Editing Freemasonry (section)

==Anti-Masonry==
{{Main|Anti-Masonry}}
[[File:Templo masónico histórico, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España, 2012-12-15, DD 03.jpg|thumb|[[Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife]], one of the few Masonic temples that survived the [[Franco dictatorship]] in Spain]]
''Anti-Masonry'' (alternatively called ''Anti-Freemasonry'') has been defined as "opposition to Freemasonry",<ref>"Anti-Masonry" – ''Oxford English Dictionary (Compact Edition)'', Oxford University Press, 1979, p. 369</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webster-dictionary.net/d.aspx?w=Antimasonry |title= Definition of Antimasonry |publisher=Webster Dictionary |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928031636/http://www.webster-dictionary.net/d.aspx?w=Antimasonry |archive-date= Sep 28, 2011 }}</ref> but there is no homogeneous anti-Masonic movement. Anti-Masonry consists of widely differing criticisms from diverse (and often incompatible) groups who are hostile to Freemasonry in some form. Critics have included religious groups, political groups, and [[conspiracy theorists]], in particular, those espousing [[Masonic conspiracy theories]] or the [[Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory]]. Certain prominent Anti-Masons, such as [[Nesta Helen Webster]], exclusively criticized "Continental Masonry", while considering "Regular Masonry" to be an honourable association.<ref>{{Cite book
| first1 = S. Craig 
| last1 = Heimbichner 
| first2 = Adam 
| last2 = Parfrey
| title = Ritual America: Secret Brotherhoods and Their Influence on American Society: A Visual Guide
| publisher = Feral House
| year = 2012
| pages = 187
| isbn = 978-1936239153
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVRjCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA187
}}</ref>

There have been many disclosures and exposés dating as far back as the 18th century. These often lack context,<ref>{{Cite book
| first = S. Brent
| last = Morris
| title = The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry
| location = New York
| publisher = Alpha Books
| year = 2006
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00morr/page/85 85 (also discussed in chapters 13 and 16)]
| isbn = 978-1-59257-490-2
| oclc = 68042376
| url = https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu00morr/page/85
}}</ref> may be outdated for various reasons,<ref name="changes">{{Cite book
| first = John J.
| last = Robinson
| title = A Pilgrim's Path
| publisher = M. Evans
| location = New York
| year = 1993
| page = [https://archive.org/details/pilgrimspathfree00robi/page/129 129]
| isbn = 978-0-87131-732-2
| oclc = 27381296
| url = https://archive.org/details/pilgrimspathfree00robi/page/129
}}</ref> or could be outright [[hoax]]es on the part of the author, as in the case of the [[Taxil hoax]].<ref>{{cite web
| first = Arturo
| last = de Hoyos
| date = 18 August 2002
| author2 = S. Brent Morris
| url = http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/taxilhoax.html
| title = Leo Taxil Hoax&nbsp;–Bibliography
| publisher = Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon
| access-date = 7 July 2007
| archive-date = 6 August 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110806060506/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/taxilhoax.html
| url-status = live
}} Lists many books which perpetuate Masonic ritual hoaxes.</ref>
[[File:Freemasonry Exposed - Page 79 - Describing ritual of violence to candidate.jpg|thumb|Freemasonry Exposed - page 79 - an example of a 19th century exposé that, when taken out of context, is criticized by anti-Masons as describing violence towards a candidate]]
These hoaxes and exposés have often become the basis for criticism of Masonry, often religious or political in nature or are based on suspicion of corrupt conspiracy of some form. The political opposition that arose after the American "[[William Morgan (anti-Mason)#Disappearance|Morgan Affair]]" in 1826 gave rise to the term ''Anti-Masonry'', which is still in use in America today, both by Masons in referring to their critics and as a self-descriptor by the critics themselves.<ref>[http://dictionary.infoplease.com/anti-mason "Anti-mason"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416200726/http://dictionary.infoplease.com/anti-mason |date=16 April 2009 }} ''infoplease.com'' retrieved 9 January 2014</ref>

===Religious opposition===
Freemasonry has attracted criticism from [[theocracy|theocratic]] states and organised religions that believe it is in competition with religion or perceive the fraternity's views or practices as [[heterodox]]; it has also long been the target of [[Masonic conspiracy theories|conspiracy theories]] that assert Freemasonry to be an [[occult]] and evil power.<ref>Morris, S. Brent; ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry,'' Alpha books, 2006, p. 204.</ref>

