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The most recognisable symbol of Freemasonry is the "Square and Compass," which is used to teach, respectively, "square conduct towards others" and "keeping passions and prejudices within due bounds". For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in one god or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. As a result, members of different religions, if monotheistic, are admitted to membership with no expectation that they accept as correct or affirm the religions creeds of any other member.  

The most recognisable symbol of Freemasonry is the "Square and Compass," which is used to teach, respectively, "square conduct towards others" and "keeping passions and prejudices within due bounds". For most jurisdictions of Freemasonry there is a rule that the members must believe in one god or supreme being and in the immortality of the soul. As a result, members of different religions, if monotheistic, are admitted to membership with no expectation that they accept as correct or affirm the religions creeds of any other member.  

Various [[Christianity|Christian]] churches are opposed to Freemasonry and state that its teachings are incompatible with Christianity.<ref>[http://www.equip.org/article/should-christians-join-the-masonic-lodge/ Should Christians Join the Masonic Lodge]</ref><ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/masonry.html Freemasonry and the Christian Church]</ref><ref>[http://www.gotquestions.org/free-masonry.html What is Free Masonry and what do Free Masons believe?]</ref>  The Roman Catholic Church opposes Freemasonry, which it first condemned in an encyclical issued by Pope Clement XII in 1738. <ref>[https://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/BACAFM.HTM/ Catholicism vs. Freemasonry—Irreconcilable Forever Rev. Robert I. Bradley]</ref> The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is opposed to Freemasonry.<ref>[http://www.orlutheran.com/masoniclodge.html]</ref> The Orthodox Church in America also opposes Freemasonry.  

Various [[Christianity|Christian]] churches are opposed to Freemasonry and state that its teachings are incompatible with Christianity.<ref>[http://www.equip.org/article/should-christians-join-the-masonic-lodge/ Should Christians Join the Masonic Lodge]</ref><ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/masonry.html Freemasonry and the Christian Church]</ref><ref>[http://www.gotquestions.org/free-masonry.html What is Free Masonry and what do Free Masons believe?]</ref>  The Roman Catholic Church opposes Freemasonry, which it first condemned in an encyclical issued by Pope Clement XII in 1738.<ref>[https://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/BACAFM.HTM/ Catholicism vs. Freemasonry—Irreconcilable Forever Rev. Robert I. Bradley]</ref> The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is opposed to Freemasonry.<ref>[http://www.orlutheran.com/masoniclodge.html]</ref> The Orthodox Church in America also opposes Freemasonry.  

<ref>[http://oca.org/questions/nonchristiangroups/masonic-fraternity]</ref>  

<ref>[http://oca.org/questions/nonchristiangroups/masonic-fraternity]</ref>  

Freemasonry is also illegal in most Islamic countries, including all but two of the Arab states, and Masonic lodges are sometimes called "Houses of the Devil" by Muslims. <ref>Short page 170</ref> <ref>http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html</ref> Sultan Mahmut I of Turkey outlawed Freemasonry shortly after the Pope condemned it in 1738. In 1978 the Islamic Jurisdictional College, perhaps the most important important group involved in Islamic law interpretation, issued a statement condemning Freemasonry, and said, "Any Muslim, who affiliates with it, knowing the truth of its objectives, is an infidel to Islam”.  

Freemasonry is also illegal in most Islamic countries, including all but two of the Arab states, and Masonic lodges are sometimes called "Houses of the Devil" by Muslims.<ref>Short page 170</ref><ref>http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/layiktez1.html</ref> Sultan Mahmut I of Turkey outlawed Freemasonry shortly after the Pope condemned it in 1738. In 1978 the Islamic Jurisdictional College, perhaps the most important important group involved in Islamic law interpretation, issued a statement condemning Freemasonry, and said, "Any Muslim, who affiliates with it, knowing the truth of its objectives, is an infidel to Islam”.  

