Anglo-American Freemasonry

Anglo-American style of Freemasonry is one of several branches of Freemasonry. It consists of a loose network of overlapping chains of mutually recognized Grand Lodges or Grand Orients. Many of these Grand Lodges trace their descent from a British Grand Lodge, with mutual recognition based on adherence to certain core values also called Landmarks, rules and membership requirements.

Branches of Freemasonry

Freemasonry is often said to consist of three branches not in mutual regular amity each using the term 'regular' to name their branch:

Anglo-American style Freemasonry
Liberal Freemasonry
Women Freemasonry

The Anglo-American style of Freemasonry is the dominant form in the United States, and the countries that once formed the British Empire. It has a growing, but minority presence in most of continental Europe, West and North Africa and most Latin American countries. The branch has several noteworthy sub-branches, most notably Prince Hall Freemasonry. The Swedish Rite, although recognised by this branch of masonry, is best viewed as a separate rite. The branch has more members than the others, but fewer Grand Lodges. As an example: The United Grand Lodge of England lists 194 Grand Lodges which it considers to be Regular in their eyes while the Grand Lodge of New York lists 202 which it considers to be Regular, Compared to Liberal Freemasonry, CLIPSAS alone lists 106 members in 2022. Le Droit Humain recognizes 74 regular 'Federations' or Grand Lodges, The Grand Orient de France recognizes 235 regular Grand Lodges or Grand Orients across the world. One reason why there are more Liberal Grand Lodges than Anglo-American ones is that the Anglo-American branch has a tradition of jurisdictional exclusivity (where only one Grand Lodge is recognized in any particular State, Province or Country. For example, there is only one recognized Anglo-American style Grand Lodge in France, compared to more than 40 Liberal Grand Lodges.
The Liberal Style dominates in Continental Europe, West and North Africa.

Key differences between Anglo-American and Continental Freemasonry

The primary points of divergence that prevent mutual recognition between the Anglo-American branch and many Continental obediences are:

Issue	Anglo-American Freemasonry	Continental Freemasonry
Belief in Deity	Requires its members to express a belief in a Supreme Being as a non-negotiable condition of membership. The specific nature of this being is open to individual interpretation.	Generally does not require a specific belief in a deity as a condition of membership, often emphasizing "absolute liberty of conscience." This allows atheists and agnostics to join. The Grand Orient de France famously removed this requirement in 1877.
Female Membership	Does not admit women as members into its Craft Lodges. While there are associated organizations in some regions, particularly North America, which are open to women with Masonic relatives, these are separate from and not recognized as "regular" Craft Masonry by UGLE or similar bodies.	Many obediences are open to female membership, either through mixed-gender lodges, women-only lodges, or by maintaining fraternal relations with women-only Masonic bodies.
Political and Religious Discussion	Maintains a strict ban on the discussion of partisan politics and sectarian religion within the lodge setting. Grand Lodges typically refrain from making official statements on political or religious controversies.	Often permits, or even encourages, the discussion of philosophical, social, and political issues within lodges. Some Grand Orients may issue public statements or take positions on societal or political matters.

The principle of "exclusive jurisdiction" upheld by most Anglo-American Grand Lodges contributes to a smaller number of recognized "Conservative" Grand Lodges in countries like France, where multiple "Liberal" Grand Lodges may coexist and recognize each other.

Contemporary trends and falling membership

Assessing global membership trends in Freemasonry is complex due to the decentralized nature of the fraternity and varying reporting standards. However, general observations can be made.
Within the Anglo-American tradition, many jurisdictions in Western countries experienced significant growth in the decades following World War II, with membership peaking in the mid 20th century. However, in the 1970s and 1980s these regions saw a notable decline in membership numbers. Factors cited for this decline include changing societal values, increased competition from other leisure activities and community organizations, an aging membership base, and perceptions of the organization's relevance in contemporary society. Many Grand Lodges in this tradition are actively pursuing initiatives aimed at member retention, recruitment, increased public visibility, and community engagement to address these trends. Membership numbers are now slowly increasing.
In contrast, some reports suggest that certain branches of Liberal Freemasonry or Continental Freemasonry, particularly in Europe, Africa and Latin America, experienced periods strong growth during this period. As an example the Grand Orient de France has doubled its membership within the past 35 years.

The Observant Freemasonry response to falling membership

A notable counter-trend to the general membership decline is the emergence of Observant Freemasonry, sometimes called Traditional Observance. This movement has gained traction within the Anglo-American tradition and posits that the loss of members is not due to a lack of public interest, but is rather a symptom of a decline in the quality and seriousness of the Masonic experience in many lodges. Proponents seek to restore what they see as the fraternity's original purpose as a transformative initiatic system, rather than a mere social or charitable club.
Observant lodges, supported by organizations like the Masonic Restoration Foundation, aim to create a more profound and engaging experience by implementing specific practices, including:

A high standard of ritual, executed with solemnity and precision.
A strong emphasis on Masonic education, with lectures on philosophy, symbolism, and history as a standard part of every meeting.
A formal and structured agape or festive board to cultivate deeper fellowship.
A more rigorous process for candidate selection and mentorship to improve member retention and ensure commitment.
A dignified atmosphere, often including a formal dress code and the use of music to enhance the ceremonial experience.