====Christianity and Freemasonry====
{{Main|Christian attitudes towards Freemasonry}}

Although members of various faiths cite objections, certain Christian [[religious denomination|denominations]] have had high-profile negative attitudes to Masonry, banning or discouraging their members from being Freemasons. The denomination with the longest history of objection to Freemasonry is the [[Catholic Church]]. The objections raised by the Catholic Church are based on the allegation that Masonry teaches a naturalistic [[deistic]] religion which is in conflict with Church [[doctrine]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5285 | title = Letter of 19 April 1985 to U.S. Bishops Concerning Masonry | last = Cardinal Law | first = Bernard | author-link = Bernard Francis Law | access-date = 9 July 2007 | date = 19 April 1985 | work = CatholicCulture.org | archive-date = 16 July 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150716012933/http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5285 | url-status = live }}</ref> More than 600 Papal pronouncements have been issued against Freemasonry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ansa.it/oltretevere/notizie/2023/06/26/da-clemente-xii-a-ratzinger-i-papi-contro-la-massoneria_8f26e8e6-17c6-4e6a-b0ab-8ae0e21d039a.html|title=From Clement XII to Ratzinger, the Popes and Freemasonry|author=Emanuela Tulli|language=it|author2=Angela Pellicciari|author2-link=:it:Angela Pellicciari|publisher=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|ANSA]]|date=26 June 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231209224543/https://www.ansa.it/oltretevere/notizie/2023/06/26/da-clemente-xii-a-ratzinger-i-papi-contro-la-massoneria_8f26e8e6-17c6-4e6a-b0ab-8ae0e21d039a.html|archive-date=9 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The first was [[Pope Clement XII]]'s ''[[In eminenti apostolatus]],'' 28 April 1738; the most recent was [[Pope Francis]] in a letter by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith 13 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-catholics-still-forbidden-masonic-lodge.html| title = Vatican confirms Catholics still forbidden to join Masonic lodges| date = 15 November 2023| access-date = 16 November 2023| archive-date = 16 November 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231116012447/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-catholics-still-forbidden-masonic-lodge.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

The ''[[1917 Code of Canon Law]]'' explicitly declared that joining Freemasonry entailed automatic [[excommunication]] and banned books favouring Freemasonry.<ref name="canon2335">Canon 2335, 1917 Code of Canon Law from {{cite web | url = http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/canon.html | title = Canon Law regarding Freemasonry, 1917–1983 | publisher = Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon | access-date = 11 May 2007 | archive-date = 5 January 2002 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020105124356/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/canon.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

In 1983, the Church issued a new code of [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law]]. Unlike its predecessor, the ''[[1983 Code of Canon Law]]'' did not explicitly name Masonic orders among the [[secret societies]] it condemns. It states: "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 (Roman Catholic Church)|interdict]]." This named omission of Masonic orders caused both Catholics and Freemasons to believe that the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons may have been lifted, especially after the perceived liberalisation of [[Second Vatican Council|Vatican II]].<ref name="RCLaw">{{Cite journal | last = McInvale | first = Reid | year = 1991 | title = Roman Catholic Church Law Regarding Freemasonry | journal = Transactions of Texas Lodge of Research | volume = 27 | pages = 86–97 | url = http://bessel.org/cathtlor.htm | oclc = 47204246 | archive-date = 17 October 2015 | access-date = 26 November 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151017025442/http://bessel.org/cathtlor.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> However, the matter was clarified when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later [[Pope Benedict XVI]]), [[Joseph Ratzinger as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith|as the Prefect]] of the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]], issued a [[Declaration on Masonic Associations]], which states: "...&nbsp;the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive [[Holy Communion]]."<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19831126_declaration-masonic_en.html Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Masonic Associations] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010314042333/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19831126_declaration-masonic_en.html |date=14 March 2001 }}, 26 November 1983, retrieved 26 November 2015</ref> In 2023, [[Pope Francis]] reaffirmed the ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons stating the "[...] irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry [...]"<ref>''Franciscus'', [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231113_richiesta-cortes-massoneria_en.pdf Dicasterium Pro Doctrina Fidei] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115114045/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231113_richiesta-cortes-massoneria_en.pdf |date=15 November 2023 }}: Note for the audience with the Holy Father, Vatican City, 13 November 2023.</ref> in response to [[Julito Cortes]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dumaguete|Bishop of]] [[Dumaguete|Dumanguete]], who stated concerns over the growing number of Freemasons in the [[Philippines]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=15 November 2023 |title=Vatican confirms Catholics still forbidden to join Masonic lodges |work=Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-catholics-still-forbidden-masonic-lodge.html |archive-date=16 November 2023 |access-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116012447/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-11/vatican-catholics-still-forbidden-masonic-lodge.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The renewed ban cited both the ''1983 Code of Canon Law'', as well as the ''Guidelines'' made by a Bishops Conference in 2003.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rojas |first=Jose R. |date=20 February 2020 |title=Pastoral guidelines in dealing with individual Catholics – members of Masonry |work=CBCPNews |url=https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/pastoral-guidelines-in-dealing-with-individual-catholics-members-of-masonry/ |archive-date=27 February 2025 |access-date=16 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227172852/https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/pastoral-guidelines-in-dealing-with-individual-catholics-members-of-masonry/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For its part, Freemasonry has never objected to Catholics joining their fraternity. Those Grand Lodges in amity with the United Grand Lodge of England deny the Church's claims, stating that "Freemasonry does not seek to replace a Mason's religion or provide a substitute for it."<ref name="UGLEFAQ" />

