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68 lines
2.6 KiB
Plaintext
68 lines
2.6 KiB
Plaintext
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Subject: Leaflet: Freemasonry and Society
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This is the text of a leaflet published by by the Board of
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General Purposes of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1987.
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Freemasonry and Society
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Introduction:
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This leaflet is intended to expand a topic mentioned in the
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leaflet "What is Freemasonry". It explains the United Grand Lodge of
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England's view on Freemasonry and Society.
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Respect for the law:
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Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of any
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country in which a man may work and live.
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Principles:
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The principles of Freemasonry do not in any way conflict with its
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members' duties as citizens, whether at work or at home or in public
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life, but on the contrary should strengthen them in fulfulling their
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private and public responsibilities.
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Use of Membership:
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A Freemason must not use his membership to promote his own or
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anyone else's business, professional or personal interests. This is
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made clear directly or by inference several times during a Freemason's
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early career so that no Freemason can pretend to be ignorant of it. A
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Freemason who transgresses this rule may be suspended from Masonic
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activities or even expelled.
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Family:
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Freemasonry should not be allowed to harm a man's family or
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other connections by taking too much of his time or his money or
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causing him to act in any other way against their interests.
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Duty as a citizen:
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A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any
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obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason
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who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully or to confer an unfair
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advantage on another Freemason is contrary to this prime duty.
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Personal or business difficulties:
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If it could be proved by evidence that any personal failure or
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business difficulty was attributable to 'Masonic influence', Masonic
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authority would take a serious view of the fact, as it would be
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contrary to the principles of Freemasonry.
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Secrecy:
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* Freemasonry is not a secret society.
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* Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs
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as private matters for its members.
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* There is no secret about its aims and principles. Copies of the
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constitutions and rules can be obtained from Freemasons' Hall by
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interested members of the public.
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* The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes
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of recognition. Its ceremonies are private.
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* In ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry
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which may not be discussed.
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* On inquiry for acceptable reasons, Freemsons are free and will be
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proud to acknowledge their own membership.
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