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59 lines
2.7 KiB
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59 lines
2.7 KiB
XML
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<xml>
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<div class="article">
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<p>Subject: Leaflet: Freemasonry and Society</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p> Freemasonry and Society</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Secrecy:</p>
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<p>* Freemasonry is not a secret society.</p>
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<p>* Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs
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as private matters for its members.</p>
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<p>* 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.</p>
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<p>* The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes
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of recognition. Its ceremonies are private.</p>
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<p>* 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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</p>
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</div>
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</xml>
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