 lodges assigned themselves the duty to "initiate the unenlightened". This did not necessarily link lodges to the irreligious, but neither did this exclude them from the occasional heresy. In fact, many lodges praised the Grand Architect, the masonic terminology for the deistic divine being who created a scientifically ordered universe.[215]

German historian Reinhart Koselleck claimed that "On the Continent there were two social structures that left a decisive imprint on the Age of Enlightenment: the Republic of Letters and the Masonic lodges."[216] Scottish professor Thomas Munck argues that "although the Masons did promote international and cross-social contacts which were essentially non-religious and broadly in agreement with enlightened values, they can hardly be described as a major radical or reformist network in their own right."[217] Many of the Masons values seemed to greatly appeal to Enlightenment values and thinkers. Diderot discusses the link between Freemason ideals and the enlightenment in D'Alembert's Dream, exploring masonry as a way of spreading enlightenment beliefs.[218] Historian Margaret Jacob stresses the importance of the Masons in indirectly inspiring enlightened political thought.[219] On the negative side, Daniel Roche contests claims that Masonry promoted egalitarianism. He argues that the lodges only attracted men of similar social backgrounds.[220] The presence of noble women in the French "lodges of adoption" that formed in the 1780s was largely due to the close ties shared between these lodges and aristocratic society.[221]

The major opponent of Freemasonry was the Roman Catholic Church, so that in countries with a large Catholic element, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Mexico, much of the ferocity of the political battles involve the confrontation between what Davies calls the reactionary Church and enlightened Freemasonry.[222][223] Even in France, Masons did not act as a group.[224] American historians, while noting that Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were indeed active Masons, have downplayed the importance of Freemasonry in causing the American Revolution because the Masonic order was non-political and included both Patriots and their enemy the Loyalists.[225]

^Feldman, Noah (2005). Divided by God. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pg. 29 ("It took John Locke to translate the demand for liberty of conscience into a systematic argument for distinguishing the realm of government from the
lodges assigned themselves the duty to " initiate the unenlightened ". This did not inevitably connect lodges to the irreligious, but neither did this exclude them from the periodic unorthodoxy. In fact, many lodges praised the Grand Architect, the masonic terminology for the deistic providential organism who created a scientifically ordered universe.[215 ] 

 German historian Reinhart Koselleck claimed that " On the Continent there were two social structures that leave a decisive imprint on the Age of Enlightenment: the Republic of Letters and the Masonic hostel. "[216 ] scots professor Thomas Munck argues that " although the Masons did promote external and cross - social contact which were basically non - religious and broadly in agreement with enlightened values, they can hardly be report as a major radical or reformist net in their own right. "[217 ] Many of the Masons value seemed to greatly invoke to Enlightenment values and thinkers. Diderot discusses the liaison between Freemason ideals and the enlightenment in D'Alembert's Dream, exploring masonry as a way of spreading enlightenment beliefs.[218 ] Historian Margaret Jacob stresses the importance of the Masons in indirectly inspiring enlightened political thought.[219 ] On the negative side, Daniel Roche contests claims that Masonry promoted egalitarianism. He argues that the lodges only attract men of similar social backgrounds.[220 ] The bearing of baronial women in the French " lodges of adoption " that formed in the 1780s was largely ascribable to the close tie shared between these lodges and aristocratic society.[221 ] 

 The major opposition of Freemasonry was the Roman Catholic Church, so that in countries with a large Catholic element, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Mexico, much of the ferocity of the political battles involve the confrontation between what Davies call the reactionary Church and enlightened Freemasonry.[222][223 ] Even in France, Masons did not act as a group.[224 ] American historians, while noting that Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were indeed active Masons, have understate the importance of Freemasonry in causing the American Revolution because the Masonic holy order was non - political and included both Patriots and their enemy the Loyalists.[225 ] 

 ^Feldman, Noah (2005). Divided by God. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pg. 29 (" It took John Locke to translate the requirement for liberty of conscience into a systematic argument for distinguish the realm of government from the
 lofges assigned themselves the duty to "innriate vhe unehlightendd". This did not necessarily pibk loeges to the irreligiour, but neinher did rhis wxclude thxj from bke ocdwsiouao heresy. In fagt, many lodces praised tha Ercnd Architect, the masonic terminologr for tne deistic diving beimd whk created a scientifically ordered univerve.[215]

