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Freemasonry and anticlericalism

Note: This article is about important people and historic movements only.

Historically, Freemasonry has been identified with 19th-century bourgeois liberalism, and some Freemasons have regarded traditional Christianity as allied to reactionary powers defending the status quo against the advance of human freedom. Masonic Lodges of this period were often associated with anticlericalism, and were part of a broader movement, as is pointed out by Ralph Gibson: "The republican enemies of the Church did not simply attack it on the grounds of its political alignment, but also in terms of more positive ideologies: to the old traditions of the Enlightenment were added first positivism, and then scientism. Science was supposed to be the key to the understanding of the universe, and even to enable men to grasp its essential meaning. Social science was believed to be able to provide the basis for an ethical system. This new faith was ardently preached under the Third Republic in Masonic lodges and circles of libre pensée, in learned journals, and in educated republican society in general" (A Social History of French Catholicism, 1789-1914 , pp.237-38).

Controversies over the historical involvements of Freemasonry and anticlericalism reach a peak in attempting to understand the role of Freemasonry in the history of anticlericalism in Portugal, Italy, and Mexico. Freemasons were prominent in the foundation of the modern Mexican state and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the writing of its anticlerical constitution. Under the regime of Plutarco Elías Calles, the enforcement of anticlerical laws provoked the Cristero War. These animosities persist. As recently as 2004, Norberto Cardinal Rivera of Mexico at a conference in Mexico City denounced the influence of Freemasonry.

Criticism, persecution, and prosecution

Because of the sometimes secret nature of its rituals and activities, Freemasonry has long been suspected by both church and state of engaging in subversive activities. In 1826, William Morgan disappeared after threatening to expose Freemasonry's secrets, causing some to claim that he had been murdered by Masons.

Political conspiracy theories involving the Masons

Freemasonry has been a long-time target of conspiracy theories, which see it as an occult and evil power, often associated with the New World Order and other "agents," such as the Illuminati and Jews — either bent on world domination, or already secretly in control of world politics.

The historical complaints that the Masons have secretly plotted to create a society based on their ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity, and religious tolerance are not denied by Masons. In a post-Enlightenment society, many people have now accepted these core Masonic values (though as a set of overall social values), and persistent enemies of the Masons have been forced to come up with ever more sinister motives as to what Freemasons allegedly conspire to achieve.

Criticisms of alleged Masonic cronyism

Another criticism that may or may not have to do with the specific nature of Freemasonry, but may be applied generally to any type of organization or secret society, is the practice of cronyism, or giving favors to fellow members. For example, many people have the impression that one increases chances for employment by joining the Masons. This type of cronyism can be seen in the movie Gypsy, where the general idea is alluded to. Some Masons have been known to claim they can get out of driving tickets because of Masonic logos on their car. Again, this criticism can be easily applied to almost any fraternity, but the Masons are a target because they are the largest worldwide fraternal organization.

Criticisms based on the moral faults of known Masons

Although any institution with moral overtones, religious or secular, can be criticized for the moral faults of some of their members, Freemasonry is especially vulnerable to criticism because amongst its aims is the drive to improve its members' morality above and beyond whatever religion the individual member believes in.

A general fault ascribed to the Masons is that a Freemason would be charitable mainly to other Masons, an assumption which is made worse by the accusations of classism and racism sometimes leveled against Masonic Lodges. The phrase "charity begins at home" goes some way towards justifying this natural proclivity.

Critics also attack what they perceive as a preoccupation with ritual minutiae and personal status within the hierarchy of the organization. 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; e.g. 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.

Allegations that Freemasonry is a new religion

In a sectarian age many hold that Freemasonry is a new religion. Externally, to some at least, it has many similarities to a religion:

• it has an altar and a sacred book (VSL-The Volume of the Sacred Law, in most cases the Holy Bible)
• it has its own way of saying "amen" ("So mote it be," a literal translation of "Amen")
• it has far more developed rituals than many organized religions
• some groups of Masons (especially the Scottish Rite) call their meeting places "temples", (a lodge is a group of Freemasons operating under a charter or dispensation. The place where they meet is often called a temple, but usually, several lodges use the same temple.)
• it has a large amount of iconography and symbolism.

Many Masons argue in response that the ritual observances of Masons should be seen in the same context as rituals maintained in the military services, in government, and civil authorities; they impress no religious obligation whatsoever on the participants. The symbolism that Masonry uses is not indicative of any one religion, but more of universal symbols. In another sense, it has been argued that any organized system of morality (which the Masons claim to be) is a religion; the Green Party might thus qualify as such.

Claims that Freemasonry worships Satan

While the practice of any given magical or mystical system is not specifically associated with Freemasonry, (mainstream Masonry has always tended as much to rationalism as it does to mysticism). There are some groups of Masons, such as Masonic Rosicrucians, that may interpret Masonic ritual magically (or "hermetically"), which is their right as Masons, given the fraternity's non-dogmatic stance, but is by no means indicative of the fratermity as a whole.

However, the very existence of the possibility of hermetic interpretations within Masonry has led some Christians to label Freemasonry as Satanic. This charge is commonly made about any hermetic society that has ritualistic practices reserved for the initated and also against any beliefs other than the religion of the person making the accusation.

