What did the Watchtower do for you as far as education goes?

by The wanderer 18 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  The wanderer

  Education and the Watchtower

  Understandably, this is one of the more controversial subjects involving
  individuals and the Watchtower Society. The reason being is that on the
  one hand the Watchtower historically condemns 'higher education' and
  on the other hand there were things that could be learned in the organ-
  ization.

  Education your viewpoint

  Admittedly, children of Jehovah's Witnesses seem to do well and some
  very well, academically speaking. Is this because of the 'training' the
  child and child's parents received through the Society?

  Try to give an objective account on the pro's and con's concerning
  education and the Watchtower.

  Respectfully,

  The Wanderer
• 

  hambeak

  As far as public speaking and dealing with people is concerned it was the best. Also knowing when to keep your thoughts to yourself. One example of choosing speech I stole the saying but it is true. you can say you are so ugly your face can stop a clock. or you could say when I look at you time stands still. Same meaning without being mean

  so I am rambling lol

  Ham
• 

  fullofdoubtnow

  I didn't become a jw until I was 22, and I'd had my education by then, gaining a degree in english at university.

  Being a woman, I didn't get much opportunity to speak in public, but my years as a pioneer helped me to be a better conversationalist than I would probably have otherwise been.
• 

  juni

  I received a Doctorate in B***S***ology.

  Seriously as Linda said:

  Being a woman, I didn't get much opportunity to speak in public, but my years as a pioneer helped me to be a better conversationalist than I would probably have otherwise been.

  This was true for me also.

  Juni
• 

  stillajwexelder

  taught me public speaking and reading
• 

  Warlock

  Your kidding right? O.K. I hate to brag, but................................

  I have a Ph'd and 2 Masters Degrees.

  Warlock
• 

  Finally-Free

  I could no longer work as a machinist and had to retrain because of recurring back problems and injuries to both knees which resulted in surgery. I received a lot of flak from the elders over this. I was eventually deleted from working on the sound and as account servant because I was taking a part time course on Saturday afternoons for a 2 month period, even though my course didn't interfere with meetings or service.

  W
• 

  Seeker4

  From the Babylon the Great book and the book on Daniel (green, but I can't remember the title), I at least had some exposure to ancient Middle East history, even if somewhat warped!

  I became pretty adept at public speaking and public reading, and reading ability in general.

  I really knew my Bible. One of the things I love doing today, and it is directly as a result of my JW background, is explaining to people what the Bible says in certain areas. For example, when The Passion of Christ came out, all sorts of co-workers came to me to try to understand what the movie was about. What was the relationship of Jesus, rome, the Jews, etc. Now, they know I'm an atheist, but my JW background has given me the knowledge to explain the Bible stories. There has been many a time when I've had half a dozen co-workers asking me questions about the Bible and the various interpretations of it, for a half hour or more.

  What is great about that, is that I'm not trying to convince anyone about anything - I'm just telling them what the Bible says, and how various religions interpret that. I don't have any personal investment in the discussion, that those listening have to get a "good witness" or not. I just feed them the info, and let them do with it what they will.

  That is so cool. I have a post about this today.

  S4
• 

  uwishufish

  An education in warped morals!!
• 

  JimWood

  Let's see, spent 30 years reading articles written at an eighth grade reading level with twisted historical facts and a completely one-sided bias. Now my wife and I are 32 and 36 respectively, both in school full-time with three kids. I have learned more in any one class than in my whole jw life.

  John Locke said that some people are more prone to error than others and these people fall into three groups, they are as follows;

  1)Those who seldom reason at all, but think and act as those around them do; parents, neighbors, the clergy, or anyone else they admire and respect. Such people want to avoid the difficulty that accompanies thinking for themselves.

  2)Those who are determined to let passion rather than reason govern their lives. Those people are influenced only by reasoning that supports their prejudices.

  3)Those who sincerely follow reason, but lack sound, overall good sense, and so do not look at all sides of an issue. They tend to talk with one type of person, read one type of book, and so are exposed to only one viewpoint.

  It would seem that the WTS keeps their R&F in all three of these areas. Head down, back in line, no questions and no talking.

  I feel they find comfort in their follower?s stupidity.