the let's-party-down side, looking up a men's group with some kind of spirituality angle might get you something like what you're looking forl.

Most of the traditional lodges are somewhat about money and position. Rotary is the best of them, because they actually do good work for the community and don't booze it up too much, but it's actually the most business-consicous -- you have to be an independent businessman, corporate manager, or mid-level civil servant.

What about the Rotary Club?

What about a sports team?

There's plenty out there...

Mr Mephisto

Hey Prince...
You may want to read a book called
"Iron John" by Robert Bly. It was a pre-curser to the whole mens movement thing. Bly uses the allegory of an old folk tale to try to explain what it means to be a man in this modern age where all the rites of passage are non existant or so diluted to the point of being irrelevent.
its actually pretty good.