In contrast to Catholic allegations of rationalism and naturalism, Protestant objections are more likely to be based on allegations of [[mysticism]], [[occultism]], and even [[Satanism]].<ref name=Satanism >{{cite web |url=http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0093/0093_01.asp |title=The Curse of Baphomet |access-date=29 September 2007 |author=Jack Chick |archive-date=11 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173845/http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0093/0093_01.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Chick is a primary source for Protestant beliefs and may not represent all Protestants, causing reliability and due weight issues|date=June 2024}} Masonic scholar [[Albert Pike]] is often quoted (in some cases misquoted) by Protestant anti-Masons as an authority for the position of Masonry on these issues.<ref>{{cite book|author=Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris|title=Is it True What They Say About Freemasonry, 2nd edition (revised), chapter 1|publisher=M. Evans & Company|year=2004|url=http://204.3.136.66/web/SRpublications/DeHoyos.htm#i8|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202094337/http://204.3.136.66/web/SRpublications/DeHoyos.htm#i8|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Book was written by Freemasons in defense of Freemasonry, leading to risk of bias; should be replaced with neutral academic source|date=June 2024}}  However, Pike, although undoubtedly learned, was not a spokesman for Freemasonry and was also controversial among Freemasons in general. His writings represented his personal opinion only, and furthermore, an opinion grounded in the attitudes and understandings of late 19th century Southern Freemasonry of the US. Notably, his book carries in the preface a form of disclaimer from his own Grand Lodge. No one voice has ever spoken for the whole of Freemasonry.<ref>{{Cite book| last1 = Pike | first1 = Albert | author-link1 = Albert Pike | author2 = T. W. Hugo; Scottish Rite (Masonic order). Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction | title = Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry | location = Washington, DC | publisher = House of the Temple | year = 1950 | orig-year = 1871 | oclc = 12870276 | quote = In preparing this work [Pike] has been about equally Author and Compiler. (p. iii.) ... The teachings of these Readings are not sacramental, so far as they go beyond the realm of Morality into those of other domains of Thought and Truth. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite uses the word "Dogma" in its true sense of doctrine, or teaching; and is not dogmatic in the odious sense of that term. Everyone is entirely free to reject and dissent from whatsoever herein may seem to him to be untrue or unsound (p. iv) }}</ref>

In 1993, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]'s Home Mission Board determined that some parts of freemasonry are incompatible with Christianity, while others are compatible, concluding that participation in freemasonry should be considered "a matter of personal conscience".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jeffstraub.net/baptists-and-freemasonry-can-a-christian-be-a-faithful-believer-and-be-a-freemason/ | title=Baptists and Freemasonry? Can a Christian be a Faithful Believer and be a Freemason? &#124; Jeff Straub | access-date=16 January 2024 | archive-date=16 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116071016/https://jeffstraub.net/baptists-and-freemasonry-can-a-christian-be-a-faithful-believer-and-be-a-freemason/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The topic of Freemasonry remains controversial within the convention. James L. Holly, president of Mission and Ministry to Men, published a three volume book series titled "The Southern Baptist Convention and Freemasonry", critiquing the report to the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] in addition to the influence of Gary Leazer, then Director of the Interfaith Witness Department of the [[North American Mission Board]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ericbarger.com/articles/fmasonry-sbc.2.htm | title=FREEMASONRY AND THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH Part 2 | access-date=16 January 2024 | archive-date=16 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116071016/https://www.ericbarger.com/articles/fmasonry-sbc.2.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Gary Leazer published "Fundamentalism and Freemasonry", arguing that the convention's discussion of Freemasonry was influenced by [[Southern Baptist Convention conservative resurgence]].

