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'{{Freemasonry}} '''Masonic conspiracy theories''' are [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]] involving [[Freemasonry]]; hundreds of such conspiracy theories have been described since the late 18th century.<ref name= Hodapp>{{cite book |title=Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies |first=Christopher |last=Hodapp|author2=Alice Von Kannon|publisher=For Dummies |year=2008|isbn= 0-470-18408-6|pages=174, 178}}</ref> Generally, these theories fall into three distinct categories: political (usually involving allegations of control of government, particularly in the [[United States]] and the [[United Kingdom]]), religious (usually involving allegations of anti-Christian or Satanic beliefs or practices), and cultural (usually involving popular entertainment). Many conspiracy theory writers have connected Freemasons (and the [[Knights Templar (Freemasonry)|Knights Templar]]) with worship of the devil;<ref name="Robinson, John 1993">Robinson, John. ''A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the Religious Right''. M. Evans, 1993. {{ISBN|0-87131-732-X}}</ref><ref name=Hodapp2008 /><ref name="theforbiddenknowledge.com">[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/symbology/1o5.htm Freemasonry The worship of Lucifer, SATAN Part 1 of 5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531182624/http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/symbology/1o5.htm |date=2007-05-31 }}</ref><ref name="freedom-ministries.com">[http://www.freedom-ministries.com/index.php?action=Confession_Leo_Taxilm_and_Albert_Pike The Masonic Fairy Tale Known As The Leo Taxil Confession]</ref><ref name="conspiracyarchive.com">[http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Freemasonry.htm Freemasonry: Midwife to an Occult Empire]</ref> these ideas are based on different interpretations of the doctrines of those organizations.<ref name= Addison>{{cite book|title=The History of the Knights Templars: The Temple Church and the Temple|first=Charles G. |last=Addison |authorlink=Charles Greenstreet Addison |author2=David Hatcher Childress |publisher=Adventures Unlimited Press|year=1997|isbn=0-932813-40-2|pages=19–20}}</ref> Of the claims that Freemasonry exerts control over politics, perhaps the best-known example is the [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]] theory, but there are others. These mainly involve aspects and agencies of the [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]], but actual events outside the US (such as the [[Propaganda Due]] scandal in [[Italy]]) are often used to lend credence to claims. Another set of theories has to do with Freemasonry and religion, particularly that Freemasonry deals with "the occult".<ref>Here used to denote a particular range of the occult involving Satanic or anti-Christian beliefs.</ref> These theories have their beginnings in the [[Taxil hoax]].<ref>S. Brent Morris, ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry'' (2006), pp. 171-172; {{ISBN|1-59257-490-4}}</ref><ref>Christopher Hodapp, ''Freemasons for Dummies'' (2005), pp. 160-161; 298-299; {{ISBN|0-7645-9796-5}}</ref> In addition to these, there are various theories that focus on the embedding of symbols in otherwise ordinary items, such as street patterns, national seals, corporate logos, etc. There are Masonic conspiracy theories dealing with every aspect of society. The majority of these theories are based on one or more of the following assumptions: *That Freemasonry is its own religion, requires belief in a unique Masonic "god", and that belief in this Masonic "god" is contrary to the teachings of various mainstream religions (although usually noted in terms of being specifically contrary to ''Christian'' belief)<ref>See, for example, the claims made by William A. Whalen, in his essay ''The Masonic Religion'', available on the [http://www.ewtn.com/library/newage/masonrel.txt ewtn.com website]; or the claims made at [http://www.evangelicaltruth.com/fmog.html evangelicaltruth.com].</ref> *That the 33rd degree of the [[Scottish Rite]] is more than an honorary degree, coupled with the belief that most Freemasons are unaware of hidden or secretive ruling bodies within their organization that govern them, conduct occult ritual, or control various positions of governmental power<ref>[http://www.meta-religion.com/Secret_societies/Groups/Masonry/freemansonry_conspiracy_within.htm Freemasonry - Conspiracy Within]</ref> *That there is a centralized worldwide body that controls all Masonic [[Grand Lodge]]s, and thus, all of Freemasonry worldwide acts in a unified manner. ==List of conspiracy theories associated with Freemasonry== <!-- NOTE: Take care when adding to this section only to add cited theories, bearing in mind WP:NOT, WP:RS and WP:EL. Thank you. --> Notable conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry include: ===Political=== *That the British judiciary is heavily infiltrated with Masons, who give fellow Masons "the benefit of the doubt" in court, subverting the legal system.