by JH 4 Replies latest jw friends
Do you think that joining a religion should come after you had an education, and found a decent job? How many young witnesses were told not to go to college, and were forced to accept cheap jobs? Do you believe that schooling, marriage, and a job should all come before joining a religion?
Edited by - jh on 10 January 2003 17:10:7
My two older kids were not encouraged by myself to go into full time education.
However, my views have changed since then. I was at a parents evening for my youngst last night. He is doing very well so I had a chat with him before he went to sleep last night. I told him I thought he was lucky enough to have the ability to be able to chose anything he what he wants to do (teacher, doctor, biologist, etc) rather than have a situation where he has to ask what is there I can do?
My biggest regret is not going to med school myself (not enough time in the system to finish the training yet I am here with grown up kids myself). I am not going to let my kids make the same mistake.
Eyeslice
My religion places a strong emphasis on moral and technical education, so I don't see the question having relevance unless one confines themselves to the JW mindset of having to chose. It is a false dichotomy.
caveman
Instead of joining an organized religion, have you considered having your religion as your inner spiritual needs?
Some people need ritual in their worship, such as the Catholics. Some people need excitement, like the Pentecostals. Some people need to "study" their worship, like the JWs.
Some people, like me, only need to reflect on their inner spirituality. My religion is my conscience and how i reflect on my thoughts and feelings.
Find what is good for you. Religion should bring happiness, not burdens.
Do you believe that schooling, marriage, and a job should all come before joining a religion?
Hi JH,
I don't think it's necessary to postpone religion - as long as someone is not postponing thier lives in order to maintain the rigid rules of a religion. A true religion would encourage education and not be at all intimidated by it. It's been my experience that life will help evolve one's ideas about religion and spirituality and help make a better decision about what religion is and how it should fit into your life. Education is foremost in that journey, a job not as much, but marriage and especially children will change your outlook on life and I think give you a deeper insight into your own spirituality. My religion, Paganism, is about living - experience life and experiencing God/dess/religion/spirituality should not be mutually exclusive.
Silverleaf
