₦airaland Forum

brain54:
Black tax, there is a term for everything nowadays...


Anyways, I think it has it's origin from our (African) cultural background from communal lifestyle.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad concept. As it's mostly the excess earned that is used to cater for family. Where it becomes a burden is when one begins to struggle to meet such responsibilities.

Many Africans have embraced the western concept of "me, myself and I" but originally we had our communal way of living where everyone looked after each other.

I think most of our old ways of doing things shouldn't be eroded completely in the race to become Westernised rather modifications should be applied where applicable and necessary.


I have a lot of things to say about the Chinese and sticking to and modifying their traditional ways of doing things and how well it has worked for them.

A country or continent that throws away it's cultural identity and original ideology in embrace of foreign cultural norms hardly progresses!

Op pls don't come and make caring and loving look bad. Pls it's not mandatory for you to take care of anyone, that is for those with a heart of compassion and love .
There are so many persons who don't know there parents or family needs help & love , but they rather help outside family than their's so they have this public out look off a "successful man " just deceits. Giving and caring for others are acts of virtue and in Africa we have that heart to help especially to poor and needy in the community.
And if you have ( blessed ) and you don't help it's either they rob , kidnap you or run you down but when you help one out of the crowd might alert of impeding danger. #Stopgivingpetstoomuchattention
#Helptheneedyaroundyoualways
#Courage&Love
#BabiesoverPuppies& Kittens

It's a thing of choice and done selflessly. So don't it's not bad , we Africans bond but the white rarely does , probably because they prefer freedom , like staying away from family and get a pet instead of making a baby or babies. From Europe to Asia , Many couples or youths end up not having children.
Pls who taught man to love animals instead of eating them , because that got man into adopting dogs , cats etc as pets and now so many has ended there lineage because they died without bearing fruit ( Child ) because they adopted to caring more for animals than humans.

It's bad that racism still stirs us in the face , let's make the world a better place for us all.

Dogalmighty17:
You don't want to get on 50's bad side. Ja rule learnt the hard way. 50 puts the p in petty. This guy practically bought all the seats at a come back Show Ja Rule organised. Ja rule was really looking forward to that show to relaunch his career in music.

All the seats booked, 50 turned up with a large order of pop corn and sat at the front row right in front of the stage. Ja Rule was petrified but he HAD to perform. The show was sold out after all...to one person, 50 cent. Ja Rule had to face the humiliation of performing for only 50 cent, his mortal enemy. 50 sat eating popcorn and mocking Ja Rule as he performed. That was the last time Ja Rule organised a show of any kind.

very hilarious , what was Jarules crime ? Really hope Diddy stays much longer Jail.

I'm optimistic for a better Nigeria someday and Tinubu is trying on the upscale, I hope he will help the downscale too

Trump is really doing well for himself, America and Peace for a better world .

What for , don't let your enemies exploit you while training.

[quote author=Courz post=136957140]This video is showing an International Bible Students Association (IBSA) Convention Program having the picture of a Masonic Lodge and Programs with Dates,Times and Public Talks exactly as it is presently organized in Jehovah's witnesses today.

This Convention program clearly shows the Venue to be a Masonic Lodge. This is during the time Joseph Rutherford was the Leader/President of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

This was before Jehovah's witnesses ever thought of having Kingdom Halls. This is where they used to have their Talks.From the program, IBSA is clearly shown in front of the Lodge showing that the International Bible Students Association own this Masonic Lodge. It is their property. As you can see on the back of the Convention program, the Masonic symbol, the Cross and Crown is boldly shown on it. Back then, They were openly Masonic unlike now they are trying their hardest to Hide their Masonic roots. Today, IBSA still meet at Masonic Lodges.

Cc: w
Yes — but there’s some context behind it.

The International Bible Students Association (IBSA) in its early years sometimes rented Freemason lodges or halls for meetings, conventions, and Bible lectures. Here’s why:


---

🔎 Why IBSA Used Masonic Halls

1. Practical Reasons

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many cities didn’t have big neutral public auditoriums.

Masonic lodges were often the largest available, affordable, and centrally located venues for public talks.



2. Common Practice

Other Christian groups (Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, etc.) also rented Masonic halls or Oddfellows’ halls back then for the same reason.

Renting a hall didn’t mean they were affiliated with or endorsing Freemasonry.



