Many fewer still practice forms of “fringe Masonry” such as Co-Masonry, which enrolls both men and women. Far fewer men in Latin countries belong to the separate Grand Orient system, whose components are not usually recognized by the Mother Lodge. According to the Masonic Service Association, there are about 1.2 million Freemasons in the United States, down from a high of 4 million in 1958. The Craft originated in the British Isles and the overwhelming majority of its members still live in English-speaking countries. Holders of the highest degrees in either Rite are eligible to join the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) for philanthropy and fun. These are the York Rite (10 more grades) and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (30 more grades) which is subdivided into Northern and Southern Jurisdictions. Master Mason’s wives can join the Order of the Eastern Star, their daughters Job’s Daughters or the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and their sons the Order of the De Molay.Ī fervent minority of Anglo-American Masons acquire additional degrees teaching more sophisticated symbolism in separate organizations called Appendant Bodies that are not controlled by the Mother Lodge. With one exception, American local Lodges are grouped in state Grand Lodges that are recognized by the Mother Lodge in London. They re-enact their central myth, the death and resurrection of Hiram Abiff, legendary builder of Solomon’s Temple. Initiation is the main business of a local Masonic Temple. The basic unit of “regular” Freemasonry is the Blue (or Craft) Lodge, which “works” (imparts) the three traditional degrees-Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master. But the Lodge has many suites, annexes, and outbuildings whose inmates are not necessarily fraternal towards each other, much less filial towards God. On the other hand, the Craft likes to present itself as “an ancient Order dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God.” Some of the “Brethren” may take that description seriously, depending on which room of the Masonic edifice they inhabit. Many Catholics view Freemasonry as a dangerous-even Satanic-conspiracy founded to destroy the Faith.
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