Continental Freemasonry
[7] Liberal Freemasonry's distinct character began emerging from the Premiere Grand Lodge Ritual practiced in France during the Age of Enlightenment.
These early French lodges operated differently from their English counterparts, placing greater emphasis on philosophical discourse and progressive thinking.
French masonic lodges became important centers of intellectual exchange where nobles, philosophers, and merchants could meet as equals to discuss ideas.
The Grand Orient stood firmly for racial equality, and the following year it passed a resolution declaring that "neither color, race, nor religion should disqualify a man for initiation.
[24][25] Several American conservative Grand Lodges maintained relations with the GOdF well into the 20th century, including those of California, Washington, and Iowa.
Following extensive debate, and after the key argument of a pastor, the assembly voted to modify Article 1 of the Constitution, which had previously required belief in God and the immortality of the soul.
[27] Protestant pastor Frédéric Desmons, representing the lodge "Le Progrès" of Nîmes, presented the key argument for reform.
[28] The constitutional changes involved three specific modifications: Following the 1877 reform, Liberal Freemasonry gained significant importance and expanded rapidly beyond France.
The Mexican National Rite, established in 1833,[30] had already embraced similar principles of religious liberty and would formally align with the Liberal tradition.
Lodge records from this period show consistent advocacy for secular education, separation of church and state, and women's rights.
Many prominent politicians of the french Third Republic were freemasons, including Jules Ferry and Léon Gambetta, though their masonic membership was only one aspect of their political identity.
[32] A landmark development was the founding of Le Droit Humain in 1893, which evolved from earlier "adoption lodges" that had admitted women under male supervision.
[33] During both World Wars, Liberal Freemasonry, mainly located in continental Europe, faced severe persecution, particularly under totalitarian regimes.
The SSS occupied the Grand Orient de France headquarters at rue Cadet, converting it into an "Anti-Masonic Exhibition" center.
The Dutch Grand Orient maintained underground operations throughout the occupation, helping to protect Jewish citizens and downed Allied airmen.
The Grand Orient de France officially supported student and worker rights, while maintaining its traditional role as a space for reasoned debate.
While Le Droit Humain had practiced mixed-gender Freemasonry since 1893, other Liberal masonic bodies maintained gender separation well into the late 20th century.
The Grande Loge Féminine de France (GLFF), founded in 1945, emerged as a major women-only obedience, demonstrating the continuing importance of separate gender spaces in Liberal Freemasonry.
As of 2024, Liberal Freemasonry has established a strong presence across multiple continents, with notable growth in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia.
Some organizations, like Le Droit Humain, practice complete gender integration, while others maintain separate men's, women's, or mixed lodges.
[65] The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia credited Freemasonry for the French Revolution and its persecution of the Church, citing a claim made in a document from the Grand Orient de France.
[78] Continental style Freemasonry is prevalent in most of the continent (as its name suggests), although there are smaller numbers of members following the Anglo-American tradition in those nations also.
Within the United States of America there are scattered Masonic Orders and Grand Lodges, such as the George Washington Union (GWU),[79] and Le Droit Humain,[80] that belong to the Continental or Progressive Universal Tradition.
