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The Philosophy of "Making Good Men Better"

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Isn't it to help and set an example to man kind on what a a better man can be and charity towards others.
Isn't "What" to help and set an example to man kind on what a better man can be and charity towards others?
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
Isn't it to help and set an example to man kind on what a a better man can be and charity towards others.
I'm going to jump in here and say "not for me". If I build myself a great house it is because I want to live in a great house and I am willing to do the work to accomplish that goal. Someone may see my house and think "there is an example of a great house", they may even ask me to teach them the skills to build such a house, but that is not my purpose - that is a bonus.
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
I hear and see a lot of that answer. Then what was the point of becoming a mason? Unless it was to become a shriner. I ask this question to many new EA's. And I get some saying, well, it's a cool organization to belong to. What's cool about it if you do nothing?
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
I hear and see a lot of that answer. Then what was the point of becoming a mason? Unless it was to become a shriner. I ask this question to many new EA's. And I get some saying, well, it's a cool organization to belong to. What's cool about it if you do nothing?
But we do do something... we make members, we call them "masons; brothers, etc..." and then we make effort to have them participate in making the next batch.
 

JJones

Moderator
I hear and see a lot of that answer. Then what was the point of becoming a mason? Unless it was to become a shriner. I ask this question to many new EA's. And I get some saying, well, it's a cool organization to belong to. What's cool about it if you do nothing?

It's 'cool' in that you are learning how to make yourself a better person. Through self-improvement you improve (obviously), which improves your quality of life over time and eventually ensures you have the resources to help, aid, and assist other people. Mason and neighbor alike.
 

JJones

Moderator
Masonry does little to direct the process.
I suspect that the lack of management of the process of becoming a better person is one key to the decline in Masonry. There are more effective self-improvement processes freely available in all cities.
There must be more to Masonry if the current system is to survive

It's all there in the teachings, ritual, and symbolism, but I agree, there is little being done to direct the process in many lodges. There's this notion which is often unspoken but heavily implied, and that is that we make men better by rushing them through a memorization process, putting them in a position, and holding fundraisers. Furthermore, by doing this, we are somehow making men better.

Lodges need education and mentorship programs if they want to take charge of the process.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Theres the saying "Do unto others as you would do unto your self" and also "love you neighbor like you love yourself" well i heard it put a different way last night
"what you do to others u do to your self"
"as you love you love your neighbor you love yourself"
Meaning everything you do to someone else you are also doing to yourself.......

Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

Bloke

Premium Member
It's interesting. I was sent a pathway plan for new freemasons today. It echoes corporate life and I'm still thinking on the practicality of implementing such a thing ( it came from QLD James).... but it's worth thinking on the merits of a sort of Professional Development Plan rather than what we currently do... which is lay down vague paths to simple goals around history, ritual, the esoteric, or developing knowledge or skill which a newer bro is seeking. A PDP might be a good way too go, but it would really need to be owned by the student rather than a sec or mentor.... but someone would need to participate in assisting the student to develop it...

Masonry does little to direct the process.

I was at a lodge the other day and an elderly and much respected member referred to a deceased brother as "a nasty piece of work". I wondered at the time why the lodge permitted the deceased brother to belong for 20 years.

And I recalled an additional charge when the EA was invested with his apron - about not entering a lodge where there is brother with whom you are at variance.

I suspect that the lack of management of the process of becoming a better person is one key to the decline in Masonry. There are more effective self-improvement processes freely available in all cities.

There must be more to Masonry if the current system is to survive
It's all there in the teachings, ritual, and symbolism, but I agree, there is little being done to direct the process in many lodges. There's this notion which is often unspoken but heavily implied, and that is that we make men better by rushing them through a memorization process, putting them in a position, and holding fundraisers. Furthermore, by doing this, we are somehow making men better.

Lodges need education and mentorship programs if they want to take charge of the process.
But we do do something... we make members, we call them "masons; brothers, etc..." and then we make effort to have them participate in making the next batch.
I hear and see a lot of that answer. Then what was the point of becoming a mason? Unless it was to become a shriner. I ask this question to many new EA's. And I get some saying, well, it's a cool organization to belong to. What's cool about it if you do nothing?

All interesting comments.

One thing about Freemasonry.... its no quick path to success to true personal development, but it is a true vocation and challenging..., but above all it puts you in the company of good men with shared values and that's been of incredible value to me..
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
its no quick path to success to true personal development, but it is a true vocation and challenging..., but above all it puts you in the company of good men with shared values and that's been of incredible value to me..
Agreed!
 

Bro MBGellner RAM; 32nd

Registered User
It is easy to become obsessed with a billion explanations of our symbols. The craftsman should reflect on his teachings and works. The deeper meanings will occur to you more over time and with practiced reflection.

In the end, we are but a copy made in an image. And our teachings are to practice this image. It is a sacred truth that if you are a copy; then the one true form exists. We are rough longing to be perfect and by the symbolism of the dialogue the allegory teachings are a prophecy to us that the perfect one does exist.

God is at its center
And we are God's followers.
God calls us a priesthood.
We are the priests.
We have chosen a side because we choose light. Light is good. And there is no darkness in God.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
It is easy to become obsessed with a billion explanations of our symbols. The craftsman should reflect on his teachings and works. The deeper meanings will occur to you more over time and with practiced reflection.

In the end, we are but a copy made in an image. And our teachings are to practice this image. It is a sacred truth that if you are a copy; then the one true form exists. We are rough longing to be perfect and by the symbolism of the dialogue the allegory teachings are a prophecy to us that the perfect one does exist.

God is at its center
And we are God's followers.
God calls us a priesthood.
We are the priests.
We have chosen a side because we choose light. Light is good. And there is no darkness in God.
Y do u keep posting that?

Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
The pigpen cypher is extremely common. I learned it in the scouts and taught it in the navy. I've used on event posters and other graphics as well.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Mm, yeah, I see your point there. It still makes me cross eyed looking at it. NM is fairly straightforward so CA was a bit of a shock.
 
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