Watchtower y la masonería

[Observador]

Tengo en mi poder el libro "The Watchtower % The Masons" escrito por Springmeier. Desgraciadamente para mi, está escrito en inglés.


Pero aquí unos párrafos:


________PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS_______39
BEGINNING OF DOCUMENTATION OF POINTS


•Jehovah is the most important word being the basis of their
dogma, and the name of their God

RUSSELL
Russell was more low key about the name Jehovah than
Rutherford, but he still used it consistently. One of many
examples is (selected at randomV-Vol.I, Studies in the
Scriptures, p. 171. In the WT R p. 1410, he identifies
Jehovah as God's distinctive personal name.
The Laodicean Messenger. His Life Works and Character
put out by Russell's Bible Students , p.68, states, "The
prime object in the life of Pastor Russell was to honor and
magnify the name of Great Jehovah..."


■ RUTHERFORD
Rutherford's overemphasis on the name Jehovah was
connected to his need to find something to theologically
undercut his rival in Europe, F.L. Alexander Freitag. Schnell
goes into the details of this maneuvering in his The Converted
Jehovah's Witness Expositor (Vol. X, No.2) p. 14.
MASONRY
Mackey, Albert G., 33 °, states in An Encyclopaedia of
Freemasonry. Vol. 1.1871. Chicago: The Masonic History
Co.,p. 363 ff, "JEHOVAH is, of all the significant words
of Masonry, by far the most important. Reghellini very
properly calls it "the basis of our dogma and of our
mysteries."..."The history of the introduction of this word
into the ritualism of Freemasonry would be highly
interesting, were it not so obscure. Being in almost all
respects an esoteric symbol."..."That this name, in its
mystical use, was not unknown to the Medieval Freemasons
there can be no doubt."..."It is now conceded, from
indisputable evidence, that the holy name was, in the earlier
years, and, indeed, up to the middle of the last century,
attached to the Third Degree, and then called the Master's
Word." "...Third Degree refers to "the mystic word, the
Tetragrammaton."


• Neither take heed that the Tetragrammaton is more properly
Yahweh rather man Jehovah, nor do they give much credence to
theTetragrammaton meaning "I am that I am."

[Observador]

RUSSELL & JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES SINCE
It's common knowledge that the Jehovah's Witnesses use Jehovah
rather than Yahweh. It may not be so well known that WT articles and
some of their books admit that Yahweh is technically more correct. They
defend their usage by saying Jehovah is more commonly used by people.
This is a strange logic, it is rare that they defend something wrong by
saying "it's right because the majority of people do it wrong."
Russell said the name Jehovah should not be translated. (WT R
p.1410)
Their word Jehovah is the overriding centerpiece of their religion. God
saved the Isrealites just to make his name Jehovah known. Jesus'
primary mission was to vindicate the name Jehovah after the angels had
reproached the name. See Rutherford's Angels, p. 31.
This overemphasis came when Freitag declared how God is the
Lawgiver. He has placed the Law on the automatic track of cause and
effect. Because of that, there is no challenge to God's sovereignity here.
Consequently, there is no punishment nor can there be a reward from
God. (This negates Christ's work of atonement.) Rutherford then gained
the upper hand by transliterating the universal law and no guilt concept
of Freitag by claiming that "God lost His good name in the fall" and that
now "this name must first be vindicated before there can be deliverance."
MASONRY
The Masonic reference book Morals and Dogma (1871)
published by the Supreme Masonic Council of 33 °, p.97,
states that the translation of the Tetragrammaton as "I am that
I am" is "wretched". True, a few Christian scholars have
questioned whether this is the most proper translation, but
they have never considered the spurious word "Jehovah" as a
sacred special word like the Jehovah's Witnesses and
Freemasons. Interestingly, lip service is given by some
Masonic works to the word Yahweh (see Ancient Mystic
Rites, p.76). Their rituals continue to use Jehovah as they
have for centuries though.



PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS 41
* Both use the masonic term Great Architect
RUSSELL
Russell used this term frequently. This is discussed
further in this book in chapter 6, where his use of Masonic
buzz words is discussed. This is the Masonic term for God.
MASONRY
Mackey's An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry. Vol. I.
under the article Great Architect of the Universe. "The title
applied in the technical language of Freemasonry to the Deity.
It is appropriate that a society founded on the principles of
architecture, which symbolizes the terms of that science to
moral purposes, and whose members profess to be the
architects of a spiritual temple, should view the Divine Being,
under whose holy law they are constructing that edifice, as
their Master Builder or Great Architect. Sometimes, but less
correctly, the title "Grand Architect of the Universe is found."



THE WATCHTOWER& THE MASONS
* Both believe God yielded power to a lesser God
RUSSELL
Russell's belief (still adhered to by the present Society) is
that paradise was lost but this Golden Age will be recovered.
The supreme God Jehovah has had to yield power to a lesser
god Satan for 6,000 years to allow time to prove Satan's
challenge a lie to the angels, thereby vindicating Jehovah. The
JW viewpoint is a common view adopted by those who can't
explain suffering without limiting God in such a way that He
doesn't have any control over such affairs. (In contrast to
these beliefs, Christians do not feel God has to prove
anything, but is in control of everything.)
■
MASONRY
The Masons believe that the Golden Age (paradise
according to the ancient pagan Egyptian religion they borrow
from) was an age when men and gods could live happily
together. This golden age was lost according to the Egyptians
and Masons when the supreme God Ra yielded to a lesser
God.
Several Masonic books deal with their beliefs from
ancient Egypt. Leadbeater's Ancient Mystic Rites is good in
this respect. Page 17 deals with their belief in Ra and Light.

[Observador]

PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS ______________ 43
• Jesus is only a good man, not Almighty God.
RUSSELL
See Vol. I. Studies in the Scriptures. Chap. 10, pp 176-
179 for a taste of Russell's view of Christ. Christ, in
Russell's view, was just a good man.
MASONRY
Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma. 25°, pub. by Supreme
Masonic Council of 33°, 1871, p.34, "And the Divine Wise
Intellect sent teachers unto men...Enoch, and Noah, and
Abraham, and Moses the son of Imran, and the Prophets, and
Pythagoras, and Plato, and Yesus the son of Joseph, the
Lord, the Messiah, and his Apostles, and after these
Mohammed the son of Abdulla, with his law, which is the
law of Islam; and the disciples of truth followed the law of
Islam."
Jesus is only a man. Isis Unveiled, p. 239
"Jesus was just a man. He was one of the 'exemplars,'
one of the great men of the past, but not divine." The Deadly
Deception, by Jim Shaw (ex 33°) and Tom McKenney.
Lafayette,LA:Huntington House,Inc.,1988
Knight, Stephen. The Brotherhood, p.234 states, "In
Masonry, we learn, Christ is not God but man—in Vindex's
estimation the man who showed ' more than any other man
who ever lived' what God is like. He later adds: 'I for one
can never understand how anyone who takes an exclusive
view of Christ as the only complete revelation of God's
truth can become a Freemason without suffering from
spiritual schizophrenia."



THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS ____
•Hiram Abiff is the Messiah.
RUSSELL
Russell in his sermon the "Desire of All Nations" says
that the Messiah that the Jews and Christians are waiting for
is the same personage as Hiram Abiff. Hiram is the sun god,
much more than just a man but a resurrected messiah, but
how did Russell learn this?
MASONRY
Hiram Abiff has been linked with several pagan Gods including
Osirus (the Egyptian Sun God) and Baal (the Caananite/Phoenician Sun
God). Hiram Abiff is the Masonic messiah.
King Soloman, King Hiram, and Hiram Abiff (also written
CHiram) to the initiated form the "triune foundation of existence." The
Throne of CHiram is the sun." CHiram is...the active life principle
throughout the elements which depend upon his activity for their
existence." "As Christ he was crucified upon the cross...His divine body
he offered up as food for the sustenance of his creations, for he himself
became the bread and the wine of men." Masonic. Hermetic. Cabbalistic
& Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosphy. by Manly Hall, unnumbered page
facing p. CLXXIII. Hall sums up the Hiram Abiff story as "a
philosophic exposition of redemption of human soul." p. CCXXV
"while the Christian's Messiah is called Jesus, the Mason's Messiah
is called Hiram" The Masonic handbook for all blue lodges in the Grand
Lodge of Kentucky the Kentucky Monitor. "The Spirit of Masonry",
p.xv.
Each 3o Mason impersonates Osiris, the sun-god, and enters into his
life of good deeds, his death, his burial and is raised in his resurrection
from the dead.The Deadly Deception, p.154.
The Legend of Hiram "is thoroughly Egyptian, and is closely allied
to the Supreme Rite (highest degree) of the Isianic Mysteries (Mystery
religion of Isis and Osiris)." Mackey, Lexicon of Freemasonry, p.195
"Since Masonry is a revival of the ancient pagan mystery religions,
its god can also be said to be Nature, with its fertility (sex) gods and
godesses representing the Sun and Moon (in Egypt, Osiris, and Isis) The
Deadly Deception.p.130
"Masonry, successor to the Mysteries (the pagan religions of Isis,
Osiris, Baal, Mythras, Tammuz, etc.) still follows the ancient manner of
teaching." Albert Pike. Morals and Dogma. Fellowcraft Degree, p.22
PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS 45
• Both don't understand Christ's mediatorship, don't feel need for
Christ to be their mediator.
RUSSELL
Russell taught that the Church did not need and
never did need a Mediator. The real Mediator is the church
complete—that is the Head and the Body—whose office will
be undertaken only during the Millennium.
In 1880, Russell "discovered" that "The use of the word
mediator in the Scriptures is restricted to the mediating of
covenants between God and man," and since the church is
not under any mediated covenant then the church has no
mediator at all. The church has helped inaugurate the new
covenant by providing blood, therefore the church is itself
part of the mediatorship. "Bear in mind that our covenant, the
original one (with Abraham) had no mediator." But in the
Millennium "a mediator is neccessary and the Messiah, Head
and members will be that Mediator in whose hands of control
the entire world will be placed during the Millennium." WT
1/1/09, pp. 12,13. The elect become spirit creatures, gods &
mediators.
Russell was very confused about the mediatorship of
Christ, and that confusion exists now in a different way, in
that the Society now holds that Christ is not the mediator for
the great crowd, only for the 144,000. Yet, scriptures show
his mediatorship is for a great crowd more numerous than the
sand in the sea, he is the mediator for all mankind.
MASONRY
Claude McClung, Why I Left Masonry ,p. 24, relates
how the Freemasons don't view Christ as the Mediator.
Jesus is deemphasized in Freemasonry. The removal of
the name of Jesus and references to him in the Bible verses
used in the rituals are "slight but necessary modifications."
Albert Mackey. Masonic Ritualist, p. 272.
The Rosicrusians (who were adopted as a Masonic level)
see the Christ as a class, the "highest Initiate (degree) of the
Sun Period. The ordinary humanity of that period are now the
Archangels." The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, p. 376.

[Observador]

THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS_____
ABOUT THE CHURCH
• A secret mysterious body-whose mysteries and secrets are
only given to the initiated as they progress in the order.
RUSSELL What Pastor Russell Taught. International
Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, N.Y. (no date), p.210-
211 states that the Church is a mystery, and it is to only a
priviliged few that this mystery will be shared. Vol. I,
Studies in the Scriptures, p.73 also carries a similar thought,
"The plan is a progressive one, gradually unfolding from
age to age, upward and onward to the grand consumation of
the original design of the Divine Architect..."
MASONRY Sickels, Daniel, 33rd o, The General
Ahiman Rezon and Freemasons's Guide, New York:
Masonic Publishing Co., 1871, p. 189, states, "Freemasonry, in
every degree, as before remarked, is progressive. A
knowledge of it can only be attained by time, patience, and
application. In the first degree, we are taught the duties we
owe to God, our neighbor, and ourselves. In the second, we
are more thoroughly inducted into the mysteries of moral
science, and learn to trace the goodness and majesty of the
Creator, by minutely analyzing his works. But the third
degree is the cement of the whole. It is calculated to bind men
together by mystic points of fellowship, as in a bond of
fraternal affection and brotherly love."
History of Freemasonry and Concordant Orders, p. 105
states, "Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries,
Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all
except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false
explanations and misrepresentations of its symbols to
mislead those who deserve only to be misled: to conceal the
Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them
away from it. Truth is not for those who are unworthy or
unable to receive it, or would pervert it." "The teachers, even
of Christianity, are in general, the most ignorant of the true
meaning of that which they teach. There is no book of which
so little is known as the Bible. To most who read it, it is as
incomprehensible as the Sohar." "So Masonry jealously
conceals its secrets, and intentionally leads conceited
interpreters astray."
PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS ________________47
•Both claim not to be a religion, nor a religious body, nor a
denomination, but only serve God, and allow freedom of
conscience.
RUSSELL
Concerning Russell's attitude on this, an example is
found in the WT (Watchtower & Herald of Christ's Presence)
Feb. 1,1911, p.38-39. He writes that "the Royal Priesthood
is composed of saints regardless of denomination." In the
text of a sermon that Russell gave at St Paul, Minn. Aug.
19, 1906 Russell said, "The Lord is, in a general way,
believed in by all civilized people..." National Labor
Tribune, Aug. 19, 1906.
Russell writes in the Jan. 1883, pp 2-3, "Christianity
invites all fair and sensible opposition and reasoning... Too
many Christian ministers act as though they fear the infidel
speaker...This is a deplorable weakness...Sectarianism will
have to melt away. And when that point of developement is
reached where the simplest reason cannot see anything left
that does the plainest violence to reason, the goal of
Christianity will be reached."
MASONRY
An example of Freemason views is this statement in the
Los Angeles Freeman in 1900, "One thing all must believe is
there is a God. After that the manner of serving God, the
form of doctrine is left to each individual. He reads the
message...and obeys it according to his understanding and
agreeably to the dictates of his conscience."



THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS
* Members of their organization do not need to renounce their
membership in other religious bodies .
RUSSELL
In the book What Pastor Russell Said, p. 347, it quotes
Russell clearly telling his followers they could belong to any
denomination. However, Pastor Russell although he did not
make it a point of fellowship, did encourage people to leave
their churches.
An example of the attitude when Russell lived is seen in
the rare book Man's Salvation, written by Joseph F.
Rutherford, and printed by the Watchtower Society in 1906.
Page 91 states, "The Bible & Tract Society is strictly nonsectarian,
and seeks only to do good by helping every one
who wishes help, no matter to what sect or church
denomination he may belong. All Bible students will be
interested in the wonderful truths pointed out and discussed
in the books."
MASONRY
The non-sectarian attitude of the Freemason is seen in the
Constitution of the Order, drawn up by Dr. Anderson in
1723, "But though in ancient Times Masons were charged in
every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or
Nation, whatever it was, yet, 'tis now thought more
expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all
men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves;
that is to be good Men and true, or Men of Honour and
Honesty, by whatever Denominations or Persuasions they
may be distinguish'd..."
(The founding fathers of the U.S., many of them Masons set
this country up in a similar fashion. At times, freedom of
religion seems to be considered freedom from true religion.
At others times, those who believe are glad to be able to have
their own personal beliefs without the constraints some
countries exercise on religion. The rub for true Christian
comes in that you can be a Christian mason just as long as
Christ is not mentioned in the Lodge.)

[Observador]

