Page 163 - Global Freemasonry

-VI-

THE MASONIC WAR

AGAINST RELIGION

T
T
he existence of Masonry was first officially an-
nounced in England in 1717. Before this date, it
had already spread first in England, then in France
and the rest of Europe, and became a primary
meeting-place for the opponents of religion. Many European Masons met
in their lodges, announcing themselves as "free thinkers," by which they
meant that they did not recognize Divine religions. An article entitled

"The First Periods of Masonry" in Mimar Sinan, says, "The place where
Masons gathered to seek truth outside the churches became a refuge." 119
This group though, that sought truth outside religion, also harbored
great animosity toward religion. For this reason, the organization quickly
became a center of power that made the Church, particularly the Catholic
Church, uncomfortable. This conflict between Masonry and the Church
continued to grow, leaving its mark on Europe the eighteenth and nine-

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