3. Confusion with Symbolism

Because Russell and the IBSA sometimes used these lodges, and because some Bible Student literature had symbols (like the cross-and-crown), critics tied them to Freemasonry.





---

📜 What IBSA/Jehovah’s Witnesses Said About It

Charles Taze Russell publicly denied being a Mason (1913, Glasgow speech).

The Watch Tower Society repeatedly clarified that they had no ties to Freemasonry — the hall rentals were simply about space availability.

Later, Jehovah’s Witnesses avoided such venues to steer clear of confusion.



---

✅ In short:
Yes, IBSA sometimes used Masonic lodges for their gatherings, but only as rental halls, not because they were Masons or linked to the fraternity.


---

Would you like me to give you a list of specific cities/dates where IBSA used Masonic lodges, so you see the pattern?

Yes — but there’s some context behind it.

The International Bible Students Association (IBSA) in its early years sometimes rented Freemason lodges or halls for meetings, conventions, and Bible lectures. Here’s why:


---

🔎 Why IBSA Used Masonic Halls

1. Practical Reasons

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many cities didn’t have big neutral public auditoriums.

Masonic lodges were often the largest available, affordable, and centrally located venues for public talks.



2. Common Practice

Other Christian groups (Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, etc.) also rented Masonic halls or Oddfellows’ halls back then for the same reason.

Renting a hall didn’t mean they were affiliated with or endorsing Freemasonry.



3. Confusion with Symbolism

Because Russell and the IBSA sometimes used these lodges, and because some Bible Student literature had symbols (like the cross-and-crown), critics tied them to Freemasonry.





---

📜 What IBSA/Jehovah’s Witnesses Said About It

Charles Taze Russell publicly denied being a Mason (1913, Glasgow speech).

The Watch Tower Society repeatedly clarified that they had no ties to Freemasonry — the hall rentals were simply about space availability.

Later, Jehovah’s Witnesses avoided such venues to steer clear of confusion.



---

✅ In short:
Yes, IBSA sometimes used Masonic lodges for their gatherings, but only as rental halls, not because they were Masons or linked to the fraternity.


---

Would you like me to give you a list of specific cities/dates where IBSA used Masonic lodges, so you see the pattern?

Good question 👍.

Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), the founder of the Bible Student movement (which later became Jehovah’s Witnesses), is often accused of being a Freemason, but there’s no solid evidence he ever was. Here’s the breakdown:


---

🔎 Why People Think Russell Was a Mason

1. Masonic Symbols on His Grave

Near his burial site in Pittsburgh is a pyramid-shaped monument with Bible inscriptions.

Some claim the pyramid and other imagery are “Masonic,” though pyramids were also widely used by non-Masons in the 19th–20th centuries.



2. His Writings/Illustrations

In some early Watch Tower publications, symbols like the cross and crown, or rays of light, were used. Critics point out similarities to Masonic emblems.



3. Statements About Freemasons

Russell once referred to being a "Free Mason in the true sense" — but when read in context, he was contrasting spiritual freedom in Christ with man-made lodges.





---

📜 What Russell Himself Said

In a 1913 convention speech in Scotland, Russell explicitly denied being a Mason, saying:

> “I am not a Freemason, I have never been a Freemason. I never had anything to do with Masonry.”



He clarified that when he used the term “free mason,” he meant it in a biblical/spiritual sense (being a “free stone” built into God’s spiritual temple, as in 1 Peter 2:5).



---

✅ Conclusion

No historical records (like lodge memberships or Masonic proceedings) list Russell as a Mason.

The Watch Tower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses strongly distance themselves from Freemasonry, teaching that it’s incompatible with Christianity.

So: The “Russell was a Mason” claim is more conspiracy theory than fact, mainly based on symbols and misinterpretations of his words.

Interesting , i'm facing similar thing here but my mind is in investing in my business here , buy land and keep with the main money.

Happy birthday to God's General and Captain of the lords sheep.

May God bless those who despise terrorists and there sympathizers. Israel is a powerful people and can never be defeated. Hamas symbolizes an enemy of its people, or else why can't Hamas lay down it's arm for peace to reign if they have now think Oct 07 was a mistake that should never happen again.
It's only a retard that will plan to invade a nation like Israel knowing the consequences will be highly detrimental .
Where is Ali Khamenei Ayatollah , someone should check on him because he has many bloods flowing in his name for several terrorists action that has devastated Nations and national lives all for nothing , Man is nothing no matter how powerful you feel , Man is nothing and can never do with out God.
Putin prided in taking Ukraine in 2 weeks while the military journalist boasted in 3 days because they thought they heard all it takes to cause conflicts at will just to flex 💪 , but now Time is taking a whole toll on them both they in Moscow and the poor Russian men fighting in confusion in the dirts of Ukrainian lands.

