The latest Watchtower magazine launches another attack on higher education
The latest Watchtower magazine launches another attack on higher education

The Watch Tower Society has long stigmatized higher education and dissuaded young Jehovah’s Witnesses from a meaningful career as anything other than unpaid promoters of the organization.

As far back as 1969 Watchtower was telling young ones that they would “never fulfill any career that this system offers.” Why? Because by the time they graduate, the “system of things” would be “well on the way towards its finish, if not actually gone!” (Awake! 1969, May 22, page 15)

It goes without saying that, in the 45 years since 1969, countless meaningful careers have both started and ended – including some that Watchtower has directly benefited from as technology has advanced.

Despite such demonstrably reckless past advice, Watchtower’s crusade against higher education is being waged just as ferociously as ever – as shown in the latest June 15 2014 Watchtower study edition. (download here)

A three page article entitled “‘Smooth Out the Course of Your Feet’ to Make Progress” uses strong imagery to present higher education as a hindrance and stumbling block rather than something that can lead to individual betterment and achievement.

education-pathwayThe article begins by reminding readers of the ancient Jews returning to Jerusalem from Babylonish captivity, and how they were required to clear a highway free of any obstacles to make their journey easier.

The related passage in Isaiah 62:10 is crudely hijacked, with young ones asked to view higher education as a kind of obstacle from which they should free themselves.

The article then uses extremely loaded language to present higher education as something evil and sinister.

“When a young Witness does well in school, a guidance counselor, a teacher, or a fellow student may pressure the Witness to pursue higher education as a step toward success in this system of things,” the article warns.

If you replace “pressure” with “encourage,” and “in this system of things” with “in life,” the entire quote above immediately sounds sensible and positive – but Watchtower chooses its words very carefully to achieve its agenda.

The same is true of the sentence that immediately follows.

“Or a young brother or sister who has athletic ability may find that recruiters try to entice him or her into a sports career.”

“Entice” has clear, negative connotations of trickery and deception – making it just the sort of word Watchtower can make us of in raising paranoia among parents and young people. A career in sports must be seen as threatening and dangerous.

And it isn’t long before we are introduced to the career option that Watchtower conveniently approves of.

“Rather than pursue worldly goals, why not firmly establish ‘your ways’ before Jehovah by sharing in the pioneer ministry?”

Hence an article that tries to convey concern for the needs of young people is revealed as a not-so-thinly veiled attempt at recruitment and exploitation.

There are actually two main motives for Watchtower’s stigmatization of higher education for young people. The first is, as shown above, their selfish need for volunteer evangelizers to promote the organization.

Secondly, and perhaps more pressingly, is the threat posed to Watchtower by learning and personal enlightenment. Once young people are exposed to the rudimentary critical thinking skills that are taught in colleges and universities, the fog of Watchtower indoctrination quickly clears. This has been alluded to by Tony Morris in his rants on the subject.

Thankfully, certain current and former Witnesses are able to see through the spin and rhetoric, and with such ones the latest article will not have the desired effect.

Our latest 2014 Global Survey has so far attracted 1,640 respondents. For the overwhelming majority of these, the stigmatization of higher education by Watchtower is the most contentious of all teachings and practices, with 1,316 voicing their disapproval.

The following table shows the top 10 most contentious teachings/practices in our survey.

higher-education-resultsTo dupe and exploit adults is one thing, but to rob young people of their hopes, aspirations and potential through coercion and propaganda for purely selfish ends is disturbing and immoral.

Though it is encouraging that some current and former Witnesses are alert to this alarming side of Watchtower propaganda, we should still spare a thought for the countless teenagers whose achievements in life will be stifled by this and similar Watchtower articles.

 

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110 thoughts on “Watchtower continues crusade against higher education

  • March 16, 2014 at 9:40 pm
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    Just attended an assembly recently..full of anti-higher education rants and charade. It was as if higher education was the world’s most evil thing. I totally felt out of place since iam in university.

  • March 17, 2014 at 4:19 am
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    The Williams sisters are reportedly NOT baptized.

