From an article in the July 8 Awake! by a "Ken Payne", entitled I Tried To Serve Two Masters:

What interested me was phrasing of the footnote - that instead of being autocratic President of the Tower, Judge Joe merely "took the lead"! Is there now a trend towards minimalising the true role that presidents past played in Tower history? Are there other instances of this kind of downplaying of the presidential office of the past?

This is a true statement, but does understate matters.

Rutherford was the autocratic ruler of the Jehovah's Witnesses. He had the final say on everything. The Societies committees only provided a rubber stamp approval on matters which were decided upon by Rutherford.

It has been said that the reason the San Diego home "Beth Sarim" was built was to get Rutherford away from Brooklyn to keep him from meddling.

While most articles published by the Watchtower were anonymous, Rutherford's books always listed him as the author.

While he was alive, the Watchtower reffered to him as "Judge Rutherford" using the title freely in articles and advertising public appearences by Rutherford. Recent WT publications do not use the title, or say Rutherford was "affectionately" called  "The Judge" (This is because Rutherford only filled in for about 4 days when a Circuit Judge was out of town"

Rutherford intimidated the witnesses and those at Bethel, this is even alluded to in some experiences with Rutherford published in the Watchtower.

So, while the statement is accurate, it does leave a lot unsaid.

--VM44

 

good eye Stephanus.

It is my opinion that the Watchtower wishes Rutherford legacy would just go away, he put his foot in his mouth alot, and came up with some wild predictions/articles.

But then again, the JW's still believe heavens doors were closed in 1935, and that one was all Rutherford.

 

Who knows with the writing staff these days? - it certainly is an understatement, but maybe that's just how they chose to word it this one time and refelcts no real change in rear-view of Da Judge.

The duds tie the footnote in with the door to door preaching...which judge dud did NOT do! A little literary slight of hand. Maverick

I see nothing wrong with that footnote. (Except that they should have added "in drinking").

The truth is Rutherford stole the lead, busted his way into the President and Dictator for Life role ... and ruined an otherwise harmeless little Bible cult ... turning it into a slave book sales racket. - Jim W. 

Hi Big Tex:

The way I read it, it rings of truth.  Rutherford did spear head the work of the JW's, he did in fact lead them.  That can't be said of Russell, since Russell wasn't a JW.  Perhaps they are trying to distance themselves from the Bible Students who still follow Russell's teachings.

The only problem with that is .... to say Rutherford was their leader and founder will only give them a presence since 1931.  So they need Russell to establish themselves as an "old time religion" of the 1800s.

 

I have no problem with the "truth" of the statement - it is technically correct in every aspect. "Took" is particularly apt regarding da Judge's grab for the leadership. It was just one of those sentences that "reached out and grabbed" me...

Rob, understood! No worries.