This is in response to a video that has been posted on YouTube (and on a site) about Charles Taze Russell.
Practically everything said in the video, however, is in error.
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| Is this Russell's tombstone? |
In the video, the tone is set by the use of the word "weird" and also the manner of presentation. The idea of weirdness is focused on by the claim that this pyramid wins "first prize" as being the most weird site in Pennsylvania. Of course, many claim the Bible is weird also, and yes, what is revealed through the Bible is indeed weird to many of the unregenerated, and even to many of the babes in Christ whose minds have not developed beyond carnal reasoning. -- 1 Corinthians 2:6,7,8,14; 3:1.
For more information about the Great Pyramid, see our Resource Page on the Great Pyramid.
Pyramid Monument Not Russell's Tombstone
The first thing to note is the reference to the pyramid monument as a "pyramid tombstone" and "Russell's tombstone." In reality, the pyramid monument that had been constructed in the Rosemone Cemetery was not a tombstone. No one was buried in that monument, nor under that monument. The video itself later shows Russell's tombstone, so the maker of the video should have known that the pyramid monument is not a tombstone. For more information, see our resource page on Russell's Grave.
Russell Was Not the Founder of Jehovah's Witnesses
The video states that Russell was the founder of the Watchtower, but then associates this with the "Jehovah's Witnesses." Russell was indeed the founder of the original Watch Tower magazine, but Russell was a non-sectarian who did not believe in an authoritarian organization such as the "Jehovah's Witnesses." Russell's Watch Tower magazine was non-authoritarian. After Russell died, Rutherford -- by means of deceit and legal trickery -- gained control of the legal entity, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Rutherford proceeded to virtually destroy the Watch Tower Society as Russell had intended for it to be, and had it restructed so that he could use it as a basis to form his new organization, which he later called "Jehovah's Witnesses". Actually, Russell's Watch Tower magazine basically ceased to exist, and was replaced by Rutherford's new Watch Tower, now often called, The Watchtower. See our resource page regarding Russell Versus the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Russell Did Not Build that Pyramid
The video claims that Russell built that pyramid monument. Russell, of course, was dead at the time the pyramid was built and certainly did not build that pyramid. Several years after Russell died, Joseph Rutherford authorized the construction of the pyramid monument.
The Cross and Crown Symbol
We are next presented with a view of the Cross and Crown symbol that appears on that monument, and the false claim is made that this is the "sign" of the secret organization, the Freemasons. In reality, it is not! A subset of the Freemasons called The Knights Templar do use a similar "cross and crown" symbol, but it is not exactly the same symbol as used by Russell, nor is the symbol itself "Masonic" simple because the Knights Templar make use of that symbol. To be a member of the Knights Templar, one has to not only profess to be a Christian, but one has to also profess belief in man's trinitarian creeds. We should note that the Knights Templar use the Bible itself; does this mean that the Bible is of the Freemasons' organization. or that the Bible is a "Masonic book"? See also our resource page on Russell and the Cross and Crown,
The Alleged Freemason's "Kingdom Hall"
We are next presented with a view of a building across the street from the cemetery, which is in fact the "Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Temple". This temple is being falsely presented as the Freemason's "Kingdom Hall." We will only say that such deceptions mimic the greatest deceiver, Satan the Devil. (Revelation 12:9) In reality, the Masonic temple that was constructed several decades after the death of Charles Taze Russell has nothing to do with either Russell, or Rutherford's pyramid monument built long before the construction of that temple. Russell, of course, never had anything to do with the Jehovah's Witnesses' "Kingdom Halls."
Creepy Tombstone?
We are next asked why did Russell build this "creepy" tombstone? As stated before, Russell did not build this monument, nor is this monument a "tombstone," but the focus here is on another word used to set the tone, that is, "creepy". It should be obvious that such language is utilized to an effort to put the reader in the frame of mind to agree that the monument is creepy. The monument would indeed appear to be strange to one who is not familiar with the connection it has to the Bible. Sadly, the video never presents the truth about the Russell and his study of the Great Pyramid as related to the Bible. The reason given is the false statement that is related to the next subtopic:
Russell Was Into Cults?
The false reason given concerning that monument's being built was that Russell was "into cults." What "cults" these are is not identified, but there was a graphic presented showing a pyramid equipped with the eye of Jehovah (Psalm 33:18), and a ladder equipped evidently representing a way to Jehovah, a picture of the ark of the covenant from the Bible. Below this is the diamond "God" symbol, often used by the Masons, over a temple, possibly representing the Biblical temple of Jerusalem. Evidently, it is thought that this kind of graphic in some unexplained way is evidence that Russell was into "cults." In reality, although we can find no evidence that Russell ever used such a graphic as pictured, we also find nothing at all in the graphic that is related in any way as proof of Russell as being "into cults." What relationship this graphic is supposed to have with Russell is not even given, but the author of the video leaves one to imagine that there is some kind of unexplained relationship and that this unexplained relationship evidently is supposed to give evidence that Russell was into "cults." Since there is no explantion, the viewer could think that this graphic came from Russell. Indeed, if one critically examines the graphic, the effect of the claims made could leave the implication that the Bible itself is into "cults."
