"I'm sure the Governing Body has already toyed with this idea and has probably put it on the back burner for now. However, if the R&F continue to "disobey" them, by either attending university or letting their kids go, then they might feel that the only way they can curb this "independent thinking" is by strickly forbidding it on pain of disfellowshipment.
Anyone think they're not capable of doing this?"
I don't think this would ever happen. First of all, there is absolutely no scriptual principle they can apply that would justify disfellowshipping for seeking higher education. Second, they would be shooting themselves in the foot - there are too many JW's going to school, and it would only serve to alienate them and their families further. If anything, education will become a redundant issue in coming years because more and more will be going to college. It's a losing battle, and I think they know it. It's like having a computer with internet access. At one time brothers fromt the platform could say "it's a fad, it's the trend today to get a computer..." but we see now how it is a huge part of our society and everyone has a computer and most of them have internet access.
Jan 1st WT: Reaching out, Higher Education and Providing for one's needs
by truthseeker 70 Replies latest jw friends
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daniel-p
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Mary
First of all, there is absolutely no scriptual principle they can apply that would justify disfellowshipping for seeking higher education.
Since when did that make any difference in this religion? There's also no scriptural principle for disfellowshipping people for celebrating birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, accepting blood transfusions, standing for the National Athem, smoking, or not believing that Jesus returned in 1914, or that the bible was written for the 144,000 only, yet we all know full well that they disfellowship people for these very things.
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sir82
First of all, there is absolutely no scriptual principle they can apply that would justify disfellowshipping for seeking higher education.
Got to agree with Mary on this one. They can quite easily make the scriptures say what they want.
Check out my "elder school notes" series. On the part I will post on Wednesday, you will marvel at the scriptural twists & turns used to....
disfellowship people for vieiwing porn!
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daniel-p
Well, I suppose they could wrangle some sort of twisted application of scripture saying you should not go to college, but I don't think they ever would because it would unnecessarily and drastically cut their numbers.
If on the other hand, they declared the start of the GT, all bets are off - they would surely demand everyone in college drop out. -
sweet tee
Witnesses of course are discouraged from making anything of their lives and to completely ignore any natural talent you might have. The never-ending cycle of studying for meetings, attending meetings, reading all the literature, preparing for Service, going out in Service, going to ASSemblies, is a big turn off for many. When you add the brow-beating of never doing enough, WT studies that scorn higher education and the never-ending guilt, it's no surprise that the Mormons are growing faster than the Witnesses.
Very, very well said, Mary. This is the main reason that I personally am against the JW religion. The GB robs people of their quality of life for the promise of a reward they cannot possibly give. Just reading all those requirements makes me feel ill. sweet tee -
doodle-v
If on the other hand, they declared the start of the GT, all bets are off - they would surely demand everyone in college drop out.
That's an interesting point, and would not be unrealistic for them to do. I can see it now, they suddenly organize a bunch of special talks and then announce the great tribulation has begun. LOL. Imagine the frenzy that would set off.
-Doodle-V
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Anitar
Hi everybody, thanks for sticking up for college students, we have enough trouble trying to finish homework without dealing with this stuff. By the way, I just made the dean's list for the second semester in a row, and I finished with a 3.48 GPA.
As for the Watchtower goons, repeat after me, "I must not tell false prophicies"
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MsMcDucket
I just found out that one of my twin daughters is thinking about dropping out of college so that she can have more time pioneering. Ugh! She is considering dropping out of college to take a 2 month OJT course as a pharmacy tech, as opposed to going into the Dental Hygienist Program that she was accepted to. Do you know how much a dental hygienist makes compared to what a pharmacy tech makes? Do you know how competitive getting into the program is?
I can't believe this!
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freydo
As the old saying goes, there's always a little truth in big lies. The wtbt$ may not be all wrong. It's just that they're wrong for the wrong reasons. The cost of a higher degree has become exorbidant. And when things become prohibitatively expensive, you need to look at what you're really getting for your money. Indentured servitude to the borg may be a noble thing for some, but it cannot apply to all. The destruction of the individual http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/189468/1/DESTROYING-the-Individual-the-goal-of-Watchtower-Authority may well be the goal of the borg. And that's the concealed lie. But they're not all wrong. I read the following today. It's sobering.
Money College: One student's losing battle with private student loans
Fruzsina Eordogh
Feb 25th 2010 at 2:00PM
"I will try my hardest to not make this piece a "woe is me" story and more on the dangers of taking out private loans (or any student loans for that matter).
I would first like to clarify that I come from a financially unstable household. I was the first person in my family to go to college, I am an immigrant, and my parents did not put aside money for me to go to college. I went to a private university, and besides Stafford loans, I took out private loans from Sallie Mae. I could not get a co-signer, as no one in my family has good credit, and in hindsight, I should have probably gone to a cheaper college or a community college (and gotten a degree in something other than English).
The Sallie Mae Student Signature Loan looked like a good option at the time because I didn't need a co-signer and there was no cap on how much I could borrow. I didn't have anyone to talk to about financial matters and I didn't ask for help, either (not even a quick Google search), another bad decision. Private loans cannot be consolidated, something I did not know, and had I known, I would have changed my education plans entirely.
I moved off campus the first chance I got, and I worked full- or part-time, depending on my class schedule. In total, I borrowed approximately $43,000 from Sallie Mae, with an average interest rate of 9.5%. As of today, I have already accrued $22,525 in interest (on $43,000!), and the estimated total amount to be paid should I follow the monthly payment plans will be $123,350.
Does that number seem high to you? It does to me, but I am not exaggerating, and I am not just pulling that number out of a hat. I have to make monthly payments of $690 for 14 years and 11 months. That's more than I pay for rent, and in this economy, I do not have a full-time, or even a good, part-time job. I live with roommates, I rarely go out, and I agonize over every single financial decision (should I fork up $4.50 for the train today, or should I ride my bike in 20-degree weather?).
I've learned my lesson: Keeping my head in the sand does not make the problem go away.
I have been deferring my payments with Sallie Mae since the fall, but guess what? I can only defer my loans for three months at a time, and I need to pay $150 every time I defer them. Of course, the loans still collect interest while they're deferred. I have the option of making interest-only payments for a year, but is that really worth it? I can kiss my dreams of saving money for a car, a house, or even having children by the time I am 40 years old goodbye.And I didn't even go to graduate school!........................."
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roger0518
This thread was an interesting read after today's watchtower. Honestly, the way they demonize Higher education is unhealthy.
They just take take take ( Doctors, WTBS lawyers, Engineers etc).