SOMEONE ASKS: Being Found Worthy

 

Someone Asks: So members have to be found worthy to be accepted?

Coach: Petitioners MUST meet at least 10 requirements to begin the process of being considered for Lodge membership.

When they don't meet these ten requirements, we know as a Lodge that this person would negatively impact the Work that the Lodge requires to be done.  So, they MUST be found worthy -- there is no "have to" here!

He Continues: Which is polar opposite to Jesus who accepts all, even the most unworthy.

Coach: LOL!  That's a warped logical fallacy you put forth there and your claim is definitely NOT TRUE.  And you say all this as if it actually applies to being considered for membership into any organization -- which it truly doesn't.

Every one knows that most every organization has some level of entrance requirement.  Schools require a track record of academic achievement.  Businesses require some sort of combination of schooling and experience.  Even faith based organizations require some hoops to be jumped through to become members, this despite their allowing non-members to attend services and non-member events.

Freemasonic Lodges have requirements as well.

Even though Freemasonry is not a Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, or any other religiously oriented organization, Lodges still require a belief in God.

However, unlike religion-centric organizations, Freemasonry doesn't try to reform anyone.  It doesn't try to save souls.  It doesn't even try to salvage individuals.  All these are simply out of our scope and purpose.

So, you would be wise to stop with any unwarranted religious shame-mongering.  It doesn't apply here, and it might very well be one of the very reasons why many men seek Lodges out, rather than groups of people such as yourself who make effort to shame and proselytize inappropriately.

Lodges accept people for who they are. They also reserve the right to accept as members those individuals who can do the work necessary to eventually become Master Masons - that is a Lodge's purpose.  

Those who are incapable of achieving that end-in-mind, due to being immoral, uncivil, disrespectful, undisciplined, biased, inconsiderate, non-believers, and generally intemperate in their overall behavior toward others and themselves, would simply not fit onto what Freemasonry offers as an organization to those who join.

BTW - Your comments are based on a sophist oriented slight-of-hand logical fallacy that is unworthy of further consideration.  As you might have gathered, Masons study that off-putting stuff too so they can collectively identify when a not-so-studious sophist is yanking their chain, much like you have tried to do here.

As far as your claim that Jesus accepts all is concerned, I offer this to you in hope that you are open enough to realize that your shame-mongering is out of line and not biblically supported:

Did Jesus exclude people?

In Matthew 21:12-17 and John 2:13-22, Jesus drove the money-changers out of the temple for making God's house a "den of robbers." In John's account, he used a handmade whip and also turned over their tables.

In Luke 10, Jesus condemned three entire cities to hell. He pronounced "Woe" upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, and explained that the day of judgment will be more tolerable for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (famously destroyed by fire from heaven for their immorality and their blatant rejection of God's ways) than it will be for them.

In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus explains that anyone who does not do the will of His Father will be excluded with these words: "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

​When considering the exclusive nature of Jesus, we can't ignore the book of Revelation. In His letter to the church at Thyatira in chapter 2, He actually criticized the church for the sin of tolerance. They were "tolerating" the false prophetess Jezebel, and He went on to pronounce judgment on her.

It's pretty clear that Jesus had some requirements for acceptance.

I file your shaming effort under: "Failed Attempt" and move on.

He Continues: Yes, it’s correct

Coach: Great! I am glad that you agree. KUDOS!

He Continues: And also ‘making good men better’ is unbiblical.

Coach: <sigh> I see that you're still reaching, but it doesn't matter. The term that you're using in a desperate attempt to prove a point is not and has never been an official Freemasonic statement. I know it's not based upon anything other than a buzz phrase to gain the interest of individuals interested in possibly joining.

That being said, the premise of the statement does apply to membership requirements. The Freemasonic process does not take bad men and make them good. Its offered Work can only take men who are already good and help them improve upon that.

He Continues: Because there’s none good but God not even one person can say he is good.

Coach: Great! I so appreciate your offered self-assessment. Since you personally believe that you're not a good man, and therefore unworthy, there's no reason to talk with you about the Fraternity. This forum is for Members and those interested in the Fraternity. By your claim, you would not qualify.

BTW - Your claim that "there's none good but God" is absolutely wrong biblically.  Let me share one example here for you:

Joseph, the betrothed of Mary, was a just—or good—man, and he showed it in the way he treated Mary after he found out she was pregnant (Matt. 1:18–19). 

  And, another:

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; (Luke 6:45)

Here are a few more things to consider before you spout off things you know little of:

The phrase “good man” is found in both the New and Old Testaments. Studying the Hebrew and Greek use of this phrase yields definitions such as “literally or morally valuable; virtuous” and “better man; honest man; worthy man; well-favored man.” The Word of God also gives some particular attributes of a “good man.”

A good man follows God’s leading. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.” A good man does not allow himself to be led by circumstances, other people, or even his own feelings. He allows God to be in control of his life.

A good man helps others. He is a giver. Psalm 112:5 says, “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.” He is not focused on his own needs; rather, he is focused on the needs of others.

A good man leaves an inheritance. We’re told in Proverbs 13:22 that “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” The inheritance referred to here is not just money. An inheritance can be both natural and spiritual. The good man plans for the future—he saves and invests—so that those under his responsibility are taken care of, even if he’s gone.

A good man stays full of the Holy Ghost. He is a “Word” man. He is full of faith. He spends time praying in the Holy Ghost. In Acts 11:22–24, we see the example of Barnabas. Verse 24 says that many people were added to the church as a direct result of his being “full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” When you stay full of the Holy Ghost, you have a positive impact on everyone around you!

A good man has the Word deeply implanted in his heart. You’re going to have times of pressure in life. And whatever is in your heart in abundance is going to come out of your mouth during a time of pressure. In Matthew 12:34 and 35, Jesus told the Pharisees that it was impossible for them to speak good things without having good things in their hearts. A good man knows that the most important thing he can do is get the Word of God deep in his heart. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

A good man fears the Lord. What does that mean? Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” A good man hates what God hates; he thinks like God thinks. (See Psalm 112 for more characteristics and blessings of a good man as he fears the Lord.)

You would do well to see how your stated claim that "there’s none good but God" evolved in meaning from Psalm (14:1)(53:1), to Mark (10:18) to Matthew (19:17), and finally to Romans (3:10), and understand the context by which each of these are put forth.  Without context, quoting the bible only reveals foolishness.

I know good men who are members of the Freemasonic Fraternity. I am grateful that your judgment is not the measure here.

Time to say "Bye Bye!"