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/trial-could-force-judges-to-declare-they-are-masons-634140.html Trial could force judges to declare that they are Masons]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/57463.stm Freemasons - moral guardians or centre of corruption?]</ref> *That Freemasonry overlaps with, or is controlled by, the [[Illuminati]], especially in the higher degrees; Illuminati Freemasons secretly control many major aspects of society and government and are working to establish the [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]].<ref>[http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=5424 Why the NSA tried to recruit me] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210557/http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=5424 |date=2007-09-27 }} by James Casbolt in St Ives, UK – October 31, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Heart_Mountain_FEMA.htm "The Road to Heart Mountain? Rumors, FEMA and the Future"]</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasons.htm United States Presidents and The Illuminati / Masonic Power Structure] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5w4mwTZLG?url=http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasons.htm |date=2011-01-28 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasonspt4.htm United States Presidents and The Illuminati / Masonic Power Structure Pt.4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529061207/http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasonspt4.htm |date=2007-05-29 }}</ref><ref name= Berlet> {{cite book |title=Right-wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort |first=Chip |last=Berlet |authorlink= Chip Berlet |author2=Matthew Nemiroff Lyons |publisher=Guilford Press |page=258 |year=2000 |isbn=1-57230-562-2 |quote= ...Robertson resuscitated the Freemason conspiracy.... 'In earlier chapters we have traced the infiltration of Continental Freemasonry by the new world philosophy of the order of the Illuminati...' }}</ref><ref name=Pugh /> Some conspiracy theories involving the Freemasons and the Illuminati also include the [[Knights Templar]] and [[Jews]] as part of the supposed plan for universal control of society. This type of conspiracy theory was described as early as 1792 by multiple authors, beginning in France and Scotland.<ref name= Hodapp/> *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 anti-Semitic [[literary forgery]] ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. [[Adolf Hitler]] believed that Freemasonry was a tool of Jewish influence,<ref>Hitler, Adolf. [http://www.adolfhitler.ws/lib/books/43kampf/kampf43.htm ''Mein Kampf: Volume One - A Reckoning''. Chapter XI: Nation and Race] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208173010/http://www.adolfhitler.ws/lib/books/43kampf/kampf43.htm |date=2008-12-08 }}. 1924 (trans. 1943). - "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."</ref> and outlawed Freemasonry and persecuted Freemasons partially for this reason.<ref>Hitler, Adolf. [http://www.adolfhitler.ws/lib/books/43kampf/kampf43.htm ''Mein Kampf Volume Two - The National Socialist Movement.''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208173010/http://www.adolfhitler.ws/lib/books/43kampf/kampf43.htm |date=2008-12-08 }} "Chapter XIII: German Alliance Policy after the War", 1924, trans. 1943. - "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."</ref> The covenant of the [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] [[Islamism|Islamist]] movement [[Hamas]] claims that Freemasonry is a "secret society" founded as part of a Zionist plot to control the world.<ref>[https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/Hamas_covenant_complete.html 'The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS)-Palestine'], articles seventeen, twenty-two and twenty-eight, 18 Aug 1988.</ref> [[Hilaire Belloc]] thought Jews had "inaugurated" freemasonry "as a bridge between themselves and their hosts".<ref name="belloc">{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/stream/jewsbello00belluoft#page/223/mode/1up | title=The Jews | publisher=Constable & Company, Limited | work=Book | date=1922 | accessdate=4 April 2016 | author=Belloc, Hilaire | pages=223}}</ref> *That Freemasons are behind [[Tax protester conspiracy arguments#Conspiracy arguments involving Zionism and Freemasonry|income taxes in the US]]. One convicted tax protester has charged that law enforcement officials who surrounded his property in a standoff over his refusal to surrender after his conviction were part of a "[[Zionism|Zionist]], [[Illuminati]], [[Freemasonry|Free Mason]] movement".