Jobs For The Boyz

by Englishman 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  Englishman

  I don't know what the situation is in the rest of the world, but here, JW's seem to have a very limited field of employment. They are, in approximate order of preference:

  Double glazing salesperson.

  Window cleaner.

  Door to door brush sales.

  Painter & decorator.

  There seems to be virtually no professional occupations that are enjoyed by JW's. Also, very few seem to be involved in IT. No taxi-drivers, no publicans, no tax inspectors, no anything that requires either (a) variable workng hours or (b) long studying periods to learn a trade or profession. Additionally, it seems that women witnesses who actually do secular work, find it is confined to mainly shop assistancy or cleaning work.

  It's a recognised fact that people tend to find a sense of identity by means of their secular occupation. I wonder if the witnesses were able to move up a few places in the employment stakes, whether or not they would remain good faithful witnesses?

  I suspect that they would not remain good little witnesses. I know of several ex's who have kept to their non-professional occupations but have become business owners instead to give themselves more money, status and satisfaction. These have quickly discovered that they no longer have a need for Watchtowerdom, in fact, they usually find that once they are in business for themselves, JW stuff seems very wish-washy in comparison.

  In short, then, if you want to stay a witness for ever, don't advance at all in your secular career!

  Englishman.
• 

  Fe2O3Girl

  It doesn't matter if there has been less of a hardline condemnation of further education in the literature - you will still be looked down on and sneered at if you continue your education.

  Strangely, although the pinnacle of achievement for a young person is to leave school as soon as legally possible, take a low paid part time job and pioneer, it is preferable to take a full time dead end job rather than go to college.

  It is imperative that young JW women never, never achieve a career that would enable them to support themselves independant of husbands or family. In my experience, a high proportion of young JW men are free with their fists with their wives - a wife who can walk out and look after herself is a problem.

  I am convinced that the elders in my old congregation took a much harder line on young women who wanted to further their education after I left.
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  Dansk

  Gosh, E-man:

  In short, then, if you want to stay a witness for ever, don't advance at all in your secular career!

  You've gone an' told them now!

  Ian

  exJW Professional Journalist married to Claire, exJW Professional Chartered Physiotherapist (jobs we had before being brainwashed and glad to be out working in them to the full )
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  jula71

  I always loved experiences from assemblies, Brothers and Sisters that were given lucrative careers but turned it for part-time toilet cleaning jobs so they can pioneer, and they have never been happier. Crazy stuff? Luckily I?ve seen past the B.S. and have gone back to college before it?s to late and I?m to old. But, you should hear my parents?."Why you doing that? The end will come before you get a degree." But, back to the point, JW?s need the weak, the educated or the motivated don?t last to long as JW?s.
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  El blanko

  JW?s need the weak, the educated or the motivated don?t last to long as JW?s.

  That is an observation certain Romans made of the early Christian church. They viewed them in part as attracting simpletons. I'm not sure that is entirely true in reality, although there were a fair few people in my cong' who fell into that category.

  Ahem...

  Anyway - I have got sick and tired lately hearing about the evils of education from a JW-apologist friend. We had quite a heated debate yesterday concerning this very subject.

  While I agree that the sole aspiration towards riches and materialism through education is bad (and I do believe that), I do not agree that the schooling system in it's entirety is evil and corrupt, as certain JWs preach.

  I think every man and woman on the planet should be taught a basic education and learn to reason for themselves.
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  diamondblue1974

  This has always been my contention with the JW's and their reasons for frowning upon education, the uneducated will normally accept something as long as its told in a simple way which makes some semblence sense however the more educated you are the more you they risk that you will question issues and assess the information critically before accepting it. This is why they encourage dictate that our children shouldnt pursue a worldly education and as such should accept menial jobs lower than their capabilities.

  I remember the people who were more afluent and worked professionally in our hall were always looked down upon; I know that in some congregations the opposite is true but in either breath it isnt right.

  I have always held the view that if indeed we were created by a creator and we believed in worshipping this creator then surely one part of this would be to excel physically, emotionally, academically and financially and not settle for second best from ourselves.

  What do you think?

  DB
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  El blanko

  What do you think?

  I agree.
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  New Worldly Translation

  I remember when I said to my parents that I wanted to go to university they said 'no you'll start believing evolution!'. I thought 'well I'll believe whatever seems the most logical to me wherever I am, whether it's at university, work or anywhere'. Knowledge is an enemy of the WTS and they would rather you were indoctrinated with their BS constantly and rely on the education of the ministry school.

  I remember the people who were more afluent and worked professionally in our hall were always looked down upon; I know that in some congregations the opposite is true but in either breath it isnt right.

  At my old cong. the opposite was true like you said it could be. While on the platform you were told to guard against materialism and worldly careers, those who were more affluent were better thought of. It was even thought among some that they had been blessed by jehooba and that's why they were doing well. When one of these rich brothers decided to have a pioneer month? it was always regarded as a big deal and he was making a great sacrifice cos he could have been earning big money instead. Poor ones in the cong who were continually making sacrifices of their time and money were looked down on and largely ignored by the clique at the top echelon of the cong. The stupid thing is these poor ones looked up to them cos they were so used to swallowing the BS.