  • March 17, 2014 at 5:26 am
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    Warning: The following comment is written in American English…with that said. I am that one bro who stayed in, despite 6 yrs of higher ed. I remained a ministerial servant throughout university till this day-it helps that many urban congs. have a need for brothers who are willing to work, so I was welcomed with open arms.
    I actually grew up quite aware that many of the friends were financially poor. And I knew from a young age that I did not want to be a pioneer bum.
    And now, I can view this website with an open mind as I live comfortably while drinking the cong. kool aid with my beautiful wife (whom I married before graduating U). FYI, my sister is also a Pioneer and full-time college student. So it’s whatever you make of it. And some areas are so economically depressed that the friends have no choice but to go into higher ed since there are no jobs without it.

    • March 17, 2014 at 6:40 am
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      American, British, Australian or South African English, your post is hideously smug.

      Did your education not inspire to research the origins and foundations of JWdom?

      Anybody who knows what the outfit is about cannot possible continue as an active member, save for fear of being shunned by family.

      Anyway, with Armageddon imminent, what is the point of your building up treasures upon earth? Will your Higher Ed. won skills be of any use in the Paradise Earth that is just around the corner?

      It seems that whatever you studied, Tony, it never endowed you with any critical thinking skills.

      • March 17, 2014 at 6:49 am
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        Actually, Tony did critical thinking he went to college even though it is frowned upon. But irony of it is as he knows most people who are part of a group “group think” will not break free and go against the norm or leadership. I to went to college and encourage the same of young ones. All one has to do is look at the job market and realize minimum wage does not even allow one to live a simple life more like a life of poverty. By the way philosophy 1 & 2 does not change a person’s mind, it just causes a person to think more. Even Jesus did this, he was not afraid to ask his Apostle who they thought he was. Why? Because he was telling the truth and knew he could stand up to all kinds of thinking, even critical thinking.

    • March 17, 2014 at 7:33 am
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      Hi Tony,I think demographics do play a large part in the view of HE as I noticed when living in Norfolk in the UK then moving very close to London where the congregation was awash with Grads contrasted with Norfolk which was awash with window cleaners (no pun intended)

  • March 17, 2014 at 6:01 am
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    Tony, Well done! If it was only that simple. Before the 1975 debacle, so many gave up opportunities for higher education, because of this kind of literature. They now live in poverty.
    Keep taking the cool aid. I am okay Jack mentality will not stop the rot or help some less fortunate than you. Do you not think the kind (possibly Christian) thing to do would be to write to the GB and say, times are hard young people need an education, so they can look after their families or are you not able to see beyond your comfort zone?

    • March 17, 2014 at 6:54 am
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      Don’t bother writing the GB. If they see your letter (probably they won’t) they won’t give it the time it deserves. Over the years, I have written about serious matters, only as information or suggestion, as I was a “sister” and not worthy of consideration (our family participated in every aspect of WT life except Gilead, with a combined total of years over 150 years). I suspect if it falls outside their interests (mainly growth and/or praise for the org) the GB has no concern. The hardest step, but the one most worthy and true, is to get out.

  • March 17, 2014 at 7:13 am
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    Nan,
    I agree. Writing in, is not an option. (I got out many years ago and was fortunate enough to go to Uni). I therefore value education and what it offers, not just economically but the opportunity to make friends and to think, read and explore.
    I guess I was trying to understand Tony’s thinking, especially the part where he says that now as a Ministerial servant he looks back and he is glad that he choose a different path from his “brothers and sisters” who decided to obey and become – “pioneer bum (s)”.

  • March 17, 2014 at 7:50 am
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    Tony,

    “Pioneer bum”?

    The people you describe in such an unflattering way are pioneering because the church you attend and support has rammed it into their less educated heads that it is the right thing to do. Instead of calling them “bums” you should be reaching into your wallet and helping them out! Jesus supported the poor from the poor box.

    I respect their dedication even though I don’t agree with it. They are sacrificing much for your religion. The least you can do is refrain from coming on here and denigrating them. Your sarcastic reference to “cool aid” is in bad taste also.

    Really, what was the point of your post? How did it help anyone?

    I am sure that Jesus would be most displeased at your disparaging remarks. Shame on you!

    Peace be with you

    Excelsior!

  • March 17, 2014 at 8:31 am
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    The WT want to get as many young people involved in the ritual of recruiting. This hinders critical thinking skills and stops them seeking higher education.

