Freemasonry or Freemasonry refers to fraternal organizations whose origins can be traced back to the local guilds of stonemasons who, from the late 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and patrons. His writings represented only his personal opinion and, moreover, an opinion based on the attitudes and understanding of Southern Freemasonry in the United States at the end of the 19th century. Remarkably, his book contains in the preface a certain form of denial of responsibility from his own Grand Lodge. No voice has ever spoken for all of Freemasonry. [112] In general, continental Freemasonry sympathizes with Freemasonry among women, dating back to the 1890s, when French lodges supported the emerging Masonic movement by adding enough of its members in the 33rd century. In 1899, they were able to form their own great council, which was recognized by the other great continental councils of this rite. [92] The United Grand Lodge of England issued a statement in 1999 recognizing the two Women`s Grand Lodges there, the Order of Freemason Women[93] and the Honourable Brotherhood of Former Freemasons,[94] that they are regular in all but the participants. Although they were therefore not recognized as regular, they were part of Freemasonry “in general”. [6] [95] The position of most regular Anglo-American Grand Lodges remains that Freemasons are not legitimate Freemasons. [96] In 1799, English Freemasonry almost came to a halt due to a parliamentary proclamation. In the wake of the French Revolution, the law on illegal companies banned all meetings of groups that required their members to take an oath or bind themselves. [131] According to Western esotericist Jan A. M.
Snoek: “The best way to characterize Freemasonry is in terms of what it is not, not what it is.”[38] All Freemasons begin their journey into “craftsmanship” by being gradually “initiated,” “past,” and “raised” into the three degrees of craftsmanship or Freemasonry of the Blue Lodge. During these three rituals, the candidate gradually learns Masonic symbols and is given handles or signs, signs and words to signal to other Freemasons the diplomas he has obtained. The dramatic allegorical ceremonies include explanatory lectures and revolve around the construction of Solomon`s Temple and the art and death of chief architect Hiram Abiff. The degrees are those of “Registered Apprentice”, “Fellowcraft” and “Master Mason”. Although there are many different versions of these rituals, with different lodge layouts and versions of the Hiramic legend, each version is recognizable by any Freemason of any jurisdiction. [7] Private lodges form the backbone of Freemasonry, with the exclusive right to elect their own candidates for initiation as Freemasons or admission as Freemasons, and sometimes with exclusive rights over residents on their premises.