- Declaration of
Principles of the Order
- of Freemasons in
the Netherlands
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The principles below are a chapter
of the Constitution of the Order, which dates back from
1917:
- Freemasonry is a movement
striving for the development of the human qualities that raise
people and mankind, including themselves, to a higher moral and
spiritual level.
- The order is an independent
part of the world-wide brotherhood of freemasons. It aspires to be
a center for those who want to practise the art of
living.
- Freemasonry believes in the
existence of a spiritual and moral order as a propelling power for
the progress of mankind.
- Freemasonry is based on the
recognition of:
- the intrinsic value of the
human personality
- everyone's right to seek his
own truth
- everyone's moral
responsibility for his own actions
- equality in essence of all
people
- the brotherhood of all
people
- everyone's duty to work at the
welfare of the community
- The Order tries to attain its
objective by organising itself in accordance with the principles
described and to inspire society with those
principles.
- Freemasonry has its own ways
of working with symbols and rituals to interpret its ideas and
ideals. It also supports everything that could correct and improve
moral or spiritual poverty and material misery.
- Freemasonry cultivates
tolerance and justice, promotes brotherly love, seeks whatever
unites people and nations, and tries to remove whatever separates
minds and hearts. It strives for unity by making people conscious
of their brotherhood. Freemasons obey the laws of their
country.
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