[[Free Methodist Church]] founder [[B.T. Roberts]] was a vocal opponent of Freemasonry in the mid 19th century. Roberts opposed the society on moral grounds and stated, "The god of the lodge is not the [[God in Abrahamic religions|God of the Bible]]." Roberts believed Freemasonry was a "[[Greco-Roman mysteries|mystery]]" or "alternate" religion and encouraged his church not to support ministers who were Freemasons. Freedom from secret societies is one of the "frees" upon which the Free Methodist Church was founded.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Snyder | first = Howard | title = Populist Saints | location = [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]| publisher = William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company | year = 2006| page = 727}}</ref>

Since the founding of Freemasonry, many Bishops of the [[Church of England]] have been Freemasons, including [[Archbishop]] [[Geoffrey Fisher]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Beresiner | first = Yasha | date = July 2006 | title = Archbishop Fisher&nbsp;– A Godly man and a Brother | journal = Masonic Quarterly Magazine | issue = 18 | url = http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-18/p-07.php?PHPSESSID=c59cd231db419873a6a6 | access-date = 7 May 2007 | archive-date = 28 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003240/http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-18/p-07.php?PHPSESSID=c59cd231db419873a6a6 | url-status = live }}</ref> In the past, few members of the Church of England would have seen any incongruity in concurrently adhering to Anglican Christianity and practising Freemasonry. In recent decades, however, reservations about Freemasonry have increased within Anglicanism, perhaps due to the increasing prominence of the evangelical wing of the church. The former [[archbishop of Canterbury]], [[Rowan Williams|Dr Rowan Williams]], appeared to harbour some reservations about Masonic ritual, while being anxious to avoid causing offence to Freemasons inside and outside the Church of England. In 2003 he felt it necessary to apologise to British Freemasons after he said that their beliefs were incompatible with Christianity and that he had barred the appointment of Freemasons to senior posts in his diocese when he was Bishop of Monmouth.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/04/20/nmason20.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/04/20/ixhome.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071123132655/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F04%2F20%2Fnmason20.xml&sSheet=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F04%2F20%2Fixhome.html | archive-date = 23 November 2007 | title = Rowan Williams apologises to Freemasons | first = Chris | last = Hastings | author2 = Elizabeth Day | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | date = 20 April 2003 | access-date = 9 July 2007 | url-status=dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

In 1933, the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[Church of Greece]] officially declared that being a Freemason constitutes an act of [[Apostasy in Christianity|apostasy]] and thus, until he repents, the person involved with Freemasonry cannot partake of the [[Eucharist]]. This has been generally affirmed throughout the whole Eastern Orthodox Church. The Orthodox critique of Freemasonry agrees with both the Catholic and Protestant versions: "Freemasonry cannot be at all compatible with Christianity as far as it is a secret organisation, acting and teaching in mystery and secret and deifying rationalism."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/masonry.aspx |title=Freemasonry: Official Statement of the Church of Greece (1933) |publisher=Orthodoxinfo.com |date=12 October 1933 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=6 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106224241/http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/masonry.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Regular Freemasonry has traditionally not responded to these claims, beyond the often-repeated statement that Freemasonry explicitly adheres to the principle that "Freemasonry is not a religion, nor a substitute for religion. There is no separate 'Masonic deity,' and there is no separate proper name for a deity in Freemasonry."<ref name="a religion?">{{cite web|url=http://grandlodgeofiowa.org/docs/Freemasonry_Religion/FreemasonryAndReligion.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105085828/http://grandlodgeofiowa.org/docs/Freemasonry_Religion/FreemasonryAndReligion.pdf |archive-date=2013-11-05 |url-status=live |title=Freemasonry and Religion |access-date=2 November 2013 |publisher=United Grand Lodge of England}}</ref>

Christian men, who were discouraged from joining the Freemasons by their Churches or who wanted a more religiocentric society, joined similar fraternal organisations, such as the [[Knights of Columbus]] and [[Knights of Peter Claver]] for Catholics, and the [[Royal Black Institution]] for Protestants,<ref name="Fields1980">{{cite book|last=Fields|first=Rona M.|title=Northern Ireland: Society Under Siege|date=1980|publisher=Transaction Publishers|isbn=978-1412845090|page=113}}<!--|access-date=11 August 2015--></ref> although these fraternal organisations have been "organized in part on the style of and use many symbols of Freemasonry".<ref name="Fields1980"/>

There are some elements of Freemasonry within the [[temple (Latter Day Saints)|temple rituals]] of [[Freemasonry and Mormonism|Mormonism]].

