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104 lines
4.6 KiB
Plaintext
104 lines
4.6 KiB
Plaintext
Subject: Leaflet: What is Freemasonry
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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 1984.
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What is Freemasonry
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Introduction:
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Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal
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societies. This leaflet is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is
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practised under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers
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Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.
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The explanation may correct some misconceptions.
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Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and
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spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of
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ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs
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and tools as allegorical guides.
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The Essential Qualification for Membership:
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The essential qualification for admission into and continuing
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membership is a belief in a Supreme Being.
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Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfil
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this essential qualification and are of good repute.
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Freemasonry and Religion:
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Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for
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religion. Its essential qualification opens it to men of many
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religions and it expects them to continue to follow their own faith.
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It does not allow religion to be discussed at its meetings.
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The Three Great Principles:
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For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:
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Brotherly Love
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Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the
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opinions of others and behave with kindness and
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understanding to his fellow creatures.
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Relief
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Freemasons are taught to practise charity, and to care, not
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only for their own, but also for the community as a whole,
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both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and
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works as individuals.
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Truth
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Freemasons strive for truth, requireing high moral standards
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and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
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Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of
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achieving higher standards in life.
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Charity:
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From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the
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care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today. In
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addition, large sums are given to national and local charities.
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Freemasonry and Society:
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Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of the
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country in which a man works and lives.
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Its principles do not in ay way conflict with its members' duties
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as citizens, but should strengthen them in fulfulling their private and
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public responsibilities.
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The use by a Freemason of their membership to promote his own or
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anyone else's business, professional or personal interests is condemned,
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and is contrary to the conditions on which he sought admission to
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Freemasonry.
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His duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to
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other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted
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dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this prime duty.
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Secrecy:
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The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes
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of recognition. It is not a secret society, since all members are free
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to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to inquiries
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for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to
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the public. There is no secret about any of its aims and principles.
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Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as
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private matters for its members.
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Freemasonry and Politics:
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Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at
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Masonic meetings is forbidden.
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Other Masonic Bodies:
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Freemasonry is practised under many independent Grand Lodges with
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standards similar to those set by the United Grand Lodge of England.
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There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently masonic bodies
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which do not meet these standards, e.g. which do not require a belief in
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a Supreme Being, or which allow or encourage their members to
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participate in political matters. These Grand Lodges and bodies are not
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recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as being masonically
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regular, and masonic contact with them is forbidden.
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Conclusion:
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A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to God (by whatever
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name he is known) through his faith and religious practice; and then,
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without detriment to his familiy and those dependent on him, to his
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neighbour through charity and service.
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None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be
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universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.
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