Question for Dr. Peterson Regarding Islam and Freemasonry

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Dr. Peterson,

I have recently been informed by a friend of mine who has spent much time in the Middle East that Freemasonry is outlawed in most Islamic countries. I was also informed that most Muslims despise Freemasonry because they feel it promotes the interests of the Jewish people and that one of its aims is to rebuild the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.

If you would be so kind, I would like some verification if this is a true representation of how Freemasonry is viewed in the Islamic world. I consider myself fairly well read and knowledgeable of world religions, but I had never heard this before.

Also, if this is true, do you see the LDS temple ceremony being a stumbling block for the Church to eventually enter these Islamic countries due to the many similarities to Freemasonry?

Thanks in advance.

[_Daniel Peterson]

I think, although I'm certainly not an expert on this subject, that your friend is right. I'm told that there are Masonic lodges in Turkey and Morocco, as well as, in some sense, in Malaysia and Lebanon and post-Hussein Iraq. I even seem to recall reading somewhere that Freemasonry was common among some Istanbul elites in the late days of the Ottoman Empire.

The main reason for Islamic resistance to Freemasonry (since the rise of Zionism, at any rate) is probably the perception that it is too closely linked to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. On the other hand, the very reason given by many Evangelicals for fearing and loathing Freemasonry -- namely that, while it's theistic, it's not overtly Christian or even slightly Trinitarian -- could make Freemasonry very congenial to rigorously monotheistic Muslims.

I don't see the LDS temple ceremony as being a major obstacle to Mormon success with Muslims -- there are plenty of other obstacles, much bigger ones, that are far more worrisome! -- largely because it has nothing to do with the Masonic myth of Hiram Abiff and the construction of the Jerusalem temple.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I think, although I'm certainly not an expert on this subject, that your friend is right. I'm told that there are Masonic lodges in Turkey and Morocco, as well as, in some sense, in Malaysia and Lebanon and post-Hussein Iraq. I even seem to recall reading somewhere that Freemasonry was common among some Istanbul elites in the late days of the Ottoman Empire.

The main reason for Islamic resistance to Freemasonry (since the rise of Zionism, at any rate) is probably the perception that it is too closely linked to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. On the other hand, the very reason given by many Evangelicals for fearing and loathing Freemasonry -- namely that, while it's theistic, it's not overtly Christian or even slightly Trinitarian -- could make Freemasonry very congenial to rigorously monotheistic Muslims.

I don't see the LDS temple ceremony as being a major obstacle to Mormon success with Muslims -- there are plenty of other obstacles, much bigger ones, that are far more worrisome! -- largely because it has nothing to do with the Masonic myth of Hiram Abiff and the construction of the Jerusalem temple.

Thank you very much, Dr. Peterson.