Many right-wing extremists oppose Freemasonry. These have included [[David Icke]] and [[Alex Jones]]. <ref>Deciphering the Lost Symbol:Freemasons, Myths, and the Mysteries of Washington, D.C. by Christopher L. Hodapp page 7</ref>

Many right-wing extremists oppose Freemasonry. These have included [[David Icke]] and [[Alex Jones]].<ref>Deciphering the Lost Symbol:Freemasons, Myths, and the Mysteries of Washington, D.C. by Christopher L. Hodapp page 7</ref>

There is a degree in Freemasonry called the Holy Royal Arch where an ancient God called Jahbulon is referenced. He is supposed to be a mystic trinity consisting of Yahweh (Jah), God of the Jews, Baal (Bul), a Celtic god, and On, a God of Egypt also named Osiris. <ref>Short pages 90-105</ref> <ref>Sora, Steven The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar: Solving the Oak Island Mystery Destiny Books Rochester, Vermont 1999 page 233</ref>

There is a degree in Freemasonry called the Holy Royal Arch where an ancient God called Jahbulon is referenced. He is supposed to be a mystic trinity consisting of Yahweh (Jah), God of the Jews, Baal (Bul), a Celtic god, and On, a God of Egypt also named Osiris.<ref>Short pages 90-105</ref><ref>Sora, Steven The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar: Solving the Oak Island Mystery Destiny Books Rochester, Vermont 1999 page 233</ref>

Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.  

Contrary to popular belief, Freemasons are not taught to 'prefer' other Masons or to do them special favors. They are pledged, however, to come to the assistance of other Masons if they are in need, so long as this does not involve any violation of one's ethical standards or imperil the well-being of the assisting Mason's family.  

In 1717 four lodges met together at a public house (pub, or hotel) in London and formed the Grand Lodge of England. It later chartered grand lodges in other countries.

In 1717 four lodges met together at a public house (pub, or hotel) in London and formed the Grand Lodge of England. It later chartered grand lodges in other countries.

In 1923 the Italian leader [[Mussolini]] ordered through his Fascist Council that members of the ruling Fascist political party who were Freemasons had to give up one or the other. In 1925 Mussolini stated publicly that although Anglo-American Freemasonry was acceptable to him, the Grand Orient Freemasonry of Italy was part of the larger French Grand Orient, which he stated was subversive.He then outlawed Grand Orient Freemasonry. <ref>[http://bessel.org/naziartl.htm]</ref>

In 1923 the Italian leader [[Mussolini]] ordered through his Fascist Council that members of the ruling Fascist political party who were Freemasons had to give up one or the other. In 1925 Mussolini stated publicly that although Anglo-American Freemasonry was acceptable to him, the Grand Orient Freemasonry of Italy was part of the larger French Grand Orient, which he stated was subversive.He then outlawed Grand Orient Freemasonry.<ref name="bessel.org">[http://bessel.org/naziartl.htm]</ref>

After [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power he outlawed Freemasonry in [[Germany]]. That year in April, Herman Goering, a German public official, held a meeting with the Grand Master of German Freemasonry, and told him Freemasonry would not be tolerated in Germany anymore. At first Hitler only outlawed the pro-Jewish Humantirian Freemasonic lodges in 1933. But in 1935 he outlawed Freemasonry in all its forms, including the highly anti-Jewish Prussian Grand Lodges. <ref>Short, Martin Inside the Brotherhood: Explosive Secrets of the Freemasons HarperCollins page 27</ref><ref>[http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007187]</ref> Robert Jackson, the US prosecuting attorney at the Nuremberg trials, stated, "It is not generally understood that among the earliest and most savage of the many persecutions undertaken by every modern dictatorship are those directed against the Free Masons". <ref>[http://bessel.org/naziartl.htm]</ref>

After [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power he outlawed Freemasonry in [[Germany]]. That year in April, Herman Goering, a German public official, held a meeting with the Grand Master of German Freemasonry, and told him Freemasonry would not be tolerated in Germany anymore. At first Hitler only outlawed the pro-Jewish Humantirian Freemasonic lodges in 1933. But in 1935 he outlawed Freemasonry in all its forms, including the highly anti-Jewish Prussian Grand Lodges.<ref>Short, Martin Inside the Brotherhood: Explosive Secrets of the Freemasons HarperCollins page 27</ref><ref>[http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007187]</ref> Robert Jackson, the US prosecuting attorney at the Nuremberg trials, stated, "It is not generally understood that among the earliest and most savage of the many persecutions undertaken by every modern dictatorship are those directed against the Free Masons".<ref name="bessel.org"/>

==Famous Freemasons==  

==Famous Freemasons==