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The Watchtower Society's policy of deception is named
Theocratic War Strategy. The Society has informed its
followers,Jehovah's Witnesses ,that it is not a lie to deceive a
person not qualified to hear the truth. The author finds this
incredible, but has been the recepient personally of this
"strategy" numerous times by elders and other Watchtower
officials, that it appears to be so patterned that Witnesses may
not even think about it but automatically do it. The WT June
1, 1960, p.352 says it is proper to hide the truth from God's
enemies. The AID TO BIBLE UNDERSTANDING, a
WB&TS Bible Dictionary ,1971, p. 1060, informs readers that
lying only occurs when one deceives a person who is
qualified to hear the truth. "Lying generally involves saying
something false to a person who is entitled to know the
truth..." The WT July 15,1961, p.420 advises JWs that they
must actually hate bad people. People outside of their
organization are viewed as evil and opposers of truth,
therefore unqualified to be told the truth. When Jesus advises
his disciples to be kind to the "least of these", the Society
claims he means only be kind to other JWs.
MASONRY Masonic references are almost word for word
identical.
A comment is appropriate here. There have been
individual Christian theologians from time to time that have
advocated that a Christian may deceive someone like a
robber. They hold a Christian is under no obligation to
facilitate a crime. They refer to Christ's suggestion to violate
the Sabbath to save an ox as a precedent. See Systematic
Theology. Vol.III, by Charles Hodges, Grand
Rapids,MI:Eerdman's, reprint 1981. However, no mainline
denomination has ever supported such a notion, nor did
Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Menno Simons, nor most other
theologians. Norman Geisler also supports Hodges' view in
Christian Ethics. Options & Issues.p 88-95, but neither man
advocates anything as extreme as the Masons and Jehovah's
Witnesses.


• Both will lie under oath to protect friends, where does it stop?
RUSSELL
Russell while under an oath on the Holy Bible in court
lied to protect his friends. The court documents of this are
reprinted in The Moneymakers, p. 111-136. Russell was
protecting his friends who had created a sham company the
Solon Society. Russell in 1907 denied in court any
knowledge of the Solon Society. However, witness after
witness showed he knew about and was even involved in
helping it.
JWs TODAY
This type of behavior continues even today. Witnesses
loyal to the Society at times get away with all kinds of sins,
because their brothers will cover for them. But woe to those
showing the slightest disloyalty. Duane Magnani, has been
documenting in his books how the Watchtower Society has
been deliberating deceiving sincere Jws. See his books such
as Who Is The Faithful & Wise Servant? and Eyes of
Understanding.
MASONRY
Ronayne, Handbook of Masonry, p.183 , "You must
conceal all the crimes of your brother Masons...and should
you be summoned as a witness against a brother Mason be
always sure to shield him...It may be perjury to do this, it is
true, but you're keeping your obligations."
"It is right to lie, if neccessary, to protect the "secrets" of
the Lodge, or to protect another Mason by concealing his
wrongdoing. It can even be "right" to deliberately deceive
sincere Masons seeking to learn the lessons and "secrets" of
Masonry." The Deadly Deceit, p. 137
"The Blue Degrees are but the portico (porch) of the
Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate,
but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not
intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that
he shall imagine that he understands them...their true
explication (explanation) is reserved for the Adepts, the
Princes of Masonry." Morals and Dogma, p. 819

[Observador]

* Both emphasize continuing revelation.
RUSSELL
Russell began the JWs' infatuation with the word light.
Vol. 1. Studies in the Scriptures state, "We must walk in
the light." And on pg. 9 he says that "light on God is
progressive." Since then, according the the Watchtower
Society, the light is getting brighter. But they have also
printed that old light doesn't contradict new light, and that is a
real hum dinger of a contradiction to the history of doctrinal
flip-flops the Society has gone through. What is light today
for JWs, may be discarded as darkness tomorrow. Already in
Russell's time, Bible Students were referring to "present
truth", (The Laodicean Messenger, p.37) and saying such
things as "Are you in the present truth?"
MASONRY
Light is the "very essence" of Masonry according to
Mackey's Encyclopaedia. In Ferguson's 50 Million Brothers.
he describes the Masonic initiation and the importance of the
word light. In the initiation the question is asked, "Brother,
what do you desire most?" (answer) "Light."



PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS 61
* Both see an exclusiveness to truth . (In regards to this
subject, it is instructive to remember what the actual NT greek
word for truth (aletheia) meant. It's basic meaning focuses on
that which is open to view, that which is unconcealed and
transparent. For sure, to be truth means avoidance of
falsehood and deception. Truth is beautiful; there is no
purpose to hide it.)
RUSSELL
Russell believed he himself was a revelation of God and
that without his books people would be lost (Vol. VIII. pp
5,145,167,217,231,338) In one sense, Russell believed his
books were superior to the Bible. The Bible (divinely
inspired) could not be understood by anyone until his books
(divinely directed) came along. In other words, to understand
the Bible one needed another revelation. But his revelations
and books could be understood by everyone without a
divinely directed commentary or revelation.
Russell warned his followers not to turn to others for
light. He said Bible Students needed to beware of those
many who presented themselves as special teachers and
brought "new lights." WTR 2532
MASONRY
"There is, underlying all Masonic thinking and writing,
an attitude and spirit of elitism which says, "Masonry is not
for everyone, just for the select few." At the same time,
Masonry teaches it is the only true religion and that all other
religions are but corrupted and perverted forms of Masonry.
This is both elitist and contradictory." "The 'light' of
Freemasonry, its secrets and its pathway to perfection are
only for the elite few initiated into its knowledge and
wisdom. Excluded are women, Negroes, the poor (who
haven't the money with which to pay), the cripples, blind and
deaf who can't perform the recognition signs (or see and hear
them), and the feeble-minded who can't receive the teachings
or be trusted to protect them. All such people, including the
wives, the daughters and some of the sons of Masons, are
considered 'profane' (unclean, unworthy) and can never be
anything else. No references are required here for it is
common knowledge ..." The Deadly Deception, p. 140


THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS _______
* Both appeal to reason, to mysteries, and hidden knowledge
RUSSELL
Russell's literature abounds with mention of hidden
knowledge, of mysteries, and so forth. As a sampling of this
consider Vol. I, Studies in the Scriptures...
p.20-"The glorious mystery of His throne Hidden from ages,
now made known"...p.27-Paul wasn't permitted to tell the
mysteries of God. God hadn't revealed his plan up to then.(!)
p.85-"There has existed a necessity for keeping this mystery
(God's plan) hidden."
Because Russell was promoted as God's servant
dispensing spiritual food, whatever he said became truth.
That blind obedience was later redirected onto a collective
Faithful and Wise Servant Class. What the elite say and do
becomes right by itself.
MASONRY
The Mason Steinbrenner in his Origin and Early History
of Masonry, p.229 tells of the "great obligation to conceal"
Masonic work. The Deadly Deception, p. 142 "Masonry is,
according to its own philosophers, a system of pure religion
expressed in symbols, one which cannot be understood
without a knowledge of the true meaning of them. This
makes a proper understanding of those symbols terribly
important. For the Christian Mason, accepting and guarding
those symbols and their "secrets" with his physical life at
stake, he must understand them...They are trusting in the
teachings of the Lodge concerning these symbols with their
eternal redemption, or damnation, at stake. Herein lies the
most terrible manifestation of Masonic morality, that
philosophy of the elite, which makes whatever they do
'right' because it is they (the elite) who do it."

[Observador]

PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS_________________63
* Both while appealing to reason, feel no compunction in regards
to historical facts, no matter how certain the historical evidence
might be against their chosen view.
RUSSELL
"Secular history is no standard by which to correct the
supposed errors of the Bible...We are not called upon to
harmonize these (chronological data) with the tangled records
of secular history." WT XLIV (July l,1923),pp 196,202.
Russell's chronology disregards many historical events. The
Watchtower Society continues to this day to regard 607 B.C.
as the fall of Jerusalem, in spite of the massive overwhelming
evidence that it took place in 586/587 B.C. For further
information along this line, the reader is directed to Carl Olof
Jonsson's excellent expose The Gentile Times Reconsidered.
LaJolla,CA. Good News Defenders, 1983. Harrison's
Visions of Glory also covers numerous Witness twistings of
historical facts, Witness claims to antiquity are as fictional as
the Masonic myths. Several JWs the Author has witnessed
to, have all stated they are not part of an organization. It
appears this is a new thing they have been taught to say.
MASONRY
Steinbrenner, G.W., Past Master. Origin and Early
History of Masonry, pp. 19-20, speaks about the Masonic
practice of turning fiction to fact. On p. 28 he suggests, "Let
Freemasons give up their vain boasting, which ignorance has
foisted into the order, and relinquish a fabulous antiquity,
rather than sacrifice common sense." In many ways, the
Freemasons have been increasingly following this path, and
being more realistic. There are still some schools of Masonic
thought that give credence to legend and myth.
When the Author interviewed a 33° Scottish Rite and a
Kinght Templar (York Rite), both men denied that the
Freemasons are secretive. "No, we are not secretive, we're
accused of that." The Masons own periodical Knights
Templar. 9/1988, p. 20 says, "In addition, many elderly
members, in particular, maintain the veil of secrecy when
questioned, clinging to the old ways and refusing to divulge
any information about the organization."
64 THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS
* Both are fascinated with numbers, and special & cryptic
meanings for numbers.
RUSSELL
Harrison, Visions of Glory, p. 48, "Russell's
calculations are not easy to unravel; they are, however, not
without a certain quaint interest.(New dates, previously
unmentioned, spring up like weeds in Russell's writings,
which defy synopsis. How that man loved numbers and
charts! It is fruitless to speculate, perhaps, but what if he
hadn't been a child-whiz bookkeeper?) Russell wasn't the
first, or last, man to snow people with numbers."
Russell studied the meanings of numbers. The WT Apr.
1880, p.5, is an article on "Number Seven" and the WT Mar.
1881,( p. 5) came out on "Number Three".
MASONRY
A brief look at Masonic books will display their
attachment to hidden meanings and dates within
Freemasonry.
Part of the Masonic Ritual is described on p. 104 of The
Deadly Deception "The Sovereign Grand Commander closed
the meeting of the Supreme Council 'with the Mystic
Number,' striking with his sword five, three, one and then
two times. After the closing prayer, we all said 'amen, amen,
amen,' and it was over."
The key in Masonry to Kaballistic thought is the Sepher
Yetzirah or Sepher ha Zohar. Within the book, number
symbology is important. Chapter 1 deals with the number 10.
Chapter 2 deals with the number 22. Chapter 3 deals with the
number 3, chapter 4 with number 7, and chapter 5 with
number 12.
PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS 65
• God uses orders (ranks), and degrees, and oaths .
RUSSELL
These are the type of things Russell thinks about.
Within Masonry there are several arrangements of orders
-one is a three order arrangement. One finds Russell also
creating various orders, and arrangements of orders. Russell
gave a sermon saying there are three orders or classes of elect
ones. In another place, he appears to have the elect divided
into 5 degrees. Connor, W.T. The Teachings of "Pastor"
Russell. Fort Worth, TX (printed before Russell died),p. 53,
Connor lists 5 types of salvation, that is, 5 groups who
receive different degrees in the future life according to
Russell.
Professor of Systematic Theology in the Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary W.T. Conner said regarding
Russell's degrees of salvation,"I have heard people talk about
"degrees" in heaven, or in rewards, but Mr. Russell has
nearly as many varieties of salvation as there are pickles of a
certain brand—almost fifty-seven varieties...Not only is the
scheme complex in that it has so many "degrees" of salvation,
but also in that it tries to be a plan of redemption based on
atonement, appropriated by faith, and yet constantly runs
back to works as a basis."
In Newspaper Sermons of C.T. Russell. 1901-1910 (also
known as Harvest Gleanings. Vol. II , printed by Chicago
International Bible Students, an article by the National Labor
Tribune on July 4, 1906 covering Russell's July 1,'06
sermon "God's Very Elect" has a part entitled "THREE
CLASSES OF ELECT ONES. The elect "little flock" of this
Gospel age, which alone will constitute the Bride class,
otherwise called the body of Christ, and which is to share
with the Lord the Kingdom honors and glories, is made so
prominent in the Scriptures that the two other classes of elect
ones are in comparison not very conspicuous."
Refer to chapter 8 for more on this. Masonic views are on
the next page.

