[jacquej]

Can someone point me to a reliable article on the history of the Masons, and why these have been so controversial?

[Safetgiver]

I can’t point you to any article (maybe Wikipedia?) but in my readings the Masons are sort of the Unions of this age. You couldn’t get a job laying, cutting or designing stone buildings if you were not a mason in the 1500-1600’s. Somehow they made rites, prohibitions and pomp over being Masons. Eventually others became Masons, paying in to this ‘Union’ if they wanted to get any buildings erected. Once the money began pouring in, they expanded to the richer factions and set up rites and rules for members and they never forgot God, Christianity or reverence. They pissed off a whole lot of people who dubbed them a closed, secret society that ate babies, shit on the Bible and caused mayhem. Much like the Unions today, but extremely more efficient. Flame suit on.

[steve86]

Brief article from EWTN on Catholic perspective

[Salvation]

Fr. Z muses and rants (about the current stories circulating about Rome Vatican Punishes French Priest for Being a Freemason
Essays for Lent/Easter: Freemasons
Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons, [Part 1]
Good Catholics should not wear aprons
Sandra Miesel explains why Catholics can't be Masons
Masonic Lodges Open Those Mysterious Doors
"LOST SYMBOL" PICTURES: Masonic Symbols Decoded
Georgia freemasons at loggerheads over admission of black man to lodge
Is There No Help For The Widow's Son? Part two (Masonry and Mormonism) (OPEN)

Masonic rituals live on
First-Ever Masonic Inaugural Ball to be Held[In honor of President-elect, Barack Obama]
A Mormon Mason: New grand master is the first in a century who is LDS
Freemasons open a lodge at Buckingham Palace but the Queen isn't amused
Islam and Freemasonry
Masonry, Atheism and Catholicism
New Masons Drawn by Brotherhood, Not Myths
THE ANTI-CATHOLIC NATURE OF FREEMASONRY
Cuban Freemason Dr. Alfredo Manuel Pulido Lopez is being held prisoner in Cuba
Masonic rituals live on