The Masonic Square and Compasses. The Square and Compasses (or more correctly a square and a set of compasses joined together is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.
(Found with or without the letter G)

The Square and Compasses carved into stone

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Core Articles Freemasonry · Grand Lodge · Masonic Lodge · Masonic Lodge Officers · Prince Hall Freemasonry · Regular Masonic jurisdictions History History of Freemasonry · Liberté chérie · Masonic manuscripts This box: view • talk • edit

Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. G is the seventh letter in the Latin alphabet. Its name in English is spelled gee or occasionally ge (dʒiː The Square and Compasses (or more correctly a square and a set of compasses joined together is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry. Freemasonry|Regular Masonic jurisdictionsA Grand Lodge, or " Grand Orient " is the usual governing body of "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge in Books of Constitutions is the basic organisation of Freemasonry. This article relates to mainstream 'Craft Freemasonry' sometimes known as 'Blue Lodge Freemasonry' Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate predominantly African-American, Freemasonic fraternal organization in See also Freemasonry This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. See also Freemasonry The history of Freemasonry studies the development evolution and events of the Fraternal organization known as Freemasonry Liberté chérie was a Masonic Lodge to be founded in a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. There are a number of manuscripts that are historically important in the development of Freemasonry. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around 5 million, with around 480,000 in England, Scotland and Ireland alone, and just under two million in the United States. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[1][2] The various forms all share moral and metaphysical ideals, which include, in most cases, a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being. Morality (from the Latin la moralitas "manner character proper behavior" has three principal meanings Metaphysics is the branch of Philosophy investigating principles of reality transcending those of any particular science The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as " God " and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths including but not limited to ^[3]

The fraternity is administratively organised into Grand Lodges (or sometimes Orients), each of which governs its own jurisdiction, which consists of subordinate (or constituent) Lodges. Freemasonry|Regular Masonic jurisdictionsA Grand Lodge, or " Grand Orient " is the usual governing body of "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry In Law, jurisdiction (from the Latin ius iuris meaning "law" and dicere meaning "to speak" is the practical Authority Grand Lodges recognise each other through a process of landmarks and regularity. Masonic Landmarks are a set of principles that many Freemasons claim to be "both ancient and unchangeable precepts of Masonry" See also Freemasonry This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. There are also appendant bodies, which are organisations related to the main branch of Freemasonry, but with their own independent administration. The fraternity of Freemasonry, also known as "Free and Accepted Masons" is organized into lodges chapters councils commanderies consistories etc

Freemasonry uses the metaphors of operative stonemasons' tools and implements, against the allegorical backdrop of the building of King Solomon's Temple, to convey what has been described by both Masons and critics as "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Metaphor (from the Greek: μεταφορά - metaphora, meaning "transfer" is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of Civilization - creating Buildings structures and Sculpture using stone from the earth An allegory (from αλλος allos "other" and el αγορευειν agoreuein "to speak in public" is a figurative mode of representation "^{[4] [5]}

History

Main article: History of Freemasonry

The origins and early development of Freemasonry are a matter of some debate and conjecture. See also Freemasonry The history of Freemasonry studies the development evolution and events of the Fraternal organization known as Freemasonry There is some evidence to suggest that there were Masonic Lodges in existence in Scotland as early as the late sixteenth century,^[6] and clear references to their existence in England by the mid seventeenth century. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland ^[7] A poem known as "The Regius Manuscript" has been dated to approximately 1390 and is the oldest known Masonic text. There are a number of manuscripts that are historically important in the development of Freemasonry. ^[8]

The first Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of England (GLE), was founded on 24 June 1717, when four existing London Lodges met for a joint dinner. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE is the main governing body of Freemasonry within England and Wales and in some countries predominantly ex- Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1717 ( MDCCXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. This rapidly expanded into a regulatory body, which most English Lodges joined. However, a few lodges resented some of the modernisations that GLE endorsed, such as the creation of the Third Degree, and formed a rival Grand Lodge on 17 July 1751, which they called the "Antient Grand Lodge of England". Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 1751 ( MDCCLI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The two competing Grand Lodges vied for supremacy—the "Moderns" (GLE) and the "Ancients" (or "Antients")—until they united 25 November 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE). Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 1813 ( MDCCCXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE is the main governing body of Freemasonry within England and Wales and in some countries predominantly ex-

Goose and Gridiron, Home to a London Lodge forming GLE

The Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland were formed in 1725 and 1736 respectively. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Freemasonry was exported to the British Colonies in North America by the 1730s—with both the "Ancients" and the "Moderns" (as well as the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland) chartering offspring ("daughter") Lodges, and organising various Provincial Grand Lodges. After the American Revolution, independent U. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" S. Grand Lodges formed themselves within each State. Some thought was briefly given to organising an over-arching "Grand Lodge of the United States", with George Washington (who was a member of a Virginian lodge) as the first Grand Master, but the idea was short-lived. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the The various State Grand Lodges did not wish to diminish their own authority by agreeing to such a body. ^[9]

Although there are no real differences in the Freemasonry practiced by lodges chartered by the Ancients or the Moderns, the remnants of this division can still be seen in the names of most Lodges, F. & A. M. being Free and Accepted Masons and A. F. & A. M. being Antient Free and Accepted Masons.

The oldest jurisdiction on the continent of Europe, the Grand Orient de France (GOdF), was founded in 1728. The Grand Orient de France ( GOdF or GOF) is the largest of several Masonic organizations in France and the oldest in Continental Europe However, most English-speaking jurisdictions cut formal relations with the GOdF around 1877 -- when the GOdF removed the requirement that its members have a belief in a Deity (thereby accepting atheists). ^[10] The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF)^[11] is currently the only French Grand Lodge that is in regular amity with the UGLE and its many concordant jurisdictions worldwide. The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF is currently the only French Masonic Grand Lodge that is in regular amity with the This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.

Due to the above history, Freemasonry is often said to consist of two branches not in mutual regular amity:

• the UGLE and concordant tradition of jurisdictions (termed Grand Lodges) in amity, and
• the GOdF, European Continental, tradition of jurisdictions (often termed Grand Orients) in amity.

In most Latin countries, the GOdF-style of European Continental Freemasonry predominates, although in most of these Latin countries there are also Grand Lodges that are in regular amity with the UGLE and the worldwide community of Grand Lodges that share regular "fraternal relations" with the UGLE. The rest of the world, accounting for the bulk of Freemasonry, tends to follow more closely to the UGLE style, although minor variations exist.