<ref>Kristen Senz, "Ed Brown says Feds have no jurisdiction in New Hampshire," ''New Hampshire Union Leader'', June 8, 2007 [http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Ed+Brown+says+feds+have+no+jurisdiction+in+New+Hampshire&articleId=844a9c5f-5475-4d71-a149-102ea693ee4b]</ref> The ''New Hampshire Union Leader'' also reported that "[[Edward and Elaine Brown|the Browns]] believe the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] and the federal income tax are part of a deliberate plot perpetrated by Freemasons to control the American people and eventually the world."<ref>Kristen Senz, "Browns say they will either walk free, or die," ''New Hampshire Union Leader'', June 19, 2007 at [http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Browns+say+they+will+either+walk+free%2c+or+die&articleId=a02db0e8-8042-474e-8a82-1fb5dc2f6306].</ref> *That Freemasons have strong links with more selective secret and semi-secret societies such as the [[Bohemian Grove]] meeting,<ref>[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Wicca%20&%20Witchcraft/bohemian_grove_exposed.htm Bohemian Grove Exposed!]</ref><ref>[http://www.trosch.org/msn/mason-graphics.html Freemasons, Illuminati and Associates]</ref> the [[Skull and Bones]] society,<ref name= Pugh >{{Cite book| title=Eden: The Knowledge of Good and Evil 666|first=Joye Jeffries |last=Pugh|publisher=[[Tate Publishing & Enterprises|Tate Publishing]]|page=244 |year=2006 |isbn=1-59886-253-7}}</ref> and [[Rhodes Scholars]].<ref>[http://www.trosch.org/bks/msnc/masonry-exposed.html Trosch - Masonry exposed]</ref> *That groups such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]]<ref>[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Freemasonry/ku_klux_klan.htm Freemasonry and the Ku Klux Klan, hosted on www.jesus-is-saviour.com]</ref> and the [[Orange Order]]<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/oct/24/northernireland.theobserver1 Satanic secrets of the Orange Order], The Observer, Sunday 24 October 1999</ref> are intimately tied to Freemasonry. ===Religious=== There are a number of claims, predominantly made by Conservative Protestants<ref>[http://204.3.136.66/web/SRpublications/DeHoyos.htm#i5 ''Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? The Methods of Anti-Masons''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202094337/http://204.3.136.66/web/SRpublications/DeHoyos.htm |date=2013-12-02 }}, Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris, M. Evans & Company pub, 2004</ref> that Freemasons at higher degrees deceive those at lower degrees, and gradually reveal a separate, occult religion: *That Freemasons worship Lucifer or Satan,<ref name= Addison/> often attributed to quotes by [[Albert Pike]].<ref name="Robinson, John 1993"/><ref name=Hodapp2008 /><ref name="theforbiddenknowledge.com"/><ref name="freedom-ministries.com"/> *That Freemasons worship [[Baal]], [[Baphomet]], [[Masih ad-Dajjal|Dajjal]], or [[Rahu]] <ref>Baal: [http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/freemasons.htm Kjos Ministries website: Freemasons - Roots & Links to the Occult]; Baphomet: [http://www.religiouscounterfeits.org/ml_intro.htm www.religiouscounterfeits.org]; Dajjal: [http://harunyahya.com/en/works/15546/atheistic-freemasonry-the-system-of Atheistic freemasonry - Harun Yahya website]</ref> *That Freemasonry is occult in nature and worships their own particular god, such as GAOTU the "[[Great Architect of the Universe]]", or [[Jahbulon]], an amalgam of the gods [[Tetragrammaton|YHWH]], [[Baal]], and [[Osiris]].<ref>[http://www.indianamasons.org/imoanti/gaotu.html G.A.O.T.U.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040819004739/http://www.indianamasons.org/imoanti/gaotu.html |date=2004-08-19 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.godonthe.net/cme/links/masons.htm Freemasonry is a Non-Christian Occult Religion] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040806235839/http://www.godonthe.net/cme/links/masons.htm |date=2004-08-06 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.islamicparty.com/commonsense/19mason.htm Islamic Party of Britain: What then is Freemasonry]</ref><ref>[http://www.islamicparty.com/satvoices/unmasking.htm Satanic Voices: UNMASKING JEHOVAH JAH-BUL-ON]</ref><ref>[http://www.masonicinfo.com/name.htm Name of Deity] (MasonicInfo.com)</ref> ===Alleged occult influences on popular culture=== *That Freemasons intertwine various symbols and [[numerology]] into modern culture, such as corporate logos.<ref>[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/13_33_freemason_sig.htm Corporate Logos] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040814051351/http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/13_33_freemason_sig.htm |date=2004-08-14 }}</ref> *That the [[United States]] was founded by Freemasons who have interwoven Masonic symbols into American society, particularly in [[Great Seal of the United States#Significance|national seals]], streets in [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Architecture of the United States|architecture]], and the [[Federal Reserve Note|dollar bill]] (indeed several [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] such as [[George Washington]], [[Benjamin Franklin]] and [[James Monroe]] were Freemasons).