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.:Who we are
.:Our values
.:The Three Great
Principles
.:Charity
.:Freemasonry and
Religion
.:Freemasonry and
Society
.:Freemasonry and
Politics
.:Secrecy
.:The Essential
Qualification for Membership
Who we are ↑
Masonry is the
world's oldest and largest fraternal organization. It is a body of knowledge and
a system of ethics based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve
himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country and fraternity.
As Masons, we lead by example, give back to our communities,
and support numerous Masonic philanthropies. We invest in children, our
neighborhoods and our future.
Freemasonry is a
society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are
taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms,
and use stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Our values ↑
Our Mission is guided by the enduring and relevant tenets of our
fraternity--Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth--and our core values, which
include:
Ethics - Our lives are based on honor and integrity, and we believe that honesty,
compassion, trust and knowledge are important.
Tolerance - The
fraternity values religious, ethnic, cultural, social, and educational
differences. We respect the opinions of others and strive to improve and
develop as human beings.
Personal growth - Our
continuous pursuit of knowledge, ethics, spirituality and leadership brings
more meaning to our lives.
Philanthropy - We
make a difference in our communities through charitable giving, community
service and volunteerism.
Family - We strive
to be better spouses, parents and family members and are committed to
protecting the well being of members and their families, especially when they
are in need.
Freedom - Masons
value the liberties outlined in the U.S. Constitution and continually promote
freedom of speech and expression, freedom to worship a Supreme Being in an
individual way and other important liberties. We believe it is our duty to
vote in public elections and to exercise all of our liberties within due and
proper bounds.
The Three Great Principles ↑
For many years Freemasons
have followed three great principles:
Brotherly Love - Every true Freemason will show tolerance
and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and
understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief - Freemasons are taught to practice charity
and to care, not only for their own but also for the community as a whole,
both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth - Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and
aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Freemasons believe that these
principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
Charity ↑
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been
concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged.
This work continues today.
Freemasonry and Religion ↑
Freemasonry is not a religion,
nor is it a substitute for religion. Its essential qualification opens it to
men of many religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own
faith. It does not allow religion to be discussed at its tiled meeting.
Freemasonry and Society ↑
Freemasonry demands from its
members a respect for the law of the country in which a man works and lives.
Its principles do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens,
but should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private
responsibilities.
The use by a Freemason of his membership to promote his own or anyone else's
business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and is contrary to
the conditions on which he sought admission to Freemasonry.
His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other
Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonorably or
unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.
Freemasonry and Politics ↑
Freemasonry is non-political,
and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.
Secrecy ↑
The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with
its traditional modes of recognition. It is not a secret society, since all
members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to
enquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to
the public. There is no secret about any of its aims and principles. Like many
other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for
its members.
The Essential Qualification for Membership ↑
The essential qualification for
admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being.
Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this
essential qualification and who are of good repute.
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