On the Catholic side of American Christianity, there seems to be only one major source for theories concerning a Masonic conspiracy. That is Paul Fisher's book "Behind the Lodge Door: Church, State and Freemasonry in America" (Bowie, MD: Shield, 1988). It is called an investigation into the Scottish Rite of American Freemasonry in the 20th century. The essential message of the book is that beginning in the 1940s, Freemasons engineered the imposition of an alien secular humanism on American education and upon the country's political life.
Here are some quotes from that book, with comments.
"...when conducting research on the legislative and judicial history of the First Amendment to the Constitution, I noted that so many Justices were member of the Craft, thus making it highly important to learn the philosophy and teachings of the organization."
The author seems to assume that all important opinions of Freemasons originate in Freemasonry. By the same logic, all Catholic politicians have the same political views... Not true! There is no reason to assume that values held by these justices came from Freemasonry or that their actions were in any way dictated by the Craft.
Fisher claims that he gleaned most of his information by reading the magazine of the Scottish Rite of Masons in North America, which was called "The New Age" until that term was tainted by other connotations, when the publication changed its name.
"...when augmented by wide-ranging reading from a number of works of the Craft (most of which were suggested by New Age articles or editorial commentary), it is evident that international Freemasonry historically has been a revolutionary world-wide movement organized to advance Kabbalistic Gnosticism; to undermine and, if possible, to destroy Christianity; to infuse Masonic philosophy into key government structures; and to subvert any government which does not comport with Masonic principles.
Note the key word here: "historically". Yes, some of these things may have been true in some places a long time ago. Freemasonry is a human organization and vulnerable to errors and mistakes much like other groups of people. Even the Roman Catholic church cannot claim to always have acted justly. For example, they condemned Joan of Arc and it took many centuries before they admitted this error. That they finally did, strengthens their credibility.
As to the contents of the magazine which Mr Fisher has read: Would it make any sense if the Masons, in their own (non-secret) publication, propagated kabbalistic Gnosticism, the destruction of Christianity and the subversion of government? Would it make sense that Mr Fisher was the first to even notice this? Does it make sense to say that Freemasonry at the same time is a secret conspiracy aiming at those nefarious goals? I would rather believe that Mr Fisher has been reading articles on certain odd occurrences in Masonic history and mistaken them for articles on the nature of Freemasonry.
"All evidence points to the fact that most members of the Masonic fraternity are largely ignorant of its sinister designs.
This is a classic! Some nasty conspirators formed a society which admonishes members to obey civil laws, speak the truth, engage in charity and be diligent in the practise of their religion. The evil conspirators did this because they wanted to promote revolution, destroy religion, etc. ad nauseam. If there is an evil conspiracy in this, it certainly is counter productive. The quote reveals Fisher as a propagator of the same kind of crazy, self-contradictory conspiracy theories that the fundies believe in.
...nor is it evident that any Justices during that period wished to encourage or advance America's traditional Judaeo-Christian beliefs and values which were extant at the time -- and which I, and millions of other young Americans, willingly went to war to defend in the 1940s.
Here we have reached the core of Fisher's criticism. He is disappointed at the secularization of American society, the abandonment of traditional values, the rise of materialism and the diversification of morals. Like all other conspiracy theorists, he seeks an easy explanation for the complex problems and developments he sees. His answer is "The Masons!" While in truth, reality is never that simple. Aren't there any sociologists or political scientists among the Catholic hierarchy who can see this?
Also, if it was true that the Freemasons were behind these anti-Christian developments, why did they wait so long? Freemasons such as George Washington and several others of the founding fathers of America could certainly have done something in that direction.
"The facts available indicate that most men are lured into Masonry by the appeal of its deceptive facade which promises brotherhood, charitable and benevolent endeavors, and, not insignificantly, an opportunity for personal advancement in employment or in public life."
If anyone gets "personal advancement in employment and public life" through Freemasonry, this is an express violation of Masonic principles. Masons are acutely aware of the risk that their fraternity could be suspected of such favouritism, and constantly on guard against it. Some lodges even forbid their members to wear any pins, ties or other marks that could identify them as Masons, because this could be interpreted as a solicitation of unfair advantages from other Masons.
It is certainly true that personal friendships which have begun in a Masonic lodge can lead to mutual benefit -- but that is equally true of friendships begun in your local golf club or your work place.
"However, once behind the lodge door, the nascent Mason learns quickly that charity begins at home, and that he is bound to the Fraternity by solemn oaths and threats of gruesome bodily harm and death if he should disclose any of Masonry's secrets.
This is a gross misrepresentation of the contents of Masonic oaths. (see under that headline).
"In fact, that uniquely American appreciation of open debate regarding important issues would seem to make secret societies an anachronism in this country. Yet, the fact is, membership in Freemasonry is larger in the United States than in any other country in the world.
An open debate regarding important public issues is certainly a good thing. A public debate about private matters pertaining to the inner work of a non-political society, hardly serves any other purpose than to satisfy childish curiosities.