====Islam and Freemasonry====
{{Unreliable sources section|date=December 2022}}

Ottoman Caliph [[Mahmud I]] outlawed Freemasonry in the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1748 and since that time Freemasonry was equated with [[atheism]] in the [[Ottoman Empire]] and the broader Islamic world.<ref name=FitIW>Layiktez, Cecil "[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html Freemasonry in the Islamic World] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801073731/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html |date=1 August 2019 }}", Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry, 1996</ref>

Many [[Islamic]] anti-Masonic arguments are closely tied to [[Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory|antisemitic conspiracy theories]], though other criticisms are made, such as linking Freemasonry to [[Al-Masih ad-Dajjal]] (the false Messiah in Islamic Scripture).<ref name="freemasonryinSHIraq"/><ref name="SFMNAD">{{Cite book | url = http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/prescott03.html | title = The Study of Freemasonry as a New Academic Discipline | pages = 13–14 | first = Andrew | last = Prescott | access-date = 18 December 2008 | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213214218/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/prescott03.html | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Syrians|Syrian]]-[[Egyptians|Egyptian]] Islamic theologian [[Rashid Rida|Mūhammād Rashīd Ridâ]] (1865–1935) played the crucial role in leading the opposition to Freemasonry across the [[Muslim world|Islamic world]] during the early twentieth century.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rickenbacher|first=Daniel|date=6 December 2019|title=The 'War Against Islam': How a Conspiracy Theory Drove and Shaped the Islamist Movement|url=https://eeradicalization.com/the-war-against-islam-how-a-conspiracy-theory-drove-and-shaped-the-islamist-movement/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818054514/https://eeradicalization.com/the-war-against-islam-how-a-conspiracy-theory-drove-and-shaped-the-islamist-movement/|archive-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> Influenced by Rida, Islamic anti-Masons argue that Freemasonry promotes the interests of the Jews around the world and that one of its aims is to destroy the [[Al-Aqsa|Al-Aqsa Mosque compound]] in order to rebuild the [[Temple of Solomon]] in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>[http://wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/4119 "Can a Muslim be a Freemason"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329180953/http://wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/4119 |date=29 March 2014 }} ''Wake up from your slumber'', 2007, retrieved 8 January 2014</ref> Through his popular [[Pan-Islamism|pan-Islamic]] journal ''[[Al-Manār (magazine)|Al-Manar]]'', Rashid Rida spread anti-Masonic ideas which would directly influence the [[Muslim Brotherhood]] and subsequent Islamist movements, such as [[Hamas]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rickenbacher|first=Daniel|date=6 December 2019|title=The 'War Against Islam': How a Conspiracy Theory Drove and Shaped the Islamist Movement|url=https://eeradicalization.com/the-war-against-islam-how-a-conspiracy-theory-drove-and-shaped-the-islamist-movement/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818054514/https://eeradicalization.com/the-war-against-islam-how-a-conspiracy-theory-drove-and-shaped-the-islamist-movement/|archive-date=18 August 2021 }}</ref> In article 28 of its Covenant, [[Hamas]] states that Freemasonry, [[Rotary International|Rotary]], and other similar groups "work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions ..."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp |title=Hamas Covenant 1988 |publisher=Avalon.law.yale.edu |date=18 August 1988 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117074547/http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several predominantly Muslim countries have banned Freemasonry within their borders, while others have not. [[Turkey]] and [[Morocco]] have established Grand Lodges,<ref>Leyiktez, Celil. [http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html "Freemasonry in the Islamic World"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801073731/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html |date=1 August 2019 }}, ''Pietre-Stones'' Retrieved 2 October 2007.</ref> while in countries such as [[Malaysia]]<ref>[http://dglea.org/ "Home Page", ''District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Archipelago''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109161530/http://dglea.org/ |date=9 January 2014 }}, retrieved 9 January 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story.aspx/?file=%2F2005%2F4%2F17%2Ffocus%2F10649415&sec=focus |date=17 April 2005 |access-date=13 February 2014 |title=Mystery unveiled |work=The Star Online |archive-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227051801/http://www.thestar.com.my/Story.aspx/?file=%2F2005%2F4%2F17%2Ffocus%2F10649415&sec=focus |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Lebanon]],<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130822221554/http://freemasonlb.net/Lodges.html ''Freemasonry in Lebanon'']}} Lodges linked to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, retrieved 22 August 2013</ref> there are District Grand Lodges operating under a warrant from an established Grand Lodge. In 1972, in [[Pakistan]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto]], then [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]], placed a ban on Freemasonry. Lodge buildings were confiscated by the government.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/news/508406/masonic-mystique Peerzada Salman, "Masonic Mystique"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214091520/https://www.dawn.com/news/508406/masonic-mystique |date=14 February 2020 }}, December 2009, ''Dawn.com'' (News site), retrieved 3 January 2012</ref>

