The RUSSELL PARADOX (page 2)

nvrgnbk

Thanks for digging so deeply, Terry.

Terry

Thanks for digging so deeply, Terry .

I cheated, I did. I decided I would write my chapter (for the book) as a post and accomplish two things simultaneously.

Usually by the time I've done almost two thousand words for my novel I don't have anything left to post here.

Today, I found a way around it.

Thank you.

nvrgnbk

I cheated, I did.

Such honesty is refreshingly rare in a godless one, like yourself.

Terry

Such honesty is refreshingly rare in a godless one, like yourself.

Think of me as the God(less)father who'll make you an author you can't refuse.

AlmostAtheist

Thus, was born the Russell Paradox. The most organized religous group would from this seed now spring.

...

Congregational autonomy? When Russell died it joined him in his funeral box.

What a delightful read, Terry. As mentioned, not just the content, but the structure. Thank you so much!

Dave

justhuman

Great work Terry...It is seems kind of strange of a 17 year old with actual no religious scollarship managed to turn BS into the one of the most aggresive American Cults.

But I believe that the real founder of JW's is Rutherford. He is the one that turned JW's the way they are today. If the succesors of Russell they were not overpowered by Judge Jo, who acted like a spiritual Dictator, things whould have been much different. BS are still exist today and they are claiming that the founder of JW's is not Russell but Rutherford, and I believe they are right, because after Jo's dictatorship JW's have nothing to do with the teaching or ideas reagarding religion that Russell used to hold.

Tyrone van leyen

Interesting Terry! One thing that's a little puzzling though. If you were the father of little Chucky and raised him to be a devout Presbyterian, would you not be disappointed that, not only has your son dropped his faith but has started a new one? Would you take your clothing business in the 1800's and help Chuckles along his way.?

The first thing I might see, as a father would be this rebellious nature. Apostacy for sure. The nature of folks in the 1800's was far more reserved, less questioning and more obedient.

This must mean that they discussed many ideas together. Usually folks don't get their comuppance until the old man is dead. What if his publications were not received well by the community, or his venture failed? An establised and sucessful business in that time, meant a lot of security from drudgery and toil.

I guess Russel was a chip off the old block. I'll say one thing, those Russels sure knew how to sling bullshit and make everyone else do their work. Bethel is a good example of the ongoing slave labour, as well as the army of rank and file that continue to this day, to do his bidding. I wonder if Russels father bought this load of shit that spewed from Chucky's mouth.

I think for those days, he was not only priviledged, but perhaps even spoiled. Dealing with customers on a consistant basis in papa's store, must have really honed his skills at spotting a sucker from a mile away,( as with the miracle wheat scam). Image is everything! One who works in clothing retail would know this for sure. What better a way to gain trust of folks and their money than by having the image of pastor who knows the mind of God? He must a have seen a feild ripe for harvesting. Of suckers, that is.

I don't own a dictionary but I have always known a habidashery to be a clothing store of some kind. I could have googled it but I started writing this and would lose it all if I looked it up. I will stand corrected if I'm wrong. No biggie

Terry

Interesting Terry! One thing that's a little puzzling though. If you were the father of little Chucky and raised him to be a devout Presbyterian, would you not be disappointed that, not only has your son dropped his faith but has started a new one? Would you take your clothing business in the 1800's and help Chuckles along his way.?

I would answer this way.

The work ethic of the father and the son were obviously a bond to the two of them. Charles T. Russell was the firstborn son at a time such things were far more significant. The loss of other children and the death of his wife were a bonding experience as well. When Charles embarked on his two years self-education program (exactly mirroring what William Miller had done!) he included his entire family. When Charles was RE-baptised, his whole family was rebaptised. There is a unity of purpose and experience going on.

If you examine the sort of people who made a success in life in the late 1800's you'll find they are mostly better educated. However, self-education in religion is among the most dangerous things you can do!!

C.T.Russell's undoing was the do-it-yourself trend going on in religion at the time. His natural business acumen, charismatic personality, good looks and non-predatory persona went a long way. Most significant, in my opinion, is his writing style and deep intelligence coupled with a mild-mannered cogency. He seemed to be explaining things rather than shouting them. I'm sure the International Bible Students flourished because of the large number of ladies who found Russell to be what they were looking for.

The RUSSELL PARADOX

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