On Politics and Religion on Social Media

My Dear Brethren: One of the basic attributes that differentiates our beloved Masonic Fraternity from most other civic and social organizations is our singular code of behavior that enhances the promotion of harmony and brotherhood amongst our membership by strictly precluding debate and discourse on politics and religion within the walls of the Masonic Lodge. Sadly and concerningly, I have heard about and have personally observed inappropriate statements and posts on subjects that have no place in Freemasonry that appeared on various social media platforms reflecting poorly upon the Fraternity. We currently have Masonic Law and several Statutes that clearly prohibit individual Masons and/or Lodges from engaging in political discourse both inside and outside the Lodge room, which tend to draw or attempt to draw the Fraternity into the discussion. No one affiliated with the Masonic Fraternity is authorized to speak or otherwise address matters on behalf of the Fraternity concerning politics or religion without the expressed permission of the Grand Master. Should a member wish to act, attend, speak or write on the subject of politics or religion, they may do so in an individual capacity and NOT use their affiliation with the Masonic Fraternity. I humbly entreat each of you my brothers to revisit the Masonic Obligation solemnly taken at the Altar of your respective Lodges with emphasis on our universal doctrine of refraining from discussing matters of a political nature, socio-political opinions and/or religious manner of expression and faith. In closing, I wish to reiterate the sage words of Past Grand Master Joseph D. Evans (1854), who described the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry as follows: “…that every Mason is bound by his covenants to have respect for and obedience to the civil law of the country, and the Masonic regulations of the jurisdiction in which he may reside; that no candidate or brother can be questioned as to his peculiar mode of religious faith or political opinion, nor can any discussion upon such subjects be permitted in any assembly of the Craft…” With kind brotherly love, I remain, Steven Adam Rubin Grand Master