Editing Freemasonry (section)

==Organisation==

===Grand Lodges===
{{Main|Grand Lodge}}
[[File:Freemasons' Hall, London.JPG|thumb|alt=Freemason's Hall, London|[[Freemasons' Hall, London|Freemasons Hall]], London, home of the [[United Grand Lodge of England]]]]
[[File:Grand Orient de France 2.jpg|thumb|right|The Historical Grand Lodge of the [[Grand Orient de France]]]]
Grand Lodges (sometimes termed Grand Orients) are independent and sovereign bodies that govern Masonry in a given country, state or geographical area (termed a ''jurisdiction''). There is no single overarching governing body that presides over worldwide Freemasonry; connections between different jurisdictions depend solely on mutual recognition.<ref>(editors) John Hamill and Robert Gilbert, ''Freemasonry'', Angus, 2004, Glossary, p. 247</ref><ref>[http://mastermason.com/rfire/masonry/difficult.html#conspiracy "Difficult Questions; Is Freemasonry a Global Conspiracy?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603033856/http://mastermason.com/rfire/masonry/difficult.html |date=3 June 2015 }} ''MasterMason.com'', retrieved 18 November 2013</ref>

Estimates of the worldwide membership of Freemasonry in the early 21st century ranged from about two million to more than six million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Freemasonry {{!}} Definition, History, Stages, Lodges, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Freemasonry |website=www.britannica.com |access-date=17 December 2023 |language=en |date=16 November 2023 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108174852/https://ssum-sec.casalemedia.com/usermatch?us_privacy=1YNY&d=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2F&s=184674&cb=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.indexww.com%2Fht%2Fhtw-pixel.gif%3F |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=November 2024}}

The fraternity is administratively organised <!-- NOTE: THIS ARTICLE USES UK SPELLING ... which spells this word with an "s" and not a "z". --> into independent [[Grand Lodge]]s (or sometimes Grand Orients), each of which governs its own Masonic jurisdiction, which consists of subordinate (or ''constituent'') Lodges.

The [[United Grand Lodge of England]] (UGLE) remains the largest Masonic jurisdiction worldwide. However, its membership has declined dramatically, from about 500,000 members in the 1960s to approximately 170,000 in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Who we are {{!}} United Grand Lodge of England |url=https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/about-ugle |website=www.ugle.org.uk |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209085140/https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/about-ugle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2023/24 |url=https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/annual-reports/annual-report-2023 |website=[[United Grand Lodge of England|UGLE]] |access-date=19 January 2025 |page=7 |archive-date=19 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119211014/https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/annual-reports/annual-report-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The organisation is structured into various Provincial Grand Lodges at the local level. Similarly, the [[Grand Lodge of Ireland]] has experienced a steep decline, with membership falling from 100,000 in 1960 to around 19,000 members currently.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Grand Lodge {{!}} Grand Lodge of Ireland |url=https://freemason.ie/about-grand-lodge/ |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208205612/https://freemason.ie/about-grand-lodge/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[United States]], Masonic membership is organised in two systems, first through 51 “mainstream” Grand Lodges&mdash;one for each state plus the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]]. While these Grand Lodges once boasted over 4 million members in 1957, membership has declined sharply. According to the Masonic Service Association of North America, current combined membership across these jurisdictions stands at approximately 875,000 members.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jurisdictional Membership Statistics – Masonic Service Association of North America |url=https://msana.com/services/jurisdictional-totals/ |website=msana.com |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217095253/https://msana.com/services/jurisdictional-totals/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Additionally, there are 46 Prince Hall Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE, operating across various U.S. states, as well as multiple Prince Hall style Grand Lodges that split off from the recognized group.  [[Prince Hall Freemasonry]] is a historically [[African Americans|African-American]] branch of Freemasonry that maintains its own separate Grand Lodge system parallel to the state Grand Lodge system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Membership Statistics – Masonic Service Association of North America |url=https://msana.com/services/u-s-membership-statistics/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=msana.com |archive-date=26 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126211747/https://msana.com/services/u-s-membership-statistics/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Together, these two systems&mdash;the “mainstream” Grand Lodges and Prince Hall Grand Lodges&mdash;make up for a total of 97 [[United Grand Lodge of England|UGLE]] recognised Grand Lodges, sharing jurisdictions in the United States. They represent the main bodies of Masonic governance in the United States, though both have experienced significant membership declines since their mid-20th century peaks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodapp |first=Christopher |date=2022-03-26 |title=Freemasons For Dummies: Flash! GL of Louisiana Votes in Favor of Prince Hall Recognition... Sort Of |url=https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2022/03/flash-gl-of-louisiana-votes-in-favor-of.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Freemasons For Dummies |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209031131/https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2022/03/flash-gl-of-louisiana-votes-in-favor-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[France]], the [[Grand Orient de France]] stands as the largest and most influential body in Liberal Freemasonry, with over 53,000 members across approximately 1,381 lodges. Unlike many Conservative jurisdictions that have experienced significant membership declines, the Grand Orient has demonstrated remarkable growth, increasing from 33,000 members in 1960 to 53,000 in 2023. This growth reflects the enduring appeal of its Liberal philosophical approach, which emphasizes freedom of conscience, social progress, and intellectual inquiry. The Grand Orient has been particularly influential in French political and intellectual life, championing principles of secularism, democracy, and human rights throughout its history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BOISSELIER |first=Alexis |date=2023-11-08 |title=Emmanuel Macron se rend au Grand Orient de France : trois questions sur cette loge maçonnique |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/societe/emmanuel-macron-visite-le-grand-orient-de-france-trois-questions-sur-la-loge-maconnique-52d15996-7d7e-11ee-9e40-5131acac1bc0 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Ouest-France.fr |language=fr}}</ref>

