The hatred Islamist terrorists are imbued with knows no bounds, especially when it comes to faith and belief.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY — Is there a group of people more associated with secret orders and conspiracy theories than the Freemasons? If so, I’d like to hear about it. The Masons have been accused of all kinds of mischief and malicious control of the world order and feature in all kinds of fictional works, both in print and on the silver screen (thanks Nicholas Cage in National Treasure!)
What Freemasonry is is more innocent. Developing out of the class of stone masons in late medieval Europe (hence the symbols they use), the loose organisation of ‘fraternal’ clubs is really just a way for men (no women thank you very much!) to gather and wear robes and admit new members in bizarre ceremonies. Hell, even Homer Simpson became a Mason!
The Catholic Church, however, took a dim view of the order. It believed that the Masons stood for a ‘naturalistic deity’ which conflicted with Church doctrine. And we all know how tolerant the Vatican was of difference for, oh I don’t know, 18 centuries?
It turns out that Christians are not the only ones who look disparagingly on the men in robes. Jihadis also hate them and accuse them of all kinds of backroom influence. I have seen propaganda where Freemasons join Jews and others as unwanted manipulators who must be eliminated (and replaced with Islamist terrorist utopian societies of course). In January 2016 a US Muslim was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on a Masonic lodge in Milwaukee, to “defend Islam”. The same man had been musing about attacking Israelis in the West Bank, illustrating that these terrorists are equal opportunity killers.
2004 attack on Freemasons in Istanbul
On this day in 2004 two terrorists with automatic weapons opened fire in a restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey frequented by Masons, killing one and wounding five before detonating suicide vests (although only one died in the act of doing so). Turkish authorities later rounded up 18 people associated with the attack, which they believe was perpetrated by a local Al Qaeda cell.
I have a suggestion for Islamist terrorists who really detest the Freemasons: just stop watching Nicholas Cage films! Has he ever really made one worth watching anyway? (apologies to Mr. Cage)