Masonic lodges existed in [[Iraq]] as early as 1917, when the first lodge under the [[United Grand Lodge of England]] (UGLE) was opened. Nine lodges under UGLE existed by the 1950s, and a Scottish lodge was formed in 1923. However, the position changed following the revolution, and all lodges were forced to close in 1965.<ref>[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/freemasonry-islamic-countries.html Kent Henderson, "Freemasonry in Islamic Countries"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113180408/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/freemasonry-islamic-countries.html |date=13 November 2013 }}, 2007 paper, ''Pietre Stones'', retrieved 4 January 2014</ref> This position was later reinforced under [[Saddam Hussein]]; the death penalty was "prescribed" for those who "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organisations."<ref name="freemasonryinSHIraq" />

===Political opposition===
{{See also|Anti-Masonry}}

In 1799, English Freemasonry almost came to a halt due to Parliamentary proclamation. In the wake of the [[French Revolution]], the [[Unlawful Societies Act]] banned any meetings of groups that required their members to take an [[oath]] or obligation.<ref name="USA1799">[http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/prescott15.html Andrew Prescott, "The Unlawful Societies Act"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602081120/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/prescott15.html |date=2 June 2017 }}, First published in M. D. J. Scanlan, ed., ''The Social Impact of Freemasonry on the Modern Western World'', The Canonbury Papers I (London: Canonbury Masonic Research Centre, 2002), pp. 116–34, ''Pietre-Stones'' website, retrieved 9 January 2014</ref>

The Grand Masters of both the Moderns and the Antients Grand Lodges called on Prime Minister [[William Pitt the Younger|William Pitt]] (who was not a Freemason) and explained to him that Freemasonry was a supporter of the law and lawfully constituted authority and was much involved in charitable work. As a result, Freemasonry was specifically exempted from the terms of the Act, provided that each private lodge's Secretary placed with the local "Clerk of the Peace" a list of the members of his lodge once a year. This continued until 1967, when the obligation of the provision was rescinded by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]].<ref name="USA1799" />

Freemasonry in the United States faced political pressure following the 1826 kidnapping of [[William Morgan (anti-Mason)|William Morgan]] by Freemasons and his subsequent disappearance. Reports of the "Morgan Affair", together with opposition to [[Jacksonian democracy]] (Andrew Jackson was a prominent Mason), helped fuel an Anti-Masonic movement. The short-lived [[Anti-Masonic Party]] was formed, which fielded candidates for the presidential elections of 1828 and 1832.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/morgan_affair.html "The Morgan Affair"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325121052/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/morgan_affair.html |date=25 March 2014 }}, Reprinted from ''The Short Talk Bulletin'' – Vol. XI, March 1933 No. 3, ''Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon'', retrieved 4 January 2014</ref>