=== Grand Lodges and Grand Orients ===
There is no fundamental difference between a Grand Orient and a Grand Lodge; they are simply different terminologies for the same type of institution. The term "Grand Orient" was first popularised in 1773 when the Grand Lodge of France voted to rename itself the Grand Orient de France. The word "Orient" means "East" in Latin.<ref>https://www.nos-colonnes.com/en/blogs/our-items/history-of-the-grand-orient-of-france {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

Both Grand Orients and Grand Lodges exist in all Masonic traditions, whether Liberal or Conservative. For example, the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] (a Conservative Masonic tradition) recognises the [[Grand Orient of Italy]],<ref>https://www.ugle.org.uk/about-us/foreign-grand-lodges {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref> while the [[Grand Orient de France]] (a Liberal Masonic tradition) recognises the [[Grand Lodge of Italy]].<ref>https://450.fm/2023/03/10/le-grand-orient-ditalie-parmi-les-obediences-internationales/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.en06.fr/info/wa_files/constitution%20godf.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}</ref>

===Recognition, amity and regularity===
Relations between Grand Lodges are determined by the concept of ''Recognition''. Each Grand Lodge or Grand Orient maintains a list of other Grand Orients or Grand Lodges that it recognises.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Handbook for Candidate's Coaches
| first = Donald G.
| last = Campbell
| author2 = Committee on Ritual
| publisher = Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of California
| url = http://mastersjewel.com/masons/mm/MM07.htm
| format = excerpt
| chapter = The Master Mason; Irregular and Clandestine Lodges
| access-date = 8 May 2007
| archive-date = 21 August 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070821165005/http://www.mastersjewel.com/masons/mm/MM07.htm
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> When two Grand Lodges recognise and are in Masonic communication with each other, they are said to be ''[[wikt:amity|in amity]]'', and the brethren of each may visit each other's Lodges and interact Masonically. When two Grand Lodges are not in amity, inter-visitation is not allowed. There are many reasons one Grand Lodge will withhold or withdraw recognition from another, but the two most common are ''Exclusive Jurisdiction'' and ''Regularity''.<ref>[http://www.pilarlodge3freemasonry.freeservers.com/about_1.html Jim Bantolo, "On Recognition"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314135120/http://www.pilarlodge3freemasonry.freeservers.com/about_1.html |date=14 March 2008 }}, Masonic Short Talk, ''Pilar lodge'', 2007, retrieved 25 November 2013</ref>