Up Israel, down terrorists and there sympathizers

May God bless Netanyahu , his family, Israel, America and all persons that stand and support TRUTH irrespective of circumstances.
As you may know several of the European nations are still buying Russian oil and gas Knowing how that is arming the war in Ukraine , several of them support LGBT when they know it not God's way , just mans lifestyle which is sinful yet because they had the opportunities of been in the position they are they chose to do this things , the question WHO are they pleasing ?
Why can't they use there energy to see that Hamas returns the hostages rather than slapping Israel at the face forgetting that tomorrow they would need Israeli help tomorrow and not Hamas.

Curious345:
If Nigeria was good , he would have self deported . Do you know Syrians living in Europe have all self deported after the fall of Bashar Assad?

it's good they had love for there Syrian Nation, knowing it's all that they got .

Macron is just been political and not factual , why don't they ask Hamas to release the hostages , disarm and take amnesty. Huh

Donald Trump my greatest political mentor message to world leaders is simple, give your the people best , make your country the best , he made similar speech many times in his 1st tenure in several gatherings.

Sowere is just been stupid because Wikes properties are well known to Rivers people and Portharcourt Boiz and we are happy Wike sited those properties in Portharcourt and not Europe or African countries like many others will do. Wike did very well for Rivers State, no LGA was left out .
Sowere ought contest for LGA councilor or championship so from there we can test the microphone.
So tomorrow a loser like Sowere will not come after Gov Otti tomorrow as if he is anybody.

Let there be State police, only that can end boko haram and it's splinter groups.

Ameachi will always act against Rivers interest.
Why couldn't he hold the occasion here in Portharcourt, all this little things matter a lot to promote a State or Place e.g from hotel reservations to other logistics which should fetch Rivers people money and many more other benefits if they had chosen Portharcourt as the venue for such a high occasion.
This is one way Wike is different, Wike will never do such , why does Ameachi always benefit other regions but when it comes to politics of deceits he will remember Rivers people but when it comes to how or what to benefit Rivers people Ameachi will not.
I'm happy as my Igbo brothers are changing the landscape of eastern and southern region , eyeing away from there comfort areas , zones like Lagos , Abuja and Northern areas while neglecting there homeland.

So nice to see hope its actually true

Good to know, it is only a good man that will give his family the best life has to offer

What else do terrorists do

May God continue to bless him and protect him , his family and ministry in Jesus name Amen.

3ice9ce:
I believe there are certain persons within Hamas leadership who are working for Israel.

Their own duty is to ensure that Hamas continues doing things that will make Israel takeover Gaza completely.

In my local dialect , aka bishi ba banam ba onu. Meaning the evil Hamas cooked for Israel has been fed to Hamas .
Stop sympathizing with terrorists.
So in essence Hamas will keep making mistakes till they are completely wiped out.

3ice9ce:
I believe there are certain persons within Hamas leadership who are working for Israel.

Their own duty is to ensure that Hamas continues doing things that will make Israel takeover Gaza completely.

In my local dialect , aka bishi ba banam ba onu. Meaning the evil Hamas cooked for Israel has been fed to Hamas .
Stop sympathizing with terrorists.

So beautiful, but we need clearer view on this as per how they got the informations which they worked on to get this picture.

Time will tell

It will favor the festive period , a period which the marketers have been using to exploit the masses .

tubolancer:
The dispatch rider didn't die. He was accused of murdering someone prior to the severe beating of the dispatch rider.

I pray so , because NURWT bosses earn alot and one of them shouldn't desend so low to beat up a poor dispatch rider to stupor all because of an accident little money can solve. I give it up those running same positions in Lagos state and other areas who ain't blood thirsty like this one , because at last all men shall face judgement after death, by then our real self Will face God , money and position won't matter.

That will be good for him , there are lots of job to be done and completed in the state.
The state will be move forward also since the principal himself is in center of govt , so with synergy from both sides Rivers State will achieve a lot by God's grace and will.