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Core Articles Freemasonry · Grand Lodge · Masonic Lodge · Masonic Lodge Officers · Prince Hall Freemasonry · Regular Masonic jurisdictions History History of Freemasonry · Liberté chérie · Masonic manuscripts Masonic Bodies Masonic Masonic bodies · York Rite · Order of Mark Master Masons · Knights Templar · Scottish Rite · Knight Kadosh · The Shrine · Tall Cedars of Lebanon · The Grotto · Societas Rosicruciana · Grand College of Rites · Swedish Rite · Order of St. Thomas of Acon · Royal Order of Scotland Masonic Women's Groups Women and Freemasonry · Order of the Amaranth · Order of the Eastern Star · Co-Freemasonry Masonic Youth Organizations DeMolay · A.J.E.F. · Job's Daughters · International Order of the Rainbow for Girls Views of Masonry Anti-Masonry · Anti-Masonic Party · Anti-Freemason Exhibition · Christianity and Freemasonry · Catholicism and Freemasonry · Suppression of Freemasonry · Masonic conspiracy theories · Taxil hoax Notable People and Places James Anderson · Albert Mackey · Albert Pike · Prince Hall · John the Evangelist · John the Baptist · William Schaw · Elizabeth Aldworth · List of Freemasons · Lodge Mother Kilwinning · Freemasons' Hall, London · House of the Temple · Solomon's Temple · The Library and Museum of Freemasonry Masonic Miscellany Great Architect of the Universe · Square and Compasses · Pigpen cipher · Eye of Providence · Hiram Abiff · Sprig of Acacia · Masonic Landmarks · Pike's Morals and Dogma· Propaganda Due · Freemasonry and the Latter Day Saint movement · Dermott's Ahiman Rezon This box: view • talk • edit

Due to its perceived secretive nature, Freemasonry has long been a subject of conspiracy theories in which Freemasonry is portrayed as bent on world domination or as being secretly in control of world politics. These Masonic conspiracy theories often involve descriptions of linked symbols and numbers associated with Freemasonry, however coincidental. Freemasons say that most conspiracy theories lack proper evidence.

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.^[1]

Source material for conspiracy theories may include the fictional Taxil hoax and the real historical activities of the Propaganda Due lodge.

Some of the conspiracy theories involving Freemasonry are:

• Some anti-Masons have been known to say 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.^[2] 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.^[3]

• Freemasonry is the Illuminati or New World Order, and secretly controls all aspects of society and government.^[4] This concept was satirized in a Simpsons episode, "Homer the Great", featuring an order called the Stonecutters who keep "the Martians under wraps" and "Atlantis off the maps".

Illustration showing the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States found on the $1 bill - with lines linked to read M-A-S-O-N, although it can just as easily be read as one of 120 possible letter combinations.

• 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.^[5][6][7][8] Examples of how this theory has entered popular culture are the blockbuster film thriller National Treasure and the novel Seven Ancient Wonders.

• Many modern day politicians are or were once Freemasons.^[9]

• Freemasonry has political influence over branches of the US government including the Central Intelligence Agency^[10], National Security Agency^[11], Federal Emergency Management Agency^[12], National Aeronautics and Space Administration^[13] and the United States Congress.^[14][15]

• Various figures in popular culture are Freemasons, including movie producers such as James Cameron.^[16][17]

• Jack the Ripper was a Freemason whose murders resembled Masonic initiation rituals. This is the subject of Alan Moore's graphic novel From Hell, who references various works by other authors with similar claims.

• The September 11 attacks were astrological in nature, as part of a hidden war between Masonry (as descendants of the Knights Templar) and Islam.^[18]

• The Freemasons were involved in the JFK assassination. Some conspiracy theorists say that Freemasons had JFK killed.^[19]
• The Denver airport contains a Freemason symbol and keypad, of unknown purpose. An underground facility is said to exist in case of nuclear attack.^[20]

• Freemasonry is responsible for crop circles.^[21]

• Freemasons intertwine various symbols and numerology into modern culture, such as corporate logos.^[22]

• Most Freemasons are unaware of hidden or secretive ruling bodies that govern their organization, conduct occult ritual, or control various positions of power. This is an example of a secret society within a secret society.^[23]

• The KKK,^[24] Skull and Bones,^[25] and other organizations^[25] are intimately tied to Freemasonry.

• Freemasonry is related to the Black Nobility^[26]

• The owl is a hidden Masonic symbol found in the layout of the US Capitol building and the US dollar bill.^[27]

• Freemasonry is related to Christianity, Gnosticism and Kabbalah, as well as ancient civilizations including Babylon and Egypt.^{[28] [29]}

• 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.^{[30][31][32][33]}

• Freemasons worship Lucifer or Satan, often attributed to quotes by Albert Pike.^{[34][35][36][37]}

• Freemasonry inspired architecture, rituals, and symbolism used in Latter-Day Saints temples.^[38][39]

• Freemasons were behind faked Apollo moon landings^[40]

• Freemasons hold meetings with influential politicians and businessmen at Bohemian Grove. The worshiped statue of an owl is an alleged masonic symbol.^[41][42]

• Anti-Masonry

• Conspiracy of Hate – A Christian Perspective on the un-Christian Tactics of the anti-Masons, A.W.Harper, 1995.
• tin Wiki article on Freemasonry
• Description of conspiracy theories