This is the kind of thing that really burns me.
WTBTS holds out an EXTREME double standard in regards to education. Most, if not all, of you know how they feel about obtaining an education past High School (in the U.S.). They mention it frequently, as something uneccessary, woldly, and frivilous. In some of my recent notes from our last Circuit Assembly, one speaker said " we dont need additional education, we are the most educated people in the world! When it comes to "worldly" schools, we just need a "good" education."
Crap, complete crap. And here's why I say that:
Recently, the congregations all received a letter from the branch in regards to the project at Warwick, and how much work will be done thru 2015. In addition to that letter, they sent a second page that listed the TRADES SKILLS NEEDED FOR PROJECTS AT U.S. BETHEL.
It is quite an extensive list, with most of the standard trades that you would expect....Concrete, equipment operators, electrical, roofing, drywall, tile, carpet, etc etc. In addition to the trades was the classification of CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT. These skills would include the following: HVAC Engineers/Designers, Electrical Engineers/Designers, Structural Engineers/Designers, Building Control Engineers/Designers, Quality Control Engineers, AV Systems Engineers/Designers, among others. Yes, we would like you to bring your extensive schooling and background to New York to help us build a Multi-Million dollar extravaganza!
Last time I checked, to be in the field as an ENGINEER, specifically Structural, Building Control, Electrical, and HVAC............ it REQUIRED extensive education. This is NOT education that can be obtained in the first 12 years of public school. It is NOT a classification that can be obtained through experience alone. It is very specific to COLLEGE education.
So let me get this straight..... you DISCOURAGE, STRONGLY, higher education, to the point of hate speech, removing elders, chastising families, deleting brothers from privileges of "service", removing brothers and sisters as pioneers..... but if you JUST HAPPEN to have an ENGINEERING degree, well then we could sure use you! Which means you fit into one of two classes: 1: You didnt listen to us, and got an education anyways, or 2: came from the "world" with your education in hand. But no matter.
Really, came from the world with an Engineering Degree? I could probably count on one hand how many individuals would fit into this category in the entire U.S. I know one elder personally that was SENT to get his Degree in Engineering by the Local RBC, because there were so many local projects coming up. Nope, not making it up. Said Elder missed WEEKS and MONTHS of congregation meetings because he was taking night classes, yet no one could say a word because he had the blessing of the branch. Oh, there were quite a few folks that were baffled by that one, lots of grumbling from the older ones!
Why, you ask, does this irritate me? When graduating High School myself, I was well on my way to obtaining a degree in Structural Engineering and Design, but was very specifically told to abandon any hopes and dreams and SCHOLARSHIPS (full ride, mind you), as it was striving after the world, and was in full pursuit of "worldly" things. Besides, I would NEVER need them! We had another "experience" at our CA just recently, of a local sister, smart bright young gal, who gave up her full-ride scholarship to be a pioneer. Yay! clap clap clap clap clap....how wonderfull......!!! She will be so blessed!!! No engineering in her future! Here's a scrub brush and a vacuum!
Sickening, just sickening. To give up that kind of opportunity is just plain retarded, in my humble opinion. People that encourage and promote that kind of demented thinking should be ashamed of themselves.
Complete DOUBLE STANDARD!
Lesson for today: Get your education, pursue what you dream of. Let NO ONE tell you otherwise.
RANT OFF
Jack Harper, Tech49