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Post by antoninus9 on Jan 5, 2008 16:19:53 GMT
Each form of Free-Masonry (Freemasonry) is unique. The distinctions between them, however, are not always apparent or obvious. The Grand Orient of the United States of America has established the following as its guiding principles. These represent the cosmopolitan ideology of the GOUSA. While these concepts may seem foreign to many Masons and forms of Free-Masonry, we believe they represent a continuation of those ideas expressed by the Craft during the Age of Enlightenment.
I look forward to hearing your comments.
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Our cause is the intellectual, spiritual and social advancement of humanity. To accomplish these aims we have established these guiding principles for Free-Masonry:
1. We believe in the freedom of conscience of all people, and that it is an essential component of liberty, equality and fraternity. 2. We believe in and support the separation of religion and government, and promote religious and spiritual tolerance among all people.
3. We believe in and support the freedom of the press as a necessary component of maintaining the inalienable rights of all human beings, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
4. We believe in and support the need for higher education and life-long learning.
5. We believe in and support an impartial judiciary system as essential to guaranteeing the preservation of human rights.
6. We believe in and support the arts and sciences as essential elements in the progress and evolution of humanity.
7. We believe in and support efforts that work towards global environmental and ecological sustainability as essential to the survival of the human species.
[The Principles were updated on 1/8/08 and the above now reflects the principles as adopted by the Grand Council]
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Post by wayseer on Jan 5, 2008 23:54:46 GMT
Sounds more like doctine and dogma -
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Post by napier on Jan 8, 2008 0:20:14 GMT
Does the GOUSA believe in GOD?
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Post by corab on Jan 8, 2008 12:36:18 GMT
Does the GOUSA believe in GOD? See the first principle: absolute freedom of conscience. This is the principle of laïcité, which holds that a person's religious / spiritual beliefs is their own business, and which acknowledges all faiths (and the absence thereof) as equally valid. If I understand laïcité, that means they respect a belief in God every bit as much as a belief in Allah or Odin, and indeed they will respect the absence of any belief in like manner -- the separation of church and state finds its reflection in the separation of church and Freemasonry. Since Freemasonry is emphatically not a religion, and religion is not discussed in lodge, there is something to be said for that, of course.
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Post by matt on Jan 8, 2008 17:07:18 GMT
Whether freemasonry is a religion is questionable, to say the least.
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Post by antoninus9 on Jan 9, 2008 0:57:43 GMT
I agree with Cora's perspective. Freedom of conscience is a natural effect of tolerance, equality and liberty.
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Post by devoutfreemason on Jan 9, 2008 1:26:53 GMT
Beautiful stuff Brother.
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Post by Antonius on Jan 9, 2008 1:40:21 GMT
im wondering what is ment by 'support'. what if freedom of the press comes into question?
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Post by antoninus9 on Jan 10, 2008 1:23:40 GMT
An interesting question indeed!
There a many options available:
1. Send financial support to organizations pursuing the issue through the courts. 2. Publish essays on the net, etc. 3. Pass out pamphlets. 4. Help to stage protests
Above all do something. Simply sitting behind a computer screen and hoping will accomplish nothing.
Jeff
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Post by Antonius on Jan 10, 2008 2:43:38 GMT
as individuals or as a masonic organisation?
what im wondering is how this relates to politics and things like that. it seem that the discussion of wether or not this is the case could be a politicly charged one.
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Post by negredo on Jan 10, 2008 5:19:46 GMT
While I agree that Freemasonry is not a religion, there is an inherent direction to a spiritual path. Without spirituality (personal or not) does not the Craft become a civic cult, only to interfere in maintaining an interference in issues it does not agree with?
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Post by corab on Jan 10, 2008 8:00:15 GMT
Again, I cannot speak for GOUSA, but from what I have seen from GOdF it is a misconception that the craft as they know it is not spiritual. It is philosophical & symbolic, and each Bro:. is free to experience that in his own way -- including spiritually. When it comes to GOdF I have often seen it discussed only in terms of admitting atheists but that is an unreasonable reduction -- like most French jurisdictions, it holds to the absolute separation of state and church which is so important to many a Frenchman. It doesn't mean that religion & spirituality aren't welcome, it just means that it is a private, not a qualifying matter. Members of a GOdF lodge may or may not be spiritually inclined. Heck, members of any lodge may or may not be so; the fact that they've said they believe in a Supreme Being when they petitioned doesn't necessarily mean they still do, or indeed that they really did at that time -- let's be honest: we do get people passing our gates who pay lip service to religion at best. The point is that it doesn't invalidate this type of masonry -- it is beautiful and unique in its own right. It is, in my experience, more socially moved, and certainly in France has some influence in social policy, but that doesn't put it on a par with Greenpeace or the likes. Question for Jeff, though -- are those last 4 points (in response to a query about support for freedom of expression) GOUSA's official point of view? Even for a masonic liberal who hails from an order that has its roots and HQ in France, certainly points 1 and 4 go too far for my liking. Open discussion on matters of social import is fine, but this is direct action -- which I do not believe even GOdF get involved in. If I know my amity protocols, this would have been one of the points to be addressed, and I'm surprised to see it implied that they have been addressed in this direction. I have to say I am still somewhat bemused by this claim of affiliation with GOdF. It can take up to years to negotiate amity protocols, and a development like this would doubtlessly have been discussed with those Obediences with which GOdF has close fraternal relations. It would also have been announced on its website, and I do not see it about its Communications. I see on GOUSA's website the following:- How exactly was this relationship "formalised"? Finally, GOdF does not initiate women, but does admit female masons to its meetings. Seeing as it claims affiliation with GOdF, I would expect GOUSA to follow the same core principle. Is this the case? S&F, Cora
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Post by mike on Jan 10, 2008 8:28:31 GMT
Finally, GOdF does not initiate women, but does admit female masons to its meetings. Seeing as it claims affiliation with GOdF, I would expect GOUSA to follow the same core principle. Is this the case? Well my breath is bated! M
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Post by antoninus9 on Jan 10, 2008 15:34:50 GMT
Cora,
The GOUSA is in complete accordance with the views of the GOdF. Since many of the founding members of the GOUSA were/are members of the GOdF this is only natural that it should be so.
