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DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
of the
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA
Adopted May 24, 1939
Revised May 18, 1949
Revised May 18, 2005
Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious fraternity. Its principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its only secrets are in its methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction.
It is charitable in that it is not organized for profit and none of its income inures to the benefit of any individual, but all is devoted to the promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind.
It is benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies altruism as a duty.
It is educational in that it teaches by prescribed ceremonials a system of morality and brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law.
It is religious in that it teaches monotheism, the Volume of the Sacred Law is open upon its Altars whenever a Lodge is in session, reverence for God is ever present in its ceremonial, and to its Brethren are constantly addressed lessons of morality; yet it is not sectarian or theological.
It is a social organization in that it brings good men together in numbers to teach and practice the art of Freemasonry.
Through the art of Freemasonry, the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for human welfare, and inspires them with that feeling of charity, or good will, toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action.
To that end, it teaches and stands for the reverence of God; truth and justice; fraternity and philanthropy; and enlightenment and orderly liberty, civil, religious and intellectual. It charges each of its members to be true and loyal to the government of the country to which he owes allegiance and to be obedient to the law of any State in which he may be.
Masonry abhors Tyranny as being repugnant to its concept of the dignity of the individual personality, destructive of the basic human rights which are the Divine heritage of all men, and contrary to the fundamental Masonic tenets of faith in God and the free exercise of religion.
It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect and opinion may unite.
Believing these things, this Grand Lodge affirms its continued adherence to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry which forbids the discussion in Masonic meetings of creeds, politics or other topics likely to excite personal animosities.
It further affirms its conviction that it is contrary to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry and dangerous to its unity, strength, usefulness and welfare, for Masonic bodies to take action or attempt to exercise pressure or influence for or against any legislation, or in any way to attempt to procure the election or appointment of government officials, or to influence them, whether or not members of the Fraternity, in the performance of their official duties. The true Freemason acts in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.
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Freemasonry, or Masonry, consists of a course of moral instruction, illustrated by types, emblems, and allegorical figures. The old English Constitutions state it in this manner, "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
Webster says an allegory "represents by suggestive resemblance"; and a symbol is a visible sign or representation of an ideal....
Charles C. Hunt (Grand Secretary Emeritus of the GL of Iowa,) proposed the following definition, after an extensive analysis of opinions of other eminent Masonic scholars, "Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building." This especially distinguishes our Fraternity from all other organizations which teach a system of morality.
-Paraphrased from the Indiana Monitor and Freemason's Guide. In Indiana's jurisdiction, this is considered published materials.
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If you are a man of lawful age, having a belief in God, and meet jurisdiction requirements, find a Mason and ask. If you are known to that man, and he is comfortable referring you to membership, he will have you complete a petition for membership. If you do not know a Mason, most Grand Lodges have an online referral platform to make contact - or find a local lodge building and just show up on a meeting night.
If you are unknown to the members, expect to spend a number of evenings getting to know the members of the Lodge. This is an opportunity for you to see if you enjoy their company and an opportunity for them to get to know you. If you feel that you do not mesh well with the members of particular Lodge, feel free to go to other locations to see if there is a group you mesh more strongly with.
Once you are ready to join, ask for a petition and pay the initiation fee. Your petition will be read and a committee to evaluate and recommend action will be formed by the presiding officer. This committee should meet with you to answer any of your questions and to ensure that you meet the requirements for membership.
Once these meetings are complete, your petition will be read in Lodge and voted upon. It is one of the traditions of Freemasonry that members must be elected by unanimous vote of members present. Once voted in the affirmative, your initiation will be scheduled.
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G.A.O.T.U is an acronym for "Great Architect of the Universe" and is synonymous with God. The term "Great Architect of the Universe" is in keeping with the use of stone masons symbolism throughout our organization with an architect being recognized as the one with the plan to build or symbolically live ones life.
Why don't we simply say "God?" - we do!
Freemasonry teaches non-sectarian monotheism; reverence for God is ever present in our ceremonies. When a Mason references God or the Great Architect, they are referencing the god of their personal faith.
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No - the beliefs of a Satanist are in conflict with the morality, norms, and teaching of Freemasonry.
Generally, "historical Satanism, also called devil worship, consists of belief in and worship of the Judeo-Christian Devil and the explicit rejection of his antithesis [explicit rejection of God.]" (7/22. Britannica.)
Faith in God is a requirement to join the fraternity. We accept no atheists.
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No - Freemasonry is a charitable, benevolent, educational and religious fraternity.
Through the art of Freemasonry, the improvement and strengthening of the character of the individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the community. Thus it impresses upon its members the principles of personal righteousness and personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for human welfare, and inspires them with that feeling of charity, or good will, toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle and conviction into action.
Masonry abhors Tyranny as being repugnant to its concept of the dignity of the individual personality, destructive of the basic human rights which are the Divine heritage of all men, and contrary to the fundamental Masonic tenets of faith in God and the free exercise of religion.
It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race, country, sect and opinion may unite.