Dans l'examen rituel du grade d'Apprenti, la franc-maçonnerie est décrite comme un système particulier de morale, voilé par l'allégorie et illustré par des symboles, selon un article sur le site de la Grande Loge d'Inde. Il s'agit d'un système fondé sur la croyance en un Être Suprême, dont le but essentiel est le perfectionnement du caractère de l'individu.
La Grande Loge Unie d'Angleterre indique pour sa part que la franc-maçonnerie est l'une des plus anciennes organisations sociales et caritatives au monde. Enracinée dans les traditions des maçons opératifs du Moyen Âge qui construisaient les cathédrales et les châteaux, elle s'articule autour de quatre valeurs fondamentales : l'intégrité, l'amitié, le respect et le service.
Sur le plan de l'histoire et des mythes fondateurs, les chercheurs ont souligné les similitudes et les échanges de traditions ou de légendes de bâtisseurs entre la franc-maçonnerie et d'autres sociétés de métiers, comme le compagnonnage 1.
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