What is the difference between mainstream or “Antient” Free-Masonry and Modern Free-Masonry?
Many “Antient” Anglo-American Masons view Freemasonry as a religiously oriented fraternity dedicated to brotherly love, relief and truth. The Modern or Traditional Cosmopolitan Masons perceive Freemasonry as a secular but spiritual fraternity dedicated to the Enlightenment principles of human liberty and equality resulting in the universal brotherhood of all humankind. This is expressed in their motto: “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” Anglo-American lodges require belief in God or the “Grand Architect of the Universe” to become a member. Modern lodges have no such requirement. Anglo-American lodges typically place a Bible on their altars as the “Volume of Sacred Law.” Modern lodges have no such requirement. The Anglo-American system does not recognize women as legitimate Freemasons. The Traditional Cosmopolitan system is generally divided into three distinct groupings: Masculine, Mixed-Gender, and Feminine; this allows for the inclusion of women in Free-Masonry.
