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Post by gamner on Oct 29, 2007 21:56:23 GMT
Hi All, Well I have talked to a friend of mine who is a mason and am ever so patiently awaiting a call back (ok maybe not so patiently waiting). In any event, my concern you ask? Well I believe myself to be a good man and I try to live according to my faith. The issue I have is there have been times throughout my life where I have gotten into legal trouble. I plan to share this information however do not wish to waste time nor to make my friend look bad so thought I should ask here first. The trouble I refer too is bad check (all of which I paid when I could, and are years in the past) as well as driving without insurance (was unaware of that when it happened). Well you get the idea. Am I being overly paranoid to think these would be major stumbling blocks?
The second part of my concerns would be about the religious aspect. I am a very active Christian, and would do NOTHING that I felt was questionable in my Christian walk. I do not subscribe to the anti0mason mentality and think it does not hold water when looking at the claims made and the supporting evidence. However some of the wording "willing to conform to the Ancient Usages and Customs of the Fraternity." give me pause. Can anyone clear these issues up for me?
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Post by middlepillar on Oct 29, 2007 22:18:08 GMT
Hi Gamner and welcome to the Forum.
Your two minor indiscretions should have no bearing on your acceptabillity into joining Freemasonry. However it would be easier for us to comment if we knew what part of the World you live?
As for the other question you have asked, I consider myself to be a Christian, probably not as active as you but I have a strong belief and attend church although infrequently. There are many Christian Freemasons (I know very many) who attend church every week and are active members of thier church as well as being very active Freemasons, I would therefore say from my view there is absolutely nothing incompatible with your Moral or religious views.
I hope this helps you.
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Post by gamner on Oct 29, 2007 22:23:50 GMT
Thanks, I am in the US by the way. I am apprehensive somewhat for my own sake but mostly as I would not want to have a friend vouch for me and subsequently come up lacking. If that is understandable.
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Post by leonardo on Oct 29, 2007 22:24:47 GMT
Hi there! Firstly welcome to the forum, and secondly good luck with your call back. Hope it works out well for you. I am not yet a Mason, but will be one a week from next Saturday but will offer a few personal thoughts anyway. Regards your past misdemeanors, to my way of thinking they aren't serious enough to merit concern, but others may have different views. If you personally feel you should bring them with your hopefully soon to be lodge, then by all means do so. That your personal choice. In respect of your faith having any conflict with Masonry I can tell you there are Christians of all denomination, in fact, there are people of all faiths as well who are members of the Craft, so no need for any concerns there. I am sure more informed members of the forum will offer more substantial advice in due course. Good luck to you!
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Post by mike on Oct 29, 2007 23:03:00 GMT
Well I have talked to a friend of mine who is a mason and am ever so patiently awaiting a call back (ok maybe not so patiently waiting). My first bit of advice, from England by the way, is to call him and ask him if these things are likely to be a problem. I am assuming that he is not a good enough friend to already be aware of them, so don't blindside him. In any event, my concern you ask? Well I believe myself to be a good man and I try to live according to my faith. The issue I have is there have been times throughout my life where I have gotten into legal trouble. I plan to share this information however do not wish to waste time nor to make my friend look bad so thought I should ask here first. The trouble I refer too is bad check (all of which I paid when I could, and are years in the past) as well as driving without insurance (was unaware of that when it happened). Well you get the idea. Am I being overly paranoid to think these would be major stumbling blocks? The investigation Committee is there to try and judge if you are a man of good character, so things that maybe happened in your teens probably woudn't count, well except for rape, murder, armed robbery, fraud that kind of stuff, they will stop you getting in. The second part of my concerns would be about the religious aspect. I am a very active Christian, and would do NOTHING that I felt was questionable in my Christian walk. I do not subscribe to the anti0mason mentality and think it does not hold water when looking at the claims made and the supporting evidence. However some of the wording "willing to conform to the Ancient Usages and Customs of the Fraternity." give me pause. Can anyone clear these issues up for me? Ok this is less subjective and easier to guage and answer. There is no worship in freemasonry but during Lodge meetings a prayer is said at the beginning and end asking God to bless our proceedings, used to be a very common thing in all walks of life, not so much today. However, as we are a secular oranisation open to men (and women) of all faiths these are not directed to a particular name given to God (by man) but rather to a generic job description commonly known as the Great Architect of the Universe. Now anyone with half a brain can see why we do this (mentioned above) but some people (usually non-Masons) cannot get their heads around this and for example complain that such prayers are not finished "in Jesus' name". The reason is of course such an ending in a Lodge made up of say Christians, Jews and Muslims would not engender any form of harmony amongst its members. M
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Post by tws on Oct 30, 2007 1:16:37 GMT
I can't see where you would have a problem. We have all had minor indescretions in our youth. You'll be fine.
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