Organisational structure

Freemasons Hall, London, home of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Main article: Grand Lodge

Grand Lodges and Grand Orients are independent and sovereign bodies that govern Masonry in a given country, state, or geographical area (termed a jurisdiction). Freemasonry|Regular Masonic jurisdictionsA Grand Lodge, or " Grand Orient " is the usual governing body of "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry Sovereignty is the exclusive Right to control a Government, a country, a people or oneself ^[12] There is no single overarching governing body that presides over world-wide Freemasonry; connections between different jurisdictions depend solely on mutual recognition. ^[13]

Regularity

Main article: Regular Masonic jurisdictions

Regularity is a constitutional mechanism whereby Grand Lodges or Grand Orients give one another mutual recognition. See also Freemasonry This article deals with organization in Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry. This recognition allows formal interaction at the Grand Lodge level, and gives individual Freemasons the opportunity to attend Lodge meetings in other recognised jurisdictions. Conversely, regularity proscribes interaction with Lodges that are irregular. A Mason who visits an irregular Lodge may have his membership suspended for a time, or he may be expelled. For this reason, all Grand Lodges maintain lists of other jurisdictions and lodges they consider regular. ^[14]

Grand Lodges and Grand Orients that afford mutual recognition and allow intervisitation are said to be in amity. As far as the UGLE is concerned, regularity is predicated upon a number of landmarks, set down in the UGLE Constitution and the Constitutions of those Grand Lodges with which they are in amity. Even within this definition there are some variations with the quantity and content of the Landmarks from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Other Masonic groups organise differently. ^[15]

Each of the two major branches of Freemasonry considers the Lodges within its branch to be "regular" and those in the other branch to be "irregular". As the UGLE branch is significantly larger, however, the various Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in amity with UGLE are commonly referred to as being "regular" (or "Mainstream") Masonry, while those Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in amity with GOdF are commonly referred to "liberal" or "irregular" Masonry. (The issue is complicated by the fact that the usage of "Lodge" versus "Orient" alone is not an indicator of which branch a body belongs to, and thus not an indication of regularity). The term "irregular" is also universally applied to various self created bodies that call themselves "Masonic" but are not recognised by either of the main branches.

Masonic Lodge

Main article: Masonic Lodge

A Lodge (often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge in Masonic constitutions) is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge in Books of Constitutions is the basic organisation of Freemasonry. Every Lodge must be issued a Warrant or Charter by a Grand Lodge, authorising it to work. Lodges that meet without such authorisation are deemed "Clandestine" and irregular. A Lodge must hold full meetings regularly at published dates and places. It will elect, initiate and promote its own members and officers; it will own, occupy or share premises; and will normally build up a collection of minutes, records and equipment. Like any other organisation, it will have formal business, annual general meetings (AGMs), charity funds, committees, reports, bank accounts and tax returns, and so forth. The definition of charitable organization, and of charity varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organization operates A committee (some of which are titled instead as a "Commission" or other terms discussed below in) is a type of small Deliberative assembly that is usually intended

A man can only be initiated, or made a Mason, in a Lodge, of which he may well remain a subscribing member for life. A Master Mason is generally entitled to visit any Lodge meeting under any jurisdiction in amity with his own, and a Lodge may well offer hospitality to such a visitor after the formal meeting. He is first usually required to check the regularity of that Lodge, and must be able to satisfy that Lodge of his own regularity; and he may be refused admission if adjudged likely to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge. If he wishes to visit the same Lodge repeatedly, he may be expected to join it, and pay a membership subscription.

Freemasons correctly meet as a Lodge, not in a Lodge, the word "Lodge" referring more to the people assembled than the place of assembly. However, in common usage, Masonic premises are often referred to as "Lodges". Masonic buildings are also sometimes called "Temples" ("of Philosophy and the Arts"). Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language The arts is a broad subdivision of Culture, composed of many expressive disciplines. In many countries, Masonic Centre or Hall has replaced Temple to avoid arousing prejudice and suspicion. Several different Lodges, as well as other Masonic organisations, often use the same premises at different times.

Early Lodges often met in a tavern or any other convenient fixed place with a private room. A tavern or pot-house is loosely a place of Business where people gather to drink Alcoholic beverages and more than likely also be served Food ^[10] According to Masonic tradition, the Lodge of medieval stonemasons was on the southern side of the building site, with the sun warming the stones during the day. The social Festive Board (or Social Board),^[16] part of the meeting is thus sometimes called the South. ^[17]

Most Lodges consist of Freemasons living or working within a given town or neighbourhood. Other Lodges are composed of Masons with a particular shared interest, profession or background. The term profession is applied to those persons who have specialized and technical skill or knowledge which they apply for a fee to certain tasks that ordinary and unqualified people cannot Shared schools, universities, military units, Masonic appointments or degrees, arts, professions and hobbies have all been the qualifications for such Lodges. A school (from Greek σχολεῖον - scholeion) is an Institution designed to allow and encourage Students (or "pupils" A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects A military organization is a way of structuring the armed forces of a State as a need to offer Military capability required by the National defence policy A hobby is a spare-time Recreational pursuit Etymology A Hobby horse is a wooden or Wickerwork toy made to be In some Lodges, the foundation and name may now be only of historic interest, as over time the membership evolves beyond that envisaged by its "founding brethren"; in others, the membership remains exclusive.

There are also specialist Lodges of Research, with membership drawn from Master Masons only, with interests in Masonic Research (of history, philosophy, etc. History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language ). Lodges of Research are fully warranted but, generally, do not initiate new candidates. Lodges of Instruction in UGLE may be warranted by any ordinary Lodge for the learning and rehearsal of Masonic Ritual. A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions

Lodge Officers

Main article: Masonic Lodge Officers

Every Masonic Lodge elects certain officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge's work. This article relates to mainstream 'Craft Freemasonry' sometimes known as 'Blue Lodge Freemasonry' The Worshipful Master (essentially the lodge President) is always an elected officer. Most jurisdictions will also elect the Senior and Junior Wardens (Vice Presidents), the Secretary and the Treasurer. All lodges will have a Tyler, or Tiler, (who guards the door to the lodge room while the lodge is in session), sometimes elected and sometimes appointed by the Master. In addition to these elected officers, lodges will have various appointed officers—such as Deacons, Stewards, and a Chaplain (appointed to lead a non-denominational prayer at the convocation of meetings or activities—often, but not necessarily, a clergyman). The specific offices and their functions vary between jurisdictions.

