Since God is the Creator, all men, and women are the children of God. Because of that, all men and women are brothers and sisters, entitled to dignity, respect for their opinions, and consideration of their feelings. Each person must take responsibility for his/her own life and actions. Neither wealth nor poverty, education nor ignorance, health nor sickness, excuses any person from doing the best
they can, or being the best person possible under the circumstances. No one has the right to tell another person what they must think or believe. Each man and woman has an absolute right to intellectual, spiritual, economic, and political freedom. All tyranny, in every form, is illegitimate. Each person must learn and practice self-control. Each person must make sure their spiritual nature triumphs over their animal nature. If we are tempted to anger, we must not be violent. Even if we are tempted to selfishness, we must be charitable. Even if we want to "write someone off,” we must remember that they are human and entitled to our respect. Even when we want to give up, we must go on. Even when we are hated we must return love or at a minimum we must not hate in return. Faith must be in the center of our lives. We find that faith in our houses of worship, not in Freemasonry, but Freemasonry constantly teaches that a person’s faith, whatever it may be, is central to a good life. Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law. That does not mean we cannot try to change things, but change must take place in legal ways. It is important to work to make this world better for all who live in it. Masonry teaches the importance of doing good, not because it assures a person's entrance into heaven — that is a question for a religion, not a fraternity — but because we have a duty to all other men and women to make their lives as fulfilling as they can be. Honor and integrity are essential to life. Life, without honor and integrity, is without meaning. Masonry is deeply involved with helping people. The fraternity spends millions of dollars every day in the United States just to make life a little easier. In addition, the great majority of that helps goes to people who are not Masons. Some services are less noticeable, as in helping a widow pay her electric bill or buying coats and shoes for disadvantaged children. Whether a project is large or small, Masons try to help make the world a better place. The lodge gives them a way to join with others to do even more good. Masonry lets men associate with other men of honor and integrity who believe honesty, compassion, love and trust are important. In some ways, Masonry is a support group for men who are trying to make the right decisions. It is easier to practice these virtues among peers who also think these virtues are important. That is a major reason that Masons enjoy being together. Masonry teaches that it is good to spend time with people you can trust completely, and Masons find that in their lodge. While lodge activity may be spent in charity, or self-development, much is also spent in fellowship. Masons also sponsor ladies groups such as the Order of Eastern Star and the Order of the Amaranth, and youth groups such as the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and the Order of DeMolay for boys.