<ref>{{citation |url= http://watch.pair.com/GW.html |title= George Washington |work= Watch Unto Prayer [watch.pair.com] |author= Aho, Barbara |deadurl= yes |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20040803164416/http://watch.pair.com/GW.html |archivedate= 2004-08-03 |df= }}{{unreliable source?|date=February 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/masonic_symbols_washington.htm Masonic Symbols in Washington] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040907075330/http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/masonic_symbols_washington.htm |date=2004-09-07 }}</ref><ref>Hodapp, Christopher L., ''Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of washington D.C.'', Ulysses Press, 2007, {{ISBN|1-56975-579-5}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasons.htm United States Presidents and The Illuminati / Masonic Power Structure.] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5w4mwTZLG?url=http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/uspresidentasmasons.htm |date=2011-01-28 }}</ref> ===Other=== *That Freemasons [[Moon landing conspiracy theories|faked the Apollo moon landings]].<ref>[http://www.mt.net/~watcher/masonapollo.html "NASA Masonic Conspiracy - Apollo Missions Masonic Symbols"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103101846/http://www.mt.net/~watcher/masonapollo.html |date=2006-11-03 }}</ref> *That the [[September 11 attacks]] were astrological in nature, as part of a hidden war between Masonry (as descendants of the [[Knights Templar]]) and Islam.<ref name="nineeleven">[http://www.enterprisemission.com/tower2.htm "Who's the Enemy: -- The End of Days Begun?"] "What is not commonly known is that the roots of modern Freemasonry extend far beyond the mid-eighteenth Century, all the way back to ancient Egypt, and more importantly; through a Middle Ages movement commonly known as the "Knight's''<nowiki>[sic]</nowiki>'' Templar. It is, we now suspect, the remnants of this Templar/Masonic/American axis that were the true target of these attacks -- in other words, September 11th was a direct thrust at the heart of the American Revolutionary Experiment … in the critical year of 2001."</ref> *That [[Reptilians|humanoid reptiles]] are behind secret societies like the Freemasons and the [[Illuminati]].<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1860871_1860876_1861029,00.html "Separating Fact from Fiction: The Reptilian Elite"]. ''TIME.com''. July 15, 2009. Accessed July 26, 2016.</ref> *That some prominent murders involved Freemasons, including the cases of [[Jack the Ripper]],<ref>A claim first made by Steven Knight in his book ''The Brotherhood'', but repeated by others since. See: [http://www.masonicinfo.com/ripper.htm Jack the Ripper, Masonic conspiracy] page at www.Masonicinfo.com</ref> [[Roberto Calvi]],<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3568409.stm An end to the mystery of God's Banker?], BBC Magazine, 31 March 2004</ref> and [[assassination of John F. Kennedy|John F. Kennedy]].<ref name=Hodapp2008>Hodapp, Christopher L. and VonKannon, Alice, ''Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies,'' Wiley, 2008, {{ISBN|978-0-470-18408-0}}</ref><ref>[[James Shelby Downard]], and [[Michael A. Hoffman II]]. [http://www.revisionisthistory.org/kingkill33.html "King-Kill/33°: Masonic Symbolism in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318013027/http://www.revisionisthistory.org/kingkill33.html |date=2007-03-18 }}", 1987. Website excerpt, 1998. Retrieved 16 July 2007.</ref> *That the Masons are either intimately connected to<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>[http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/esp_sociopol_illuminati_20.htm Freemasonry and the Illuminati]</ref> or (conversely) in conflict with the [[Illuminati]] regarding a plot to control several countries.<ref>[http://cointelegraph.com/post/a_report_from_beneath_my_tinfoil_hat_obama_visit_reveals_illuminati_war_against_masons "A Report From Beneath My Tinfoil Hat: Obama Visit Reveals Illuminati War Against Masons"]</ref> <!-- NOTE: Take care when adding to this section only to add cited theories, bearing in mind WP:NOT, WP:RS and WP:EL. Thank you. --> ==See also== *[[Anti-Masonry]] *[[Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory]] ==Notes and references== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.mastermason.com/BrotherGene/masonic/conspiracy_of_hate.htm Conspiracy of Hate] – A Christian Perspective on the un-Christian Tactics of the anti-Masons, A.W.Harper, 1995. {{Conspiracy theories}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Masonic Conspiracy Theories}} [[Category:Conspiracy theories by subject]] [[Category:Freemasonry]] [[Category:Anti-Masonry]]'