Many offices are replicated at Provincial and Grand-Lodge levels, but with the addition of the word 'Grand' somewhere in the title. For example, where every lodge has a 'Junior Warden', Grand Lodges have a 'Grand Junior Warden' (or, as it is sometimes rendered, a 'Junior Grand Warden'). In addition there are a number of offices that exist only at the Grand Lodge level. ^[10]

Prince Hall Freemasonry

Main article: Prince Hall Freemasonry

Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events in the early United States that led to a tradition of separate, predominantly African-American Freemasonry in North America. Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate predominantly African-American, Freemasonic fraternal organization in African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa

In 1775, an African-American named Prince Hall^[18] was initiated into an Irish Constitution Military Lodge then in Boston, Massachusetts, along with fourteen other African-Americans, all of whom were free-born. Prince Hall (c1735 &ndash December 4, 1807) is considered the founder of "Black Freemasonry " in the United States, known today as The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. When the Military Lodge left North America, those fifteen men were given the authority to meet as a Lodge, form Processions on the days of the Saints John, and conduct Masonic funerals, but not to confer degrees, nor to do other Masonic work. In 1784, these individuals applied for, and obtained, a Lodge Warrant from the Premier Grand Lodge of England (GLE) and formed African Lodge, Number 459. When the UGLE was formed in 1813, all U. S. -based Lodges were stricken from their rolls—due largely to the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies Thus, separated from both UGLE and any concordantly recognised U. S. Grand Lodge, African Lodge re-titled itself as the African Lodge, Number 1—and became a de facto "Grand Lodge" (this Lodge is not to be confused with the various Grand Lodges on the Continent of Africa). As with the rest of U. S. Freemasonry, Prince Hall Freemasonry soon grew and organised on a Grand Lodge system for each state.

Widespread segregation in 19th- and early 20th-century North America made it difficult for African-Americans to join Lodges outside of Prince Hall jurisdictions—and impossible for inter-jurisdiction recognition between the parallel U. S. Masonic authorities.

Prince Hall Masonry has always been regular in all respects except constitutional separation, and this separation has diminished in recent years. At present, Prince Hall Grand Lodges are recognised by some UGLE Concordant Grand Lodges and not by others, but they appear to be working toward full recognition, with UGLE granting at least some degree of recognition. ^[19] There are a growing number of both Prince Hall Lodges and non-Prince Hall Lodges that have ethnically diverse membership.

Other degrees, orders and bodies

Main article: Masonic appendant bodies

There is no degree in Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason, the Third Degree. The fraternity of Freemasonry, also known as "Free and Accepted Masons" is organized into lodges chapters councils commanderies consistories etc ^[20] There are, however, a number of organisations that require being a Master Mason as a prerequisite for membership. ^[21] These bodies have no authority over the Craft. ^[20] These orders or degrees may be described as additional or appendant, and often provide a further perspective on some of the allegorical, moral and philosophical content of Freemasonry.

Appendant bodies are administered separately from Craft Grand Lodges but are styled Masonic since every member must be a Mason. However, Craft Masonic jurisdictions vary in their relationships with such bodies, if a relationship exists at all. The Articles of Union of the "Modern" and "Antient" craft Grand Lodges (into UGLE in 1813) limited recognition to certain degrees, such as the Royal Arch and the "chivalric degrees", but there were and are many other degrees that have been worked since before the Union. The Holy Royal Arch commonly referred to as a Chapter is an additional degree of Freemasonry. Some bodies are not universally considered to be appendant bodies, but rather separate organisations that happen to require prior Masonic affiliation for membership. Some of these organisations have additional requirements, such as religious adherence (e. g. , requiring members to profess Trinitarian Christian beliefs) or membership of other bodies.

Quite apart from these, there are organisations that are often thought of as being related to Freemasonry, but which are in fact not related at all and are not accorded recognition as Masonic. These include such organisations as the Orange Order, which originated in Ireland, the Knights of Pythias, or the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Orange Institution, more commonly known as the Orange Order or the Orange Lodge, is a Protestant fraternal organisation based predominantly The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and Secret society founded at Washington DC on 19 February, 1864. There are various Orders of Odd Fellows world wide this article is about the North American organization and fellowship

Principles and activities

While Freemasonry has often been called a "secret society", Freemasons themselves argue that it is more correct to say that it is an esoteric society, in that certain aspects are private. Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations ^[20] The most common phrasing being that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets". ^[22] The private aspects of modern Freemasonry are the modes of recognition amongst members and particular elements within the ritual. Recognition (re+ Cognition) is a process that occurs in Thinking when some event, Process, Pattern, or object recurrs A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions ^[23]. Despite the organisation's great diversity, Freemasonry's central preoccupations remain charitable work within a local or wider community, moral uprightness (in most cases requiring a belief in a Supreme Being) as well as the development and maintenance of fraternal friendship -- as James Anderson's Constitutions originally urged -- amongst brethren.

Ritual, symbolism, and morality

A Masonic Lodge Room

Masons conduct their meetings using a ritualised format. There is no single Masonic ritual, and each Jurisdiction is free to set (or not set) its own ritual. However, there are similarities that exist among Jurisdictions. For example, all Masonic ritual makes use of the architectural symbolism of the tools of the medieval operative stonemason. The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation Freemasons, as speculative masons (meaning philosophical building rather than actual building), use this symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth" — or as related in France: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". Liberté égalité fraternité, French for " Liberty, equality, fraternity ( Brotherhood)" is the motto ^[10]

Two of the principal symbols always found in a Lodge are the square and compasses. Carpenter's square redirects here For the plant see Scrophularia marilandica. A compass or pair of compasses is a Technical drawing instrument that can be used for inscribing Circles or arcs They can also be used as Some Lodges and rituals explain these symbols as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". However, as Freemasonry is non-dogmatic, there is no general interpretation for these symbols (or any Masonic symbol) that is used by Freemasonry as a whole. ^[24]

