Olin R. Moyle
Encyclopedia
Olin Richmond Moyle was legal counsel for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society from 1935 to 1939. He helped represent Jehovah's Witnesses in two cases before the United States Supreme Court, which set new precedents on First Amendment freedoms. A dispute with Watch Tower Society president J. F. Rutherford
led to Moyle's expulsion from the religion. Moyle later sued the Watch Tower Society for libel over an article in its magazine, The Watchtower
. In his later years, he became one of the leaders of the United Israel World Union
, a movement that sought to convert people, particularly Christians, to Judaism.
Bible Students group about 1910. In 1935 Moyle, his wife and son left their home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
and moved into the Brooklyn, New York headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to serve as its legal counsel, heading its newly-formed Legal Department. The department had been established by Rutherford to help Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the US mount court cases to defend themselves amid increasing opposition to their preaching and stance on flag salute. Rutherford and Moyle jointly represented the Watch Tower Society in various lawsuits. In 1938, Moyle won the Lovell v. City of Griffin case before the Supreme Court of the United States
and the same year sent a letter to President Roosevelt
condemning his support of "Fascist" Catholicism.
Moyle had been handling the famous Minersville School District v. Gobitis
case, and had won at the trial court level as well as at the appellate level. However, after Moyle's removal from the case, the Minersville School District appealed the Gobitis case to the Supreme Court. Rutherford himself argued the case before the Supreme Court in 1940, and the Court ruled against the Jehovah's Witnesses by a vote of 8-1. It was this ruling that triggered the nationwide wave of violence against Jehovah's Witnesses that lasted for the next several months.
, stating that "every paragraph of that letter is false, filled with lies, and is a wicked slander and a libel". The article compared his actions with those of Judas Iscariot
.
Moyle was disfellowshipped by his congregation, which wrote a letter to The Watchtower stating that they had not read Moyle's letter, but disapproved of his actions and "never listen to accusations against Brother Rutherford". In 1940, Moyle sued the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York over the response in The Watchtower. Rutherford presented a public resolution at a 1941 convention against Moyle, with reference to the September 15, 1941 issue of The Watchtower. Moyle won his suit, and the court awarded him $30,000 in damages, which was reduced to $15,000 on appeal in 1944.
The initial jury verdict was affirmed twice on appeal; first by the five member Appellate Division, 2nd Department (3-2); and second, unanimously, by the seven members of the state's highest court, The Court of Appeals, in the capitol at Albany.
Bar Association
in Wisconsin, and was recognized by Rand McNally
in its national list of "bank recommended attorneys".
Moyle became involved with David Horowitz and the work of the United Israel World Union
, formed in 1944 to "preach a universal Hebraic faith for all humankind". The 1978 edition of The Encyclopedia of American Religions
describes "former Jehovah's Witness Olin Moyle" as having been "[a]mong the leaders" of the movement, "a vigorous missionary program to convert people, particularly Christians, to Judaism".
Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Joseph Franklin Rutherford , also known as "Judge" Rutherford, was the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and played a primary role in the organization and doctrinal development of Jehovah's Witnesses, which emerged from the Bible Student movement established...
led to Moyle's expulsion from the religion. Moyle later sued the Watch Tower Society for libel over an article in its magazine, The Watchtower
The Watchtower
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published semi-monthly in 194 languages by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and printed in various branch offices around the world...
. In his later years, he became one of the leaders of the United Israel World Union
United Israel World Union
United Israel World Union was founded by David Horowitz. Its mission is to present scholarly, historical and biblical research on the Lost Tribes of Israel and to promote their return to the Hebrew Faith and Jewish identity....
, a movement that sought to convert people, particularly Christians, to Judaism.
Watch Tower Society association
Moyle began associating with Charles Taze Russell'sCharles Taze Russell
Charles Taze Russell , or Pastor Russell, was a prominent early 20th century Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement, from which Jehovah's Witnesses and numerous independent Bible Student groups emerged...