    It is in WT best interests to keep it’s members busy in activities that are not constructive. Happily I went to uni and my daughter is doing a degree at present.

    Kate xx

  • March 17, 2014 at 12:19 pm
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    If your heart hasn’t shutdown reading this article or your stomach gone into mesospheric GERD, it should after we extrapolate and do the math–this is what a “higher education” liberates you to do.

    “A three page article entitled “‘Smooth Out the Course of Your Feet’ to Make Progress” uses strong imagery to present higher education as a hindrance and stumbling block rather than something that can lead to individual betterment and achievement.”

    No where does this article mention that marking and shunning are mandatory disciplines that members of the congregation should measure out to any who examine their circumstances and make a discretionary judgement to pursue education that affords them a living.

    And, Isaiah 62:10, “Pass through, pass through the gates!
    Prepare the way for the people.
    Build up, build up the highway!
    Remove the stones.
    Raise a banner for the nations.” — an innocent text, it would seem.

    But, let’s review, in 1914 AD, the world supposedly came to an end. It didn’t, but the Watchtower still claims, ‘it really did, but you can’t see that it did’. Roll forward, an indelible stain of 1975 AD as the “fitting end.” It didn’t happen again, but as always the Watchtower has the option of making “the end happen, but you can’t see it.” If this is true, what prevents some brain addled WRITER or LEADER in the future from expanding this verse to “removing people,” “higher powers that be” (governments), doctors (those who give blood transfusions, and abort babies), educators at “higher learning” institutes [the preferred term], or anyone–apostates who blog, etc. “Stones” to be pushed off the road of life. PREPARE THE WAY for Jesus’ triumphant RETURN!! Just like some claim the Columbia, SC father pushed aside stones (family members) getting in his way. Maybe it is not a death sentence, perhaps the JW’s in some dark future when law & order has collapsed will simply shuttle the “marked”, shunned and “unbecoming” to isolation areas to concentrate and meditate on Jehovah’s word , let’s call them “meditatation camps”.

    The perils of obedience. Death.

  • March 17, 2014 at 6:16 pm
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    As far as I am aware, he never actually made it to the bar and was only a substitute judge. The moniker ‘judge’ was self appointed.

  • March 18, 2014 at 5:56 am
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    As was “pastor” Russell…

    I’m ‘Professor Commander Monsignor admiral Zeebo’

    don’t u know?

  • March 18, 2014 at 9:18 am
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    Philosophy courses taken when I was JDub offered an opportunity to defend the faith. In the classes were Southern Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Muslims, Jewish and Methodists with very fundamental and devout views of faith. It compelled one to realize that faith is a belief that one holds based on a premise and a promise without evidence that it will follow an arch into the future as promised. It also allowed one to identify the thoughts and prejudices leading to false assumed perceptions as opposed to a researched fact-based conclusion.

  • March 18, 2014 at 11:23 am
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    Excelsior, thanks for setting me straight. (I just finished reading COC, very informative work from ol’ Fred, I’m getting started with the sequel). I was helping by sharing my experience and feelings. I think that’s what the comments section is about. I will add that I grew up with about an equal influence of family both inside and outside of the congregation. My non-witness family pointed out that my faithful family members are struggling in middle age because they thought the end would come in their youth. Take everything with a grain of salt and live one day at a time, remembering to plan for retirement. And “pioneer bum” is not meant to be derogatory, only descriptive based upon my observations coming up around such kindhearted friends who graciously took me out in service and to whom I shall be indebted for their interest and kindness. webster.com Definition of BUM n. 1 c : one whose time is devoted to a recreational activity “”

    • March 18, 2014 at 11:31 am
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      JWs had to believe the end would come in their youth, Tony, because God’s exclusive earthly agent, the JW controllers, told them so.

      As you have felt free to disregard the JW trashing of higher education, have you also realised that the whole Armageddon business is also a cruel delusion, that the blood transfusion ban is but a murderous method of control, and that there is no evidence whatever for the JW Gov. Bod’s crazy claims for being the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’?

      Good on you, Tony, for ignoring the JW anti education idiocy. I trust your education will enable you, sooner rather than later, to realise that JWdom is bunk from start to finish and that you will kick all their destructive nonsense into touch!

