Yes, I got the royal theocratic shaft from not following my gut feeling with regards to education, and having a father that laid the law down so hard I did not attend college. Yes, he was an elder. I graduated HS in early 1980's.
I was accepted to the universities school of engineering in my home town, a very respected institution worldwide. I had good highschool grades, and took many college preparatory courses in high school, (my parents did not know the difference). The summer before starting university, dad met with me several times, trying to reason, and I always came off feeling I had won the "reasoning". He would bring up armageddon being so close and I would bring up the false hopes of 1975 for which he believed, it was information that was fresh at the time. He photocopied all those famous quotes out of WT bound volumes of not growing old in this system, and not even having the time to complete a four year degree.
When he realized he wasn't making progress with me he sent my older brother who was the star of the family as the 29 year old PO to further the harassment. The older fleshly brother did not convince me either and I felt I had won that arguement.
Dad tried to get me satisified with working for him, and I told him that I didn't want to spend my life driving nails, I wanted to do something with my mind. I asked what was wrong with structural engineering, it was not philosophy. He would bring up the threat of drugs, alcohol, and women at the university. Anyway, Dad threatened me beyond what I ever thought and I acquiested. I fell into a depression.
The family business that Dad wanted me to support, I told him explicitly in 1979 that there is no future in a small family business in constrution, especially ours as the boys all fought and hated each other and their wives. Little did I know I was a prophet. We did well through the 1990's but who didn't, but come 2000 and by 911 the wheels just came off. The remaining fleshly brothers all pulled in different directions and argued. (Both had years of bethel service) Everything was sold and we fleshly brothers went our separate ways. One is in bethel, and the other is a momma's boy, living in her house. I wonder if the brother that went back to bethel (divorced) is expected to get out of bed on rainy days and go to work, or expects to be paid and not show up for weeks at a time but call the bookkeeper to write him a check for 40 hours?
In 2008 I joined a local union and started a four year program with the University of Phoenix, the only thing I could do having to work and provide for my family. Thank goodness for the internet and online courses. I am taking my last course and I lack 2 weeks from finishing a four year degree.
My wife recently graduated the nursing program and is being interviewed. She mentioned that if I wanted to go back and get the engineering degree, she would support me, like I supported her in nursing.
We have also broken the abusive controlling nature of WTS and the kids WILL get an education and that is not optional. Fortuneately, I still have some time before retirement.
My grand question is: "What business is it of a "congregation" or of the WTBTS. They should mind their own business, and any elder or witness that shuns or mistreats someone that is attending college should be ashamed of themselves. What a hateful group of people.
