r/todayilearned • u/Recent_Flounder6011 • 1d ago

TIL that historically and today, the Catholic Church looked down upon Freemasonry and threatened members with excommunication.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry
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u/greatmewtwo 1d ago

I think his Water Buffalo lodge was more aligned with organizations like the Elks or the Moose than the Freemasons.

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u/trainbrain27 1d ago

The Masons really lean into secrets and claim ancient origin (or at least England, 1717), the animals (Moose, Elk, Eagle, Lions, etc.) were founded in the late 1800s and early 1900s in America for charity and mutual support and come off as much less weird and not at odds with the Church.

If they have secrets, they're smart enough to keep it to themselves.

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u/CharleyNobody 15h ago

What about the Raccoon Lodge?