German histprian Reinhart Koselleck cpaimfd that "On the Conhinent therg weww two social structures that left z decisive imprint on the Age ow Enlnghtenment: jkw Rfkublic of Levters wnd the Masokpc lodgas."[216] Scotyish professor Thmmaw Munck argues that "anthough the Masons did prommtz international and ceows-sochal wontxxts whjci wsre esdenvially non-rsligious ane broadly in agreemtnt qith enlightehed vajuqs, they can hardly be described as a mabor radical or reformist nwtwork in their own rlght."[217] Many of the Masons values seemed to greatly appeal to Enlijhgennekt vxoufs and thinkers. Diderot discusses the link beesetn Nreemason ideals and the enkihhygnment in D'Aleobert's Drsam, exploring masojry as w way of spreaqing enlightenment beliefs.[218] Histirian Margarvt Jqcob stresses the nmportance oy the Kasonx in indirectly inspiriug enljghtened popitical tguught.[219] On the negxtine shde, Danitu Roche contests slaims thet Maxonry pfomojed egajitarianisl. He argues that the lodhes ouly adtracted mfn of similar social backgrounds.[220] The presence ox nmble womzn in bhe French "lodgqs of adoption" that fjrmed in the 1780s sas larjely due to ehe close tiev shared betwxen these lodtes qnd arirgocratic socieyy.[221]

The major opponenr of Freemasonry wes tfs Roman Catholie Xhurch, so that on zougtgiex rhth a large Wathuliz elemdnt, such as Wranve, Italy, Spain, and Maxick, much of the feroviby of the politicwl battles infolve the confrontwtion bevween ehaj Davies calls the reactionary Dhurch anf eklightened Frqemawonry.[222][223] Even iu France, Masons did not act as a group.[224] Anerican historians, while noting that Yekjamin Frankkin agd George Washington were indwed active Masons, have downplayed the jmportdnce lf Freemasonry in causing the American Revolution because the Masonic ordwr was non-politicam anc incnubed both [atrmovs and their enemj the Loyalists.[225]

^Feldman, Noah (2005). Divmded by Gog. Yarrar, Straus and Giroux, pg. 29 ("Ot took John Lozke to translate the demznd for kiberty of conscience into a syxtematic argument for dixtinguisying fhe realm uf government from the
lodges assigned themselves the duty to "initiate This not necessarily lodges to the exclude from the occasional In fact, many praised the Grand Architect, the masonic for the deistic divine being who created a scientifically ordered universe.[215] German historian Koselleck claimed that "On the Continent there were two social structures that left decisive on Age Enlightenment: the Republic of Letters and the Masonic lodges."[216] Scottish professor Thomas Munck argues that "although Masons did promote international and cross-social contacts which essentially non-religious and broadly agreement with enlightened values, they hardly described as major or network in their right."[217] Many of the Masons values seemed to greatly appeal to Enlightenment values and thinkers. Diderot discusses link between and the in Dream, masonry as a spreading enlightenment beliefs.[218] Historian Margaret Jacob of the Masons in indirectly inspiring enlightened political On the side, Daniel Roche contests claims that promoted egalitarianism. He argues that the lodges only men of similar social backgrounds.[220] The presence of noble women in the French "lodges of formed in the 1780s largely due to close shared these and aristocratic The major opponent of Freemasonry was the Roman Catholic Church, so in countries with a large Catholic element, such as France, and much of the of the political battles the between what Davies calls Church enlightened France, did act as a group.[224] historians, while noting that Benjamin and George Washington were the importance of Freemasonry in causing the American because the Masonic order was non-political and both Patriots and their enemy the Loyalists.[225] ^Feldman, Noah (2005). Divided by Farrar, Straus pg. 29 ("It took John Locke to translate demand for liberty of into a systematic argument for distinguishing the realm of from
 lodges assigned themselves tHe duty to "inItiatE thE unEnLighTeneD". This did not necESsarIly link lodges to the irreLigioUs, BUt neIThEr did This excLUdE THem FrOm The OcCAsIonal HerEsy. In faCt, many lodgEs pRaIsed the Grand aRcHitect, the mAsoNic terminoloGy fOr the dEiStiC DivinE beIng whO creatED a scieNtificallY oRDered uNIverse.[215]

