Grew up in 60-70 and to go to college was the work of the devil. The end was near. Pioner and clean houses. I listened and ended up going to college years later and would u believe i got shite for that. I was treated like an ingrate.
I have known bro/sis to postpone medical treatment saying 'the new system will fix it, we will all be perfect." There was a doc here in texas, still is , and i saw him once and he told me" Nothing much i can do to help u, but the new system will fix it" I found myself a new doc, one who practices medicine and not faith healing.
All I can say is none of us were admonished for our decisions or suffered any bad consequences. That's my story and I'm sticken' to it.
NG: I'm sorry I did not get back to you on those quotes, but it looks as if others have more than given you enough evidence.
It matters little that you have anecdotal experience of NOT being sanctioned or shunned because of additional schooling. Myself and others could supply an equal, or greater amount of stories about the reverse being true.
What really matters is not what one body of elders decided to do (or not do), but what official Watchtower policy was/is. I think the above quotes pretty much show you what we mean.
Have they softened their position recently? Perhaps, but what does that mean for all the 40 and 50-something Witnesses who did without an education and the income benefits resulting because they thought they were following God's direction? Now they have to watch the next generation getting degrees and working in meaningful and rewarding jobs?
How do you feel about the others, NG, or is it just yourself and your own family you care about? Still "stickin' to it"?
I am so sorry for the treatment some of you have suffered. My history is different and that is my point of reference.
It's also possible that my family was SO poor that no one had the heart to tell us we couldn't better ourselves. That or we chose not to hear and just went on our merry way. There is power in numbers, (obvious on this board) and we all couldn't be wrong.
I have been df'd for a looong time so am possibly looking through rose coloured glasses. We will soon see ...
That or we chose not to hear and just went on our merry way.
That may be the most important point, NG. The fact is, these "policies" have been applied unevenly, depending in large part on the leaning of your body of elders, the prevailing atmosphere of where you live (large cities as opposed to small towns), your own family status in the congregation, and many other factors.
How is that being "fitly united"?
A countless number of faithful JW's have foregone an education that might have provided them with secure jobs, medical benefits, and retirement funds, just because of how strictly a body of elders enforces the Society's guidelines. Imagine how those people would feel when observing you and your family in a completely different situation because YOU were not sanctioned and did not suffer any consequences?
It is all about perspective. Just because your situation was different ( which is good) doesn't mean you should demean or dismiss someone else's. Different areas, had different views on education and Jehovah's Kingdom. Many unfortunately.. were sabotaged with the issue of higher education. Family support and guidance is important to every child~ so what is one to do when that loving guidance is not given? Your case is very rare~inside the Organization. It provided you with the opportunities of a lifetime. Where as others, were denied that very opportunity and have suffered greatly because of it.
These comments are not vague allegations without written proof. Perhaps~ rose colored glasses. I can understand that to a point. But~ your attitude towards someone who has suffered at the hands of the WTS's writings and teachings. Is a bit nonchalant to those who have suffered. Believe me, I myself know all too well the pain that resides in myself and families. Just like many here on this board.
But you see in the end I am paying for my strongheadedness. I thought I knew it all ... married a worldly person ... paid the price for that one big time.
Those were different times and obviously different standards. We were not so closely monitored and while pioneering was preferable, no one pushed it like you have pointed out.
I DO see your point but what else can I say? I am sorry for the situation some find themselves in.
NG: thank you for at least trying to see the point. You said:
But you see in the end I am paying for my strongheadedness
Yes, but in your case, you are both "paying" and being "paid" due to the fact that you at least received a valuable education. Isn't this worth your strongheadedness?
My strongheadedness has brought me mostly pain. If I could replace it with goodness and kindness, there would be no contest. So no, my strongheadedness IS NOT worth it.
I have an a JW cousin, who suffered for years with untreated Bipolar disorder. Her parents, strict JW's, allowed her to flounder for years because of their distrust of any kind of psychological treatment. She was instructed to "pray it away" and "go out in service more". Finally, when her behavior became so bizarre as to pose a threat to herself, and others (Mainly, them), they relented.
Though now, as a grown woman, she rejects many of the society's doctrines, she still clings to the "hope" that she will see paradise and will be free of all her emotional struggles one day.
The last thing in the world I would do is shrug off someones pain. If that has been implied, then I am not well-spoken enough.
Most of us suffer or have suffered pain of some sort. Mine is as real as anyone elses here. Part of my point is to quit dwelling on the past and the pain and get on with it. Make lemonade and all .
That being said, I am not being flip about it ... just trying to put a positive spin on it.