  • March 18, 2014 at 11:34 am
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    So glad: reading COC showed me that writing letters really have little to no impact on GB rulings unless you’re on the GB and even then as Fred showed, not much can be gained if they don’t even give each other’s views full consideration.

  • March 18, 2014 at 11:42 am
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    Tony, I am glad you had non- jw relatives who gave you another perspective. My JW relatives have struggled because of wanted to be accepted and taking on board this type of non-educational advice. My mother thought that my brother who is now approaching 60, would never go to school as the big A would arrive. Many of that generation, not only struggle financially but they also experience emotional problems, not least because of having high control material fed to them every week for years.

    Well done in thinking for yourself. It takes courage.

  • March 18, 2014 at 11:43 am
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    Rowland, thanks man. Since I have fam&friends inside, I keep my sanity by viewing my life as a jdub as more of a hobby or recreational pursuit such as skiing or snowboarding, which many friends also do. Just ride the lift and come back down without hitting a tree. Repeat. The congregations are like trails, if you don’t like the current one, check out the others. One sister told me that there’s a certain “air” in congregations that she notices before settling down in one.

    • March 18, 2014 at 11:51 am
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      I can see how JWdom can exert a pull on account of its cruel and revolting shunning policies.

      Do you feel, though, like an anthropologist living with an alien tribe simply in order to understand it, or a colonial governor paying respect to ancient tribal rituals which carry no spiritual meaning for the Governor, but are simply a way of maintaining political calm?

      KIngdom Hall/ Church attendance I can see as possible. Many in the non JW parts of Christendom simply play along with the stuff for family harmony and sociability.

      JWdom, however, demands door knocking and canvassing for new members.

      How on earth, as a non believer, Tony, do you deal with that? You cannot honestly want any other minds to be corrupted by JW horrors and nonsense.

  • March 18, 2014 at 12:44 pm
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    Tony, Ray Franz wrote COC, not Fred.
    Fred Franz was his delusional uncle who was responsible for writing a lot of the drivel appearing in the WT’s literature from the early 1940’s up to the mid 1970’s.

  • March 18, 2014 at 5:54 pm
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    Tony,

    I think your use of bums as referring to recreational activities is bogus. Religious practice is not the same as a recreational activity…except it is for you.

    Pick a conveniently less awful congregation and watch the unfortunates dance like the caged bears of old.

    “Roll up! Roll up! See the funny little Christians in their natural habitat, poke them with a stick for sixpence!”

    I’m sure you are a decent chap, but the tone of your comments troubles me greatly.

    This is not a game. It is not a study in anthropology.

    Many, many people have suffered terribly under the cruel and inhuman yoke of this religion.

    I’m glad you’ve understood that it is wrong, and I don’t blame you for staying in to keep access to your friends and family. Everyone is free to make their own choices.

    Maybe I’m being a little bit over sensitive, and if I am, I apologise.

    Peace be with you

    Excelsior!

  • March 19, 2014 at 4:32 am
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    thanks Jim

    • March 19, 2014 at 8:05 am
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      Well, Tony? I know the JW door knocking lark is simply a method of control. As a mag. distributor recruitment tool it is pretty ineffectual even when conducted by an earnest zealot.

      But you, as a JW non believer, who strings along purely for family and social reasons, it would be interesting to know how you handle this intrinsic part of being, or at any rate, appearing to be, a JW.

  • March 19, 2014 at 1:31 pm
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    I was a victim of this crusade, which has strengthened in recent years but was no less important to some congregations and families when I was younger. Although I did very well in high school and my state had a scholarship program that would have fully paid for a bachelor’s, I instead went to Bethel at age 19. It didn’t work out, and I was never the same again. I’ve always regretted not being able to go to college. It sickens me that they are still doing this to young people and interfering in their lives and futures.

  • March 19, 2014 at 4:02 pm
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    I have just recently obtained a degree as a Nurse, and it has been BY FAR one of the best decisions I have made in my life, no question about it. It has benefited my family in ways that, unless you have done it, are hard to explain. My wife is overjoyed at being with the kids v.s. being at work. I have come to understand people in a way that I simply couldn’t have before. And let us remember, too, that the Apostle Luke was a physician. In contrast, I gave of myself WHOLE SOULED to the WT for 20 years as an MS, and they DON’T appreciate it. I got TIRED of having the finger constantly pointed at me, my wife, and our children. I have proven TO MYSELF the wisdom of getting a proper education–READ MATTHEW 11:19b and LUKE 16:8. I would sincerely encourage ANYONE to do the same.