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-W1028-507, Erlangen, Freimaurer bei Zeremonie.jpg|thumb|alt=Erlangen Lodge revival, meeting in 1948|Lodge in Erlangen, Germany. First meeting after World War II with guests from US, France and Czechoslovakia, 1948.]]
In Italy, Freemasonry has become linked to a scandal concerning the [[Propaganda Due]] lodge (a.k.a. P2). This lodge was chartered by the [[Grande Oriente d'Italia]] in 1877, as a lodge for visiting Masons unable to attend their own lodges. Under [[Licio Gelli]]'s leadership, in the late 1970s, P2 became involved in the financial scandals that nearly bankrupted the [[Vatican Bank]]. However, by this time the lodge was operating independently and irregularly, as the Grand Orient had revoked its charter and expelled Gelli in 1976.<ref>{{cite web | first = Edward L. | last = King | url = http://www.masonicinfo.com/p2_lodge.htm | title = P2 Lodge | year = 2007 | access-date = 31 October 2006 | archive-date = 3 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210203135205/http://www.masonicinfo.com/p2_lodge.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[Conspiracy theorists]] have long associated Freemasonry with the [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]] and the [[Illuminati]], and state that Freemasonry as an organisation is either bent on world domination or already secretly in control of world politics. Historically, Freemasonry has attracted criticism and suppression from both the politically far right (e.g., [[Nazi Germany]])<ref>{{Cite book | first = James | last = Wilkenson | author2 = H. Stuart Hughes | title = Contemporary Europe: A History | location = Englewood Cliffs, NJ | publisher = Prentice Hall | year = 1995 | page = [https://archive.org/details/contemporaryeuro00wilk/page/237 237] | isbn = 978-0-13-291840-4 | oclc = 31009810 | url = https://archive.org/details/contemporaryeuro00wilk/page/237 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | first = Otto | last = Zierer | title = Concise History of Great Nations: History of Germany | location = New York | publisher = Leon Amiel Publisher | year = 1976 | page = [https://archive.org/details/germany0000zier/page/104 104] | isbn = 978-0-8148-0673-9 | oclc = 3250405 | url = https://archive.org/details/germany0000zier/page/104 }}</ref> and the far left (e.g., the former [[Communist state]]s in Eastern Europe).<ref>Michael Johnstone, ''The Freemasons'', Arcturus, 2005, pp 73–75</ref>

Freemasonry is viewed with distrust even in some modern democracies.<ref name=Hodapp86>Hodapp, Christopher. ''Freemasons for Dummies''. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2005. p. 86.</ref> In the UK, Masons working in the justice system, such as judges and police officers, were required to disclose their membership from 1999 to 2009.<ref name=GuardianMP>Bright, Martin (12 June 2005). "[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jun/12/uk.freedomofinformation1 MPs told to declare links to Masons]", ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> While a parliamentary inquiry found that there had been no evidence of wrongdoing, the government believed that Masons' potential loyalties to support fellow Masons should be transparent to the public.<ref name=Hodapp86 /><ref name=GuardianMP /><ref>Cusick, James (27 December 1996). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/police-want-judges-and-mps-to-reveal-masonic-links-too-1316095.html Police want judges and MPs to reveal Masonic links too] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216045753/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/police-want-judges-and-mps-to-reveal-masonic-links-too-1316095.html |date=16 February 2020 }}, ''[[The Independent]]''</ref> The policy of requiring a declaration of masonic membership by applicants for judicial office (judges and magistrates) was ended in 2009 by [[Secretary of State for Justice|Justice Secretary]] [[Jack Straw]] (who had initiated the requirement in the 1990s). Straw stated that the rule was considered disproportionate since no impropriety or malpractice had been shown as a result of judges being Freemasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/nov/05/jack-straw-judges-masons |title=Jack Straw scraps rule saying judges must declare if they are masons |work=guardian.co.uk |date=5 November 2009 |author=Sparrow, Andrew |access-date=7 November 2009}}</ref>

Freemasonry is both successful and controversial in France. As of the early 21st century, membership is rising, but reporting of it in popular media is often negative.<ref name=Hodapp86 />

In some countries, anti-Masonry is often related to [[antisemitism]] and anti-[[Zionism]]. For example, in 1980, the Iraqi [[Law of Iraq|legal]] and [[Iraqi Penal Code|penal code]] was changed by [[Saddam Hussein]]'s ruling [[Ba'ath Party (Iraq)|Ba'ath Party]], making it a felony to "promote or acclaim Zionist principles, including Freemasonry, or who associate [themselves] with Zionist organisations".<ref name="freemasonryinSHIraq">{{Cite news | url = http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040701-120129-6565r.htm | title = Saddam to be formally charged | first = David R | last = Sands | work = [[The Washington Times]] | date = 1 July 2004 | access-date = 18 June 2006 | archive-date = 19 March 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060319192239/http://washingtontimes.com/world/20040701-120129-6565r.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Professor Andrew Prescott of the [[University of Sheffield]] writes: "Since at least the time of ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]'', antisemitism has gone hand in hand with anti-masonry, so it is not surprising that allegations that [[11 September 2001 attacks|11 September]] was a Zionist plot have been accompanied by suggestions that the attacks were inspired by a masonic world order".<ref>Prescott, pp. 13–14, 30, 33.</ref>

