Masonic conspiracy theories
Masonic conspiracy theories
Masonic conspiracy theories are conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry; hundreds of such conspiracy theories have been described since the late 1700s. 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) with worship of the devil; these ideas were based on misinterpretations of the doctrines of those organizations.
Of the claims that Freemasonry exerts control over politics, perhaps the best-known example is the New World Order theory, but there are others. These mainly involve aspects and agencies of the 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”. These theories have their beginnings in the Taxil hoax. 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, 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 and requires belief in a Masonic “god” that is different from that of mainstream Christian belief.
* 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.
* That there is a centralized worldwide body that controls all Masonic Grand Lodges, and thus, all of Freemasonry worldwide acts in a unified manner.
List of conspiracy theories associated with Freemasonry
Notable conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry include:
Political
* That Freemasonry overlaps with, or is controlled by, the Illuminati, especially in the higher degrees, and that they secretly control many major aspects of society and government and are working to establish the New World Order. Some conspiracy theories involving the Freemasons and the Illuminati also include the Knights Templar and the 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.
* That 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.
* That the Freemasons were involved in the JFK assassination. Some conspiracy theorists say that Freemasons had JFK killed.
* 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 widely noted as 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.
* That Freemasons hold meetings with influential politicians and businessmen at Bohemian Grove and that a statue of an owl (allegedly a masonic symbol) is worshiped at these meetings.
Religious
* That Freemasons worship Lucifer or Satan, often attributed to quotes by Albert Pike.
* 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 Jehovah, Baal, and Osiris.
Cultural
* That Freemasons intertwine various symbols and numerology into modern culture, such as corporate logos.
* That 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.
Other
* That Freemasons were behind faked Apollo moon landings
* That Jack the Ripper was a Freemason whose murders resembled Masonic initiation rituals.
* That the KKK, Skull and Bones, and other organizations are intimately tied to Freemasonry.
* 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.
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