====Exclusive jurisdiction====
Exclusive Jurisdiction is a concept whereby normally only one Grand Lodge will be recognised in any geographical area. If two Grand Lodges claim jurisdiction over the same area, the other Grand Lodges will have to choose between them, and they may not all decide to recognise the same one. (In 1849, for example, the Grand Lodge of New York split into two rival factions, each claiming to be the legitimate Grand Lodge. Other Grand Lodges had to choose between them until the schism was healed.<ref>[http://www.themasonictrowel.com/ebooks/fm_freemasonry/Lang_-_History_Of_Freemasonry_in_NewYork_1922_raw.pdf Ossian Lang, "History of Freemasonry in the State of New York" (pdf)], 1922, pp. 135–140, ''Masonic Trowel eBooks'', {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201003501/http://www.themasonictrowel.com/ebooks/fm_freemasonry/Lang_-_History_Of_Freemasonry_in_NewYork_1922_raw.pdf|date=1 December 2010}}</ref>) Exclusive Jurisdiction can be waived when the two overlapping Grand Lodges are themselves in amity and agree to share jurisdiction. For example, since the Grand Lodge of Connecticut is in amity with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, the principle of Exclusive Jurisdiction does not apply, and other Grand Lodges may recognise both.<ref>[http://www.bessel.org/exclartl.htm "Exclusive Jurisdiction"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002511/http://www.bessel.org/exclartl.htm |date=3 December 2013 }}, ''Paul M. Bessel'', 1998, retrieved 25 November 2013</ref> Likewise, the five distinct kinds of lodges in Germany have nominally united under one Grand Lodge in order to obtain international recognition.

==== Modern challenges and evolution ====
The concept of Exclusive Jurisdiction has been significantly challenged in the United States with the increasing recognition of [[Prince Hall Masonry|Prince Hall Grand Lodges]], a branch of Freemasonry created for African Americans. Historically, many "mainstream" or conservative U.S. Grand Lodges refused to recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges operating in their states, citing Exclusive Jurisdiction. However, this began to change in 1989 when the [[Grand Lodge of Connecticut]] extended recognition to its Prince Hall counterpart.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sueanna Smith |title=Reimagining Prince Hall: Race, Freemasonry, and Material Culture In Boston, 1775-1870 |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7385&context=etd |website=[[University of South Carolina]] |access-date=4 November 2024 |archive-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709172151/https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7385&context=etd |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut |url=https://mwphgl-ct.org/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut |language=en-US |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610171412/https://mwphgl-ct.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

This initial recognition created a precedent for "shared jurisdiction" between mainstream and Prince Hall Grand Lodges, effectively modifying the traditional interpretation of Exclusive Jurisdiction. By 2024, most U.S. Grand Lodges have recognized their Prince Hall counterparts, establishing a new norm where two Grand Lodges can legitimately operate within the same geographical area, provided they maintain mutual recognition and amity.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=The Grand Lodge of Connecticut |url=https://gwmemorial.org/blogs/gl-of-the-month/the-grand-lodge-of-connecticut |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=GWMNMA |language=en |archive-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106233111/https://gwmemorial.org/blogs/gl-of-the-month/the-grand-lodge-of-connecticut |url-status=live }}</ref>