These moral lessons are communicated in performance of allegorical ritual. A candidate progresses through degrees^[20] gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being (as per his own interpretation). While the philosophical aspects of Freemasonry tend to be discussed in Lodges of Instruction or Research, and sometimes informal groups, Freemasons, and others, frequently publish — to varying degrees of competence — studies that are available to the public. Any mason may speculate on the symbols and purpose of Freemasonry, and indeed all masons are required to some extent to speculate on masonic meaning as a condition of advancing through the degrees. It is well noted, however, that no one person "speaks" for the whole of Freemasonry. ^[25]

The Volume of the Sacred Law is always displayed in an open Lodge. In English-speaking countries, this is frequently the King James Version of the Bible or another standard translation; there is no such thing as an exclusive "Masonic Bible". ^[26] In many French Lodges, the Masonic Constitutions are used instead. Furthermore, a candidate is given his choice of religious text for his Obligation, according to his beliefs. UGLE alludes to similarities to legal practice in the UK, and to a common source with other oath taking processes. ^{[27][28][29][30]} In Lodges with a membership of mixed religions it is common to find more than one sacred text displayed.

In keeping with the geometrical and architectural theme of Freemasonry, the Supreme Being is referred to in Masonic ritual by the titles of the Great Architect of the Universe, Grand Geometrician or similar, to make clear that the reference is generic, and not tied to a particular religion's conception of God. The Great Architect of the Universe (also Grand Architect of the Universe or Supreme Architect of the Universe) is a conception of God discussed by many ^[31]

A Tracing board is a painted or printed board that can be displayed during a ritual (Degree) of Freemasonry. Tracing boards are painted or printed illustrations depicting the various Emblems and symbols of Freemasonry. Its purpose is to illustrate the symbols that the Initiate is informed about during lectures that succeed the ritual proper, and which in England are sometimes referred to as the "Tracing Board lecture". In English Freemasonry there are three Tracing boards, one for each Degree, and the Tracing boards will be changed during the ceremony according to which Degree the Lodge has been 'opened' in.

Degrees

The three degrees of Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry are those of:

1. Entered Apprentice — the degree of an Initiate, which makes one a Freemason;
2. Fellow Craft — an intermediate degree, involved with learning;
3. Master Mason — the "third degree", a necessity for participation in most aspects of Masonry.

The degrees represent stages of personal development. No Freemason is told that there is only one meaning to the allegories; as a Freemason works through the degrees and studies their lessons, he interprets them for himself, his personal interpretation being bounded only by the Constitution within which he works. ^[26] A common symbolic structure and universal archetypes provide a means for each Freemason to come to his own answers to life's important philosophical questions.

As previously stated, there is no degree of Craft Freemasonry higher than that of Master Mason. ^[20] Although some Masonic bodies and orders have further degrees named with higher numbers, these degrees may be considered to be supplements to the Master Mason degree rather than promotions from it. ^[21] An example is the Scottish Rite, conferring degrees numbered from 4° up to 33°. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the and) commonly known as simply the ^[32] It is essential to be a Master Mason in order to qualify for these further degrees. They are administered on a parallel system to Craft or Blue Lodge Freemasonry; within each organisation there is a system of offices, which confer rank within that degree or order alone.

In some jurisdictions, especially those in continental Europe, Freemasons working through the degrees may be asked to prepare papers on related philosophical topics, and present these papers in open Lodge. There is an enormous bibliography of Masonic papers, magazines and publications ranging from fanciful abstractions which construct spiritual and moral lessons of varying value, through practical handbooks on organisation, management and ritual performance, to serious historical and philosophical papers entitled to academic respect.

Signs, grips and words

Freemasons use signs (gestures), grips or tokens (handshakes) and words to gain admission to meetings and identify legitimate visitors.

From the early 18th century onwards, many exposés have been written claiming to reveal these signs, grips and passwords to the uninitiated. A classic response was deliberately to transpose certain words in the ritual, so as to catch out anyone relying on the expose. However, as Masonic scholar Christopher Hodapp states, since each Grand Lodge is free to create its own rituals,^[24] the signs, grips and passwords can and do differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. ^[10] Furthermore, historian John J. Robinson states that Grand Lodges can and do change their rituals periodically, updating the language used, adding or omitting sections. ^[33] Therefore, any exposé can only be valid for a particular jurisdiction at a particular time, and is always difficult for an outsider to verify. Today, an unknown visitor may be required to produce a certificate, dues card or other documentation of membership in addition to demonstrating knowledge of the signs, grips and passwords.

Obligations

Obligations are those elements of ritual in which a candidate swears to abide by the rules of the fraternity and to keep the "secrets of Freemasonry", which are the various signs, tokens and words associated with recognition in each degree,^[23] as well as to perform certain duties and to avoid doing those things which are prohibited by his Obligation. In regular jurisdictions these obligations are sworn on the aforementioned Volume of the Sacred Law and in the witness of the Supreme Being and often with assurance that it is of the candidate's own free will.

Details of the obligations vary; some versions are published^[23] while others are privately printed in books of coded text. Still other jurisdictions rely on oral transmission of ritual, and thus have no ritual books at all. ^[34] Moreover, not all printed rituals are authentic — Leo Taxil's exposure, for example, is a proven hoax, while Duncan's Masonic Monitor (created, in part, by merging elements of several rituals then in use) was never adopted by any regular jurisdiction.

The obligations are historically known amongst various sources critical of Freemasonry for their so-called "bloody penalties",^[35] an allusion to the apparent physical penalties associated with each degree. This leads to some descriptions of the Obligations as "Oaths". The corresponding text, with regard to the penalties, does not appear in authoritative, endorsed sources,^[23] following a decision "that all references to physical penalties be omitted from the obligations taken by Candidates in the three Degrees and by a Master Elect at his Installation but retained elsewhere in the respective ceremonies". ^[36] The penalties are interpreted symbolically, and are not applied in actuality by a Lodge or by any other body of Masonry. The descriptive nature of the penalties alludes to how the candidate should feel about himself should he knowingly violate his obligation. ^[37] Modern penalties may include suspension, expulsion or reprimand.

