Why are discussions of politics and religion forbidden in Lodge?
The prohibition goes back to the early history of the Fraternity. It is written in the second paragraph of the sixth “Old Charge” (Behavior after the Lodge is over and the Brethren not goner ; “No private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the Door of the Lodge, far less any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or State policy, we being only, as Masons, of the Catholick Religion above-mentioned; we are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are resolved against all Politicks as what never yet conduc’d to the Welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charge has been always strictly enjoin’d and observ’d, but especially since the Reformation in Britain, or the Dissent and Secession of these Nations from the Communion of Rome.” Freemasons today hold that the Old Charge prohibits lodge discussions of politics in the sense of partisan politics and religion in the sense of sectarian religion.
