I have not read this entire thread so I am not sure if this information has already been given as proof that Russell was NOT a freemason. Click on the famous non-masons on the left and go down to page 29 to see the information that Russell was not a mason.
This is a site with no WT or JW agenda pro or con.
http://www.masonicinfo.com/images/Masonicinfo_FamousFreemasons.pdf
There is no evidence that
Charles Taze Russell , the
founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, was a Mason.
Some have charged that his tombstone appears as a
keystone (a symbol used in Royal Arch Masonry), that
there appears on the stone a crown and cross and that
the stone is in the shape of a pyramid. (Those who
make the claim do so for their own ends ignoring the
fact that the cross and crown have long been symbols
of Christianity, that the pyramid is often used in onedimension
view to represent the Trinity etc.) A review
of Russell's personal life would have likely found him
unwelcome within a Lodge. A current author says of
him
"Russell's faults as a writer were perhaps the leastof his shortcomings. Accusations of sexual and financial
improprieties, for example, dogged him throughout his adult life. Russell's notorious
difficulties with his long-suffering wife Maria, aired during a series of sensational libel,
separation, and alimony suits near the turn of the century, became a particular source of
embarrassment for both the pastor and his flock. (Russell's stature couldn't have been
enhanced when a Pennsylvania judge concluded that his "continual arrogant domination"
of his wife was enough to "render the life of any sensitive Christian woman a burden and
make her life intolerable."
3 This notwithstanding, Pastor Russell did, upon occasion,
make reference to Masons. One internet supporter of Russell's regularly argues that
file:///C|/Webs/Antimasonry2/famousnon.htm (5 of 7) [7/3/02 2:06:53 PM]
Famous Non-Masons
Freemasonry was totally against the Preacher's
philosophy but the argument he makes is based on
his interpretation rather than facts. Those attempting
to condemn Russell based on Masonic membership
fail to produce any credible evidence of his
membership and his supporters use faulty logic in
arguing against it. Russell is not mentioned in any
Masonic reference works, a unique situation indeed
if he were a Mason based on his fame.
Oh, and did we mention?: the "tombstone" that's so
often referred to is actually a monument erected to
Russell
by the Watchtower Society which has
regularly criticized Freemasonry. Pastor Russell's
actual gravestone (shown above) is a couple of
dozen yards away....