Whilst no single obligation is representative of Freemasonry as a whole, a number of common themes appear when considering a range of potential texts. Content which may appear in at least one of the three obligations includes: the candidate promises to act in a manner befitting a member of civilised society, promises to obey the law of his Supreme Being, promises to obey the law of his sovereign state, promises to attend his lodge if he is able, promises not to wrong, cheat nor defraud the Lodge or the brethren, and promises aid or charity to a member of the human family, brethren and their families in times of need if it can be done without causing financial harm to himself. ^[23][38][39]

Landmarks

Main article: Masonic Landmarks

The Landmarks of Masonry are defined as ancient and unchangeable precepts; standards by which the regularity of Lodges and Grand Lodges are judged. Masonic Landmarks are a set of principles that many Freemasons claim to be "both ancient and unchangeable precepts of Masonry" Each Grand Lodge is self-governing and no single authority exists over the whole of Freemasonry. The interpretation of these principles therefore can and does vary, leading to controversies of recognition.

The concept of Masonic Landmarks appears in Masonic regulations as early as 1723, and seem to be adopted from the regulations of operative masonic guilds. In 1858, Albert G. Mackey attempted to set down 25 Landmarks. Albert Gallatin Mackey ( March 12 1807 &ndash June 20 1881) was an American medical doctor and is best known for his authorship of ^[40] In 1863, George Oliver published a Freemason's Treasury in which he listed 40 Landmarks. A number of American Grand Lodges have attempted the task of enumerating the Landmarks; numbers differing from West Virginia (7) and New Jersey (10) to Nevada (39) and Kentucky (54). ^[41]

Charitable effort

The fraternity is widely involved in charity and community service activities. In contemporary times, money is collected only from the membership, and is to be devoted to charitable purposes. Freemasonry worldwide disburses substantial charitable amounts to non-Masonic charities, locally, nationally and internationally. In earlier centuries, however, charitable funds were collected more on the basis of a Provident or Friendly Society, and there were elaborate regulations to determine a petitioner's eligibility for consideration for charity, according to strictly Masonic criteria. A friendly society (sometimes called a mutual society, benevolent society or fraternal organization) is a mutual association for insurance-like

Some examples of Masonic charities include:

• Homes^[42] that provide sheltered housing or nursing care.
• Education with both educational grants^[43] or schools such as the Royal Masonic School (UK)^[44] which are open to all and not limited to the families of Freemasons. The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent school in Rickmansworth, England with both day and boarding pupils
• Medical assistance. ^[45]
• Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP)

In addition to these, there are thousands of philanthropic organisations around the world created by Freemasons. Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP are a charitable initiative by North American Freemasonry lodges to aid in the identification and recovery of Missing The Masonic Service Association^[46], the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory^[47], and the Shriners Hospitals for Children^[48] are especially notable charitable endeavors that Masons have founded and continue to support both intellectually and monetarily. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 pediatric Non-profit Hospitals across North America that provide all care at no charge

Membership requirements

Freemasonry initiation. 18th century

A candidate for Freemasonry must petition a lodge in his community, obtaining an introduction by asking an existing member, who then becomes the candidate's proposer. In some jurisdictions, it is required that the petitioner ask three times, however this is becoming less prevalent. ^[49] In other jurisdictions, more open advertising is utilised to inform potential candidates where to go for more information. Regardless of how a potential candidate receives his introduction to a Lodge, he must be freely elected by secret ballot in open Lodge. Members approving his candidacy often vote with "white balls" in the voting box. A certain number of adverse votes by "black balls" will exclude a candidate. Blackballing was a rejection technique used in elections to membership of a Gentlemen's club (as well as similarly organised institutions such as Freemasonry The number of adverse votes necessary to reject a candidate varies between Lodges and jurisdictions, but sometimes a single adverse vote will be enough.

General requirements

Generally, to be a regular Freemason, a candidate must:^[20]

• Be a man who comes of his own free will. A man is a Male Human. The term man (irregular plural
• Believe in a Supreme Being. (The form of which is left to open interpretation by the candidate)
• Be at least the minimum age (from 18–25 years old depending on the jurisdiction).
• Be of good morals, and of good reputation.
• Be of sound mind and body (Lodges had in the past denied membership to a man because of a physical disability, however, now, if a potential candidate says a disability will not cause problems, it will not be held against him).
• Be free-born (or "born free", i. e. not born a slave or bondsman). As a social-economic system slavery is a legal institution under which a Person (called "a slave" is compelled to work for another ^[50] As with the previous, this is entirely an historical holdover, and can be interpreted in the same manner as it is in the context of being entitled to write a will. In Common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the Testator) regulates the rights of others over his or her Property Some jurisdictions have removed this requirement.
• Have character references, as well as one or two references from current Masons, depending on jurisdiction.

Deviation from one or more of these requirements is generally the barometer of Masonic regularity or irregularity. However, an accepted deviation in some regular jurisdictions is to allow a Lewis (the son of a Mason),^[51] to be initiated earlier than the normal minimum age for that jurisdiction, although no earlier than the age of 18.

Some Grand Lodges in the United States have an additional residence requirement, candidates being expected to have lived within the jurisdiction for certain period of time, typically six months. ^[52]

Membership and religion

Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it is neither a religion nor a substitute for one. "There is no separate Masonic God", nor a separate proper name for a deity in any branch of Freemasonry. ^[53][54]

Regular Freemasonry requires that its candidates believe in a Supreme Being, but the interpretation of the term is subject to the conscience of the candidate. This means that men from a wide range of faiths, including (but not limited to) Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, etc. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. can and have become Masons.

Since the early 19th century, in the irregular Continental European tradition (meaning irregular to those Grand Lodges in amity with the United Grand Lodge of England), a very broad interpretation has been given to a (non-dogmatic) Supreme Being; in the tradition of Baruch Spinoza and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe — or views of The Ultimate Cosmic Oneness — along with Western atheistic idealism and agnosticism. Baruch or Benedict de Spinoza (ברוך שפינוזה Bento de Espinosa Benedictus de Spinoza ( November 24, 1632 – February 21, ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfgaŋ fɔn ˈgøːtə (in English generally ˈgɝːtə 28 August 1749 22 March 1832 was a German writer The Absolute is the concept of an absolute unconditional reality which transcends limited conditional everyday existence In Western civilization, Idealism is the philosophy which maintains that the Ultimate nature of reality is ideal or based upon ideas values essences The so-called

Freemasonry in Scandinavia, known as the Swedish Rite, on the other hand, accepts only Christians. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well The Swedish Rite is a variation of Freemasonry that is worked in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. ^[10] In addition, some appendant bodies (or portions thereof) may have religious requirements. These have no bearing, however, on what occurs at the lodge level.