====The Holocaust====
{{Main|Holocaust victims#Freemasons}}
{{See also|Liberté chérie|Suppression of Freemasonry}}
[[File:Forgetmenotflower.JPG|thumb|upright|alt=[[Forget-me-not]]|[[Myosotis|Forget-me-not]]]]

The preserved records of the ''[[Reich Security Main Office|Reichssicherheitshauptamt]]'' (the Reich Security Main Office) show the persecution of Freemasons during [[the Holocaust]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/persecution.htm | title = World War II Documents showing the persecution of Freemasonry | publisher = Mill Valley Lodge #356 | access-date = 21 May 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121210071945/http://mill-valley.freemasonry.biz/persecution.htm | archive-date = 10 December 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> RSHA Amt VII (Written Records), overseen by Professor [[Franz Six]], was responsible for "ideological" tasks, by which was meant the creation of antisemitic and anti-Masonic propaganda. While the number of victims is not accurately known, historians estimate that between 80,000 and 200,000 Freemasons were killed under the [[Nacht und Nebel|Nazi regime]].<ref name="holocaust">''Freemasons for Dummies'', by Christopher Hodapp, Wiley Publishing Inc., Indianapolis, 2005, p. 85, sec. "Hitler and the Nazi"</ref> Masonic concentration camp inmates were classified as political prisoners and wore an inverted [[Nazi concentration camp badge|red triangle]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust | page = [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofho0000unse_l4l4/page/ vol. 2, p. 531] | last = Katz | year = 1990 | editor = Israel Gutman | article = Jews and Freemasons in Europe | isbn = 978-0-02-897166-7 | oclc = 20594356 | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofho0000unse_l4l4/page/ }}</ref> Hitler believed Freemasons had succumbed to Jews conspiring against Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007186|title=Freemasonry|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=21 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021010933/https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007186|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/hitler.html|title=Hitler and Freemasonry|first=Trevor W.|last=McKeown|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015135555/http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/hitler.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Myosotis|forget-me-not]] flower was first used by the Grand Lodge ''Zur Sonne'' in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in [[Bremen]], Germany. In 1938, a forget-me-not badge, made by the same factory as the Masonic badge, was chosen for the Nazi Party's ''[[Winterhilfswerk]]'', the annual charity drive of the [[National Socialist People's Welfare]] (the welfare branch of the Nazi party). This coincidence enabled Freemasons to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.internetloge.de/arst/forgetd.htm | title = Das Vergißmeinnicht-Abzeichen und die Freimaurerei, Die wahre Geschichte | language = de | publisher = Internetloge.de | access-date = 8 July 2006 | archive-date = 2 May 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190502130221/http://www.internetloge.de/arst/forgetd.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html | first = Alain | last = Bernheim | title = The Blue Forget-Me-Not: Another Side Of The Story | work = Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry | date = 10 September 2004 | access-date = 8 July 2006 | archive-date = 30 January 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190130081218/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| title = Die Freimaurer-Logen Deutschlands und deren Grosslogen 1737–1972 | first = Karl Heinz | last = Francke |author2=Ernst-Günther Geppert | location = Bayreuth | publisher = Quatuor Coronati | year = 1974 | language = de | edition = Second rev.}}Also in: {{Cite book| title = Die Freimaurer-Logen Deutschlands und deren Grosslogen 1737–1985 : Matrikel und Stammbuch; Nachschlagewerk über 248 Jahre Geschichte der Freimaurerei in Deutschland | first = Karl Heinz | last = Francke |author2=Ernst-Günther Geppert | location = Bayreuth | publisher = Quatuor Coronati | year = 1988 | language = de | isbn = 978-3-925749-05-6 | oclc = 75446479 }}</ref>

After [[World War II]], the forget-me-not flower was used again as a Masonic emblem in 1948 at the first Annual Convention of the [[United Grand Lodges of Germany]] in 1948. The badge is now sometimes worn in the coat lapel by Freemasons around the world to remember all who suffered in the name of Freemasonry, especially those during the Nazi era.<ref name=Galen_forget-me-not>{{cite news|title=The Story Behind Forget Me Not Emblem!|url=http://www.masonicnetwork.org/blog/2009/the-story-behind-forget-me-not-emblem/|newspaper=Masonic Network|date=11 December 2009|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306011314/http://www.masonicnetwork.org/blog/2009/the-story-behind-forget-me-not-emblem/|url-status=dead}}</ref>