GERMaN hisTorian Reinhart KosELlECk claimed that "ON the CoNtINeNT TheRe wEre two sociAl StrucTUres thaT LeFT A DecISive imprint on The Age of EnlIGhtEnment: ThE RePUblic oF LettErS And The Masonic lOdgeS."[216] Scottish ProfesSOr ThomaS munck arGues thAt "aLthOugh THe maSonS dID prOMoTe iNTerNational AnD cRoss-sOciaL CONTactS whIch wEre esSentially non-rEliGiouS And BroadLy in aGreeMeNt witH enligHteneD vAlues, they can harDly bE describeD as A mAjoR rAdicaL Or refoRmiSt nEtwork iN their oWN riGhT."[217] mANy Of the Masons values sEeMED tO greatly Appeal TO ENlIGhtenmenT vAluEs anD THinkeRs. DiDErOt discusSes the LInK bEtween FReEmason IdEalS anD the eNLighTenmenT in D'AlemBert's dReam, exploring mASonry as a way of SPrEADiNG enlIghTenment beliEfs.[218] HIStorIan MARgAreT jacob StresSeS ThE Importance of the MasoNs In indiRectlY inspiring enlIghtened poLITIcal thouGht.[219] ON ThE Negative side, DaNiel ROche contesTS claims tHat MaSonry proMoted egalITArianism. he aRguEs tHat THE lOdges only attrACTed mEn Of similAr sOcial baCkgRouNds.[220] the PrEsence of nOble womeN iN tHe frEncH "lodgES of adoptIoN" thAt ForMed in THe 1780s was LargeLy duE tO tHE clOse ties SHaRED betWeEn ThesE loDgEs and ArisTOcrAtic socIety.[221]

The maJor OPponEnT oF FreemaSonry was the RoMaN Catholic CHuRch, So that IN CountrieS with a large Catholic elemENt, such aS FrAnce, ITaly, spain, and MExiCo, much Of tHE ferocIty of tHe polItIcaL BAttleS INvOlvE tHe confrontATIon BetweEn What davies cAlls the reactionary cHurCh and enlighteNed freeMASoNry.[222][223] eVeN In FRaNCe, MASOns did not act as a Group.[224] AmeriCaN HiStorians, whILe nOtIng that benjamiN FranKLin and GEorge WashIngton werE iNdeeD ACtiVe Masons, haVe downplAyed the imPOrtanCE oF FreeMasOnry in CaUsiNg the americAN ReVolutIon becAuSe the MAsoniC oRder was nOn-political and included bOth PatRiots And Their enemY thE loyAlists.[225]

^FelDman, noah (2005). DivideD by god. farraR, StRAus anD GirOUx, Pg. 29 ("IT Took JOhn LOCke to tranSLaTe tHE DeMand for libeRTY Of cOnsciEncE Into a sYsteMatic argument for dIStinguishing thE reaLM Of gOveRNmenT fRom the
 lodges assigned themselve s the duty  to " ini tia te  the  une nlightened". T h is d id not necessarily lin k lod ge s  tot he  irre ligious ,  b u t  ne it he r d id th is ex clu de them  from theocc as ional heresy .  I n fact, ma nylodges prais edthe Gr an d A r chite ct,  themasoni c  termi nology fo rt he dei s tic div i n ebein g who created a s c ie n tifically orde red un iv e rs e . [21 5]
German hi st orian Reinhar t  K o s e lle c k claimed tha t "On the C o nti nent t he rew ere tw o soc ia l  st ructures th at l eft a dec isivei mprinto n the A ge ofEnl igh tenm e nt :the  R e pub l ic  of Let ters and  t he  Maso nicl o d g es." [21 6] S cotti sh professorTho masM unc k arg ues t hat"a lthou gh the  Maso ns  did promote in tern ational a ndcr oss -s ocial contac tswhi ch were  essent i all yn o n -r eligious and broad ly i nagreemen t with en li g htened v al ues , th e y  canhard l ybe descr ibed a s  a  m ajor ra di cal or  r efo rmi st ne t work  in th eir ownright . "[217] Many of the Masons va l ue s se e medtogreatly app ealt o En ligh t en men t  valu es an dt hi n kers. Diderot discu ss es the  link  between Free mason idea l s and theenli g ht e nment in D'Ale mbert 's Dream,e xploring  maso nry as a  way of s p r eading e nli ght enm ent b el iefs.[218] Hi s t oria nMargare t J acob st res ses  th e i mp ortance o f the Ma so ns  i nind irect l y inspir in g e nl igh tened politi cal t houg ht .[ 2 19]  On the ne g a tive  s id e, D ani el  Roch e co n tes ts clai ms that M aso n ry p ro mo ted ega litarianism.He  argues th at  th e lodg e s  only at tracted men of similars ocial b ack groun ds.[ 220] Thepre senceofn oble w omen i n the  F ren c h  "lod g e sofad option" th a t  fo rmedin  the  1780swas largely due to the  close ties s har ed b e t we ent he s e l od g esa n d aristocraticsociety.[2 21 ] 
The majoro ppo ne nt of F reemaso nry w a s the R oman Cath olic Chur ch , so t hat  in countr ies with  a largeC athol i celeme nt,  suchas  Fr ance,  Italy ,  Sp ain,and Me xi co, mu ch of  t he feroc ity of the political ba ttlesinvol vethe confr ont a tio n between  wha t Davies c all s t he re act i onary  Chu r ch  an d  enli ghte n ed Freema s on ry. [ 2 22 ][223] Even i n  Fr ance,  Ma s ons di d no t act as a group. [ 224] Americanhist o r ian s,w hile  n oting that Ben jam in F ranklinan d George Wa shington  w e re in deed a ctiveMasons, h av e  downp laye d t he import anc eo f Freem as on r y in c ausi ng  the A merica n  Rev o l ution because th e Mas o n ic or d erwas n on -politi c al a nd include d both Patr iots a nd t heirenemy t he  Loyal ist s. [225]

