I read the latest magazines, paticularly the Awake on higher education. It has been some years since I read the magazines and I was gob smacked. There is clearly a new approach in writing. I would go so far as to say they must have a whole new writing staff/dept. It looks like they regularly read forums such as this as so many points of argument in the magazine came with flavours of explination to modern issues in the JWs. For example it talks about the prophecy of great earthquakes.... Gone are the lies and false statistics... Now they openly say they are due to large populations in earthquake zones etc. an argument that is used to defend no great increase in earthquakes by ex JWs and atheists denying that biblical verse.
The article on education is such a sly move. They can refer to that magazine in the future, they even have 18 year olds discussing homework, implying higher education...all the while they are sending out letters to the congregations in private, with instruction that pioneers and elders will be punished for promoting higher eucation. Surely the writing department sees this sly hypocrisy!
I felt vey uncomfortable reading the mags again, the contents just felt deliberately filtered and diluted with a twist of deception. To write like that, one would have to first know the truth of the issue discussed, think on how it can be maipulated to support the WT and then re-write it. To think that people in the writing department are doing that makes my skin crawl....
Also who are they to give advice on education! Not one sentence suggests critical appraisal, yet this is lesson 1 in education! Question, question, question and seek the evidence! Then decide for yourself. This of course would lead to the end of WT.com
One article later in the magazine encourages parents to monitor their kids access to the news..... WTF! The magazine then ends with an article on facebook and how facebook can secretly keep your info and details, conversations and messages... Guess what... FB is not compulsory, its a free service you can use or not use. Also, what evil plans and statuses are we supposed to be concerned about FB knowing? ... This little article reads like something from N.Korea attempting to scare the youth from social media... Guess what WT google nows everything about everyone, it makes FB look like Noel Edmunds.....
The education article ends with a page or two for parents, its a nudge and a wink to let everybody know that nothing has really changed...
" Be reasonable with regard to how much education to pursue. As mentioned earlier, education can help prepare your child for responsible adulthood. (Genesis 2:24) But how much schooling does reaching that goal require? Do not assume that your child must attend a university to make a decent living. There are other options that are less costly. In fact, in some cases those with trade skills can make as good a living as university graduates."
Who are these people to have ANY say in the goals of a child! Even the parents should allow the child to choose, it's their life, their future! Since when is education JUST about getting a job? Its about self development, learning, a passion for a subject! How dare these people narrow the dreams and passions of children. They have never experienced the pleasure of education! Ironically, some of the gov body kids have, never mind their lawyers....
A disturbing read. They are attempting to give the JWs a new face, by releasing public literature that contradicts the congregational life. That cant last. It is also innacurate. I am studying medicine for £1500 a year in fees. The NHS pays two if the 6 years and I have been let off one year of fees due to a local scheme. Medicine is by far the most expensive due to the number of years of study. Yet you will pay off the 'debt' within your first year or tw if work. Not only that you have until you are 50 to pay it off if you so wish. This is the same for all degrees in the UK. Some countries like Scotland have free university education. The Watchtower really have no right to intefere or pretend its aout sound financial decisions, its not even true...
Average UK graduate salary is £25,000 ($41000) at age 21!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8504999.
Uk graduates get average £12,000 ($19,500) more than non graduates of same age.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12983928
In fact the state gains ten times what it puts into higher education as it is so economically beneficial to all.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18353539
Snare
Ps. I apologise for text and grammar etc, on an IPad and it always comes out terrible....