[Observador]

THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS
continuationn
MASONRY
"These oaths of obligation (usually called just
"obligation") are considered unbreakable, and are
(collectively) the thing that makes a man a Mason. In this
way, these oaths are the cornerstone of Masonry." (The
Deadly Deception, p. 139)
1) Question: "What makes you a Mason?" Answer: "My
obligation." (question and answer from the Entered
Apprentice/ First Degree)
2)"...binding myself under no less a penalty than that of
having my throat cut from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by
its roots, and with my body buried in the rough sands of the
sea, a cable's length from the shore, where the tide ebbs and
flows twice in twenty-four hours..."(from the oath of
obligation, entered Apprentice/ First Degree)
3)"...binding myself under no less a penalty than that of
having my left breast torn open, my heart plucked out, and
given to the beasts of the field and fowls of the air as a
prey..." (from the oath of obligation, Fellowcraft/ Second
Degree)
4)"...binding myself under no less a penalty than that of
having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken out and
burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of
heaven..." (from the oath of obligation, Master Mason/Third
Degree)
These Blood Oaths are given at the end of initiation into
all Masonic degrees, binding the initiate to protect the secrets
of the degrees.
PARALLELS IN THEIR BELIEFS 67
•Abraham & Melchizedek had progressed to a high degree in
God's secret Order.
RUSSELL
Chapter 8 will touch on Pastor Russell's belief in this.
Another reference would be the Overland Monthly, p. 105.
There Russell discusses how the Order of Aaron transfers to
the Order of Melchizedek.
In a related issue, the Urim and Thummin, Russell felt
that these shined on and off to give the high priest a yes or no
answer. Vol. I, Studies in the Scriptures, p. 49 and What
Pastor Russell Said, p.728.
MASONRY
Joseph Smith Jr. seems to have learned some of these
items from the Masons.
"It is generally supposed that the Essenes were the
custodians of this knowledge and also the initiators and
educators of Jesus. If so, Jesus was undoubtedly initiated in
the same temple of Melchizedek where Pythagoras had
studied six centuries before." "...why is He (Jesus) referred
to in the New Testament as 'called of God an high priest after
the order of Melchizedek'? The words 'after the order' make
Jesus one of a line or order of which there must have been
others of equal or even superior dignity." Masonic, Hermatic,
Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy, p.
CLXXVIII.



* Both believe in works salvation.
RUSSELL Russell's views have been well documented by
many others.
MASONRY A common theme from ex-Masons is that they
are taught if they live by the Organization's precepts, they are
free from sin. Claude McClung's book Why I Left Masonry.
p. 94 describes this. Redemption is a matter of selfimprovement,
obedience, and good works. Nothing is taught
about faith in the atonement of Christ, but instead, it is a step
by step enlightment, achieved by going through the degrees
with their initiations and mysteries. The following Masonic
references will substantiate this.
l)"By the lambskin the Mason is reminded of that purity
of life and recttitude of conduct which are so essentially
necessary to his gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge
above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe
precides." Albert Mackey, Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry.
"Apron."
2)"...and in Thy favor, may we be received into Thine
everlasting kingdom, to enjoy, in union with the souls of our
departed friends, the just reward of a pious and virtuous life.
Amen. So Mote It Be." Texas Monitor. Masonic Burial
Service, p. 10.
3)"In Egypt, Greece and among other ancient nations,
Freemasonry was one of the early agencies employed to
effect improvement and enlightenment of man...and make
them comprehend the true principles of morality, which
initiate men into a new order of life." Daniel Sickles. Ahimon
Rezon or Freemason' Guide, p.57
4)"If we with suitable true devotion maintain our Masonic
profession, our faith will become a beam of light and bring us
to those blessed mansions where we shall be eternally happy
with God, the Great Architect of the Universe." Ibid., p. 79
5)"Acacian: a term signifying a Mason who by living in
strict obedience to obligations and precepts of the fraternity is
free from sin." Mackey, Lexicon of Freemasonry, p. 16
6)"Step by step men advance toward Perfection."A. Pike

[Emeric]

Lástima que esa información sea tan y tan larga ... (No creo que mucha gente la haya leído en su totalidad).

En todo caso, acabo de leer lo más que he podido, y diré que no me extraña en lo absoluto que Charles Taze Russell y la franmasonería compartan tantos puntos como los descritos aquí, ya que no hay que olvidar que el movimiento de los Estudiantes de la Biblia de Russell nació en los EUA, en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, es decir, alrededor de un siglo después de la franmasonería en Inglaterra.
Así que los russellistas tuvieron tiempo para impregnarse de doctrinas masónicas.:yo:

[Emeric]

Subo esto ya que hemos tocado algo al respecto hoy mismo, en otro epígrafe.