Opposition to and criticism of Freemasonry

Main article: Anti-Masonry

See also: Masonic conspiracy theories

Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "avowed opposition to Freemasonry". Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "Avowed opposition to Freemasonry " Masonic conspiracy theories are a subset of Conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry. ^[55] However, there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement. Anti-Masonry consists of radically differing criticisms from sometimes incompatible groups who are hostile to Freemasonry in some form. They include religious groups, political groups, and conspiracy theorists.

There have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the eighteenth century. These often lack context,^[56] may be outdated for various reasons,^[33] or could be outright hoaxes on the part of the author, as in the case of the Taxil hoax. A hoax is a deliberate attempt to Dupe, Deceive or trick an audience into believing or accepting that something is real when in fact it is not or that The Taxil hoax was an 1890s Hoax of exposure by Léo Taxil intended to mock not only Freemasonry, but also the Roman Catholic Church 's opposition ^[57]

These hoaxes and exposures have often become the basis for criticism of Masonry, usually religious (mainly Roman Catholic and evangelical Christian) or political (usually Socialist or Communist dictatorial objections,^[58] but also the historical Anti-Masonic Party in the United States) in nature. The Anti-Masonic Party (also known as the Anti-Masonic Movement) was a 19th century minor Political party in the United States. The political opposition that arose after the "Morgan Affair" in 1826 gave rise to the term "Anti-Masonry", which is still in use today, both by Masons in referring to their critics and as a self-descriptor by the critics themselves. William Morgan ( 1774 &ndash 1826 ? was a resident of Batavia, New York whose disappearance ignited a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "Avowed opposition to Freemasonry "

Religious opposition

Freemasonry has attracted criticism from theocratic states and organised religions for supposed competition with religion, or supposed heterodoxy within the Fraternity itself, and has long been the target of conspiracy theories, which see it as an occult and evil power. Theocracy is a form of government in which a god or deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler Heterodoxy includes "any opinions or doctrines at variance with an official or orthodox position" Masonic conspiracy theories are a subset of Conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry. The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden"

Christianity and Freemasonry

Main articles: Christianity and Freemasonry and Catholicism and Freemasonry

Although members of various faiths cite objections, certain Christian denominations have had high profile negative attitudes to Masonry, banning or discouraging their members from being Freemasons. Christianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship with various Christian denominations strongly discouraging or even prohibiting members from becoming Freemasons The Roman Catholic Church has long been an outspoken critic of Freemasonry, and has continually prohibited members from being Freemasons since In Eminenti Specula A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Church (disambiguation A religious denomination is a subgroup within a Religion that operates under a common name tradition and identity

The denomination with the longest history of objection to Freemasonry is the Catholic Church. The objections raised by the Catholic Church are based on the allegation that Masonry teaches a naturalistic deistic religion which is in conflict with Church doctrine. Deism is the belief that a supreme God exists and created the physical universe and that religious truths can be arrived at by the application of reason alone without dependence on revelation Doctrine (Latin doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or "a body of teachings quot or "instructions" taught principles or positions as the ^[59] A number of Papal pronouncements have been issued against Freemasonry. The first was Pope Clement XII's In Eminenti, April 28, 1738; the most recent was Pope Leo XIII's Ab Apostolici, October 15, 1890. See Corsini for other uses of that name Pope Clement XII ( April 7, 1652 &ndash February 6, In eminenti apostolatus specula was a Papal Bull issued by Pope Clement XII on 28 April 1738, banning Catholics from becoming Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 1738 ( MDCCXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or Pope Leo XIII ( March 2, 1810 – July 20, 1903) born Count Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope Ab Apostolici was a Papal encyclical promulgated by Leo XIII on 15 October, 1890. Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The 1917 Code of Canon Law explicitly declared that joining Freemasonry entailed automatic excommunication. Canon Law, the Ecclesiastical law of the Catholic Church, is a fully developed legal system with all the necessary elements courts lawyers judges a fully articulated Excommunication is a religious Censure used to deprive or suspend membership in a religious community ^[60] The 1917 Code of Canon Law also forbade books friendly to Freemasonry.

In 1983, the Church issued a new Code of Canon Law. Canon law is internal ecclesiastical law governing the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion of churches Unlike its predecessor, it did not explicitly name Masonic orders among the secret societies it condemns. Secret society is a term used to describe a variety of organizations It states in part: "A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict. In the Roman Catholic Church, the word interdict (in’tér-dikt usually refers to an Ecclesiastical penalty " This omission caused both Catholics and Freemasons to believe that the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons may have been lifted, especially after the perceived liberalisation of Vatican II. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. ^[61] However, the matter was clarified when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued Quaesitum est, which states: ". Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF ( Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei) previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, Quaesitum est is a declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith forbidding Catholics from joining Masonic organizations . . the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those " Thus, from a Catholic perspective, there is still a ban on Catholics joining Masonic Lodges. For its part, Freemasonry has never objected to Catholics joining their fraternity. Those Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE deny the Church's claims and state that they explicitly adhere to the principle that "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. "^[53]

In contrast to Catholic allegations of rationalism and naturalism, Protestant objections are more likely to be based on allegations of mysticism, occultism, and even Satanism. Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" For other uses of the word see Satanism (disambiguation. Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context ^[62] Masonic scholar Albert Pike is often quoted (in some cases misquoted) by Protestant anti-Masons as an authority for the position of Masonry on these issues. Albert Pike (December 29 1809–April 2 1891 was an attorney, soldier writer and Freemason. However, Pike, although undoubtedly learned, was not a spokesman for Freemasonry and was controversial among Freemasons in general, representing his personal opinion only, and furthermore an opinion grounded in the attitudes and understandings of late 19th century Southern Freemasonry of the USA alone. Indeed his book carries in the preface a form of disclaimer from his own Grand Lodge. No one voice has ever spoken for the whole of Freemasonry. ^[63]

Since the founding of Freemasonry, many Bishops of the Church of England have been Freemasons, such as Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead Geoffrey Francis Fisher Baron Fisher of Lambeth GCVO, PC ( May 5, 1887 &ndash September 15, 1972) was Archbishop ^[64] In the past, few members of the Church of England would have seen any incongruity in concurrently adhering to Anglican Christianity and practicing Freemasonry. In recent decades, however, reservations about Freemasonry have increased within Anglicanism, perhaps due to the increasing prominence of the evangelical wing of the church. The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, appears to harbour some reservations about Masonic ritual, whilst being anxious to avoid causing offence to Freemasons inside and outside the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Rowan Douglas Williams, PC, DD, DCL, FBA, (born 14 June 1950 in Swansea, Wales) is an Anglican In 2003 he felt it necessary to apologise to British Freemasons after he said that their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity and that he had barred the appointment of Freemasons to senior posts in his diocese when he was Bishop of Monmouth. ^[65]

Regular Freemasonry has traditionally not responded to these claims, beyond the often repeated statement that those Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE explicitly adhere to the principle that "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. There is no separate 'Masonic deity', and there is no separate proper name for a deity in Freemasonry". ^[53] In recent years, however, this has begun to change. Many Masonic websites and publications now address these criticisms specifically.