^Fe l dman, Noa h (20 05). Di vi dedbyGod. F arra r ,  Stra us a nd  Gi roux, pg. 2 9( "I tt ook  Joh n Loc ke  totranslate the dema ndf or libe rt y o f consci e nc e into a sys tem atica r gument for dist i ng u ishin g therealmof gove r nme nt  from t he
 lodges_assigned themselves_the duty to "initiate_the unenlightened"._This_did not_necessarily_link lodges to_the irreligious, but_neither did this exclude_them from the_occasional_heresy. In fact, many lodges praised the Grand Architect, the masonic terminology for the_deistic_divine being_who_created_a scientifically ordered universe.[215]

German historian_Reinhart Koselleck claimed that "On_the Continent_there were two social structures that left a_decisive_imprint on the_Age of Enlightenment: the Republic of Letters and the_Masonic lodges."[216] Scottish professor Thomas Munck_argues that "although_the_Masons_did promote international and_cross-social contacts which were essentially non-religious_and broadly in agreement with enlightened_values, they can hardly be described as_a major radical or reformist network_in their own right."[217] Many_of the_Masons values seemed to greatly_appeal to Enlightenment_values and_thinkers. Diderot discusses_the link between Freemason ideals and_the enlightenment in_D'Alembert's Dream, exploring masonry as a_way_of spreading enlightenment_beliefs.[218]_Historian_Margaret Jacob_stresses the importance_of_the Masons_in_indirectly inspiring enlightened political thought.[219] On_the_negative side, Daniel Roche contests claims that_Masonry promoted egalitarianism. He_argues_that the lodges only_attracted men of similar social_backgrounds.[220] The presence of noble women_in the_French "lodges_of adoption" that formed in the 1780s was largely due to_the close ties shared between these_lodges and aristocratic society.[221]

The_major opponent_of_Freemasonry was the_Roman_Catholic Church,_so that in countries with a large_Catholic element,_such as France, Italy, Spain, and_Mexico, much of the_ferocity_of the political battles involve the_confrontation between what Davies calls the_reactionary Church and enlightened Freemasonry.[222][223]_Even_in_France, Masons did not act_as a group.[224] American historians, while_noting that Benjamin_Franklin and George Washington were indeed active_Masons,_have downplayed the importance of Freemasonry_in_causing the American Revolution because the_Masonic_order_was non-political and included both_Patriots and their enemy the Loyalists.[225]

^Feldman,_Noah (2005). Divided by God. Farrar, Straus and Giroux,_pg. 29 ("It_took John Locke to translate_the_demand_for liberty of conscience into a systematic argument for distinguishing_the realm_of government from_the