What is the story behind this picture of Rutherford at a drinking party?? (page 3)

LivingTheDream

Fulltimestudent,

I don't think anyone here has a problem with JWs and the simple drinking that most cultures allow. It's the drunkeness part that gets the criticism. This was clearly condemned in the same green Bible I grew up with right next to "fornication". Rutherford was a known drunk, not just a drinker. He wasn't just a Joe Schmo Witness dude; he was the leader of the entire religion for Heaven's sake!

For example they used to read me this scripture as a child: 1 Corinthians 6: 9,10, says: "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God."

Interestingly, in the 35 years I was a Witness, I would see JWs get drunk from time to time at a party or get together, but as long as nobody complained about it and these people didn't get drunk too often, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM! Nada. Zilch.

I saw Bethelites when I was there get drunk from time to time AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM EITHER! AT GOD'S HOUSE MIND YOU! Nada. Zilch.

So, no JW elder would think to label a person a drunkard for "an occasional mistake" of drinking too much. It happens after all. Let it go. We're human after all. It's natural to make mistakes like this. Boo hoo.

But, should that same person commit fornication just one time, they would be dragged into the back room for a comittee meeting so quick it would make your head snap. Fornicate two times and you were an unrepentant sinner and disfellowshipped - period. Game over. You would be whispered about as a pervert for the rest of your life too.

I guess sex isn't natural?

Hypocrisy in it's purest form.

Brock Talon

SafeAtHome

Well the guy on the far left had to have been drunk when he got that haircut!

jam

Fulltime "So it's easy to see that drinking has been part of

human life for a long, longtime". That's true but if a guy went

out for the nite to have a few drinks, he could leave on

his horse, camel or wagon and not hurt anyone. The worst thing that

could happen, he fall off in a ditch and break his neck.

It's scary to think that a man with thousands of followers get

his spiritual direction from a spirit bottle.

mynameislame

He kinda looks like WC Feilds to me!

LOL his name didn't pop into my head but when I was looking at it I kept imainging someone saying something in WC Feilds voice.

Now I know why

Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite

and furthermore always carry a small snake.

ILoveTTATT2

So... The conclusion is... It is a picture only Penton has??

Old Goat

You have to be an old goat like me to know what that is. It's a root beer dispenser, once quite common (when people made their own). Alas, this is not a booze party.

ILoveTTATT2

Hi Old Goat,

Are you saying that even Penton got it wrong, and this ISN'T a picture of Rutherford drinking alcohol?

In any case, the question has never been answered:

What is the source of this picture?

Old Goat

Not a booze party. A beer keg would have the spout on the bottom. This has a pump on top. That's root beer. The glasses are root beer cups, typical of the late 1920s and early 30s. I remember them well. I'm nearly 90. I don't know the source of the photo. But conclusions made from it are wishful thinking.

There's another set of photos that show Rutherford sleeping on a tavern table, also taken out of context. I haven't seen those since I was a young man. The explanation was very tame. Humans have a tendency to see what they want to see.

Also, a sole source claim should be looked at with considerable suspicion. The former Branch Servant who made claims about Rutherford was a questionable character. He really wasn't on "our side" if we base our opposition to the Watchtower on the facts.

Robo Bobo

Relevant article about prohibition from Nov. 1924 wt (sorry about the size):

Old Goat

Robo, there's also the booklet Prohibition and League of Nations. I have that somewhere still, I think.

What is the story behind this picture of Rutherford at a drinking party??

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