The evolution of this practice demonstrates how traditional Masonic principles can adapt to accommodate social progress while maintaining the fundamental aims of regular Freemasonry. Some jurisdictions have formalized this arrangement through written agreements that specifically outline the terms of shared jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prince Hall Freemasonry archives |url=https://bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu/portal/view/?id=BMRC.HARSH.PRINCE_HALL.xml#:~:text=Today,%20Prince%20Hall%20Lodges%20are,their%20names%20to%20avoid%20confusion |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu |archive-date=7 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707131857/https://bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu/portal/view/?id=BMRC.HARSH.PRINCE_HALL.xml#:~:text=Today,%20Prince%20Hall%20Lodges%20are,their%20names%20to%20avoid%20confusion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="phylaxis">{{Cite web |title=John B. Williams Web Page |url=https://thephylaxis.org/williams/recognition.php |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=thephylaxis.org |archive-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307182939/https://thephylaxis.org/williams/recognition.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Regularity and Recognition Systems====
{{Main|Regular Masonic jurisdictions}}

===Origins of the concept===
[[File:Microcosm of London Plate 038 - Freemasons' Hall (tone).jpg|thumb|alt=First Freemason's Hall, 1809|Conservative Freemasons' Hall in London, c. 1809]]
The concept of "regularity" originated before the divide between Conservative and Liberal Freemasonry existed, first appearing in Payne's regulations as printed in [[Anderson's Constitutions|Anderson's ''Constitutions'']]. In regulation VIII we find:

{{quote|If any Set or Number of Masons shall take upon themselves to form a Lodge without the Grand-Master's Warrant, the ''regular'' Lodges are not to countenance them, or own them as fair Brethren and duly form'd, nor approve of their Acts and Deeds; but must treat them as Rebels, until they humble themselves, as the Grand-Master shall in his Prudence direct, and until he approve of them by his Warrant, which must be signify'd to the other Lodges, as the Custom is when a new Lodge is to be register'd in the List of Lodges.}}<ref>[http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libraryscience/25/ Anderson's Constitutions] Franklin's reprint, p 62 retrieved 10 June 2013</ref>

This early recognition system was used to determine if a Lodge was trustworthy and not fraudulent, rather than to enforce doctrinal conformity.

===Liberal and Conservative Recognition Systems===
[[File:Temple maçonnique des Amis philanthropes - 01.jpg|thumb|Interior of the ''Les Amis Philanthropes'' Liberal Masonic temple in Brussels, [[Grand Orient of Belgium|Grand Orient de Belgique]]]]
Both Liberal and Conservative traditions have developed their own interpretations of regularity, each evolving over time despite differing philosophical foundations. The modern understanding of these concepts crystallised after the 1877 constitutional reforms of the [[Grand Orient de France]] (GOdF), which embraced absolute freedom of conscience and removed mandatory belief in a Supreme Being.<ref name="Desmons_Speech">{{Cite book|last=Desmons|first=Frédéric|title=Discours au Convent du Grand Orient de France|year=1877|publisher=Bulletin du Grand Orient de France|language=fr}}</ref><ref>https://masonicmouse.org/2019/03/19/the-motion-of-1877-how-the-grande-orient-de-france-really-became-adogmatic/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

===Conservative landmarks and their evolution===
Conservative Freemasonry, exemplified by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), bases its concept of regularity on adherence to "landmarks"—fundamental principles considered essential to Masonic identity. While often presented as immutable, these landmarks have undergone significant reinterpretation over time.<ref>http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/freemasonry-supreme-being.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

The religious requirement, initially revolutionary in the early 1700s for being strictly for Christians but welcoming all denominations during an era of sectarian strife, has gradually expanded. It evolved first to include all religions with a revealed scripture and the resurrection of the body after life, then to accept belief in any supreme being, and increasingly allows more personalised interpretations of spirituality whilst maintaining the requirement for some form of metaphysical belief.<ref>{{cite book|title=Freemasonry and Religion|author=James W. Daniel|publisher=Lewis Masonic|year=2007}}</ref><ref>https://www.masonrytoday.com/index.php?new_month=2&new_day=15&new_year=2024 {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

Similarly, the principle of exclusive territorial jurisdiction has evolved in the United States, where many states now share jurisdiction between Prince Hall and mainstream Grand Lodges—a significant departure from historical practice.<ref name="phylaxis"/>

Perhaps most telling is the evolution regarding women in Freemasonry. The UGLE, whilst maintaining gender separation within its own Lodges, formally acknowledged in 1999 that "'''Freemasonry is not confined to men'''" and recognised the legitimacy of women's Masonic orders, though without permitting intervisitation.<ref>https://www.ugle.org.uk/become-freemason/women-freemasons {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref> The UGLE now engages in collaborative charitable projects with women's Masonic organisations, representing a significant evolution from earlier positions that denied women could be legitimate Freemasons at all.

