PlumCrazy:
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As much as I appreciate your efforts in countering these Illuminati/FreeMasonry Conspiracy Theorists, whom I believe know better but are so dishonest as to try to hurt the WTS by INTENTIONALLY SPREADING LIES, there are a number of inaccuracies in your last post on page 3.
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There is no particular evidence that C T Russell was "influenced or fascinated with FreeMasons" than he would have been by any other social, political, religious, or similar organzation in his day. Various posters, on a number of previous occasions, have posted several quotes by CTR, in which he made various negative comments about "FreeMasonry".
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The ALLEGED "FreeMasonry iconography" used by CTR IS NOT "FreeMasonry iconography". It is "Egyptian iconography" which relates to CTR's PYRAMID beliefs and teachings. It sounds as if you have not done much reading on this topic, otherwise you WOULD HAVE DOUBTS as to CTR's connection with FreeMasonry.
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As to your statement that CTR was "influenced by Adventists", but did not hold to their beliefs, that is also WRONG! CTR and the WTS were natural extensions of the Second Adventist Movement, with JWs being equal torchbearers with the SDAs.
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As for "FreeMasonry", it acknowledgely was an extremely strong influence in the early days of the United States. The first US President George Washington was a FreeMasonry, as were many of the prominent revolutionists. Washington even performed a FreeMason dedication ceremony at the laying of the cornerstone of the US Capitol building. The Washington Monument in D.C. is considered to be "Freemasonry icoography" (as well as Egyptian). The "pyramid with seeing eye capstone" on the back of the dollar bill is "Freemasonry icoography" (as well as Egyptian).
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However, by the latter part of the 19th century, American FreeMasonry actually fell into public disfavor, with a number of anti-masons newspapers being formed, and even an anti-mason political party. Many members quit, and Lodges all over the US were disbanded. Today, the average age of an American Mason is around 70 years old.
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Its a shame that some people here are actually HELPING THE WTS by promoting ludicrous conspiracy theories, which the WTS then uses to paint "apostates" as a bunch of NUTS WHO WILL STOOP TO ANY LEVEL OF LYING DECEIT to tarnish "God's people".
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It's admirable that you are one of the few here that stands up to these assholes who not only detract from genuine issues, but actually harm our efforts. The people here who NEVER stand up in these threads bear responsibility for their silence.
