Author: Abu Raef
Freemasonry (Part 44)
The Views of Arthur Edward on the Relationship Between Judaism and Freemasonry
In the previous discussion, we read to some extent about the views of Arthur Edward regarding the affiliation and relationship between Judaism and Freemasonry. Now, we will evaluate and examine part of those views as well. Perhaps the new point in Arthur’s writings is that he establishes a connection between Masonry and the Crusades because he considers the “Knights Templar” to be the origin and root of Masonry. And since he himself belongs to a Christian society, he presents such a connection.
For this reason, we see that he says, “There came a time when the chosen Masonry was united with the degree of Saint John the Holy, and in this way, it was transmitted through crusading kings and nobles. In this manner, Europe came to know it, and Masonic lodges were established in Italy, Spain, France, and England, and when Prince Edward the Black returned from the eighth and final Crusade, he became a supporter and defender of this order in England, and there the name “Masonry” was given to it. [1]
In this statement, besides proving the connection between these two movements, he also expresses the role of Freemasonry in the Crusades, which are considered the symbol of Christianity. He further provides information according to which the Masons rendered great services to the Crusades; therefore, the people of the West, by joining Masonry, expressed their gratitude to them. In fact, this is regarded as part of the positive record of Freemasonry.
He considers the basis of this assistance to be in the Crusaders’ wars against Muslims in order to retake Jerusalem. There he says that when the time came for the kings and princes of Europe and their believers to liberate Jerusalem from the yoke of disbelief and rabble (by which he means Islam and Muslims), the Masons offered their services to that great project, namely the Crusades.
According to him, the Masons performed astonishing and unparalleled acts of bravery and courage, and one of the results was that the crusading kings and nobles, with insistence and supplication, requested to be accepted into Masonry until finally they were granted permission to enter it.
Apart from the expression he used regarding Muslims, it must be known that Freemasons have always been spies, and this is among their most important and distinctive characteristics. From this perspective, it is not at all unlikely or surprising that they may have engaged in espionage along this path. [2]
Jews are the masters of the Masons, and their role in history has been to walk upon ropes without questioning. Always and in every situation, the drum of the dominant power has sounded pleasant to the Jews, even if that dominant figure was Hitler or the minister of the Kaiser who massacred them. Yet still, serving him and forming alliances with him is not an obstacle as long as he is powerful; then, when he becomes weak, they abandon him and rise against him. In this matter, there is no difference between Hulagu, Hitler, and others. [3]
Arthur Edward does not suffice with mentioning the alliance between Masonry and the Jews; rather, he has an aspiration far beyond that. He says, “The Knights of Palestine, who were the ancestors and forefathers of the founders of the Masonic brotherhood, were sorrowful witnesses to all those calamities and disasters that led to the fall of the Kingdom of Judah. They were scattered in many hidden places, because the conspiracy of unfortunate events and the complete destruction of the Jewish nation had driven them away, and under those conditions, they were waiting for a revolution in the future; a revolution that would once again return them to their inheritance, the inheritance of their forefathers, and enable them for the third time to build their Holy Temple so that they could resume their activities within its blessed circle.” [4]
From this statement, it becomes clear that Arthur considers Masons and Jews one entity, and he eagerly awaits a revolution that will return them to their inheritance and rebuild their Holy Temple.
It must be known that what has led Arthur to thank the Freemasons and consider them the saviors of the land of Jerusalem is the idea of a “conspiracy to expel the Jews” from the Holy Land, as if Muslims had attempted to expel them from their land and it was the Freemasons who became their saviors. However, when we refer to the Torah and its teachings, we find that this expulsion and removal was the result of their own actions and behavior and that God had decreed it upon them.
Part of the statements of the prophet Jeremiah in the Torah are as follows:
“Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of Israel. Thus says the Lord: What injustice did your fathers find in Me that they went far from Me and followed vanity and themselves became vain? The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ and those who handle the law did not know Me, and the shepherds rebelled against Me, and the prophets prophesied in the name of Baal and followed things that do not benefit. Therefore, I will again contend with you (says the Lord), and with your children’s children I will also contend… Has a nation changed its gods, though they are not gods? But my people have exchanged their glory for that which does not benefit. Be astonished at this, O heavens, and tremble greatly (says the Lord), for My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves broken cisterns that hold no water.” [5]
Again, from the prophet Jeremiah, we read:
“Walk in the streets of Jerusalem and see and search whether you can find a man who executes justice and seeks truth so that I may pardon that city. And if they say, ‘As the Lord lives,’ surely they swear falsely, their sins have become many and their transgressions have increased. How shall I forgive you? Your sons have forsaken me; I am sworn by those who are not gods. When I fed them, they committed adultery and gathered in the house of a harlot. Like well-fed horses set loose, each one neighed after his neighbor’s wife. Shall I not punish them for these things? (says the Lord), or shall I not take vengeance on such a nation? Go up on her walls and destroy, but do not make a full end; cut off her branches, for they are not the Lord’s. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt treacherously with Me (says the Lord). They have denied the Lord and said, ‘He is not, and evil will not come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine. ‘ Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, a mighty nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand. Their quiver is like an open grave, and they are all mighty men. They shall eat your harvest and your bread, which your sons and daughters eat. They shall eat your flocks and your herds; they shall eat your vines and your fig trees, and they shall destroy your fortified cities in which you trust with the sword… Yet even in those days (says the Lord), I will not make a full end of you. And when you say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ then you shall say to them: ‘Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve strangers in a land that is not yours…’ Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Do you not fear Me? (says the Lord) Do you not tremble at My presence?’” [6]
In this long text of the Torah, from the statements of the Prophet Jeremiah, a large part of the sins and transgressions of this people that led to their expulsion becomes clear.
We conclude this section with the continuation of the words of the Prophet Jeremiah:
“Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, the fruit of their thoughts, because they did not listen to My words and rejected My law, and now a people comes from the land of the north, and a great nation rises from the ends of the earth. They hold a bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, arrayed as men for war against you, O daughter of Zion.” [7]
Thus, if the supporters of Freemasonry, especially individuals like Arthur, speak of a conspiracy, then according to the words of Jeremiah, this matter is from the Lord of Hosts and the God of Israel, not from anyone outside. In such a way that Israel disbelieved and rebelled, and God punished them through the hands of the Assyrians, as the Torah, that sacred book, states.
So who has conspired against the Children of Israel that now, in order to repel that conspiracy, thanks and appreciation should be expressed to the Freemasons?
To be continued…
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References:
[1]. Freemasonry: The Knot of Origin and the Shame of the End, p. 26.
[2]. Freemasonry, the Jews, and the Torah, pp. 56–57.
[3]. The Jews and Alliance with the Powerful, pp. 78–101, Al-Ummah Book Series, 1412 AH.
[4]. Freemasonry: The Knot of Origin and the Shame of the End, p. 28.
[5]. The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 2: 4–13, n.d., n.p.
[6]. The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 5:1–22.
[7]. The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 6: 22–23.
