It’s political season in the United States. In the lodge, politics and religion are forbidden topics of discussion among members. Outside of the lodge, not so much.
Here’s a reminder: THIS is who we are in IOOF:
We’re friends!
This is who we are NOT:
As an Odd Fellow, I do everything in my power not to discuss politics and religion with another Odd. That doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally slip up, because I do. And as soon as I notice that politics or religion creeps into the conversation I try and change the subject. I do the same thing on Facebook: I do everything I can to not comment on a political post made by a brother or sister. Sometimes, I slip up and comment. But if I can catch myself I’ll stop. Sometimes, I’ll even go back and delete a comment I made.
But, heaven help you if you aren’t an Odd Fellow because I do have political views.
Strong ones.
Hey, I don’t claim to be perfect. Just Odd. And when it comes to IOOF members, I don’t want to engage your political and religious views. You’re “my sis,” “my homie,” “my partnuh.” Not my political foe. Not my religious foe.
We MUST be careful with one another on Facebook. Allow our sisters and brothers to post their views. But I encourage us all to refrain, as best we can, from engaging another Odd Fellow over political or religious posts this fall. If you MUST engage, I encourage you to do so on “messenger” where the debate will be private. But really, it’s probably best to say nothing at all.
Scott Moye is an award-winning history educator and collector of Arkansas folklore. He grew up on a cotton farm and is currently a museum worker. Hobbies include: old house 
restoration, writing, amateur radio, Irish traditional music, archery, craft beer, old spooky movies, and street performance. He is a member of Marshall Lodge #1, in Marshall, Arkansas, and a founder of Heart In Hand Blog.
Heart in Hand 