The GOUSA and GOdF have similar, if not identical, views of human spirituality.
The four points I made in my earlier post were my ideas based on the principles. I know the GOdF has taken many actions in the past in support of their beliefs. Most recently they spoke about the French president's visit to the Vatican.
I cannot say what the GOUSA will do in the future. My crystal ball is a bit cloudy today. ;-)
Look for official announcements from GOUSA, GWU and GOdF mid 2008.
Jeff
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Post by devoutfreemason on Jan 10, 2008 18:59:45 GMT
Bro. Cora, The assumption that the GOUSA happened overnight is a false one. Those who would do the GOUSA harm are the mains ones fostering this myth. There has been a ton of time and hard work to make this happen.
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Post by mike on Jan 10, 2008 22:34:34 GMT
Bro. Cora, The assumption that the GOUSA happened overnight is a false one. Those who would do the GOUSA harm are the mains ones fostering this myth. There has been a ton of time and hard work to make this happen. Not having an axe to grind in this but rather a vague interest. I feel safe poining out that 2 years could actually be considered "overnight" in Masonic terms. This is, of course, going on the declaration on the homepage of their own website. I also notice that this declaration doesn't include the barrier of gender: By understanding that every person has an inalienable right to absolute freedom of conscience we become accepting of the differences between people, and barriers such as race, social distinction, and culture are effectively removed. Those things which have separated people from the beginning of recorded history now become the building blocks of a new social order with the union of diversity as its foundationSo I think that would answer Cora's earlier question. M
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Post by wayseer on Jan 11, 2008 1:01:50 GMT
There a many options available:
1. Send financial support to organizations pursuing the issue through the courts. 2. Publish essays on the net, etc. 3. Pass out pamphlets. 4. Help to stage protests
Above all do something. Simply sitting behind a computer screen and hoping will accomplish nothing.
Jeff
Hmmm ... I've been thinking (dangerous).
Does this mean that Freemasonry is to embrace liberation theology?
As I said, I've been thinking - thinking along the lines of the future of FM in the coming decades. Clearly there is need of a reassessment of just exactly is FM. During the 17th and 18th C Europe was riven with conflicting epistemology's - the adherence to God on one hand and the dissemination of scientific findings that challenged long cherished beliefs/superstitions. There was a need for a sanctuary from the ranging battles sweeping the countryside during the Reformation and leading up to the French Revolution - Europe was a dangerous place for free thinkers or at least those who refused to take sides. I suggest FM was born out of such necessity.
Most of what I've read concerning the 'future' of FM has actually been more about preserving the past - as if these battles are still being waged - that there is still a need for such a sanctuary - the silken cocoon offering food and comfort for those in need of such deliverance from the tumult of that era.
We live in the 21st C, to state the obvious, but the obvious is not always readily perceived by our esteem leaders. We no longer fight these battles. But there are other battles that encroach and threaten our collective consciousness. Or are we, as Bro Jeff has suggest, to sit comfortably behind our computer and/or our perception of what FM means and ignore the issues which surround. Is FM still to be that sanctuary from the reality of world events?
I suggest that if FM is more concerned with a return to the past then it is a dead entity - going nowhere and providing nothing that a good binge at the local pub would not cure. In other words, FM, in my view, needs to redefine itself in this C. Perhaps the 7 Principles outlined above have more to do with the future of FM than I'd first realised.
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Post by palmereldritch on Jan 11, 2008 2:01:19 GMT
Does the GOUSA have lodges in all states? How does one go about finding one?
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Post by corab on Jan 11, 2008 10:46:44 GMT
Jeff, The GOUSA is in complete accordance with the views of the GOdF. I am sure it is, but that was not my question. Does GOUSA claim that formal amity protocols have been signed between itself and GOdF? And, seeing as you say many of its founding members were and are and members of GOdF: has a dual membership agreement been signed? S&F, Cora
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Post by corab on Jan 11, 2008 10:53:39 GMT
Bro. Cora, The assumption that the GOUSA happened overnight is a false one. I don't think I implied that it "happened overnight", Brother. All I would like is a straightforward yes or no -- have mutual amity protocols and a dual membership agreement between GOUSA and GOdF been signed? S&F, Cora
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