Why are the masons not liked by many people?
Because it is a secret society, and often is associated with wealth and privilege. Many others have religious objections to Masonic practices, and anything that is a secret tends to make people speculate in a paranoid manner. In UK masonry is often treated like an overgrown gentleman’s supper club with bells and whistles, but abroad the matter is very serious indeed, and therefore secrecy is far more important to masons. Especially where the religious element comes into it (Protestant vs Catholic). As in some countries, such as France and Italy, feelings can get red raw on the subject.