It's important to understand that no universal landmarks exist within Freemasonry. Each Grand Lodge or Grand Orient maintains its own set of Landmarks, with some conservative bodies not codifying any specific landmarks whatsoever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themasonictrowel.com/Articles/Manuscripts/meaning/landmarks.htm|title=The Meaning of Landmarks in Freemasonry|publisher=The Masonic Trowel|access-date=2025-03-27}}</ref> The practical reality of Masonic recognition hinges not on universal agreement about landmarks, but rather on ensuring that no recognised body violates the landmark principles held dear by the recognising jurisdiction.
Within Conservative Freemasonry, the shared rules for Recognition vary considerably, shaped by the particular Masonic tradition each Grand Lodge embraces. Three landmark systems have gained particular prominence within Masonic jurisprudence: the 1929 United Grand Lodge of England landmarks, which focus on governance and practical recognition requirements;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/landmarks-freemasonry.html|title=Landmarks of Freemasonry|publisher=Freemasons-Freemasonry.com|access-date=2025-03-27}}</ref> Albert Mackey's extensive 1858 catalogue of twenty-five landmarks, which comprehensively delineates administrative structures and principles;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesquaremagazine.com/mag/article/202209mackeys-25-masonic-landmarks/|title=Mackey's 25 Masonic Landmarks|publisher=The Square Magazine|access-date=2025-03-27}}</ref> and Roscoe Pound's streamlined 1911 approach, which distils Masonic landmarks to seven essential philosophical elements.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Masonic-Landmarks/Roscoe-Pound/9781162858562|title=Masonic Landmarks|author=Roscoe Pound|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|year=2010|access-date=2025-03-27}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Comparison of Major Masonic Landmark Systems'''
! Aspect !! UGLE (1929) !! Albert Mackey (1858) !! Roscoe Pound (1911)
|-
| '''Number of Landmarks''' || 8 || 25 || 7
|-
| '''Religious Requirements''' || Belief in a supreme being is required; scripture required on altar || Belief in a supreme being and the resurrection required; book of law required on altar || Belief in God; belief in persistence of personality; book of law required on altar
|-
| '''Gender Policy''' || Exclusively male; no relationship with mixed Lodges || Exclusively male; "free born and of mature age" || Must be a man, free born, and of age
|-
| '''Governance Structure''' || Grand Lodge has sovereign jurisdiction over Craft degrees || Government by Grand Master; specific rights and prerogatives of Grand Master; Lodge governance by Master and Wardens || Not specified as landmarks (considered customary law)
|-
| '''Core Principles''' || No discussion of politics or religion; adherence to ancient landmarks, customs and usages || Modes of recognition; secrecy; three degrees; Hiramic legend; equality of Masons; foundation in operative art || Legend of third degree; secrecy; symbolism of operative art
|}

As can be seen from this comparison, while there are common elements across all three landmark systems (belief in Deity, male-only membership, symbolic/speculative nature), there are significant differences in scope, detail, and emphasis. The UGLE system focuses primarily on governance and recognition requirements, Mackey's extensive list includes detailed administrative prerogatives, while Pound's streamlined approach emphasizes the philosophical essentials.

===Liberal landmarks and philosophical foundations===
Liberal Freemasonry approaches regularity through a fundamentally different lens, tracing its philosophical foundations to earlier Masonic documents such as the Constitution of the Freemasons of Strasbourg in 1459,<ref>http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/strasb.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref> which predates Anderson's Constitutions by over 250 years. Rather than viewing landmarks as fixed and immutable, Liberal Masonry sees them as principles open to democratic debate and evolutionary interpretation.

