Do we have "original" indipendent documents proving that Rutherford was an alcoholic?

by psyco 25 Replies latest watchtower scandals

  • psyco
    psyco

    I was wondering if you could prove with "original" independent documents that Rutherford was an alcoholic...

    I read Penton, but since he is a former JW he could not be considered an independent source...

  • slimboyfat
    slimboyfat

    I don’t think so. A source commonly cited is Olin Moyle, who became antagonistic toward Rutherford, after having served JWs as their lawyer. There are a couple of letters he wrote and there is a court case at which Fred Franz and others gave testimony, available online.

    Some have claimed to present photos of Rutherford and associates drunk, also probably still online somewhere. Others have disputed this is what they show. Judge for yourself.

    There is circumstantial evidence that Rutherford was at least pro-drink during the Prohibition era, as he described prohibition as Satanic in WT literature of the period. There are claims that JWs illegallly smuggled alcohol from Canada during Prohibition, but I can’t remember the source or the basis for that.

    It seems to me entirely plausible that Rutherford was a hard drinker but I haven’t seen solid evidence for it.


  • Earnest
    Earnest

    The Olin Moyle Trial can be accessed here, and while Moyle accuses Rutherford of being pro-liquor in his letter (Exhibit 4), he doesn't accuse him of being drunk.

  • blondie
    blondie

    A copy of the publication by Rutherford about prohibition.

    https://www.druglibrary.net/schaffer/History/e1920/rutherford1.htm

    Rutherford used the 1929 position on higher authorities to justify:

    • Consuming alcohol during the United States prohibition (“God never authorized a prohibition or any other sumptuary law to control the consciences or actions of others.” w29 p.121)

    https://www.scribd.com/document/554990806/1930-Prohibition-League-of-Nations

  • peacefulpete
    peacefulpete

    He abused people, whether he abused his own body is of less concern.

    However, relatives and associates described him as fond of women and booze. The Canada branch director, Salter, wrote an open letter to Rutherford in which he detailed having sourced cases of liquor during prohibition. Moyles' open letter of resignation from Bethel asserted Rutherford was responsible for the 'glorification of alcohol" there. Penton interviewed former Bethelites who reported having to assist Rutherford after overdrinking.

    Short of police records or a transcription of medical records, not much can be expected as proof of alcoholism.

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    Couldn't have been too fond of women.

    Remember when the Lord's “physical mouthpiece”, Joseph Rutherford, called women “a stack of bones and a hank of hair” ...

  • GLTirebiter
    GLTirebiter

    I thought it no coincidence that Beth Sarim was (a) about as far as you could get from Brooklyn/Bethel within the 48 contiguous states, and (b) a short ride to Tijuana, where booze was readily available in exchange for Yanqui dollars.

  • vienne
    vienne

    peacp, you wrote: Penton interviewed former Bethelites who reported having to assist Rutherford after overdrinking."

    Do you have a page number?

  • FragrantAddendum
    FragrantAddendum
  • Bartolomeo
    Bartolomeo

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