The pillars are symbolic, as is everything else in Masonry.

Since you aren't forced to believe in a specific interpretation of God, these are lessons that you can use in your own belief system.

Some say they represent Jacob of the Bible.

Some people interpret them to mean 'God' and 'Man'. In some of the later degrees one learns about an arch and a keystone that holds the arch between the columns together and SOME PEOPLE interpret the keystone as Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus is the keystone that joins and secures God to Man.

Some people even say they are stone columns that hold up the roof of a building.

That is the beauty of Freemasonry. The lessons are general and require the learner to have his own sense of God and religion. The symbols can then be used as rules for morality across religions to bring men together no matter what their individual beliefs are.

Masonry represents the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God.

It doesn't take complex symbols and allusions and memberships in various societies or churches to know God however. It's very easy. Whenever I start getting bent out of shape about religion I just fall back on the old quote:

"Be still and know that I AM."

If you just think about that one little statement on it's own for a little while it can just blow your mind. Who are you? What are you? What's your name? Who's right? Who's wrong? What shall I do? How shall I act?

It's all right there in that one statement.

In my opinion we spend too much time and energy trying to prove that something we KNOW exists does in fact EXIST. Then we fight and fight about what His name is, whose Messiah is better, etc.

We can never evolve as a society and stop slaughtering each other figuratively and literally until we get past fighting over the details (that we will truly never know). That's one thing Masonry (in a subtle way) has helped me with personally.

Now Masonry doesn't say all the stuff I just said. All Masonry says is, "Hey.. there's these two pillars."

That along with other Masonic allegory leads me to the belief:

- God is the 'I AM'

- God wants us to love each other

- God wants those who can to help those who can't


So, just to close the loop, any interpretation of masonic symbols is open. They are just symbols and nobody says my interpretation is any more valid than YouTube's, but I think it's important to present a counterpoint.

By the same token my interpretations are my own. I can't discuss my beliefs about God in the lodge because it might upset a Brother. We do this to preserve the fraternity so we can continue our work. Freemasonry just gives us the slate and we draw it individually.

But when you get 15 or 20 guys together who have gone off separately within their own belief system and have seen these universal symbols applied to their lives come together to work it makes for a good time with good men who want to help others.

[edit on 1/5/09 by emsed1]

I agree whole heartedly emsed. Thats what people dont get, the relationship between God and the individual is that individuals business and no one else. People should stop judging others and let them be. This is precisely why there is no discussion of theology in the Lodge.

Phallus worship is everywhere, including in both Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Therefore, Masonic dick worshippin' is perfectly Christian in every way.

[edit on 5-1-2009 by Eleleth]

Originally posted by Eleleth
Phallus worship is everywhere, including in both Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Therefore, Masonic dick worshippin' is perfectly Christian in every way.

[edit on 5-1-2009 by Eleleth]

You actually had to edit this brilliant bon mot? Priceless.

Originally posted by AugustusMasonicus
You actually had to edit this brilliant bon mot? Priceless.

If I don't choose my words carefully, the Masonic Ninjas might come for me in my sleep...

I am not surprised that only masons respond to these things, it just makes the whole outlook of the world look more sad. I do happen to know some very nice freemasons and I'm sure you guys are too, but I don't know how you can deny these things when they are written by YOUR authors. Albert Pike says in the beginning of Morals and Dogma that every mason should have a copy of that book. This video was taken from The Book of Words which is more of an introduction for masons into symbolism.

Originally posted by KSigMason

Originally posted by Divas4Truth

At 17 seconds, it says, "And they are clearly seen on the First Degree Masonic Tracing Board." First of all it's Trestle board, not tracing board.
If you are a freemason, then you know it's the different name for the same thing.

From 36 seconds to 54 seconds, that quote is laughable and this conspirator seems to have some pent up sexual thoughts.This is a quote directly from The Book of Words by Albert Pike the most famous author on Freemasonry (besides Manly P. Hall, of course)

I'd say a few more years in school would do them better.
I have a Masters in Interpreting Literature and I have been trained in schools of esoteric knowledge.

As for the message, I am guessing the author thinks the Freemasons are just a big sex cult?
No, I think they are worse than that.

Well, your credibility is shot in my eyes.
Like I care about how I look in your All Seeing eye.

[edit on 4-1-2009 by KSigMason]