George Washington Lodge No. 820
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons

under the American Canadian Grand Lodge  United Grand Lodges of Germany

Zhd. Gashthaus Schleppi
Saarbrucker 80
66901 Schonenberg-Kubelberg

 


FUNDAMENTALS OF FREEMASONRY

Freemasonry unites men who, in brotherly formations and through honorable and ritualistic methods endeavor to achieve spiritual understanding and moral refinement. Universal Charity, Brotherhood, Beneficence and Education toward these and every thing which benefits humanity are its main purposes.

Freedom or religion, of conscience, and of thought are Freemasonry's highest goal. Freemasonry accepts without religious, racial, national or political prejudice or regard to station in life, upright and moral men as Brothers. Freemasonry recognizes in the structure of the World in all that lives in the inner consciousness of man a divine Creator-Spirit, full of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty, and reveres Him as the Great Architect of the Universe. Freemasonry's a moral, not a political order and takes no part in political or religious disputes. It is not a religious society, not a secret alliance, demands no unlawful secrecy and imparts no magical information.

MASONIC PRINCIPLES

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization dedicated to Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Brotherly Love: How a man chooses to practice his personal religious beliefs is left entirely up to him, but Freemasonry recognizes the strong bond which unites all people under One Creator. Our members include men from a wide range of religious backgrounds, but each of them shares a commitment to this important principle.

The seven great world religions listed below each tells us of the importance of "Brotherly Love."

 
Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so unto them.
     
Hinduism: Men gifted with intelligence . . . should always treat others
as they themselves wish to be treated.
     
Buddhism: In five ways should a clansman minister to his friends and families;
by generosity, courtesy, and benevolence, by treating them as
he treats himself, and by being as good as his word.
     
Taoism: Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and regard
your neighbor's loss as your own loss.
     
Confucianism: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
     
Judaism: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
     
Islam: No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what
he loves for himself.
          

While we may each practice how we name, address, or serve The Great Architect Of The Universe somewhat differently, we universally subscribe to and practice "man's humanity to man" as commanded by our creator.

This "Golden Rule" is commanded of all men and knows no boundaries of religion, denomination or nation. It is the very foundation of Freemasonry throughout the world and throughout the ages.

Relief: Because of our strong bond of Brotherly Love, Masons provide Relief to help those who are in need. This includes the notion of charity, and Masons provide much assistance to worthy charities, but it also means offering a helping hand, in other ways, to people that need assistance.

Truth: As Masons, we are committed to being honest and truthful with other people. The Masonic Fraternity teaches a man to be faithful to his responsibilities to God, his Country, his fellow man, his family and himself. The Masonic principle of Truth also teaches a man to search for wisdom and understanding. For only in this way can he grow and become a better person. The pursuit of knowledge is at the very heart of our purpose.

To conclude, a true story to what Masonic Brotherly Love is all about!!!!

MASONIC CREED

Freemasonry teaches the universal principle of unselfish friendship and promotes those moral precepts which are in keeping with all great faiths.

In pursuing this doctrine, the following, though not exclusive, is considered to be basic Masonic Beliefs.

MASONIC BELIEFS

Mankind was created by one creator.

This one creator is the author of all life.

The creator's existence is revealed to man through faith and the Book of Holy Scriptures.

The Book of Holy Scriptures is the Ultimate Authority or Great Light of Freemasonry.

The soul of man is immortal.

Man's commitment to Divine Providence determines his destiny.

Considering the universality of Freemasonry, its teachings cannot be defined in a single statement or established profile. 

MASONIC TEACHINGS

The following is considered to be representative of its fundamental precepts.

Man's first duty is to love and revere its creator,

Implore His aid in all laudable undertakings,

Seek His guidance through prayer,

Embrace and practice the tenets of religion,

Extend charity and sympathy to all mankind,

Shield and support the widow and orphan,

Defend virtue,

Respect the aged,

Honor the bonds of friendship,

Protect the helpless,

Lift up the oppressed,

Comfort the downcast,

Restore dignity to the rejected,

Respect the laws of government,

Promote morality, and

Add to the common stock of humanity's knowledge and understanding.

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