Anyone considering joining the religion of the Jehovah's Witnesses, or current members of this group, are generally unfamiliar with its early history, the beliefs and practices of its founder Charles Taze Russell and to a lesser extent Joseph F. Rutherford. The Watchtower Society goes to great lengths to distance itself from Russell and his teachings as they are now considered anathema, and bizarre. The foundational tenets of the faith are so different from today's religion that the Russell-era organization is virtually unrecognizable.
There is indeed a great deal of difference between the Russell-era non-authoritarianism and the organization that Rutherford created after Russell died. Russell did not believe in any such authoritarian organization as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Russell did not believe in the Armageddon dogma preached by the JW organization. The JWs reject the very basis of the central doctrine that Russell taught -- the ransom for all.
Much of the old doctrine has been thrown out and would be condemned as seeped in the occult and clearly pagan today, and for good reason, because such conduct and beliefs are unscriptural and prohibited. Harsh words, no doubt, but facts speak for themselves and explain to a great extent some of today's questionable doctrine and practices. Try as the Jehovah's Witnesses do, there is no escaping their occult pagan past. Potential converts are forewarned and are advised to study these issues carefully. Below are numerous websites devoted to exposing the Jehovah's Witnesses' deep connection with the occult and its pagan origins.
From the perspective of the JWs, much that Russell taught would indeed be considered pagan. Russell himself, however, did not believe in the occult.
http://ctr.reslight.net/?cat=599
This documented historical connection with the occult is evident in several ways. Russell relied heavily on astrological predictions and signs of the zodiac.
Since Russell did not rely at all on astrological predictions, or the signs of the zodiac (as in astrology), the above statements are false.
http://ctr.reslight.net/?cat=301
Many of Rutherford and Russell's false predictions were calculated based on alignment and measurement of ancient Egyptian pyramids relying in essence on the powers of the occult.
The study of God's Stone Witness in Egypt (not "ancient Egyptian pyramids" [plural]) as a verfication of the Bible has nothing at all to do relying on the essence of the power of the occult. Russell did not rely at all on the "powers of the occult".
http://ctr.reslight.net/?cat=14
A small pyramid was erected next to Russell's grave as a memorial to his life and work. The satanic All-Seeing Eye of occult worship adorns Russell's memorial pyramid
Rutherford did have a small replica of the Great Pyramid constructed in the center of the WTS plot of the Rosemont Cemetery. As far as I have determined, the orginal plans did not call for any "all-seeing eye" symbolism. If there is an "all-seeing eye" on the topstone, it may have been etched there later. Although I have no found any place that Russell ever used the all-seeying eye symbolism, the symbol represents Yahweh's all-seeing eye, and of itself, is not Satanic or occultic. Of course, the Bible itself has been perverted for occult and Satanic use; this does not mean that the Bible itself is of occult worship or Satanic.
Rutherford's pyramid monument was indeed constructed in honor of Russell, but not for him only; it was to honor all who died while working at the WTS headquarters. There are many names inscribed on that monument, not just Russell's name.
arly Watchtower publications incorporate Masonic symbolism to a great degree.
In a very, very, very, very few instances, Russell employed some things he had learned about the Masons (he was not always correct, however, in what he thought to be Masonic rituals, etc.) to illustrate various things concerning the only secret society he believed in, the church of Christ. Russell did not, however, incorporate Masonic symbolism as many often think he did. The Cross and Cross symbolism he employed had nothing at all to do with the Freemasons, for instance.
http://ctr.reslight.net/?cat=168
http://ctr.reslight.net/?cat=3
Furthermore, the Divine Plan of the Ages, an early Watchtower book, is adorned with the Winged Sun Disc, an Egyptian religious symbol of pagan origins and false worship.
Although the Egyptians perverted the use of the symbolism of the winged sun, the Bible uses the symbolism. Russell had a graphic designed that would reflect what the Bible says; again the symbolism itself is not of pagan origins, any more that the symbolism of the sun in the Bible is of pagan origins. The sun itself is not of pagan origin.