Bible Students group about 1910. In 1935 Moyle, his wife and son left their home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and moved into the Brooklyn, New York headquarters of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to serve as its legal counsel, heading its newly-formed Legal Department. The department had been established by Rutherford to help Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the US mount court cases to defend themselves amid increasing opposition to their preaching and stance on flag salute. Rutherford and Moyle jointly represented the Watch Tower Society in various lawsuits. In 1938, Moyle won the Lovell v. City of Griffin case before the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
and the same year sent a letter to President Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
condemning his support of "Fascist" Catholicism.
Resignation
On July 21, 1939, Moyle wrote an open letter of resignation to Rutherford to complain about behavior of some staff members at the Watch Tower Society's headquarters (referred to as Bethel), including Rutherford, that he considered of low moral quality. Among other things, Moyle accused Rutherford of unkind treatment of the staff, outbursts of anger, discrimination, and vulgar language. Moyle also claimed Rutherford had "many many homes, to wit, Bethel, Staten Island, California" and deplored "the difference between the accommodations furnished to you, and your personal attendants, compared with those furnished to some of your brethren".Moyle had been handling the famous Minersville School District v. Gobitis
Minersville School District v. Gobitis
Minersville School District v. Gobitis, , was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the religious rights of public school students under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution...
case, and had won at the trial court level as well as at the appellate level. However, after Moyle's removal from the case, the Minersville School District appealed the Gobitis case to the Supreme Court. Rutherford himself argued the case before the Supreme Court in 1940, and the Court ruled against the Jehovah's Witnesses by a vote of 8-1. It was this ruling that triggered the nationwide wave of violence against Jehovah's Witnesses that lasted for the next several months.
Libel lawsuit
Although Moyle had advised his resignation would take effect on September 1, the Watch Tower board dismissed him immediately and he returned to his home congregation in Wisconsin. On October 15, 1939 the directors responded in the pages of The WatchtowerThe Watchtower
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published semi-monthly in 194 languages by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and printed in various branch offices around the world...
, stating that "every paragraph of that letter is false, filled with lies, and is a wicked slander and a libel". The article compared his actions with those of Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
.
Moyle was disfellowshipped by his congregation, which wrote a letter to The Watchtower stating that they had not read Moyle's letter, but disapproved of his actions and "never listen to accusations against Brother Rutherford". In 1940, Moyle sued the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, United States. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and develop doctrines for the religion...
and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York over the response in The Watchtower. Rutherford presented a public resolution at a 1941 convention against Moyle, with reference to the September 15, 1941 issue of The Watchtower. Moyle won his suit, and the court awarded him $30,000 in damages, which was reduced to $15,000 on appeal in 1944.
The initial jury verdict was affirmed twice on appeal; first by the five member Appellate Division, 2nd Department (3-2); and second, unanimously, by the seven members of the state's highest court, The Court of Appeals, in the capitol at Albany.
Later life
Moyle later served as the vice president of the Jefferson CountyJefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-Geography:According to the U.S...
Bar Association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in Wisconsin, and was recognized by Rand McNally
Rand McNally
Rand McNally is an American publisher of maps, atlases, textbooks, and globes for travel, reference, commercial, and educational uses. It also provides online consumer street maps and directions, as well as commercial transportation routing software and mileage data...
in its national list of "bank recommended attorneys".
Moyle became involved with David Horowitz and the work of the United Israel World Union
United Israel World Union
United Israel World Union was founded by David Horowitz. Its mission is to present scholarly, historical and biblical research on the Lost Tribes of Israel and to promote their return to the Hebrew Faith and Jewish identity....
, formed in 1944 to "preach a universal Hebraic faith for all humankind". The 1978 edition of The Encyclopedia of American Religions
The Encyclopedia of American Religions
The Encyclopedia of American Religions is a reference book by J. Gordon Melton first published in 1978, by Consortium Books, A McGrath publishing company. It is currently in its eighth edition and has become a standard reference work in the study of religion in the United States....
describes "former Jehovah's Witness Olin Moyle" as having been "[a]mong the leaders" of the movement, "a vigorous missionary program to convert people, particularly Christians, to Judaism".
External links
- PDF of Olin R. Moyle v. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, New York Supreme Court, 1940
- UnitedIsrael.org – Official web site of United Israel World Union