How might you respond to the following survey?
I apologize if this was already posted about, it is just such a poignant issue I wanted to share it.
BEING RAISED IN THE TRUTH
Being raised a Witness-perhaps "from infancy," like Timothy-is a great blessing.(2 Timothy 3:15) It also raises some unique challenges, which we would like you to help us identify.
1. First, the blessing part. What do you feel is the greatest benefit to being raised in the truth?
2. At what point might being raised as a Witness stop seeming like a benefit, and why?
3. To what extent, if any, does being baptized young prevent the above situation?
4. We often hear that kids who are raised in the truth take it for granted. Is it really that simple, or is more involved?
5. Some say that kids who are raised strictly are like a compressed
spring that will bound out of control once they are let loose. Do you
agree or disagree? (Explain.)
6. True story: A 16-year-old girl being raised in the truth says:
"Sometimes I feel that people give me a 'goody-two-shoes' label just
because of who my parents are-my dad being an elder, for example. I
don't think it's fair, because I feel that whatever good I do is just
expected of me." What challenges do young people face when Dad is an
elder?
7. True story: By all appearances, Renee was a 'spiritual giant'-she
was pioneering by age 12 and during the next four years was interviewed
at assemblies, held up as an example. Renee served in two different
foreign-language congregations by the time she was 17. She had her
sights on missionary service-or at least that's what her parents said.
What would you say are the pros-and cons-of being held up as an example
at such a young age?
8. More of Renee's story: Renee was 17 when her parents discovered
that she was secretly dating a ministerial servant. Renee's mom kept her
up virtually all night talking to her and praying with her. She then
put on the video "To the Ends of the Earth" to remind Renee of her goal
to be a missionary. Renee promised not to 'escape' for at least for the
next 48 hours, but Dad and Mom took turns keeping vigil just in case.
Tell us your impressions of this scenario. What is Renee thinking? Are
her parents' tactics likely to work? Why or why not?
9. Even more of Renee's story: The day she turned 18, Renee left her
parents and the truth. Here's what she told a close friend: "I just
don't want to be a Witness anymore. It's not in me the way it should be.
It has been shoved down my throat by my mother, as well as all of these
goals that I thought I wanted but I really don't, and I've been raised
by my mother to believe that anything less than these goals isn't good
enough. I'm tired of it. I give up. I can't do it anymore." Although you
don't know all the details of Renee's story, what do you think might
have gone wrong? (Explain.)
10. Do you have anything to add that's not covered by the questions above?