Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 04, 1999 at 09:27:50 {yxewwqp4aAMRXA6xmpscslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: ***BTG-RUTHERFORD-JEWS LINK posted by metatron on November 04, 1999 at 06:20:46:
Hi metatron,
We don't have to "convict" at this point, we only need "reasonable cause." This is just an observation and an inquiry.
The problem is that several independent sources have suggested quite realistically (including the Nazis) that the witness organization is more than casually connected with Freemasonry or Jewish secret socities.
Ordinarily we would just dismiss this idea. But it is hard to dismiss any link when Russell has a Freemasonry pyramid erected over this grave showing how pagan-oriented he was. Plus we all know about this pyramidology concepts which he tried to link to his chronology, etc. Totally un-Biblical! Plus what would a Freemason think if someone came to his door in 1900 with the Watchtower Magazine which on its very cover had a "cross and crown" in one corner, AND the sign of the "Knights of Templar" in the other?
Plus Russell more than adequately established he has "many friends who were Masons" and gave a talk about Jesus being the "Master Mason" including the concepts of going up the ladder of degrees, etc.
So the influence was definitely there and it definitely affected the artwork in the magazines.
But as noted, the connection with Jehovah's Witnesses would not be secret management of the organization by Masons, but infiltration of the organization with those who maintain direct or indirect Freemasonry ties or concepts, if even only for commercial advantages.
So the Witnesses are a legitimate religion to those attracted to the truth, but it's also a great cover/front organization for any secret society that wants to exist in secret.
On that count, even some of the articles in the magazines contain language suggestive of Masonic concepts, such as calling Jehovah the "Chief Architect" or even Rutherford's confirmation that the Jews control the British-American empire through finance. So there are several levels of influence.
As far as proof of any direct connection, this is not an issue since if this is a secret infiltration, they would not be in the open anyway. But the persistent rumors are something that suggest a direct connection. At least Hitler thought so.
So basically we don't have direct proof that it is, but you don't have proof that it isn't. We're just looking at what is certainly "suspicious" right now.
But Russell alone and his pyramidology, which is way off base for even fundamental Christianity is enough to claim the WTS had a definite cultic-base to begin with. The circumstantial evidence is compelling for most.
Cheers,
Bibleman