The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

682
8.4 Patriotism and Politics
Chapter 8 - Categorization of Rituals
Anderson's Constitutions of 1723, which contain the landmarks that
constitute for many Masons the "basic law" of Freemasonry (whether such a law
exists or not will be dealt with in our conclusion), mention under the heading "Of
the Civil Magistrate Supreme and Subordinate" the following statement with
regards to politics:
A Mason is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he
resides or works, and is never to be concern'd in Plots and Conspiracies
against the Peace and Welfare of the Nation, nor to behave himself
undutifully to inferior Magistrates [...]. So that if a Brother should be a
Rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanc'd in his Rebellion,
however he may be pitied as an unhappy Man; and, if convicted of no
other Crime, though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown
his Rebellion, and give no Umbrage or Ground of political Jealousy to
the Government for the time being; they cannot expel him from the
Lodge, and his Relation to it remains indefeasible. 1654
This shows that a Mason has to be a good citizen, in whatever country he
lives, and that he has to keep out of plots, conspiracies, and rebellions. This is
one of the "universal" principles of Masonry. However, it has been shown in the
introductory Chapter 2 how differently the particular countries deal with this
problem. Thus, in France and Italy for example, politics have well merged with
lodge affairs, but this will not be debated again in this document. We have also
seen in the chapter on Negro Freemasonry that Masonic journals have given their
readers recommendations to vote for Masonic politicians, and that Prince Hall
Masonry for the blacks has fought for the civil rights. As the German Masonic
dictionary states, Masonry is in favor of legality and abhors illegality, therefore
obliging its members to obey the laws of their country. The IFL further states
that Masonry is not responsible for individual members behaving contrarily to
the Masonic maxims, because such actions are not supported by the fraternity as
a whole. Moreover, Masonry distances itself from power politics, while on the
other hand urging cultural politics, which are not the same: "Kulturpolitik,
welche die Freimaurerei im Sinne der Aufklärung, des Fortschrittes, der
Humanität betreibt, hat mit Machtpolitik, Tagespolitik im gewöhnlichen Sinne
des Wortes nicht das geringste zu tun." 1655 Although political and religious
discussions are not allowed in the lodge for reasons of tolerance and harmony
among the brethren of different creed and nation, a general liberalism in
Freemasonry can be observed:
1654
Cited in The Masonic Service Association of the United States, Anderson's Constitutions of 1723,
p. 80.
1655
IFL, p. 1222.