"Judge" Joseph Rutherford

by VM44 9 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  VM44

  Has anyone noticed that in recent years, when the Watchtower
  writes about Rutherford, they refer to him as "Joseph Rutherford",
  never as "Judge Rutherford"?

  When Rutherford was alive, the Watchtower put up public notices
  advertising that "Judge" Rutherford was speaking. (The "Proclaimers"
  book has a picture of such a notice.)

  For some reason, the Watchtower does not want to put the word
  "Judge" in front of Rutherford's name anymore.

  Could the reason be that Rutherford only filled in
  for the regularly appointed Circuit Judge a few times?
  and he was never officially elected or appointed for a full term
  to that position?

  Could it be an admission that Rutherford using the title "Judge"
  throughout his life was very pompus and egotistical of him?

  As Norm pointed out very well in another thread, Rutherford was
  not very humble at all!

  --VM44
• 

  Satanus

  VM44

  Exactly. Rutherford was a lawyer by trade. Some time ago, there was a thread where someone was researching to write a book on him. It came up that rutherford had been in politics as well. He hadn't succeeded too well there. I guess he was better able to fool christians than other politicians.

  SS
• 

  Amazing

  Hi VM44:

  Could the reason be that Rutherford only filled in
  for the regularly appointed Circuit Judge a few times?
  and he was never officially elected or appointed for a full term
  to that position?

  I have documentation to show that Joe Rutherford only served as a "fill-in" Judge for 4 days. He was helping as the request of a sitting Judge who went on vacation. The total Court Docket for Rutherford were 4 minor cases. Two were continued. He therefore only heard two minor cases. That is it. he never served as a Judge again.

  The Society also bragged about the Judge appearing before the US Supreme COurt. Here are the facts. ANY Attorney in good standing with their State bar can qualify to present cases before the US Supremes with a few other minor qualifications, such as having at least 3 years of experience, and a few other requirements.

  I researched every case involving Joe Rutherford before the Supremes. Of the many cases heard regarding the Watch Tower Society, Joe was on 3 only. Of those three cases, he was second chair, and was first chair once. But in that one case, the Society hired an outside lawfirm (non-JW) to step in for the Judge.

  Could it be an admission that Rutherford using the title "Judge" throughout his life was very pompus and egotistical of him?

  You are correct, without question, doubt, or fear ... unquestionably, and irrefutably. ... also, the Society is well aware of ex-JWs digging these little, but still important, clarifications up, and they are trying to get away from their past embellishments of this kind. In a strange way, ex-JWs are driving some of the Watch Tower policies and doctrinal modifications. It is slow, but still we are having an effect.
• 

  refiners fire

  Brother Amazing, dont sell us and yourself short buddy!
  The Apostate dudes like Mr Silent Lambs and Kent et al, this site too, are doing a lot of damage. Those guys at headquarters are thinkin about us, dont worry about that.
  I know a guy here in Australia a few years ago mailed a hundred letters to good little dubs and wound up getting a reaction.They shifted mailing policy a smidge to prevent the same thing happening again. Every little thing hurts, maybe not straight away, but it builds up, until the balance tips and the Brooklyn fossils have to compensate.

  If uncle Joe only served on the bench 4 days as a fill in no wonder they are shifting from calling him "Judge". What an ambarrassment for them. Who do we have to thank for this shift of direction? Rotten little apostates. Good for us!
• 

  Dark Knight

  Ever since coming to the board I have continually read posts that refer to "the judge" having a drinking problem. I would like to know how these rumours came about... Is there any truth in them and if so where is the proof and how did it come to be known. This kind of info would never be published or alluded to in Watchtower publications, right?

  Anyone out there with info?? please let us know...

  Cheers
  DK
• 

  TheOldHippie

  When Nathan Homer Knorr was introduced as a speaker, he was introduced as "Mister Knorr"; when Joseph Franklin Rutherford was introduced, he was so done as "Judge Rutherford"; today, one uses neither "Mister" nor "Judge". What is the fuzz?
• 

  Naeblis

  Indeed. Who cares.
• 

  Okidok

  Hi you mean this humble man?
  

  "It takes two to speak the truth -- one to speak, and another to
  hear."
  ---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
• 

  badwillie

  Dark Knight,
  During the prohibition years here in the US, Rutherford wrote a tract entitled "Prohibition" where he ranted on about how wrong it was that the Gov't should forbid alcohol use. Makes you go Hmmmmmmm ??
  -BW.
• 

  picosito

  Methinks his drinking problem was he could never get enough.