quality:corruption, linguistic:paraphrasing, structural:reformatting
Political liberalism

Many Enlightenment freethinkers perceived established religion as upholding traditional monarchies and oppressing free thought. Consequently, the secrecy and hierarchical Initiatory structure of Freemasonry alarmed some authoritarian states, concerned it could encourage liberal revolutionary ideas.

However, most Masonic lodges mainly aimed to promote morality, sociability, and philanthropic causes rather than radical politics. Values of freethinking, liberty, equality, and opposition to tyranny were also celebrated in Masonic rituals and writings. This intellectual spirit likely contributed to many Freemasons supporting independence movements and participating as Founding Fathers of the United States.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, some authoritarian states also suspected Freemasonry of encouraging liberal freethinking philosophies and suppressed Masonic lodges.