THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY

1- Freemasonry is an humanitarian and philosophical institution. It has for its fundamental principles the belief in a Supreme Power named and invoked as the: GRAND ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE or SUBLIME ARCHITECT OF ALL WORLDS.

2- It imposes no restrictions for the free quest for TRUTH and in Order to guarantee this freedom it requires all members to be TOLERANT.

3- Freemasonry is a free association of independent men, with a free conscience, who engage themselves in putting into practice an ideal of Peace, Love and Fraternity. It is open to all, profane regardless of political or religious views, as long as they are free and of good morals.

4- Freemasonry has for its aim the moral improvement of humanity and so overthrow all forms of ignorance. It is a school of which the aims and objects are summed up thus:-

5- "To obey the laws of his country, to live a life of honour, to practice Justice, to love his fellow-Men, to strive ceaselessly for the welfare of humanity and to pursue its progressive emancipation and peace". By this means it spreads true philanthropy, by the use of mystical symbols which can only be revealed and explained through INITIATION.

6- It has for its application the ROYAL ART. Freemasonry, totally devoid of all sectarian influences, requires all its members to respect the opinions of others, in order to constitute a permanent centre of Fraternal Union where reigns a perfect harmony of thought.

7- Freemasons assemble themselves in a secluded place, in order to work there regularly with zeal and constant application. They must only accept men who have attained the legal age of majority in their country, men of good reputation, men of honour, loyal and discreet, worthy in all respects to be one of the Brethren.

8- The International Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Mizraim admits women on equal terms with men (The Rituals are identical and also the grades.

(Extract from the Grand Constitution and General Regulations)