more light #63
Bill Of responsibilities
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
Some time ago I came across something I liked, which now is from an
unremembered source, called the Bill of Responsibilities. I took some notes on
it. I just recently ran across my notes and I thought you might like to know
about the
Bill of Responsibilities
Freedom and responsibility are mutual and inseparable; I can ensure enjoyment of
the one only by exercising the other. Freedom for all of us depends on
responsibility by each of us. To secure and expand my liberties I will accept
these responsibilities as an individual members of a free society:
I will be fully responsible for my own actions and for the consequences of those
actions: Freedom to choose carries with it the responsibility for our choices.
I will respect the rights and beliefs of others: In a free society, diversity
flourishes. Courtesy and consideration toward others are measures of a civilized
society.
I will give sympathy, understanding and help to others: Because I hope that
others will help me and my family when I am in need of help, I will help others
when they are in need.
I will do my best to meet my own and my families' needs: There is no personal
freedom without economic freedom. By helping myself and those closest to me to
become productive members of society, I am contributing to the strength of my
community and nation.
I will respect and obey the laws of my community, my state and country: Laws are
mutually accepted rules by which, together, we maintain a free society. Liberty
itself is built on a foundation of law. That foundation provides an orderly
process for changing laws. It also depends on our obeying laws once they have
been freely adopted.
I will respect the property of others, both private and public: No one has a
right to what is not his or hers. The right to enjoy what is mine depends on my
respecting the right of others to enjoy what is theirs.
I will share with others my appreciation of the benefits and obligations of
freedom:Freedom shared is freedom strengthened.
I will participate constructively in my country’s political life: Democracy
depends on active citizens. It also depends equally on informed citizens.
I will help freedom survive by assuming personal responsibility for its defense:
My country cannot survive unless it is defended by its citizens. Its security
rests on the individual determination of everyone to help preserve it.
I will respect the rights and meet the responsibilities on which liberty rests
and democracy depends: This is the essence of freedom. Maintaining it requires
the common effort of everyone, all of us together and each individually.
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