WHAT IS FREEMASONRY

Freemasonry's Three Great Principles
Freemasons follow three great principles:-

Brotherly Love - showing tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behaving with kindness, courtesy and consideration at all times towards others.

Relief - Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care both for their own and the community at large through charitable giving.

Truth - Freemasons strive for truth in daily lives requiring high moral standards and achieving them in their own lives.

Freemasonry and Society
Freemasonry requires its members to respect the law of any country in which they either live or work.

Its principles do not conflict with the responsibilities of its members as citizens, but is intended to strengthen then in their public and civil responsibilities.

Membership is regarded as a discrete matter and the use of a Freemason to exploit membership to promote his own business, professional or personal interests is condemned, and would be contrary to the conditions upon which he sought membership.

A Freemasons duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation towards other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who has acted dishonourably or unlawfully is contrary to this duty.

What about some bad press?
Attacks on Freemasonry from people who do not fully understand what we do began as far ago as 1693 and nothing has been said that has ever had any substance. We are quite prepared to discuss or answer any questions you may have about Freemasonry and freemasons.

Politics
Freemasonry is non political and any discussion of politics at its meetings is forbidden.

Secrecy
Contrary to what is sometimes asserted in the press and elsewhere Freemasonry is an entirely open society. Its members are perfectly free to acknowledge membership or to answer questions when asked for legitimate reasons. Its constitutions are made available to the public , as are its meeting places when a Lodge is not in session. Its annual accounts are published. There is no secret made of its aims and principles.

Like many other societies it merely regards some of its internal affairs and modes of recognition as private matters for its members alone.

Internationally
Freemasonry is practiced by many independent Grand Lodges with standards similar to those set by The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). UGLE has excellent relations with most overseas Grand Lodges and consequently English Freemasons are encouraged and welcome to visit Lodges abroad if the opportunity arises.

There are a small number of Grand Lodges which do not meet the standards of UGLE allowing, for example, discussion of politics at meetings; consequently these are not recognised by UGLE as masonically regular. Contact with them is not permitted and Lodge secretaries can clarify the countries affected in case of doubt.

Summary
A Freemason is encouraged to perform his duty to God (by whatever name he knows Him), and without detriment to his family or those dependant on him , towards society at large through charity and service.

Such ideas are not exclusively Masonic but should be universally acceptable to all.