Many Anti-Masonic activists quote Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma to try to show that Masons worship Lucifer.

Another Satanic quote attributed to Pike reads:

That which we must say to the world is that we worship a god, but it is the god that one adores without superstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees: The masonic Religion should be, by all of us initiates of the higher degrees, maintained in the Purity of the Luciferian doctrine. If Lucifer were not God, would Adonay and his priests calumniate him?

Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also god. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two gods; darkness being necessary for light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.

Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy, and the true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil.

This quote, however, is a part of the Taxil hoax. Critics counter that the basic thrust of what Pike is claimed to have written here seems to differ little in general substance to what is found in other Pike writings about 'Luciferianism' and the occult. (Freemasonry does not contest the authenticity of these other writings, just the theological meaning.) The quotation was fraudulently published as an excerpt of a letter by Pike, the "Sovereign Pontiff of Universal Freemasonry", when in reality, Pike was Grand Commander of only the Southern Jurisdiction of the American Scottish Rite.

Criticism of alleged Masonic blood oaths

The traditional Masonic obligations sworn by a candidate during the initiation ritual are sometimes called blood oaths, particularly by those critical of the fraternity. The candidate wishes severe physical punishment upon himself should he ever reveal the secrets of Freemasonry to a non-Mason. While many non-Masons are horrified by this, Masons defend the traditional obligations as no more literal than the commonplace childhood blood oaths, like "cross my heart and hope to die" — a very psychologically powerful way to express a serious bond or promise. By the early 1980s, however, the oaths had become quite problematic from a public relations standpoint, and many Masonic jurisdictions replaced them with more politically correct bloodless oaths. The only real penalties awaiting someone who behaves contrary to the rules of the fraternity are reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.

Criticisms of the process of becoming a Freemason

It is commonly held that individuals become Freemasons through invitation, patrimony, or other non-democratic means, but officially an individual must ask freely and without persuasion to become a Freemason in order to join the fraternity. This arrangement is said by some to conflict with the Freemasons' mission to "make good men better", on the basis that a hidden society cannot promote itself publicly. If the society is secret, it is argued, how is a good man supposed to be attracted to it?

Many of these myths have taken hold in the imagination of conspiracy buffs partly because Masons have only in recent years attempted to make their organization more open to public view.

Anti-Freemasonry advocates:

Italy In 1736 a Masonic lodge in Florence, Italy was investigated by the Roman Catholic Church. On June 25, 1737, the lodge was condemned by the Chief Inquisitor in Rome. On May 9, 1739, Tommaso Crudeli, a physician of the city, was taken into custody and questioned about his Masonic affiliation. The questioning started on August 10, 1739, and he was tortured as they demanded from him the "secrets" of Freemasonry. He was imprisoned and not released until April, 1741. His health was ruined as a result of the experience. He died on January 27, 1745.

• From 'The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction' by Alphonse Cerza, published by the Masonic Service Association in September, 1967.

relations between Freemasonry and Italy improved in 1985

Portugal One of the oldest stories of persecution of Masons involves John Coustos, a native of Switzerland, who was taken to England by his father. He went to Portugal on business and was arrested by the Inquisition on the charge of being a Freemason. He was tortured and questioned over a period of time and then sentenced to the galleys. In 1744, he was released as a result of the intercession of George II of England. Coustos wrote a book giving all the details of his experience at the hands of the Inquisition.* From 'The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction' by Alphonse Cerza, published by the Masonic Service Association in September, 1967.

Hitler etc.

Stalin

Hungary's Béla Kun proclaimed in 1919 the dictatorship of the proletariat in Hungary. One of his first decrees ordered the dissolution of all Masonic lodges.

Spain's Dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera ordered the abolition of Freemasonry in the country.

Benito Mussolini decreed in 1924 that every member of his Fascist Party who was a Mason must abandon one or the other organization. In 1925 he dissolved Freemasonry in Italy.

Hermann Goering as Prime Minister of Prussia (after the Nazis took over) wrote in 1933 that "..in National Socialist Germany, there is no place for Freemasonry." The edict that this eventually became affected all of the countries that were under Nazi control.

Dr. Joseph Goebbels, as Reichsminister for propaganda and national enlightenment under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, inaugurated an "Anti-Masonic Exposition" in 1937 to display the booty seized by the Gestapo.

Dr. Alfred Rosenberg, also a Nazi, wrote openly and virulently against Freemasonry. He was convicted of war crimes by the trial at Nürnberg and executed in 1946.

General Francisco Franco sentenced all Freemasons in his country automatically to ten years in prison. By the 1950s, even elements of the Catholic Church were opposing his totalitarian rule.

In 1815, Francisco J.Mier y Campillo, the Inquisitor-General of Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, suppressed Freemasonry and denounced the lodges as "societies which lead to sedition, to independence, and to all errors and crimes." He then instituted a witch hunt during which Spaniards were arrested and imprisoned in the dungeons of the Inquisition on the charge of being "suspected of Freemasonry".

State of New York ? - 1850

State of Vermont - 1850

State of Massachusetts - 1850

• Freemasonry