The Scope of Freemasonry
Next, a graphic is shown that presents the levels of the Freemasons' organization in the shape of a pyramid. No connection is made with the graphic and Russell, but it is left to the imagination of the viewer to assume that the pyramid built by Rutherford is in some way connected with the graphic. Many, however, point to Russell's usage of pyramids in his Chart of the Ages, wherein he depicts the ages and levels of mankind and the exalted bride, and especially as the completed work of bringing mankind back into harmony with God. If it is to be imagined and assumed that Russell's usage of such illustrations to depict the gradual development of God's plan through the age has something to with the Masons, so likewise should every corporation that uses a pyramid chart to depict the organization of any corporation should be deemed as Masonic. In reality, the evidently imagined implications, when one thinks about it, are actually silly.
Did Russell Try to Figure out the Truth Using the Pyramids of Egypt?
We are next presented with the falsehood that Russell tried to figure out the truth by using the pyramids of Egypt. This or a similar idea is often presented by those not very familiar with Russell's writings, and the false assumption is repeated by others without actually investigating for the truth. In reality, anyone familiar with Russell's writings knows this to be not true. While Russell did not use the "Great Pyramid" to figure out "the truth", he did use the Great Pyramid to corroborate the truth of the Bible. It was from the Bible itself, and the Bible alone, however, that Russell sought to obtain "the truth." Nor was Russell even interested in "the pyramids [plural] of Egypt" as related to his studies of the Bible. There is only pyramid [singular] -- not pyramids (plural) -- that Russell was interested in as far as corroborating the Bible, and that was the one often called the Great Pyramid. Russell believed that the Great Pyramid is the only one that is identified in the Bible as Jehovah's witness in Egypt.
See:
God's Witness in Egypt
The Pyramid On the US Dollar Bill
Intermixed with flashes of covers of the modern-day Watchtower, one with an evident fraudulent cover of a woman bearing her breasts, an association is evidently attempted to link the pyramid monument in the Rosemont Cemetery with the pyramid picture on the US dollar bill, again, utilizing the word "creepy" to set the tone in the minds of the readers toward whatever implications is thought to be implanted by the alleged association. That there is an association in that the monument in the cemetery, and the picture on the dollar bill, is a depiction of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, is not denied -- that association is that both utilize the Great Pyramid of Egypt; other than that, one is left to imagine, aided with loaded words, such as "creepy" and "weird", etc., that all of this is in some unstated way proof that Brother Russell was in some way teaching something gross. A closeup is made of the "eye of God" that is found in the pyramid graphic on the dollar, evidently with the thought that this eye is "creepy." "The eye of Jehovah is to those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy (lovingkindness, World English)." (Psalm 33:18, Green's Literal) The video would seem to be from the standpoint of one who does not reverence Jehovah, and does not see the eye of Jehovah as a sign of hope of his lovingkindness, but rather as "creepy."
Did Russell Try to Figure out the Truth Using the Pyramids of Egypt?
We are next presented with the falsehood that Russell tried to figure out the truth by using the pyramids of Egypt. This or a similar idea is often presented by those not very familiar with Russell's writings, and the false assumption is repeated by others without actually investigating for the truth. In reality, anyone familiar with Russell's writings knows this to be not true. While Russell did not use the "Great Pyramid" to figure out "the truth", he did use the Great Pyramid to corroborate the truth of the Bible. It was from the Bible itself, and the Bible alone, however, that Russell sought to obtain "the truth." Nor was Russell even interested in "the pyramids [plural] of Egypt" as related to his studies of the Bible. There is only pyramid [singular] -- not pyramids (plural) -- that Russell was interested in as far as corroborating the Bible, and that was the one often called the Great Pyramid. Russell believed that the Great Pyramid is the only one that is identified in the Bible as Jehovah's witness in Egypt.
See:
God's Witness in Egypt
The Pyramid On the US Dollar Bill
Intermixed with flashes of covers of the modern-day Watchtower, one with an evident fraudulent cover of a woman bearing her breasts, an association is evidently attempted to link the pyramid monument in the Rosemont Cemetery with the pyramid picture on the US dollar bill, again, utilizing the word "creepy" to set the tone in the minds of the readers toward whatever implications is thought to be implanted by the alleged association. That there is an association in that the monument in the cemetery, and the picture on the dollar bill, is a depiction of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, is not denied -- that association is that both utilize the Great Pyramid of Egypt; other than that, one is left to imagine, aided with loaded words, such as "creepy" and "weird", etc., that all of this is in some unstated way proof that Brother Russell was in some way teaching something gross. A closeup is made of the "eye of God" that is found in the pyramid graphic on the dollar, evidently with the thought that this eye is "creepy." "The eye of Jehovah is to those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy (lovingkindness, World English)." (Psalm 33:18, Green's Literal) The video would seem to be from the standpoint of one who does not reverence Jehovah, and does not see the eye of Jehovah as a sign of hope of his lovingkindness, but rather as "creepy."
Ronald R. Day, Sr.
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| Russell's gravestone |
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