Islam and Freemasonry

Many Islamic anti-Masonic arguments are closely tied with Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism, though other criticisms are made such as linking Freemasonry to Dajjal. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionism, an international political movement and ideology that supports a Homeland for the Jewish People in the land known Masih ad-Dajjal ( Arabic: الدّجّال literally "The Impostor" is an evil figure in Islamic eschatology. ^[66] Some Muslim anti-Masons argue that Freemasonry promotes the interests of the Jews around the world and that one of its aims is to rebuild the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem after destroying the Al-Aqsa Mosque. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Solomon's Temple (בית המקדש transliterated Beit HaMikdash) also known as the First Temple, was according to Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Al-Aqsa Mosque ( Arabic:المسجد الاقصى /æl'mæsdʒɪd æl'ɑqsˁɑ/ {{Audio|ArAqsaMosque ^[67] In article 28 of its Covenant, Hamas states that Freemasonry, Rotary, and other similar groups "work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions…. Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة Rotary International is an organization of Service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world "^[68] Many countries with a significant Muslim population do not allow Masonic establishments within their jurisdictions. However, countries such as Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt have established Grand Lodges^[69] while in countries such as Malaysia^[70], and Lebanon^[71] there are District Grand Lodges operating under a warrant from an established Grand Lodge. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية

Political opposition

See also: Anti-Masonry and Suppression of Freemasonry

Regular Freemasonry has in its core ritual a formal obligation: to be quiet and peaceable citizens, true to the lawful government of the country in which they live, and not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion. Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "Avowed opposition to Freemasonry " Some governments mostly authoritarian, and virtually all Totalitarian, regimes have treated Freemasonry as a potential source of opposition due to its secret nature ^[26] A Freemason makes a further obligation, before being made Master of his Lodge, to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrates. A magistrate is a judicial officer In Common law systems a magistrate usually has limited authority to administer and enforce the Law. ^[26] The words may be varied across Grand Lodges, but the sense in the obligation taken is always there. Nevertheless, much of the political opposition to Freemasonry is based upon the idea that Masonry will foment (or sometimes prevent) rebellion.

Conspiracy theorists have long associated Freemasonry with the New World Order and the Illuminati, and state that Freemasonry as an organisation is either bent on world domination or already secretly in control of world politics. A conspiracy theory attributes the ultimate cause of an event or chain of events (usually Political, Social or Historical events or the concealment New World Order refers to a Conspiracy in which a powerful and secretive group is plotting to eventually rule the world via an autonomous World "Illuminata" redirects here For the 1998 John Turturro film see Illuminata (film. Historically, Freemasonry has attracted criticism - and suppression - from both the politically extreme right (e. Far right, extreme right, ultra-right, or radical right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group g. Nazi Germany)^[72][73] and the extreme left (e. Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Ultra-left|Radical left|Radicalism (historical|Hard left Far left and extreme left are terms used to discuss the position a group or person occupies within a Political spectrum g. the former Communist states in Eastern Europe). Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. ^[58] The Fraternity has encountered both applause for supposedly founding, and opposition for supposedly thwarting, liberal democracy (such as the United States of America). The term "liberal" in "liberal democracy" does not imply that the government of such a democracy must follow the political ideology of

In some countries anti-Masonry is often related to anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionism, an international political movement and ideology that supports a Homeland for the Jewish People in the land known For example, In 1980, the Iraqi legal and penal code was changed by Saddam Hussein's ruling Ba'ath Party, making it a felony to "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including Freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organisations. Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 The Arab Socialist Ba'th Party (also spelled Baath or Ba'ath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي was founded in Damascus "^[74] Professor Andrew Prescott, of the University of Sheffield, writes: "Since at least the time of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, anti-semitism has gone hand in hand with anti-masonry, so it is not surprising that allegations that 11 September was a Zionist plot have been accompanied by suggestions that the attacks were inspired by a masonic world order. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion ( Protocols of the wise men of Zion, Library of Congress 's Uniform Title; "Протоколы "^[75]

In 1799 English Freemasonry almost came to a halt due to Parliamentary proclamation. In the wake of the French Revolution, the Unlawful Societies Act, 1799 banned any meetings of groups that required their members to take an oath or obligation. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an An oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð, also called plight) is either a Promise or a Statement of Fact calling ^[76] The Grand Masters of both the Moderns and the Antients Grand Lodges called on the Prime Minister William Pitt, (who was not a Freemason) and explained to him that Freemasonry was a supporter of the law and lawfully constituted authority and was much involved in charitable work. As a result Freemasonry was specifically exempted from the terms of the Act, provided that each Private Lodge's Secretary placed with the local "Clerk of the Peace" a list of the members of his Lodge once a year. ^[76] This continued until 1967 when the obligation of the provision was rescinded by Parliament. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories ^[76]

Freemasonry in the United States faced political pressure following the disappearance of William Morgan in 1826. William Morgan ( 1774 &ndash 1826 ? was a resident of Batavia, New York whose disappearance ignited a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the Reports of the "Morgan Affair", together with opposition to Jacksonian democracy (Jackson was a prominent Mason) helped fuel an Anti-Masonic movement, culminating in the formation of a short lived Anti-Masonic Party which fielded candidates for the Presidential elections of 1828 and 1832. Jacksonian Democracy refers to the political philosophy of United States President Andrew Jackson and his supporters

