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Template:Totallydisputed Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "Avowed opposition to Freemasonry". However, there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement. Anti-Masonry consists of radically differing criticisms from sometimes incompatible groups who are hostile to Freemasonry in some form.

Political Anti-Masonry

American Political Anti-Masonry (1830s-1850s)

In 1826, William Morgan disappeared after exposing Freemasonry's "secrets", causing some{fact} to claim that he had been murdered by Masons.{fact} Morgan's disappearance caused a series of protests against Freemasonry.{fact} Under the leadership of anti-Masonic Thurlow Weed, an Ant-Jacksonist movement became (since Jackson was a Mason) the Anti-Masonic Party. This Party ran presidential candidates in 1828 and 1832, but by 1835 the party had disbanded everywhere except Pennsylvania.

British Political Anti-Masonry (1990s-current)

Since 1997, several members of the British Government have attempted to pass laws requiring Freemasons who join the police or judiciary. to declare their membership publicly to the government amid accusations of Freemasons performing acts of mutual advancement and favor-swapping. This movement was initially lead by Jack Straw, Home Secretary from 1997 until 2001. In 1999, the Welsh Assembly became the only body in the United Kingdom to place a legal requirement on membership declaration for Freemasons. Currently, existing members of the police and judiciary in England are asked to voluntarily admit to being Freemasons. However, all first time successful judiciary candidates "must declare their freemasonry status" before appointment. Conversely, new members of the police are not required to declare their status.

In 2004, Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, said that he blocked Gerard Elias' appointment to counsel general because of links to hunting and freemasonry, although it was claimed by non-Labour politicians that the real reason was in order to have a Labour supporter, Malcolm Bishop, in the role.

Iraqi Baathist Anti-Masonry

In 1980, the Iraqi legal and penal code was changed by Saddam Hussein and the ruling Ba'ath Party, thereby making it a felony to "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including freemasonry, or who associate with Zionist organizations."

Freemasonry and Patriotism

Freemasonry is often alleged to hold back its members from fully committing to their nation. Critics claim that compared to Operative Masonry's clear denunciations of treachery Masonry after 1723 (Speculative masonry) was far more ambiguous. It is alleged in the Catholic Encyclopedia that Masonic disapproval of treachery is not on moral grounds but on the grounds of inconvenience to other Masons. The Catholic Encyclopedia argues that the adage "Loyalty to freedom overrides all other considerations" justifies treason.

American Freemasons are consistent advocates of the US Constitution in separation of church and state, which was seen especially by the Catholic church as a veiled attack on the Church's place in public life.

Modern conspiracy theories

Due to its secretive nature Freemasonry has long been a target of conspiracy theories and either bent on world domination or already secretly in control of world politics.

Historically, complaints have been made that the Masons have secretly plotted to create a society based on the revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity, separation of church and state and (in Nazi Germany) a Jewish plot for Religious tolerance. However, in post-Enlightenment societies, many people have by now accepted these core Masonic values as a set of overall social values bereft of any Masonic connection.

Claims that Freemasonry is a Zionist conspiracy

Some Anti-Masons have been known to claim that Freemasonry is a Jewish front for world domination, or is at least controlled by Jews for this goal. An example of this is the notorious (and fraudulent) The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Hitler outlawed Freemasonry partially for this reason The covenant of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas claims that Freemasonry is a "secret society" founded as part of a Zionist plot to control the world.

Other conspiracy theories

• Freemasonry is the Illuminati or New World Order, and secretly controls all aspects of society and government. This concept was satirized in a Simpsons episode, "Homer the Great", featuring an order called the Stonecutters who 'keep the martians under wraps and keep Atlantis off the maps..
• The United States was founded by Freemasons who have interwoven Masonic symbols into American society, particularly in national seals, streets in Washington DC, architecture, and the Dollar Bill.
• Modern day politicians are or were once Freemasons, particularly George W. Bush.
• Various figures in popular culture are Freemasons, including movie producers such as James Cameron.
• Jack the Ripper was a Freemason whose murders resembled Masonic initiation rituals. This is the subject of Alan Moore's graphic novel From Hell, who references various works by other authors with similar claims.
• The September 11 attacks were astrological in nature, as part of a hidden Masonic war against Islam.
• The JFK assassination was involved with Freemasonry. Some conspiracy theorists say that Freemasons had JFK killed, others that he was killed for being a Mason (he wasn't).
• The Denver airport contains a Freemason symbol and keypad, of unknown purpose.
• Freemasonry is responsible for crop circles.
• Freemasons intertwine various symbols and numerology into modern culture, such as corporate logos.
• Most Freemasons are unaware of hidden or secretive ruling bodies that govern their organization, conduct occult ritual, or control various positions of power. This is an example of a secret society within a secret society.
• The KKK, Skull and Bones, and other organizationsCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Social Anti-Masonry

