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Anti-Masonry (alternatively called Anti-Freemasonry) is defined as "Avowed opposition to Freemasonry".^[1] 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.

Contents 1 Origin 2 Political Anti-Masonry 2.1 American Political Anti-Masonry (1830s-1850s) 2.2 British Political Anti-Masonry (1990s-current) 2.3 Persecution and Holocaust under Totalitarian Regimes 2.4 Iraqi Baathist Anti-Masonry 2.5 Freemasonry and Patriotism 3 Modern conspiracy theories 4 Religious Anti-Masonry 4.1 Christian anti-Masonry 4.2 Muslim anti-Masonry 5 Notes and references 6 See also 7 External links 7.1 Critical of Freemasonry 7.2 Supportive of Freemasonry

Matthias Pöhlmann of the Protestant Centre for Religious and Ideological Issues of the Evangelical Church in Germany refers^[2] to the political scientist prof. Dr. Armin Pfahl-Traughber^[3] for the claim that the first Anti-Masonic conspiracy myth was created in Germany.^[4] According to Pöhlmann, an anonymous book titled Enthüllungen des Systems der Weltbürger-Politik (“Disclosure of the System of Cosmopolitan Politics”) was published in 1786. Its author was an employee of the Weimar city government, Ernst August von Göchhausen (1740–1824)^[3]. He described an alleged cosmopolitan conspiracy of Freemasons, Illuminati and Jesuits and predicts unavoidable world revolutions^[2]. This was three years before the French Revolution, which seemed to confirm his prophecies, and the alleged Anti-Masonic conspiracy became a powerful weapon of propaganda^[2]. Freemasons were accused to be the driving force behind the destruction of the existing social system and the alliance between Throne and Church^[2][5]. Supporters of the Anti-Masonic conspiracy theories were especially Christian counterrevolutionaries^[2][5] who saw Freemasons behind every force against the social system.^[2][5] Their main goal in the defamation campaign against Freemasonry was the expansion of Liberalism and Socialism, religious tolerance and the enlightening rationalism.^[2] Until the 19th century this viewpoint dominated Anti-Masonic publications.

Main articles: William Morgan (anti-Mason) and Anti-Masonic Party

In 1826, William Morgan disappeared from the small town of Batavia, New York, after threatening to expose Freemasonry's "secrets" by publishing its rituals. His disappearance caused some Anti-masons to claim that he had been kidnapped, and murdered, by Masons. Morgan's disappearance sparked a series of protests against Freemasonry, which eventually spread to the political realm. Under the leadership of anti-Masonic Thurlow Weed, an Anti-Jacksonist movement became (since Jackson was a Mason) the Anti-Masonic Party. This political Party ran presidential candidates in 1828 and 1832, but by 1835 the party had disbanded everywhere except Pennsylvania.

Since 1997, several members of the British Government have attempted to pass laws requiring Freemasons who join the police or judiciary^[6] to declare their membership publicly to the government amid accusations of Freemasons performing acts of mutual advancement and favor-swapping. This movement was initially led by Jack Straw, Home Secretary from 1997 until 2001.^[6] In 1999, the Welsh Assembly became the only body in the United Kingdom to place a legal requirement on membership declaration for Freemasons.^[7] Currently, existing members of the police and judiciary in England are asked to voluntarily admit to being Freemasons.^[8] However, all first time successful judiciary candidates "must declare their freemasonry status" before appointment.^[8] Conversely, new members of the police are not required to declare their status.^[8]

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^[9], 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.^[10]

Main article: Freemasonry under Totalitarian Regimes

See also: Freemasonry and Holocaust

In the twentieth century totalitarian regimes, both Fascist and Communist, have treated Freemasonry as a potential source of opposition. Masonic writers state that the language used by the totalitarian regimes is similar to that used by some modern critics of Freemasonry.^[11]

Consistently considered an ideological foe of Nazism in their world perception (Weltauffassung), Freemasonic Concentration Camp inmates were graded as “Political” prisoners, and wore an inverted (point down) red triangle. ^[12]

The number of Freemasons from Nazi occupied countries who were killed is not accurately known, but it is estimated that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons perished under the Nazi regime. ^[13] The Government of the United Kingdom established Holocaust Memorial Day ^[14] to recognise all groups who were targets of the Nazi regime, and counter Holocaust denial. Freemasons are listed as being among those who were targeted.

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 [themselves] with Zionist organizations."^[15]

Freemasonry is often alleged to hold back its members from fully committing to their nation^[16]. Critics claim that compared to Operative Masonry's clear denunciations of treachery^[17] Masonry after 1723 (Speculative masonry) was far more ambiguous^[18]. 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.^[19] The Catholic Encyclopedia argues^[20] that the adage "Loyalty to freedom overrides all other considerations" ^[21] justifies treason.

American Freemasons are consistent advocates of the US Constitution in separation of church and state^[22], which was seen especially by the Catholic church as a veiled attack on the Church's place in public life.^[23]

Main article: Masonic conspiracy theories

Due to its secretive nature Freemasonry has long been a target of conspiracy theories in which it is 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.^[24] Similarly, some Anti-Masons have claimed 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 literary forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Hitler outlawed Freemasonry partially for this reason.^[25] 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.^[26]

There are also many other religious and political conspiracy theories, most regarding the United States government, from claiming all the Presidents as Masons^[27], and also that Masons were involved in the JFK assassination^[28]), or that there are Masonic symbols in federal buildings and architecture.

Main article: Christianity and Freemasonry

Main article: Catholicism and Freemasonry

A number of Protestant and Eastern Orthodox denominations discourage their congregants from joining Masonic lodges, although this differs in intensity according to the denomination. Some simply express mild concern as to whether Freemasonry is compatible with Christianity while, at the other extreme, some accuse the fraternity of outright devil worship.

The Roman Catholic Church has often been seen to be in conflict with Freemasonry, which it sees as tending to anticlericalism and deism. The Church forbids Catholics from becoming Freemasons - until 1983 the penalty for joining was excommunication^[29].

In 1983, the Code of Canon Law was changed, and explicit reference to Freemasonry omitted. It reads: (Can. 1374) "a person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association is to be punished with an interdict" (a penalty barring an offender from the Sacraments).

This change caused some confusion among both Catholics and Freemasons. Did it mean that membership was now allowed, so long as the Masonic Lodge did not plot against the Church? The matter was quickly clarified in a declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Quaesitum est (1983)^[30], which restated the traditional ban on Freemasonry. It reiterated that Catholic masons may not receive Holy Communion.

Further information: Holocaust denial in the Muslim world, Iraqi Baathist Anti-Masonry and The Covenant of Hamas

Islamic anti-Masonry is closely tied with Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism, though other criticisms are made.^{[citation needed]}

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

• Conspiracy Archive Masons and the Occult article.
• The Jewels of Freemasonry - Unzipped - an exposition of secret Masonic symbolism.
• An explanation of why Christians should lead people away from the Masonic Lodge
• An Islamic view about Freemasonry , and ruling on joining the Masons.

• Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? a look at how anti-Masonic argument functions. Written by freemasons, their research is cited.
• masonicinfo.com
• Anti-masonry Frequently Asked Questions
• Anti-Masonry in the contemporary world Integralisms, Business and Media. A Report on the fighters of Freemasons' ideal of Liberty