[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f6WeDGEvKbwOpR2Hy0MQeky_A0KEdbNPRy9qhvz9LhBs":3,"$fSddTcmaF2nAanCJFR3uMi6ZAb7Ac3c5e-oBPfsvUEfE":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},72579,"Charles Taze Russell","C",9,null,"charles-taze-russell",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":112},[14,27,38,45,56,67,78,89,100],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2289961,"I am very glad to have this particular opportunity of saying a word about some of the things in which we agree with our Masonic friends, because we are speaking in a building dedicated to Masonry, and we also are Masons. I am a Freemason.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5272959,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1175,"opportunity",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2289945,"Brought up a Presbyterian, indoctrinated from the Catechism, and being naturally of an inquiring mind, I fell a ready prey to the logic of infidelity, as soon as I began to think for myself. But that which at first threatened to be the utter shipwreck of faith in God and the Bible was, under God's providence, over-ruled for good, and merely wrecked my confidence in human creed and systems of Bible misinterpretations.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5272940,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},56,"thinking",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":44},2289928,"Religion is a Snare and a Racket,",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nCharles Taze Russell, the founder of the Bible Student movement, which later became the Jehovah's Witnesses, coined the phrase \"Religion is a Snare and a Racket\" in the late 19th century. During this time, Russell was critical of mainstream Christianity, which he saw as dogmatic and oppressive. He was also grappling with the concept of organized religion and its effects on individuals and society.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, Russell's statement appears to be a scathing critique of organized religion. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper insight: that the very systems and structures meant to provide spiritual guidance and community can, in fact, become instruments of control and manipulation. This paradox highlights the tension between the desire for spiritual connection and the potential for exploitation by those in power.\n\n**How to Use This**\nWhen approaching spirituality or seeking community, be cautious of systems that promise easy answers or absolute truths. Instead, cultivate a discerning mindset that questions authority and seeks authentic, person-to-person connections. This requires a willingness to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty, but ultimately leads to a more authentic and empowering spiritual experience.",{"id":46,"quote_text":47,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":48,"source":49,"quote_tag":50,"commentary":9},2289913,"In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[51],{"id":52,"tag":53},5272911,{"id":54,"tag_name":55},16184,"views",{"id":57,"quote_text":58,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":59,"source":60,"quote_tag":61,"commentary":9},2289887,"The deliverance of the saints must take place some time before 1914.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[62],{"id":63,"tag":64},5272895,{"id":65,"tag_name":66},214,"scary",{"id":68,"quote_text":69,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":70,"source":71,"quote_tag":72,"commentary":9},2289877,"The Temple will not be completed until every living stone is there. And then what? The next thing will be that which our Masonic friends make so much of, and which we make so much of namely: the glorification of the temple.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[73],{"id":74,"tag":75},5272871,{"id":76,"tag_name":77},4569,"stones",{"id":79,"quote_text":80,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":81,"source":82,"quote_tag":83,"commentary":9},2289858,"To me it seems as plain as can be that the Bible declares that all the wicked will God destroy; again, that those who, during the Millennial age when brought to a knowledge of the truth, shall prove willful sinners will be punished with everlasting destruction.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[84],{"id":85,"tag":86},5272858,{"id":87,"tag_name":88},5390,"millennials",{"id":90,"quote_text":91,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":92,"source":93,"quote_tag":94,"commentary":9},2289846,"Our Masonic friends have it down very fine. I do not know where they got it so well. I have often wondered where they found out so many of the secrets of our High and Accepted Order of Masonry.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[95],{"id":96,"tag":97},5272847,{"id":98,"tag_name":99},2550,"order",{"id":101,"quote_text":102,"author_id":5,"source_id":103,"has_image":18,"author":104,"source":105,"quote_tag":106,"commentary":9},500599,"Eternal torture is nowhere suggested in the Old Testament Scriptures, and only a few statements in the New Testament can be so misconstrued as to appear to teach it; and these are found either among the symbolisms of Revelation, or among the parables and dark sayings of our Lord, which were not understood by the people who heard them (Luke 8:10) and which seem to be but little better comprehended today. [...]",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[107],{"id":108,"tag":109},2796009,{"id":110,"tag_name":111},2109,"theology",{"currentPage":113,"totalPages":113,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":114},1,10]