Allegations of cronyism

Another criticism is that Freemasons practice cronyism, granting favors to fellow members. For example, many people have the impression that one increases chances for employment or improves one's business by joining the Masons. This allegation, however, is not particular to Masonry; it has been applied to many types of organizations or secret society.

Criticisms based on the moral faults of known Masons

Masonry, like any institution with moral overtones , has been criticized for the moral faults of some of their members. Though Masons are generally more hospitable to other Masons, this does not mean that they are above helping unrelated individuals. Some critics also argue that the Freemasons are primarily a social club. Masons respond to these criticisms by pointing out that there are many programs and initiatives sponsored by lodges that do give back to the community at large.

Religious Anti-Masonry

Christian Anti-Masonry

Christianity and Freemasonry have had a mixed relationship, with various Christian denominations banning or discouraging members from being Freemasons. Freemasonry has at times and in certain places been heavily Christianised, while in other times and places been thoroughly anti-clerical.

Catholic criticism of Freemasonry

The Roman Catholic Church has often been seen to be in conflict with Freemasonry, a fraternity it sees as tending to anticlericalism. The Church forbids Catholics from becoming Freemasons while Freemasonry allows Roman Catholics to become members.

Notes and references

1. Oxford English Dictionary (1979 ed., p. 369).
2. ^ "New judges must declare masonic membership", BBC, March 5, 1998, retrieved Feb 26, 2006
3. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1699189.stm "Freemason policy review due "], BBC, Dec 8, 2001, retrieved Feb 26, 2006
4. ^ "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Jul 2005 (pt 69) ", UK House of Commons, July 21, 2005, retrieved Feb 27, 2006
5. "Morgan criticised over job blocking", BBC, March 22, 2004, retrieved Feb 26, 2006
6. "Mr Morgan wanted another QC, Malcolm Bishop, who has stood as a Labour candidate and is a close associate of former Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine." Morgan 'blocked' QC appointment
7. "Saddam to be formally charged", The Washington Times, 2004, retrieved March 1, 2006
8. "Another characteristic of Masonic law is that "treason" and "rebellion" against civil authority are declared only political crimes, which affect the good standing of a Brother no more than heresy, and furnish no ground for a Masonic trial." Masonry (Freemasonry) from the Catholic Encyclopedia, partially quoting Mackey, "Jurisprudence", 509.
9. "2nd -- You shall be true liegemen to the King of England without any treason or falsehood, and if you know of any that you amend it privily, if you may, or else warn the King and his Council of it by declaring it to his officers."
10. II. Of the CIVIL MAGISTRATES supreme and subordinate "A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots and Conspiracies against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as Masonry hath been always injured by War, Bloodshed, and Confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much dispos'd to encourage the Craftsmen, because of their Peaceableness and Loyalty, whereby they practically answer'd the Cavils of their Adversaries, and promoted the Honour of the Fraternity, who ever flourish'd in Times of Peace. So that if a Brother should be a Rebel against the State he is not to be countenanc'd in his Rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no other Crime though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible."
11. "The brotherhood ought to disown the rebellion, but only in order to preserve the fraternity from annoyance by the civil authorities." from the article Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
12. "Such language would equally suit every anarchistic movement." Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
13. "If we were to assert that under no circumstances had a Mason been found willing to take arms against a bad government, we should only be declaring that, in trying moments, when duty, in the masonic sense, to state means antagonism to the Government, they had failed in the highest and most sacred duty of a citizen. Rebellion in some cases is a sacred duty, and none, but a bigot or a fool, will say, that our countrymen were in the wrong, when they took arms against King James II. Loyalty to freedom in a case of this kind overrides all other considerations, and when to rebel means to be free or to perish, it would be idle to urge that a man must remember obligations which were never intended to rob him of his status of a human being and a citizen. ", "Freemason's Chronicle" 1875, I, 81, quoted as footnote in Masonry (Freemasonry) in the Catholic Encyclopedia