  • March 19, 2014 at 4:15 pm
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    Jonathan,
    Yes, they have a lot to answer for but it’s never too late to continue learning.

    William Niles
    Well done for getting your nursing degree.

  • March 19, 2014 at 6:26 pm
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    I remember a few years ago in Madrid, attending a zone talk. The visiting speaker said the following thing specifically

    “young people, remember – you’re parents do not want you to go on to higher learning”. I thought I misheard, and so waited for the spanish translation. No no…it was the same.

    I was lucky – i lived in a university town and was able get an education, and find myself as an ex-jw with a good job and good prospects – however I look at so many people that I knew when I was still active, hearing through the grapevine that they are getting on in years and struggling.

    I sincerely hope that in that audience in Madrid, there were a few young ones that saw through what he was saying.

  • March 20, 2014 at 9:58 am
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    Talk by Gerrit Lösch, member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s witnesses, given in Italian during a special JW convention on May 22, 2005 in the city of Monza, near Milan, Italy.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R4f9ygxDbk

  • March 21, 2014 at 3:49 pm
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    Thanks Miken for these videos.
    It made my blood boil to hear this talk again. To make the statement that it is displeasing to Jehovah to attend University is ludicrous. If the student is attending for the right reasons, i.e. to qualify for a purposeful vocation in life, what is the problem. You are only young once. How sad that some have given up their degree course near to the end in order to satisfy the requests of MEN. They do not get the chance again to catch up on those lost years. Get an education first! A good education makes study of the Bible, or indeed any other interesting topic, far easier when the brain has been trained to think and reason on things. Of course, there is the danger that the young ones might discover the real truth. That the crafty acts of Satan are alive and well within the WT.
    Children should be protected from this mind control. Is there any authority in the land that may come to the rescue? What can we do? Any suggestions?

  • March 22, 2014 at 11:09 am
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    Not Fred. Ray wrote COC… amateurs..

  • March 24, 2014 at 10:57 am
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    Oh and btw, while higher ed is discouraged, the same magazines actually publicize and feature professionals who have become witnesses. For the most part though, they make sure to use professionals who became witnesses when they were well established in their profession.

    So are they saying that it’s possible to become a jw even after extensive higher ed but not to remain a jw while going through it? Is this hypocrisy?

    • March 24, 2014 at 1:03 pm
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      So, Tony, as a non believing JW, do you actually go door knocking? If so, how do you deal with it? You surely cannot want to recruit anyone. Do you simply parade around the streets in a suit with a book bag and enter your hours on a timesheet and dump the mags?

    • March 24, 2014 at 1:09 pm
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      Funny you should mention that, Tony. I remember years ago an article in the Watchtower or Awake about a medical doctor who was a Witness. I can’t remember if he became one before or after becoming a JW. I was so upset and bothered by the double standard I almost wrote to the Society. (I, as a “good” Witness did not accept the scholarship university education offered me after I joined the org.) I didn’t – still obedient to the org at that time. Thank God that is no longer the case.

  • March 24, 2014 at 11:37 am
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    Tony,
    Er Yes. It is also called control. People would probably leave if they were allowed to read/educate themselves beyond the WS publications. Ignorance and isolation are the tools of cults.

  • March 24, 2014 at 7:11 pm
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    ‘One can only assume that someone who ignored the direction not to attain higher education and in fact did so,have an agenda different from God’s’

  • March 26, 2014 at 3:03 am
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    TO William Niles:

    More power to you William. Just remember..thinking is not bad! Thinking is good!Jehovah gave us a mind to use. Congrats on your degree and on your decision to make something with your life. The WT does not want you to do that. They just want you to “wander” the streets as a Magazine Gypsy in my opinion.I did not get a college education for many reasons as are discussed here and the pressure not to from the WT. However, in my case I did start my own business and became very successful at what I do so money is not an issue with me but I have many, many JW’s who call me to loan them money and help them financially bc they do not have a decent job nor an education. I have loaned many JW’s money over the years. Some pay back and some do not. I have not been a JW for nearly 20 years now but I was never df’s. I just faded bc of these very wacko doctrines they come up with out of thin air? Also they are the lowest of any “main” religion when it comes to education. I guarantee you
    William if the WT needs your degree for health to promote them they will ask you to come to BETHEL and help them? Nothing would be said at that time about you going to college etc bc it is something they can use from you. I am SO GLAD you found something to make your life important. You deserve it, your family deserves it and don’t let the WT ever take it from you. The fact that we are even having a discussion like those shows how controlling this religion is and how it is a CULT and a dictatorship. Whom in their right mind would even write an article or take the position that the WT has on their people being educated. It is Ludicrous that they come up with these Ideas. It is like the WT has nothing to do but sit around and rehash the same old Crap with a different spin on it year after year after year! Something no one should even be concerned with. Next thing they will come out with an article about why Beards are bad, or why Women should not be ministers, or another explanation about the “generation” of 1914 etc. Who the heck cares about there explanation anymore? Let’s just all face the facts that they are WRONG WRONG WRONG after 125 years they have been proven wrong? Case closed.

  • March 26, 2014 at 9:49 am
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    My thoughts on this is that I feel that there are alot of young people and their parents ‘breaking the rules’ and sending their kids to college so that’s why we are being bombarded again with not going to college. My daughter is super close to just walking out next time they mention it from platform! Enough is Enough ya know?

  • March 26, 2014 at 3:06 pm
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    God forbid if any one of us wants to go to college so we can have a nice office job instead of having to clean or wash windows for the rest of our lives. I think it is very hypocritical of the governing body to imply that a person isn’t spiritual if they pursue higher education. Who wouldn’t want a job like what the Governing Body has with their nice offices and being treated like super stars wherever they go and getting to travel the world and drive new cars and have the free help of the Bethelites to do all the menial labor? Usually a job like that only comes with a college degree. But of course those jobs are only for the men and hopefully the next “annointed” ones are really young so they can last a long, long time, maybe another hundred years or so to keep everyone on edge for another hundred years. The rest of the women have the hope getting married to one of these guys who ends up being one of the Governing Body. That’s about the most a woman can hope for in this organization.

  • March 28, 2014 at 3:09 am
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    I was a pioneer and a bethelite. I once bought into watchtower rhetoric that education was vanity.

    I was only ever told over and over again ‘you think too much’ or ‘you are over thinking this’ or ‘just accept this’ in one place, that was as a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Everywhere else, not thinking, thinking less and accepting what you are told is seen as stupid and naive.

    3 weeks ago I completed my medical degree exams. My online medical job status changed on the day my results came in , it was on a Friday. By monday morning I had 320 jobs to choose from. I am 100% guaranteed a job with between a $60,000 and $70,000 wage & 5 weeks leave. A job I totally love and find more rewarding than any JW activity I took part in. Saving lives for REAL.

    Everything watchtower said about education was WRONG.

  • March 31, 2014 at 12:44 am
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    It saddens me that so many folks who may have been blessed with talent and aptitude in a certain area would miss out on getting a degree and using that God given potential. I was a “solid” C student in high school, never taking a book home or putting in much effort, I was bored out of my mind. I could only get into a couple of Jr Colleges having moved to another state and needing a year of residency to be able to afford going full time at any one school. I caught fire and everything was easy, I got most all A’s but for a couple of B’s, the next year I get accepted in a top 10 business program and take 21 hrs a semester while working two jobs. I graduate with a double BS in Accountancy and Finance, take one of several offers moving to Denver, CO working for a great company while getting my MBA in the evenings. I retired at 48 after 26 years with a top 50 company, on 80% of my salary. Had I been discouraged from going to college, choosing my faith over a career I would have missed so much, just a poor high school grad working at Wal-Mart. Everyone deserves an opportunity to test their abilities, to see how far they can go. My heart bleeds for those faithful JW’s that look back now with no security, no savings, starting out all over when most are retiring.

