IDEALS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF
FREEMASONRY
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Freemasonry is an active, universalist, and humanitarian philosophical movement that embraces all approaches aimed at the material and moral improvement of Humanity, based on respect for human personality, with Education as the strategic priority of the Nation.
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Freemasonry is not an organ of any political party or social group. It is committed to studying and promoting issues concerning human life to guarantee peace, justice, and fraternity among people and nations, without distinction of race, nationality, or belief.
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Freemasonry acknowledges the possibility of the indefinite improvement of man and Humanity under a superior and ideal principle referred to as the “Great Architect of the Universe.” Recognition of this primal principle and first cause allows each Mason to hold personal views on its nature, abstaining from any confessional act. Thus, it neither prohibits nor imposes any religious dogma on its members and rejects all fanaticism. Freemasonry establishes that work is one of man’s duties and rights and requires it of its members as an indispensable contribution to the improvement of the community. It defends the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, and therefore opposes exploitation of man by man, privilege, intolerance, and social sectarianism.
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Freemasonry recognizes the possibility of achieving lasting peace among men and nations by overcoming violence and using reason; that the advent of peace requires active participation in history through intelligent, ethical, and moral commitment.
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Freemasonry acknowledges the necessity of working for the universal validity of Human Rights and for the responsible exercise of freedom of thought and expression.
POSTULATES FOR MASONIC ACTION
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Freemasonry and Democracy: Both concepts are seen as hypotheses of tolerance, encompassing freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and thought, respect for human dignity, and the aspiration toward culture.
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Politics: Understood as the art and technique of directing and properly administering the State, guided by reason and ethics with a humanistic orientation.
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Secularism: An ethic of designation and consecration of the finite, inherent to the world in which we live.
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Education: A function of the State, responsible for developing and guiding individual capacities so that people adapt to the cultural and economic identity of each country, while enabling economic independence and incorporating all spiritual and material values that foster the progressive evolution of humanity.
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Economic and Social Issues: The Order considers human suffering as a consequence of deficient social organization and, therefore, promotes sustainable development.
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Peace: Advocates for peace founded on justice and mutual understanding among States and peoples.
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Human Rights: Works for the enforcement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is essentially a philosophical, philanthropic, educational, and progressive institution. It is not a secret association, as its organization is legally established in its respective countries and its objectives are well known and widely disseminated.
It is not affiliated with any particular religion. Rising above sectarian debate, it offers truth-seekers the most suitable ground for mutual understanding and fraternal union. It welcomes individuals of all faiths, without distinction, provided they are tolerant and respectful of all opinions.