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→Beliefs
The most recognisable symbol of Freemasonry is the "Square and Compass," which is used to teach, respectively, "square conduct towards others" and "keeping passions and prejudices within due bounds".
The most recognisable symbol of Freemasonry is the "Square and Compass," which is used to teach, respectively, "square conduct towards others" and "keeping passions and prejudices within due bounds".
For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. In Masonry, the supreme being is sometime called "The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]," or abbreviated by the acronym G.A.O.T.U.; a term that is said to be traceable back to the Christian theologian, [[John Calvin]]. However, as founder of the system of Christian theology now known as [[Calvinism]], Calvin's definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is the biblical definition of the triune God (God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in a [[god]] or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. In Masonry, the supreme being is sometime called "The Great [[Architect]] of the [[Universe]]," or abbreviated by the acronym G.A.O.T.U.; a term that is said to be traceable back to the Christian theologian, [[John Calvin]]. However, as founder of the system of Christian theology now known as [[Calvinism]], Calvin's definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is the biblical definition of the triune [[God]] (God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit.
Given the fact that Freemasonry accepts men from all religions, the Masonic definition of the G.A.O.T.U. is more in line with Christopher Haffner's explanation in his work, ''Workman Unashamed'':
{{cquote|Now imagine me standing in lodge with my head bowed in prayer between Brother Mohammed Bokhary and Brother Arjun Melwani. To neither of them is the Great Architect of the Universe perceived as the Holy Trinity. To Brother Bokhary He has been revealed as Allah; to Brother Melwani He is probably perceived as Vishnu. Since I believe that there is only one God, I am confronted with three possibilities:
They are praying to the devil whilst I am praying to God;
They are praying to nothing, as their Gods do not exist;
They are praying to the same God as I, yet their understanding of His nature is partly incomplete (as indeed is mine — [[1 Cor 13:12]])
It is without hesitation that I accept the third possibility.
Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.
Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.