  • April 7, 2014 at 8:02 am
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    As a witness I was encouraged to learn a trade. I pursued welding. No body ever told me that some one as spiritual as myself would stick out like a sore thumb with all the rough neck welders I worked with. Most would come to work high and drunk or at the very least hungover. They often told crude jokes and bragged about all the women they slept with all the details including strippers and prostitutes. I was often solicited to by drugs or partake on the job site. Thinking back working as a welder reminds of all the so called “horror stories” about college I heard about. I learned a trade and i was submerged in the bad association of the not just “worldly” people but the worst of the “worldly people. Since Making meetings was such I priority I could not travel for jobs therefore had to work in manufacturing and was laid off more times than I can recall. My parents probably spent as much money on buying out of my apartment leases as they would have spent on 3 semesters or more of college. All that being said I am now in a distance learning program for software development.

  • April 9, 2014 at 8:10 am
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    There is spiritual danger going to college or higher institutions

    • April 9, 2014 at 8:44 am
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      I presume, Fils, that your post is ironic.

  • April 16, 2014 at 6:24 pm
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    Eric

    SO are you still an Active JW? Do you think the WT has a right to tell people NOT to pursue higher education? Do they have a right to tell anyone what kind of job to get or what kind of education to get at all? I think when the WT decides to pay y bills for me they can tell me what kind of education to receive. Fair enough? I was fortunate e enough to have a decent business mind and after 20 years of labor jobs I went into my own business and have done better than I expected. The WT always held me back with the “FEAR” of Armageddon breathing over my back! Don’t do anything! just knock on doors. Don’t read anything except the WT, don’t have children, Don’t play sports, don’t be happy, don’t celebrate anything,don’t play music in a band,don’t, don’t , don’t! The religion of no FUN!

  • June 8, 2014 at 3:10 am
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    The results of this survey are simply chilling. It shows ungodly and inhuman practices by the Tower that are rejected by many in the membership and those who have left. One basic point is the 8 ton elephant sharing the room but unseen, IF the truth IS THE TRUTH, what is about education to fear? If one has this spiritual guidance they will reject what they are taught, if it is wrong. What they do fear is the truth, the mountains of information from millions of years of history, study by millions of the best minds, compared with the clearly broken teachings of the Tower. If Jesus picked the JW’s in the early part of the 20th century because of their accurate teachings, he certainly would not recognize that church in 2014, and that church would not have made so many claims that did not come true.

  • June 15, 2014 at 11:46 am
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    I remember 20 years ago the sneers as I didn’t leave school at 16. Oh, and the scandal when I went to university. Had to turn down one of the most prestigious universities to get that one through, still, good redbrick does the job almost as well. Was one of those periods when education was bad. Couldn’t care less about their views. Had no intention of doing the ‘marry at 19, kids at 20, sit there miserably after a few hours of cleaning loos’ thing.

    Think there’s a confusion of cause and effect in a lot of the nonsense which comes out. If you’re inclined to be going to university, then the chances are that you’re going to be leaving at some point anyways. You’ve resisted the enormous pressure not to go in the first place, bad mojo when your meant to abandon your critical thinking and even memory to fit in, and you’re probably already asking questions about things which are a little sensitive doctrinally even if it’s only within your own head.

    Wondering when they’ll shift again. Seems like they’re having a good ole fashioned purge and critical thinking need not apply. Love to those of you still in there and the young’uns who’ll be making life changing decisions during this. I found Larkin’s This Be The Verse useful in making my decision way back when.

  • June 15, 2014 at 7:34 pm
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    SE

    Congrats on getting a degree and making a life for yourself. I think it is so bad when the WT has held so many people back thru pressure and intimidation to not follow a dream or at least pursue a degree if that is their choice and make their lives better for themselves and their family.There was a Brother who was a Medical Doctor in the cong I used to attend. OH he was held very highly and everyone would call him and ask his medical advice etc. He even was asked to help at Bethel and other places
    bc he was needed so much. He did not pioneer or hardly go out in the ministry at all but bc he was a MD he was held highly. Of course he became a MD BEFORE he became a JW so that was the excuse everyone used. Of course now he was useful to the JW and WT bc he had an education.Seems like they are afraid that if anyone got a college education or a degree they might question some of the whacko teachings they have put forth for the last 100 years. Like others have said if it is the truth there is nothing to worry about right? The internet is exposing all of their teachings, their true history and the way they really run tings. Really glad for you SE that you found something to make your life exciting and you can be proud of your accomplishments. All the Best.

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