What Do We As Masons Stand For?

Masonry teaches important lessons and principles. There is nothing surprising that Masonry teaches:

Since God is the Creator, all men, and women are the children of God. Because of that, all men and women are brothers and sisters, entitled to dignity, respect for their opinions, and consideration of their feelings.

Each person must take responsibility for his/her own life and actions. Neither wealth nor poverty, education nor ignorance, health nor sickness, excuses any person from doing the best they can, or being the best person possible under the circumstances.

No one has the right to tell another person what they must think or believe. Each man and woman has an absolute right to intellectual, spiritual, economic, and political freedom. This is a right given by God, not by man. All tyranny, in every form, is illegitimate.

Each person must learn and practice self-control. Each person must make sure their spiritual nature triumphs over their animal nature. If we are tempted to anger, we must not be violent. Even if we are tempted to selfishness, we must be charitable. Even if we want to "write someone off”, we must remember that they are human and entitled to our respect. Even when we want to give up, we must go on. Even when we are hated, we must return love, or, at a minimum, we must not hate back. It is not easy!

Faith must be in the center of our lives. We find that faith in our houses of worship, not in Freemasonry, but Masonry constantly teaches that a person’s faith, whatever it may be, is central to a good life.

Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law. That does not mean we cannot try to change things, but change must take place in legal ways.

It is important to work to make this world better for all who live in it. Masonry teaches the importance of doing good, not because it assures a person's entrance into heaven — that is a question for a religion, not a fraternity — but because we have a duty to all other men and women to make their lives as fulfilling as they can be.

Honor and integrity are essential to life. Life, without honor and integrity, is without meaning.

Masonry teaches that each person has a responsibility to make things better in the world. Most individuals will not be the ones to find a cure for cancer, or eliminate poverty, or help create world peace, but every man and woman and child can do something to help others and to make things a little better. Masonry is deeply involved with helping people -- it spends  millions of dollars every day in the United States, just to make life a little easier. In addition, the great majority of that helps goes to people who are not Masons.

Some services are less noticeable, as in helping a widow pays her electric bill, or buying coats and shoes for disadvantaged children. However, whether a project is large or small, Masons of a lodge try to help make the world a better place. The lodge gives them a way to join with others to do even more good.

Masonry teaches that people have a need for continued growth and development as individuals. Masonry reminds its members repeatedly of important qualities. It lets men associate with other men of honor and integrity who believe honesty, compassion, love and trust are important. In some ways, Masonry is a support group for men who are trying to make the right decisions. It is easier to practice these virtues when others think they are important, too. That is a major reason that Masons enjoy being together.

Masonry teaches that it is good to spend time with people you can trust completely, and Masons find that in their lodge. While lodge activity may be spent in charity, or self-development, much is also spent in fellowship.

However, every lodge serves more than its own members. Frequently, there are meetings open to the public. Examples are ladies' nights, "brother bring a friend nights,” public installation of officers, cornerstone laying ceremonies, and special meetings supporting community events, and dealing with topics of local interest. Masons also sponsor ladies groups such as the Order of Eastern Star and the Order of the Amaranth, and youth groups such as the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and the Order of DeMolay for boys.