"High" education

by Esmeralda001 55 Replies latest jw experiences

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  rebel8

  Everyone in the world does not have to go to college to be successful. Some people only want, and do well with, entry level jobs that require only a high school diploma. Others do well with trade or vocational training.

  The reason I was wanting a college degree so much is because I have physical limitations impacting my ability to succeed in the types of jobs I mentioned.

  I did not disregard their advice because I was physically prevented from going to college as a dub. Eventually after escaping, I did go to college. Took me a damn long time.

  My career lagged behind everyone else for a while, and now I've surpassed what most people achieve, out of sheer will.
  
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  Simon Templar

  I went to College in the 1970s when it was demonized. If a person went to College they couldn't "handle the utensils". That was a reason for many not to go.

  I never told anyone including my family. I just did it because I thought it was a good thing for me, and wasn't a DF offense. I have had a good job, career and now a business. No problems in that area. My Mother died without knowing. My only sibling doesn't know (officially from me anyhow). I am now out of College for forty years.

  People in the KH know because they ask me directly. The education comes out when I answer at the meetings and give talks, read aloud, etc. I encouraged all of our kids to get an education beyond HS. My wife dose too. I never told them what to do or study. Its their choice. If they asked for help, I was there. I was an appointed person for many years. I deleted myself. Serving was too much of a problem for me. My education never was mentioned (that I know of) by the BOE. When people in the KH ask me details of my education I change the subject. None of their business really. I keep people out of my personal life as much as possible. So far, so good.
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  dgeero

  I got my associates and it was the best decision I ever made. I was sick of the typical janitorial witness work and I was in my early 20's so I went for it and graduated last year. It opened my eyes to a whole other world and helped me wake up because it made you realize your little JW world view is not all there is. I got a little resistance from my wife at the time and some raised brows from one in the hall but nothing to bad. And it didn't hurt that my degree helped me get into a new field and am now making better money than I ever would have otherwise.
  

  I'm now awake and haven't attended a meeting in 2 years and in the last 6 months my wife has gone from Watchtower defender, though she wasn't attending meeting either, to waking up herself. She sees the hypocrisy and much of the org makes her sick though I think she still believes some of the core teaching and is a believer of sorts. But she constantly is making remarks about things wrong with the Org and even the Bible. Oh and she is now attending college :)
  
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  JWdaughter

  In how many religions do people HIDE that they are going to college or a college graduate??

  Remember, it's a cult!
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  PlatinumFix

  I'm now at college, started going when I was in the org last yr and though in some ways I wish I would of studied accountancy instead of going to bethel at 19, at the end of the day I believe the quote "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
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  Johny Franco

  Best decision ever, never bought into the not getting education banter. As a matter of fact I was encouraged to get some sort of education by a now CO. I was sneaky about it though, never really told anyone, it took me years to finish but once I completed my first degree and saw the benefits of having one, I went back for a second one all while attaining a high responsibility post in the congregation. I escaped the letters sent that men with responsibilities in the congregation pursuing higher education should be considered to see if they still qualified to serve, nobody knew a thing, secretly I was hoping they found out so I could concentrate in finishing my school faster while maintaining my sanity. It was tough but I finished, I'm considering going back and getting a graduate degree but not really sure yet. point of the story is, get it, as someone with responsibility in the congregation I always made sure the younger ones understood the seriousness of not having an education, I have not been proven wrong. People my age that didn't set themselves up now regret not getting education and are financially struggling somehow Matt 6:33 doesn't have the same meaning it did back then.
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  RubaDub

  In my case, very easy.

  I lived within easy commuting distance to the state University and periodically did the vacation/auxillary pioneer thing while I was going, just as I had done in high school.

  If the topic came up, my father (elder) just said that I was "taking classes" which was true. I just worked my butt off and took summer classes also and graduated in less time than most.

  Rub a Dub
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  Esmeralda001

  Thank you guys for sharing your experience! It is very much appreciated!
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  Heartsafire

  In highschool, I got a scholarship, but my parents were totally against higher education. It wasn't until years later, as a grown adult, that I was able to save my pennies and pay my way through college.

  I got a degree, and although I haven't had much use for it, I have to say I would not trade that college education for ANYTHING. I learned more in those few years of college than decades spent sitting in the meetings reading JW literature. I learned that WT does little to support their views except to present straw man arguments and twist the statements of third parties. I also learned to research facts for myself.

  I did meet with some opposition from JWs who knew I was going to school. My parents, for one, were less than thrilled, and thought college would destroy my love of God. A couple of sisters counseled me that an education in the troof was better than in the world. For the most part, I just kept my education to myself, and told people I was "working" which was true.

  Now looking back, I would do it again, and I wish I had the time to get a PHD. Maybe in the future.

  I do recommend college to everyone I know--including kids and even my family. The more people understand the realities of world they live in, the less inclined they are to accept illogical info shoved down their throat.
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  Londo111

  My parents did not allow me to attend college. It was a big no-no. Since I wasn't going to, they encouraged me to go from "college prep" classes in high school, to lower level classes. Also, I skipped out on the SAT...no point!

  Then in the early 90's, the Watchtower allowed attending a little college. So I went to a two-year technical college and got an associate's degree in computer programming. Had I not done that, I would have been stuck in minimum wage.

  I had a best friend (who now shuns me) whose family let him go all the way as regard higher education. I envied him. Of course, since he went not only four years, but beyond, that was highly frowned upon by the elders. He was barred from having any position until he was done.