About Us - York Rite Nevada

What we stand for

Members of the York Rite believe:

- in God and the Christian faith

- in the Brotherhood of man

- in service to those who are less fortunate and in defense of those oppressed

- in helping young people learn leadership abilities and in getting a head start in life

- in Freedom and the equality of all men in all stations of life

York Rite Masonry is a process of self-discovery and self-awareness. There are certain great lessons that form the basis of the York Rite philosophy.

- that all Human Beings are creatures of God.

Because God is our common Father, and Christ is our Savior, all men are brothers. Our common heritage and our belief in God is more important than race, denomination, wealth, position, education, social status, or anything else.

- that our Christian Faith is essential to us if we are to grow and be truly free

Only the knowledge of God in our lives can give us the strength needed to preserve our freedom and provide us with a foundation for our morals and spiritual growth.

- that each person is entitled to dignity

And no one, for any reason or under any pretext, has the right to compromise the dignity of another.

- that each man and woman is entitled to complete freedom of thought, belief, political expression, and speech.

No person, government, religion, or earthly spiritual authority has the right to dictate the thought or belief of another individual. No tyranny that abridges these freedoms, no matter how benign, is ever acceptable.

- that it is the duty and obligation of every person to make the world a better place for others in every way he can.

- that it is the duty of each York Rite Mason to develop himself, through study, thought, reflection, conversation, and by every means he can find.

We are committed to intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth, and to growth as ethical, caring and compassionate men. And, that is our duty and obligation to share life’s lessons with others in an effort to help others grow.

- that there are two natures in Man.

— an animal nature that is the result of our physical selves and

— a spiritual nature that is a gift from God.

The two are usually in conflict within us. It is our duty to see that the spiritual nature wins.

- that each person has the responsibility to obey the law, and to seek to change it only through legal and lawful means.

Only in this way can our society survive and evolve.

- that a York Rite Mason must know how to keep absolutely confidential the things others tell him in confidence.

-that Charity is an obligation on all York Rite Masons.

Charity is not just limited to giving money (many are not in a position to be able to give money). Charity can also be giving your time, having involved compassion, really caring about what happens to others, putting ourselves in their place and sharing in their sorrow or hurt.

- that there is no such thing as a “small” or “unimportant” act.

Every action we take affects both others and ourselves. We never have the luxury of acting without thinking.

- that above all things, York Rite Masonry teaches toleration.

We have seen the results too often in history of intolerance. The most deadly words known are “I know I am right and you are wrong, and I have the right to force you to agree with me.” Those words were spoken as men burned women and children at the stake because they disagreed on some point of theology, as Hitler sent millions of human beings to the gas chambers, as foolish, defenseless old women were hanged as witches, and as Stalin wiped out his political opposition. Masonry teaches that each person, each idea, must be respected. No one has the right to be intolerant of others. Respect for others is a key lesson in our fraternity.

There are many other lessons in the York Rite: lessons about the nature of the world; about the relationship between people, between people and God, about morality, and about our responsibilities to others.

- that York Rite Masonry is the study of the lessons of life in an effort to “Make Good Men – Better”.

Each Degree or Order in York Rite has multiple lessons to teach. Some with symbolism and some without. Each Degree or Order relates to our life experiences and the learning that we need to instill within to make ourselves "Better Men".