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Post by roman on Jul 11, 2009 21:47:19 GMT
Good day all, I am hoping to join the Masons and become one of the brotherhood. I am from Altoona, Pa. and haven't been contacted as of yet, but I understand it may take as long as several weeks. One thing I am discovering is, even though I am a Christian I find myself defending my decision as well as the Masons. I can understand the paranoia of the masses but when It comes to Christians it boggles my mind. Oh well. this is probably for another thread. Anyway, looking forward to passing from darkness into the light.
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Post by paulh on Jul 11, 2009 22:17:43 GMT
Hello Roman and welcome to the forum.
Freemasonry as you know is tolerant of a wide variety of opinion and by that tends to make insecure those who wish to believe that their path is the only true path. There is not much to be done about that except to be charitable.
The process from passing from darkness into light is subtle and of course takes time. It is based upon an upright and virtuous life and upon intent to serve the purposes of Divinity. Participation in Masonic ritual, in my observation, facilitates and accelerates progress towards the Light
Cheers
Paul
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Post by roman on Jul 12, 2009 21:31:19 GMT
Thank you for your reply brother Paul and I do agree with everything that you have said, especially the charitable part. 1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity, But this is also one of my favorite verses, Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. I do aspire to live a virtuous life and one of the phrases used by the Masons intrigued me the most "making good men better". And what good man doesn't desire to be better? Thanks again
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Post by maat on Jul 13, 2009 0:00:55 GMT
There are some good men out there that think there is no room for improvement. The good man that knows that there is room for improvement has an understanding that makes him wise.
Maat
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Post by waynecowley on Jul 14, 2009 11:32:51 GMT
A very warm welcome from me too - good luck in your path
Wayne
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Post by roman on Jul 14, 2009 20:24:37 GMT
Thank you Wayne, I turned over my petition the other day and I have two sponsors. It's funny because I have known these two fellows for years and worked with the one for the past 2 1/2 years and I didn't even know that either of them were Masons. Knowing the character of these men and after doing some research on Freemasonry, I can see it now. In these times when most of the world is looking out for number one when I meet someone who seems kind or polite or helpful, I can't help wondering if these people are Masons. I have always considered myself a very conscientious and hard worker, as others have also, but now that I am hopeful of becoming a Mason, I find myself even more cautious of the quality of my work so as to not blemish the Mason name. I can't wait to post in the New Members Thread and join in the Chat room.
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Post by leonardo on Jul 15, 2009 8:48:29 GMT
Brother to be Roman, if your heart is in the right place and you are joining for the right reasons. which I believe you are, you will go through some really wonderful, life changing experiences on your Masonic journey. You will know more about this in time to come Those who join for the wrong reason are soon dissatisfied.
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Post by humbleseeker1 on Jul 18, 2009 13:07:57 GMT
Roman, I am also a Christian and a new Mason I have always heard of critics in the church, but I found that the Critics were very ignorant. Not understanding what Freemasonry is all about. I had a similar experience when I first came into the lodge I was welcomed by members I knew in the community that I had no idea were mason but were good men who made the community better. I too want to be like one of those men and by becoming a freemason as you will be soon will also help make your community and yourself a better place.
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Post by generatics on Jul 21, 2009 20:11:54 GMT
A common quip from fundamentalists tends to be that Masonry is not "compatible" with Christianity. The only thing that could possibly apply to are the man-made rules of a particular church. If we instead look at the true ideals of Christianity we find they are totally compatible... - Don't kill. - Don't lie. - Don't cheat on your spouse. - Help those in need. - .. and so on. There is nothing within Masonry that conflicts with the true ideals of Christianity. As for the man-made rules of a particular branch of Christianity well, it's up to you to decide whether or not those are important or worth subscribing to. God is not the one who picked up a pen hundreds of years ago and wrote down a rule saying if you become a Mason you will be excommunicated from a church. I was raised Catholic and I personally choose to serve God's rules, not man's. I just have a feeling that will work out better in the end. Your mileage may vary.
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Post by roman on Jul 23, 2009 15:41:56 GMT
A common quip from fundamentalists tends to be that Masonry is not "compatible" with Christianity. The only thing that could possibly apply to are the man-made rules of a particular church. If we instead look at the true ideals of Christianity we find they are totally compatible... - Don't kill. - Don't lie. - Don't cheat on your spouse. - Help those in need. - .. and so on. There is nothing within Masonry that conflicts with the true ideals of Christianity. As for the man-made rules of a particular branch of Christianity well, it's up to you to decide whether or not those are important or worth subscribing to. God is not the one who picked up a pen hundreds of years ago and wrote down a rule saying if you become a Mason you will be excommunicated from a church. I was raised Catholic and I personally choose to serve God's rules, not man's. I just have a feeling that will work out better in the end. Your mileage may vary. I couldn't agree more. Religion is man made and not God breathed. Mohandas Gandhi said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
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Post by dante on Jul 23, 2009 17:16:33 GMT
im in the exact same boat as you, my friend; christianity is too close-minded for me, and there are parts of the Bible i dont agree with. it would seem Freemasonry is the way to go.
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Post by roman on Jul 23, 2009 21:48:01 GMT
im in the exact same boat as you, my friend; christianity is too close-minded for me, and there are parts of the Bible i dont agree with. it would seem Freemasonry is the way to go. I don't believe that Christianity is closed minded, but most Christians sure are. I know that Freemasonry isn't a religion, but so far the Masons that I have met are far more Godly than most of the Christians that I know.
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Post by roman on Oct 19, 2009 15:47:35 GMT
It's official The votes are in and i have been accepted. I meet with the lodge officers on Nov. 16 and my entered apprenticeship is scheduled for Nov. 20th. Thank you all for all your encouraging words. They meant more than you know.
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Post by waynecowley on Oct 30, 2009 13:06:12 GMT
Excellent news my soon-to-be-brother
Wayne
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