The Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Germany
The Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Germany are committed to the traditions of their association, which are based on human dignity, freedom and self-determination. Preserving this heritage and redefining it in thought and action in the face of the challenges of the present is an important part of Masonic work. In doing so, the Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M. of Germany is also drawing the conclusion from the German history of the 20th century from which it emerged. Conscious of its own identity, it works together with other Grand Lodges within the framework of the “United Grand Lodges of Germany” and feels part of a global community.
The Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M. of Germany is open to controversial ideas and accepts members from all social backgrounds. On the basis of the convictions it represents, it unites intellectually and humanly open-minded men of different ideological, religious and political convictions and thus fulfils the mission of the “Old Obligations” to unite people in brotherly harmony who would otherwise have remained strangers to one another. Whatever Freemasons attribute their conviction to, the only decisive factor is how their commitment to humanity proves itself in life.
The essence of the Freemasons’ Association
The essence of the Freemasons’ Association consists in the unity of a guiding idea, a supporting brotherly community and a deepening symbolic experience. As members of an ethical association, Freemasons stand for humanity, brotherhood, tolerance, love of peace and social justice. As a community of people united in brotherhood, the lodge is a place to practice these values. As a symbolic association, Freemasonry serves to internalise ideas and community. This is what makes it special compared to all other associations with similar goals.
Whatever the old and ever new question: What is Freemasonry? answered, it is important to understand the Freemasons’ Association as a unity of idea, community and symbolic expression. This diversity of the association allows different approaches to human inclinations. One person may be more attracted to lively intellectual debate, another may see the human community of the lodge as the essential, and a third may experience symbols and customs as the centre of the association. Fulfilled Freemasonry can only be realised in the interaction of all its elements.
The intellectual work
Freemasons know that the values they profess must be brought to life again and again, made more precise in the face of existing threats and implemented in ever new efforts. The Freemasons’ Association refrains from formulating political programmes and does not take part in party-political disputes. Lodges should rather be places where responsible personal action is prepared through information and joint reflection. The Freemasons of the Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M. fulfil their still important task of enlightenment. of Germany by overcoming prejudices, by developing sensitivity to contemporary problems and by striving to search for truth together.
Freemasons are aware that a meaningful life for individuals and social groups requires two things: knowing about the world in which one lives and having values that guide one’s actions. The lodges are intended to provide guidance through information and shared reflection. Reflecting on reality in the light of humanity, brotherhood, tolerance, love of peace and social justice can also provide decision-making criteria.
Freemasons do not know what a human world should look like in detail, because they refrain from formulating social and political utopias. However, the concepts of humanity and tolerance give them the opportunity to uncover threats and act responsibly.
The lodge
The lodge is the basis of Masonic activity. It is the centre of intellectual work, a place of encounter and a place of serious reflection. Open, honest and helpful cooperation is a prerequisite for the success of their work. As a sign of the closest connection and familiarity, the Freemasons call each other “brother”. The members’ wives and their families also take part in the social life of the lodge.
The Grand Lodge “A.F.u.A.M.” of Germany follows in the tradition of the men’s association. Nevertheless, it maintains friendly ties with the Women’s Grand Lodge of Germany, and respects and supports its existence. It does not see its own adherence to the men’s association as a contradiction to the equality of men and women, but rather considers associations that only include men (or only women) to be legitimate and meaningful forms of human community.
Practicing living together and working together requires all brothers in the lodge to approach one another in all life situations, to understand each other’s character traits and to be willing to help in times of need. Masonic tolerance does not mean disinterested acceptance of other opinions, but the willingness to respect the convictions of one’s partner – or even opponent – in an honest debate. Selfish behavior and other human shortcomings often stand in the way of all of this. Overcoming these through conversation, instruction and example is an ongoing subject of Masonic work.
The customs
The Masonic Association has a traditional custom that has its origins in the medieval lodges. The ritual work serves
to integrate new members into the community,
to deepen human bonds within the brotherhood,
to reflect on the moral norms of the Masonic Association,
to gather and edify the individual brother
The main Masonic symbols are the Book of the Holy Law, the square and the compass. They remind us of man’s ethical obligations, his connection with his fellow human beings and his connection to transcendence. Freemasonry renounces any definition of religious symbols. It leaves this to the personal conviction of the individual brother.
Although the meetings of the Freemasons by no means always take place in the form of customs, the temple work that follows a given ritual plays a central role. It is pointless to argue about whether the ritual work is the purpose or the means of the association, whether the community makes the ritual experience possible in the first place, or whether, conversely, the custom primarily serves to define the community. It is undisputed that all Masonic activities unfold around the meetings in the lodge, also known as “temple work”, as the core. It can be assumed that the vitality of the Freemasonry is based not least on its treasure trove of forms and symbols, which has essentially remained unchanged for centuries.
The Freemasonry is based on the elementary experience that mental processes require a sensory expression in order to be permanently effective. To this end, Freemasonry uses a variety of symbols and symbolic actions, which can be interpreted – often obvious ones – but are not interpreted in a binding way. The “Book of the Holy Law” (e.g. the Bible) does not have to be seen as an expression of divine revelation or as a record of human history, but can also be understood as a symbol for the entirety of moral norms and values.
With its ritual building, Freemasonry creates spaces of peace and contemplation, which people of our time often have to do without. It should be emphasized that Masonic temple work can appeal to the emotional and rational sides of people in equal measure. Actions, words and, not least, music form a balanced unity.
Worldview, religion
Freemasonry is neither a religion nor a church. Rather, it seeks to bring together people of the most diverse worldviews and religious beliefs in the awareness of common values on the basis of a common symbolic language. Belonging to a denominational community does not prevent membership in the Freemasons’ Association.
The Masonic ritual conveys experiences that go beyond everyday life. Nevertheless, its effect can be explained purely psychologically and not supernaturally or even magically. Freemasonry is based on a religious foundation in that it gives sensual expression to man’s position in the world and his relationship to transcendence in its customs. Nevertheless, Freemasonry is not a religious community. It knows no dogmas and leaves room for every individual belief. The denominationally bound Freemason does not experience contempt for his faith in the lodge, and close encounters with people who think differently do not need to unsettle him. To ensure this, discussions about denominational issues are not permitted in the Freemasons’ Association.
Freemasonry and churches both deal with immaterial values. Nevertheless, the Freemasons’ Association is not in competition with the churches. Freemasonry, represented by the Grand Lodge A.F.u.A.M. of Germany, refrains from any orientation towards the afterlife and only relates to human actions in this world.
The secret
Freemasonry is not a secret society. The history, nature, goals, statutes and names of the boards of the Grand Lodge and lodges are publicly accessible. Even the rituals have often been published. Nevertheless, the Freemasons maintain secrecy about the details of their customs. This silence protects the experience and creates trust.
The position of Freemasonry in today’s society requires, on the one hand, that the lodge and the Grand Lodge carry out public relations work that conveys their own Masonic identity. Such positive public relations work has three main tasks:
Reducing prejudices and improving the level of information in the social environment;
Establishing fruitful communication with outsiders that spiritually and socially enlivens lodges and the Grand Lodge;
Establishing relationships with men who are potential future members of the lodges.
On the other hand, however, even today there is still a refusal to spread the Masonic customs and internal processes of the association. By abandoning them, Freemasonry would not only deprive itself of an essential element of its effectiveness both internally and externally. It would become untrustworthy to itself and endanger the inner bond based on silence and trust.