14. "Freemasonry Does Not Support any particular political position. It has long stood for separation of Church and State, and has been a champion of Free Public Education." From a speech given by Bill Jones Grand Master of Arkansas, 1996
15. Pope Leo XIII ETSI NOS (On Conditions in Italy)
16. Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler, Volume One - A Reckoning Chapter XI: Nation and Race , 1924, Translated 1943, 'Mein Kampf' - "Finally, the Jewish influence on economic affairs grows with terrifying speed through the stock exchange. He becomes the owner, or at least the controller, of the national labor force. To strengthen his political position he tries to tear down the racial and civil barriers which for a time continue to restrain him at every step. To this end he fights with all the tenacity innate in him for religious tolerance-and in Freemasonry, which has succumbed to him completely, he has an excellent instrument with which to fight for his aims and put them across. The governing circles and the higher strata of the political and economic bourgeoisie are brought into his nets by the strings of Freemasonry, and never need to suspect what is happening."
17. Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler, Volume Two - The National Socialist Movement Chapter XIII: German Alliance Policy after the War, 1924, Translated 1943, 'Mein Kampf' - "The fight which Fascist Italy waged against Jewry's three principal weapons, the profound reasons for which may not have been consciously understood (though I do not believe this myself) furnishes the best proof that the poison fangs of that Power which transcends all State boundaries are being drawn, even though in an indirect way. The prohibition of Freemasonry and secret societies, the suppression of the supernational Press and the definite abolition of Marxism, together with the steadily increasing consolidation of the Fascist concept of the State – all this will enable the Italian Government, in the course of some years, to advance more and more the interests of the Italian people without paying any attention to the hissing of the Jewish world-hydra. "
18. 'The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS)-Palestine', articles seventeen, twentytwo and twentyeight, 18 Aug 1988. Retrieved 29 October 2005
19. Freedomdomain.com
20. watch pair.com
21. Masonic Symbols in Washington
22. The Seal
23. Secret Society Index
24. endtimedeception
25. James Cameron Conspiracy
26. The James Cameron Conspiracy Theory
27. enterprisemission.com/tower2
28. JFK
29. Google Search for Denver Airport Conspiracy
30. Crop Circlesneed quotation to verify]
31. Corporate Logos
32. Freemasonry -Conspiracy Within
33. Freedomdomain.com
34. Trosch - Masonry exposed
35. Masonry (Freemasonry) Catholic Encyclopedia
36. This alluded to in the movie Gypsy.
37. Examples include blood drives, child identification programs, and other charitable funds. Neither the Shriners Hospitals for Children nor the Scottish Rite Learning Centers are restricted to Masons, and they provide their services free of charge to those who need them. Also, though their numbers a dwindling, there are Masonic Children's Homes throughout the United States. For instance, the Grand Lodge of Georgia directly supports the Masonic Children's Home of Georgia, which offers its services to children free of charge.
38. "The Church had placed itself in opposition to the Craft. The manner in which it was done fostered a virulent anticlericalism within Italian and French Masonry." The Miter and The Trowel by William Madison, Albert Pike (Masonic) Lodge #1169

See also

• Anti-Masonic Party
• Taxil hoax
• Catholicism and Freemasonry
• Anti-clericalism
• Propaganda Due - The P2 Masonic Lodge Scandal
• Secret society
• Mormonism and Freemasonry

External links

• A Ritual Gone Fatally Wrong Puts Light on Masonic Secrecy (Article from New York Times, requires registration - about masons, but not about a masonic ritual)

Critical of Freemasonry

• Freemasonry Watch An Anti-Masonic site
• Conspiracy Archive Masons and the Occult article.

Uncritical of Freemasonry

• Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? a look at how anti-Masonic argument functions. While it is a book written by Masons, their research is cited.
• masonicinfo.com
• Anti-masonry Frequently Asked Questions
• Google Directory Freemasonry

• Freemasonry