Brother: Why are religion and
politics not permitted in Lodges?
Coach: Why do you think they’re
proscribed?
Brother: It causes a giant chasm
between Brothers.
Coach: So, division?
Brother: Yes, they’re divisive
topics. 
Coach: I'll have to respectfully
disagree then.
Brother: Why's that?
Coach: My experience has been that
mature, respectful and civil souls have no problem at all discussing such
things.
Brother: Then what type of member
does have a problem?
Coach: Immature, disrespectful and
uncivil ones. They absolutely have a problem discussing these topics.
Brother: Why is this?
Coach: They have not done the Work
that enables them to easily subdue their passions and to keep their desires
within due bounds. They’ve not brought Order to the
Chaos of their hearts or minds. These members are divided within themselves,
literally severed in two or more directions. These inner divisions show up as
discordant conversations with others when they begin talking. It’s quite disturbing to be
involved with such souls, especially when they’re passions are flowing all over
the place and impacting others.
Brother: Okay, I agree with all
this. However, that implies the reason we don't talk religion or politics in
Lodge is that we know there will be uncivil people there.
Coach: And your point is?
Brother: The purpose for not talking
religion or politics is to maintain civility.
Coach: Can I offer another reason?
Brother: Please do.
Coach: The purpose for not talking
religion or politics is that it reveals the symptoms of immaturity, disrespect
and incivility in those who have not done the Work. The proscription is meant
to mitigate Lodge situations where these characteristics are present in those
who have yet to do the Work. And by virtue of having new members who have yet
to do this very important and crucial Work, you will have these characteristics present.
Brother: In other words, the lodge
is full of immature, disrespectful, and uncivil men?
Coach: No. The lodge, by virtue of
bringing new members in, contains them; more in some than others. The
proscription is there to assure that even when the Lodge has these elements,
they are less likely to interfere with the work to be done.
Brother: Again, I agree.
Coach: Thanks! Why are you pursuing
this line of thinking?
Brother: I'm noticing a ton of
division in online discussions right now, even to the point of Brothers being called
"unmasonic" for expressing their religious or political ideas.
Coach: And you'll notice the cause
of all this behavior is not politics or religion begin discussed. The
disharmony is caused by immaturity, disrespect and incivility. In other words,
it is the “Ruffians” in the mix that cause the descent, not the Master Masons
who have cultivated maturity, respect and civility for themselves and others.
Brother: Agreed. Ruffians love their
opinions and love to attack those who don’t share them.
Coach: Ruffians by their very nature
are undisciplined. They have not done the necessary Work to build their inner
temples. As a result of this lack of cultivation, their performance suffers,
especially when their passions and desires are involved. They have natural
deficits in dealing with others. They are immature. They are disrespectful.
They are uncivil.
Brother: This makes so much sense.
Coach: Thanks! So, you understand
now why Lodges proscribe such conversations?
Brother: Yes. It allows Brothers to
interact on topics that are less likely to have their uncircumscribed desires
and unsubdued passions interfere.
Coach: Exactly! The rule helps them
work upon conversations that have less complicated issues and focus with the hope they will take the skills
they need to develop and hone in Lodge out into the world.
Brother: And when they don’t take the time to do this import and crucial Work?
Coach: You end up blocking them within your on
line activities.
Brother: Why?
Coach: Because they’re so immature, disrespectful and uncivil that they'll mess
up, redirect and ultimately hijack for their purposes any worthwhile thread that you make effort to create. That's how damaging their internal baggage actually is to others when they have yet to subdue and circumscribe it.
Brother: Ah! Back to doing the internal Work.
Coach: Mastery starts there my Brother. Without it, nothing you say can be taken seriously.
Brother: And if your word cannot be trusted, it might as well be taken out and disposed of.
Coach: Yep. Without the proper circumscription and subduing, your word are going to cause more harm than good, especially when your desires and passions are fully engaged.
Brother: Hence the proscription.
Coach: Indeed!
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