Devil Worship in France

by A.E. Waite

Waite debunks the notorious Taxil hoax which falsely accused Freemasons of worshipping the Devil.

In the late 1800's, Leo Taxil gained considerable fame with his stories and claimed "proof" of the "evils" of Freemasonry. Taxil claimed that Freemasons worshiped Satan and a host of other outrageous charges. A.E. Waite exposes Taxil's claims as not only incorrect, but outright lies deliberately told by Taxil with the hopes of gaining his short-lived popularity. Waite's, "Devil Worship in France" is classic Waite, tearing apart the falsehoods of Taxil in no uncertain terms. This is a fascinating and important work for anyone with any interest in Freemasonry.

Waite systematically debunks Taxil in this book, citing factual inaccuracies, plagarism, and sheer absurdities. Waite is in top form here, witty, sarcastic, and utilizing extensive firsthand knowledge of Victorian mystical and masonic groups to demolish Taxil. Of interest is Chapter VII, wherein Waite gives a detailed summary of Taxil's pulp-fiction narrative, which has never been translated into English. It is amazing that anyone would take this yarn seriously, then or now.