Even in modern democracies, Freemasonry is still sometimes accused of being a network where individuals engage in cronyism, using their Masonic connections for political influence and shady business dealings. For the record label see Crony Records Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends especially by appointing them to positions of authority This is officially and explicitly deplored in Freemasonry. ^[26] It is also charged that men become Freemasons through patronage or that they are offered incentives to join. Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization This is not the case; no one lodge member may control membership in the lodge and in order to start the process of becoming a Freemason, an individual must ask to join the Fraternity "freely and without persuasion. "^[26]

In Italy, Freemasonry has become linked to a scandal concerning the Propaganda Due Lodge (aka P2). Propaganda Due or P2 was a Masonic lodge operating under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Italy from 1877 to 1976 (when its charter was withdrawn This Lodge was Chartered by the Grande Oriente d'Italia in 1877, as a Lodge for visiting Masons unable to attend their own lodges. The Grande Oriente d'Italia or Grand Orient of Italy (GOI is a Masonic organization based at Palazzo Giustiniani Rome. Under Licio Gelli’s leadership, in the late 1970s, the P2 Lodge became involved in the financial scandals that nearly bankrupted the Vatican Bank. Licio Gelli (born in Pistoia, Tuscany, April 21, 1919) is an Italian Financier, chiefly known for his role in the However, by this time the lodge was operating independently and irregularly; as the Grand Orient had revoked its charter in 1976. ^[77] By 1982 the scandal became public knowledge and Gelli was formally expelled from Freemasonry.

Holocaust

Main article: Holocaust

See also: Freemasonry under authoritarian regimes and Liberté chérie (Freemasonry)

The preserved records of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (the Reich Security Main Office) show the persecution of Freemasons. The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as Some governments mostly authoritarian, and virtually all Totalitarian, regimes have treated Freemasonry as a potential source of opposition due to its secret nature Liberté chérie was a Masonic Lodge to be founded in a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. The RSHA, or Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Security Head Office was a subordinate organization of the SS. ^[78] RSHA Amt VII (Written Records) was overseen by Professor Franz Six and was responsible for "ideological" tasks, by which was meant the creation of anti-Semitic and anti-Masonic propaganda. Dr Franz Alfred Six ( August 12 1909 in Mannheim - July 9 1975 in Bolzano) was a Nazi official who was While the number is not accurately known, it is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed under the Nazi regime. ^[10] Masonic concentration camp inmates were graded as political prisoners and wore an inverted red triangle. Nazi concentration camp badges, primarily Triangles, were part of the system of Identification in Nazi camps. ^[79]

Forget-me-not

The small blue forget-me-not flower was first used by the Grand Lodge Zur Sonne, in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in Bremen, Germany. Myosotis is a Genus of Flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. Myosotis is a Genus of Flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. Bremen (ˈbʁeːmən is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany (official name Stadtgemeinde Bremen / City Municipality of Bremen In 1938 the forget-me-not badge – made by the same factory as the Masonic badge – was chosen for the annual Nazi Party Winterhilfswerk, a Nazi charitable organisation which collected money so that other state funds could be freed up and used for rearmament. The Winterhilfswerk (WHW was an annual drive by the Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt (the National Socialist People’s Welfare Organization to help finance charitable This coincidence enabled Freemasons to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership. ^[80][81][82]

After World War II, the forget-me-not^[83] flower was again used as a Masonic emblem at the first Annual Convention of the United Grand Lodges of Germany in 1948. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The badge is now worn in the coat lapel by Freemasons around the world to remember all those that have suffered in the name of Freemasonry, especially those during the Nazi era. ^[83][84]

Women and Freemasonry

Main articles: Women and Freemasonry and Co-Freemasonry

Freemasonry, which is considered by many to be a fraternal organisation, is sometimes criticised for not admitting women as members. Co-Freemasonry is a form of Freemasonry which admits both men and women Since the adoption of Anderson's constitution in 1723, it has been accepted as fact by regular Masons that only men can be made Masons. Most Grand Lodges do not admit women because they believe it would violate the ancient Landmarks. While a few women were initiated into British speculative lodges prior to 1723, officially regular Freemasonry remains exclusive to men.

While women cannot join regular lodges, there are (mainly within the borders of the United States) many female orders associated with regular Freemasonry and its appendant bodies, such as the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Social Order of Beauceant and the Daughters of the Nile. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest Fraternal organization in the world that both men and women can join Order of the Amaranth is a Masonic -affiliated women's organization founded in 1873 These have their own rituals and traditions, but are founded on the Masonic model. In the French context, women in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries had been admitted into what were known as "adoption lodges" in which they could participate in ritual life. However, men clearly saw this type of adoption Freemasonry as distinct from their exclusively male variety. From the late nineteenth century onward, mixed gender lodges have met in France.

In addition, there are many non-mainstream Masonic bodies that do admit both men and women or are exclusively for women. Co-Freemasonry admits both men and women,^[85] but it is held to be irregular because it admits women. Co-Freemasonry is a form of Freemasonry which admits both men and women The systematic admission of women into International Co-Freemasonry began in France in 1882. In more recent times, women have created and maintained separate Lodges, working the same rituals as the all male regular lodges. These Female Masons have founded lodges around the world, and these Lodges continue to gain membership.

See also

• Freemasonry and the Latter Day Saint movement
• Hiram Abiff
• Humanum Genus - Pope Leo XIII's condemnation of Freemasonry
• List of Freemasons
• Masonic Knights Templar
• Pigpen cipher
• Shriners

Notes

External links

• The Wikimedia Commons has media related to Freemasonry.

The Wiktionary definition of Freemasonry. Wiktionary (a Portmanteau of Wiki and Dictionary) is a multilingual, Web -based project to create a Free

• Freemasonry article from the 1911 (11th Ed. ) Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Web of Hiram at the University of Bradford. A database of donated Masonic material.
• Masonic Books Online of the St. Louis Scottish Rite.
• Masonic Books Online of the Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry
• The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (1734), James Anderson, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Royster. Hosted by the Libraries at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• The Mysteries of Free Masonry, by William Morgan, from Project Gutenberg
• The United Grand Lodge of England's Library and Museum of Freemasonry, London
• The Centre for Research into Freemasonry at the University of Sheffield, UK
• A Page About Freemasonry the world's oldest Masonic website. Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to Digitize, archive and distribute Cultural works The University of Sheffield is a research University, located in Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England.