A principled way of life
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest existing fraternal organisation in the world with over 5 million members spread across the globe.
Freemasonry traces its origins from the 15th century and the great cathedral building periods in Europe and proudly preserves the traditions of those times. In parts of Europe the concept of Knighthood were mingled into the traditions which arose from the Stonemason’s principles, traditions and structure of the Operative Guilds. Freemasonry is unique within the community.
Freemasonry offers men a principled way of life, a sense of belonging and personal growth. The principles by which a Freemason is expected to conduct himself are based on tolerance, equality, charity and honour.
Freemasons demonstrate these principles by showing tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, behaving with kindness and understanding and practicing charity and care for their community.
Freemasons illustrate these principles for new members through ceremonies that utilize the tools of medieval stone masonry as symbols. It provides a pathway for self-development, a way to understand yourself, your position in society and finally to understand your relationship with the Great Architect of the Universe.
Freemasonry recognizes the richness of all cultural beliefs and excludes no individual from membership on the basis of race or politics. Although Though Freemasons are required to profess a belief in a Supreme Being – the specifics of a Freemasons’ belief are a personal matter.
Freemasons pursue their personal development by working towards the betterment of all humanity through widespread community involvement. Freemasonry offers its support at all levels from local fundraising to international relief.
In a changing and superficial world, Freemasonry points to the eternal and fundamental principles that have emerged unchanged from every transition era, even as the eternal mountains emerge from the drifting clouds that temporarily obscure them. Freemasonry aids, comforts, reassures and inspires individuals. It leaps the barriers of race and space to draws together the finest aspirations of all men and unites them in a universal brotherhood. It insists that bondage of the mind is as evil and disastrous as enslavement of the physical being.
While Freemasonry is not a religion, but rather a common meeting ground for all religions, it cannot fail to produce spiritual uplift, thereby demonstrating the advantages of harmonious life and the training of an ordered mind inbuilt with the ideal of service to others. This motivates diligent study, perseverance and the search for truth, thus developing the intellectual faculties of its members. In the Craft, men of widely different views on many questions meet together in harmony to form strong friendships, to feel a genuine sense of brotherhood, even while they may disagree over many things
Freemasonry also teaches the principle that a man has an absolute responsibility to act with honour at all times and in everything he does. A life not founded on honour is hollow and empty, and a man who acts without honour is less than a man.