XTH WORLD CONFERENCE OF MASONIC GRAND LODGES HELD AT LIBREVILLE GABON, NOVEMBER 4th ,5th and 6th , 2009.

Freemasonry is one of Worlds largest and oldest Fraternal Organizations, based on the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, which is committed to the universal motto of “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth”. However very little is known about Freemasonry to the outside world, and what little is known, is also based on misinformation and misunderstanding. Therefore, we the Freemasons of the World having considered the matter carefully at the IXth World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges held at Washington in May 2008 and in this Xth World Conference held at Libreville, Gabon, on November 4th , 5th and 6th 2009, have unanimously resolved to declare as follows:

DECLARATION

of

“WHAT FREEMASONRY IS AND WHAT FREEMASONS STAND FOR”

• We as Freemasons affirm that
  • Freemasonry teaches a common set of core values, which can form the basis of global ethics, for adoption by individuals, as a way of life, to enable good men to become better members of society and thereby make the world a better place to live.
  • The Universal Motto of Freemasonry – “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth” and the Masonic principle of the ‘Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man’, are best suited for adoption by all men, irrespective of the communities, races, nationalities and religions to which they may belong.
• We declare that we believe in the golden rule of “Doing unto others, as in similar circumstances, we would wish that they should do unto us”.
• We as Freemasons commit ourselves to
  • A culture of non-violence, respect, justice and peace and that we shall not oppress, injure torture or kill other human beings, or knowingly suffer others to do so, if in our power to prevent it and conscientiously, forsake violence, as a means of settling differences.
  • A just social and economic order, in which everyone has equal chance as an individual, to reach his full potential as a human being.
  • A global ethics of understanding one another and to adopt Freemasonry as a socially beneficial, peace fostering and mature and friendly way of life.
• We as Freemasons collectively affirm that
  • The global situation today needs a vision for people living together in peace, love and harmony
  • By a global ethic we do not mean a world order by any single group, but confirm that the principles and tenets of Freemasonry, stretch across the world, overcoming, not only geographical barriers, but also the artificial barriers of race, caste, colour, creed and religion
  •  
  • Global ethic is a fundamental consequence of binding values, irrevocable standards and personal attitudes and behaviour, as exemplified by the universal principles and tenets of Freemasonry.
• We also assert that
  • Every form of egoism, in the form of class, creed, religion, racism or narrow parochialism should be rejected, and that human beings should be united by strong ties of fellowship and universal brotherhood.
• We also believe that
  • What a global society needs is an inclusive philosophy similar to that propagated by Freemasonry, which cuts across the artificial barriers that divide human beings and prevents them from becoming a global family.