The [[Grand Orient de France]] (GOdF), established in 1723 renamed in 1773, serves as the gold standard in Liberal Masonic recognition. Recognition by the GOdF represents a significant achievement for any Grand Orient or Grand Lodge within the Liberal Masonic community, affirming their commitment to the principles of freedom of conscience and universal brotherhood. The GOdF maintains recognition agreements with numerous Masonic bodies worldwide based on shared philosophical principles rather than adherence to particular core principles or landmarks.

By contrast, Liberal Masonic bodies typically employ recognition criteria centred on:<ref>https://godf.org/qui-sommes-nous/nos-valeurs/#:~:text=Elle%20a%20pour%20principe%20la,la%20libert%C3%A9%20absolue%20de%20conscience. {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.freemasonryformenandwomen.org/founding-principles.html {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

*Adherence to the principle of freedom of conscience (''liberté de conscience''), a core value established in the GOdF's landmark 1877 constitutional reform<ref>https://shs.cairn.info/revue-la-chaine-d-union-2017-3-page-38?lang=fr {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>
*Commitment to the advancement of humanity through reason, justice, and fraternity
*Independence from religious dogma or political control
*Open examination of philosophical, social, and ethical questions
*Recognition of the equality and autonomy of all Masonic bodies
*Respect for the diversity of Masonic traditions and practices
*Democratic governance with regular assemblies where policy is determined by vote

These principles reflect the Enlightenment values that informed early Freemasonry, emphasising human reason, freethought, progressive social engagement, and intellectual liberty.

Furthermore, the Grand Orient de France famously describes what Freemasonry is in the first article of its constitution, deviation from these principles could lead a Grand Lodge to become un-recognised by the GOdF : 

{{quote|Freemasonry, an essentially philanthropic, philosophical and progressive institution, has for its object the search for truth, the study of morality and the practice of solidarity; it works for the material and moral improvement, the intellectual and social perfection of humanity. Its principles are mutual tolerance, respect for others and for oneself, and absolute freedom of conscience. Considering metaphysical conceptions as being exclusively within the domain of individual judgment of its members, it refuses all dogmatic affirmation. It attaches fundamental importance to secularism. Its motto is: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.<ref>https://godf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/charte-valeurs-GODF-2023.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}</ref>}}

===International Recognition Networks===
Both traditions have established complex international networks to facilitate recognition and cooperation.
Many Liberal Grand Lodges participate in [[Centre de Liaison et d'Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg|CLIPSAS]], which promotes a more inclusive approach to inter-Masonic relations than the exclusivity often practised by Conservative bodies. Founded in 1961 by eleven sovereign Masonic bodies, CLIPSAS has grown to include over 100 member obediences worldwide.<ref>[[Continental Freemasonry#The Rise of International Liberal Masonic Organizations (1961-1989)|"The Rise of International Liberal Masonic Organizations (1961-1989)"]], ''Continental Freemasonry''</ref> Though CLIPSAS's influence was challenged by the GOdF's withdrawal in 2019, it remains significant in facilitating Liberal Masonic relations globally. Other important Liberal Masonic international organisations include TRACIA (coordinating Liberal bodies across Europe and Latin America)<ref>TRACIA</ref> and UMM (uniting Mediterranean Masonic bodies).<ref>https://freemasonry.network/liberals/international-organizations-liberal-freemasonry/m-m-u-massonic-mediterranean-union/ {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2025}}</ref>

Conservative Freemasonry operates primarily through bilateral recognition between Grand Lodges, with the UGLE, Grand Lodge of Scotland, and Grand Lodge of Ireland (collectively known as the "Home Grand Lodges") having particular influence within this system. The Conference of Grand Masters of North America provides another forum for Conservative Masonic cooperation, though without the formal recognition powers of CLIPSAS in the Liberal tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cogmna.info/|title=Conference of Grand Masters of North America|access-date=2025-03-26}}</ref>