Editing Freemasonry (section)

==== Eligibility requirements ====
Masonic jurisdictions maintain various eligibility requirements, which differ significantly between Anglo-American tradition and Liberal traditions:

In Anglo-American Freemasonry, exemplified by the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] and its recognised jurisdictions, candidates must typically:

* Be a man<ref>https://skirret.com/papers/rituals_of_freemasonry.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>
* Be free-born men of mature age (usually 21 years, though some jurisdictions permit 18)<ref>https://glquebec.org/how-to-join/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>
* Believe in a supreme being (though interpretation is left to the individual)
* Be of good reputation and character<ref>A minimum requirement of every body of Freemasons is that each candidate must be "free and of good reputation".[http://grande-loge.lu/?id=20&a=52 "Comment devenir franc-maçon?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825171704/http://grande-loge.lu/?id=20&a=52 |date=25 August 2020 }}, Grande Loge de Luxembourg, retrieved 23 November 2013</ref>
* Unmutilated (not followed in most jurisdictions anymore)<ref>https://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/metsel_en.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

The question of freedom, a standard feudal requirement of mediaeval guilds, is nowadays one of independence: the object is that every Mason should be a proper and responsible person.<ref name="MLoE"/> Thus, each Grand Lodge has a standard minimum age, varying greatly and often subject to dispensation in particular cases.
 
Additionally, Grand Lodges in this tradition require a candidate to declare a belief in a [[God|supreme being]] (although every candidate must interpret this condition in his own way, as all religious discussion is commonly prohibited). 

In a few cases, the candidate may be required to be of a specific religion. The form of Freemasonry most common in [[Scandinavia]] (known as the [[Swedish Rite]]), and the [[Rectified Scottish Rite]] for example, only accepts Christians.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/swedish_faq.html "Swedish Rite FAQ"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913114958/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/swedish_faq.html |date=13 September 2020 }}, ''Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon'', Accessed 19 November 2013</ref><ref>https://beyondthecraft.net.au/rectified-scottish-rite-rer/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

In Liberal Freemasonry, exemplified by the [[Grand Orient de France]], requirements have evolved to emphasize freedom of conscience, they include:<ref>https://www.ventsetjardins.fr/pdf/20240114_01.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}</ref>

* Be free-born of mature age
* Be of irreproachable conduct<ref>https://ledroithumain.international/devenir-franc-macon/#:~:text=Comment%20devient%2Don%20Franc%2DMa%C3%A7on,travailler%20%C3%A0%20son%20propre%20perfectionnement. {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>
* Be of good reputation and character
* No abdication of liberty<ref name="gob.be">https://gob.be/devenir-franc-macon/qui-pourquoi-comment/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>
* No commitment incompatible with reason, honour, free conscience, or the laws of the country.<ref name="gob.be"/>

Some obediences have removed the requirement for belief in a supreme being, accepting atheists and agnostics. Many Liberal bodies now accept women, either in mixed-gender lodges or women-only lodges. The emphasis is placed on moral character, philosophical inquiry, and commitment to human progress.<ref name=":1">[http://www.godf.org/index.php/pages/details/slug/foire-aux-questions "Faut-il croire en Dieu?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928021420/http://www.godf.org/index.php/pages/details/slug/foire-aux-questions |date=28 September 2013 }}, Foire aux Questions, ''Grand Orient de France'', Retrieved 23 November 2013</ref><ref name="Buta">[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_foreign_recognitions.html Jack Buta, "The God Conspiracy, The Politics of Grand Lodge Foreign Relations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711032237/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/masonic_foreign_recognitions.html |date=11 July 2011 }}, ''Pietre-Stones'', retrieved 23 November 2013</ref>

The diverse approaches to these fundamental requirements reflect the philosophical evolution within Freemasonry over time, with bodies following the Anglo-American style maintaining traditional rules (although still evolving) while Liberal traditions have adapted to changing social contexts.<ref>Révauger, Cécile. ''Freemasonry and the Enlightenment in France: The Liberal Moment, 1725–1789'', Bloomsbury, 2020.</ref>

After successful passage through the investigation process and favourable vote, the initiation ceremony marks the candidate's official entry into Freemasonry.