While still representing a minority of lodges, the Observant model has proven influential, offering a blueprint for renewal that focuses on quality over quantity and attracting members who seek a more demanding and philosophically-focused form of Freemasonry.

Criticism of Anglo-American Freemasonry

Anglo-American Freemasonry, throughout its extensive history, has been the subject of considerable criticism and numerous controversies, emanating from diverse quarters including religious institutions, political entities, former adherents, and the public at large. These contentions touch upon fundamental aspects of its structure, membership, secrecy, alleged influence, and philosophical underpinnings. While Freemasonry and its members consistently offer rebuttals and alternative interpretations to these critiques, the concerns raised have significantly shaped public perception and, at times, the fraternity's own development.
A primary and enduring area of criticism revolves around Freemasonry's traditional exclusivity. The most prominent aspect is the exclusion of women from Craft Lodge membership within this branch of Masonic tradition, a policy stipulated by bodies like the United Grand Lodge of England as a requirement for recognition. This stance is frequently challenged as discriminatory and anachronistic in contemporary society, especially when contrasted with Continental Freemasonry, which often embraces female members through co-Masonic lodges or women-only Grand Lodges. Adherents of the Conservative Masonic tradition often defend their male-only stance by emphasizing historical tradition and the right to set their own membership criteria. More recently, the issue of transgender members has posed new challenges. Some jurisdictions, like the UGLE, have issued guidance permitting initiated members who transition to remain and allowing trans men to apply, though policies can differ globally, leading to debates about tradition versus modern inclusivity. Historically, matters of exclusivity also extended to racial discrimination, particularly in the United States, where African Americans were denied entry into mainstream lodges, leading to the establishment of Prince Hall Freemasonry. For nearly two centuries, most mainstream Grand Lodges in the U.S. refused to recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges. While mutual recognition has now been largely achieved in many states, this history remains a point of reflection on past discriminatory practices.
The traditional secrecy surrounding Masonic rituals, particularly its modes of recognition and the taking of solemn secret oaths or obligations, has historically fueled suspicion and opposition. Critics have voiced concerns that these oaths could conflict with civic or religious duties, and the historically graphic "penalties" for violating these oaths have been condemned. This secrecy has made Freemasonry a fertile ground for conspiracy theories, which allege vast, hidden Masonic influence over world events, governments, and economies, often linking the fraternity to occult agendas or a "New World Order". Such theories were significantly inflamed by hoaxes like that of Léo Taxil in the late 19th century, who falsely accused Freemasonry of Satanism before publicly confessing his fabrications; despite this, his claims had a lasting, damaging impact. More specific allegations sometimes arise concerning undue political or professional influence , suggesting Masons might favor fellow members irrespective of merit, though Freemasonry officially prohibits using membership for personal gain. The Morgan Affair in 19th-century America was significantly fueled by public outrage over these aspects of secrecy and oaths. Freemasons maintain that secrets are limited and obligations do not supersede civic or religious duties.
Religious opposition has been a consistent issue for Freemasonry. The Roman Catholic Church has since Pope Clement XII's 1738 bull In Eminenti Apostolatus Specula expressed opposition to the fraternity. Objections often include concerns about perceived religious indifferentism, naturalism, secret oaths, and alleged anti-clericalism. Other Christian denominations and some followers of other faiths have also expressed concerns. While requiring belief in a Supreme Being, Freemasonry states it is not a religion. However, critics argue its practices constitute a form of syncretism or Deism, and that its non-specific definition of a Supreme Being promotes religious indifferentism, seen by some orthodox faiths as undermining their unique truth claims.
Further controversies stem from Freemasonry's operational principles and perceived relevance. The principle of exclusive territorial jurisdiction is seen by critics as potentially monopolistic or hindering Masonic diversity, contrasting with the landscape of Liberal Freemasonry where multiple obediences may coexist. Criticism sometimes arises that Anglo-American Freemasonry has been slow to adapt to modern times, with its immovable landmarks that are being re-interpreted to allow for small changes, and formality appearing outdated to some, potentially contributing to membership declines in some Western nations. Many Masonic bodies are, however, making efforts to modernize their public image and engagement. This is sometimes linked to accusations of it being "too much of a social club" or elitist, focusing on networking over deeper philosophical pursuits or charitable work, though Masonic bodies highlight their extensive philanthropy and moral teachings as a counter. Finally, in certain post-colonial contexts, its historical association with colonialism has led to perceptions of it being a relic of empire, despite its modern emphasis on universal brotherhood and local leadership.