Tertiary education

by Spanners 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Spanners

  Hi, my sister is a JW and last year was her final year of secondary school (17/18 years old over here), she received the prize for best student overall in the whole school. She's always wanted to go to university and become a lawyer and now since becoming a JW has changed her mind and is working in a restaurant clearing tables. Which is a bit of a joke, because she'll end up stuck in that job for the next 30 years.

  She doesnt want to go to university because "armageddon is coming soon so theres no point"

  Anyway I read on a site that JWs 'strongly discouraged' tertiary education. Can someone tell me if this is actually true, what they say about it, and thoughts on why? It seems ridiculous they would discourage everyone from reaching their full academic potential.

  Thanks very much.
• 

  jimakazi

  Sadly true. Too do the education thing is a demonstration of a lack of faith, and probably more to the point at university she would be exposed to new ideas, learn how to think, and may QUESTION the JW's faith. It doesn't stand up to a lot of questioning.
• 

  Buster

  The society has discouraged education from the beginning.

  But they have softened their position lately. Do some searching in this site for recent Watchtower quotes that your sister may find will open the dorr for her to pursue her dream.

  One more point: That damn society is always in need of lawyers. She could go with that goal in mind.
• 

  jimakazi

  5/8/1989 Pages 13-14
  What Career Should I Choose?

  University Education—Advantageous?

  Most pioneer ministers support themselves with part-time work. But what if later on you need to support a family? Surely one would never regret devoting one’s youthful years to God’s service! Still, some ask, Would it not make sense for a youth first to obtain a university degree and perhaps pursue the ministry later?

  The Bible, of course, does not spell out exactly how many years of schooling a Christian youth should obtain. Nor does it condemn education. Jehovah, the “Grand Instructor,” encourages his people to read well and to express themselves clearly. (Isaiah 30:20; Psalm 1:2; Hebrews 5:12) Moreover, education can broaden our understanding of people and the world we live in.

  Nevertheless, is a university degree always worth the huge commitment of time and money it demands? While statistics indicate that university graduates earn higher salaries and suffer less unemployment than high school graduates, the book Planning Your College Education reminds us that these statistics are mere averages. Only a minority of university graduates actually receive sky-high salaries; the rest are paid wages that are far more down to earth. Besides, the high incomes attributed to university graduates may also result from such factors as “unusual abilities, motivation, area opportunities for employment, . . . special talents”—not simply the amount of their education.

  “A [university] degree no longer guarantees success in the job market,” says the U.S. Department of Labor. “The proportion [of university graduates] employed in professional, technical, and managerial occupations . . . declined because these occupations did not expand rapidly enough to absorb the growing supply of graduates. As a result, roughly 1 out of 5 [university] graduates who entered the labor market between 1970 and 1984 took a job not usually requiring a degree. This oversupply of graduates is likely to continue through the mid-1990’s.”

  Further Facts to Ponder

  A university degree may or may not improve your employment prospects. But one fact is indisputable: “The time left is reduced”! (1 Corinthians 7:29) For all its presumed benefits, would four years or more in a university be the best use of that remaining time?—Ephesians 5:16.

  Would a university education steer you toward or away from your spiritual goals? Remember, a high income is not a Christian priority. (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) Yet, a survey of U.S. university administrators described today’s students as ‘career-oriented, concerned with material success, concerned with self.’ One group of students said: “It seems like all we talk about is money.” How might being immersed in an atmosphere of intense competition and selfish materialism affect you?

  Universities may no longer have the riotous scenes of the 1960’s. But a decrease in university bedlam hardly means the campus environment is wholesome. Concluded one study of campus life: “Students still have almost unlimited freedom in personal and social matters.” Drugs and alcohol are used freely, and promiscuity is the rule—not the exception. If this is true of universities in your land, might living there thwart your efforts to remain morally clean?—1 Corinthians 6:18.

  Another concern is the well-documented association of exposure to higher education with decreased “adherence to core religious tenets.” (The Sacred in a Secular Age) The pressure to maintain high grades has caused some Christian youths to neglect spiritual activities and thus become vulnerable to the onslaught of secular thinking promoted by universities. Some have suffered shipwreck concerning their faith.—Colossians 2:8.

  Alternatives to University Education

  In view of these facts, many Christian youths have decided against a university education. Many have found that the training offered in congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses—the weekly Theocratic Ministry School in particular—has given them a real edge in finding employment. Though not possessing a university degree, such youths learn to be poised, adept at expressing themselves, and quite capable of handling responsibility. Furthermore, while in secondary school, some take courses in typing, computer programming, auto repair, machine-shop work, and so forth. Such skills may lend themselves to part-time employment and are often in high demand. And though many youths disdain ‘working with their hands,’ the Bible dignifies doing “hard work.” (Ephesians 4:28) Why, Jesus Christ himself learned a trade so well that he came to be called “the carpenter”!—Mark 6:3.

  True, in some lands university graduates have so flooded the job market that it is hard to obtain even commonplace jobs without additional training. But often there are apprenticeship programs, vocational or technical schools, and short-term university courses that teach marketable skills with a minimum investment of time and money. Also, there is a factor that employment statistics do not take into account: God’s promise to provide for those who give priority to spiritual interests.—Matthew 6:33.

  Employment prospects and educational systems vary from place to place. Youths have different abilities and inclinations. And while a career in the Christian ministry is recommended as being beneficial, it is still a matter of personal choice. You and your parents must thus carefully weigh all factors involved in deciding how much education is right for you. ‘Each one must carry his own load’ in making such decisions.—Galatians 6:5.

  If, for example, your parents insist that you attend a university, you have no choice but to obey them as long as you are living under their supervision. (Ephesians 6:1-3) Perhaps you can continue living at home and avoid getting caught up in the university scene. Be selective in your choice of courses, for example, focusing on learning job skills rather than worldly philosophies. Guard your associations. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Keep yourself spiritually strong by meeting attendance, field service, and personal study. Some youths who have been obliged to attend university have even managed to pioneer by choosing a schedule of courses that made that possible.

  Choose your career carefully and prayerfully, so that it not only will bring personal happiness but will enable you to ‘store up treasures in heaven.’—Matthew 6:20.

  ---

  2/1/1967 Pages 75-6
  Fruitful Christians Manifest Godly Contentment

  10 Some persons who have been bearing godly fruit, however, turn aside from that right course, and this is often because they are no longer “content with the present things.” Young people, for example, are easily influenced by the materialistic outlook of the world around them, and especially is this true if their parents are inclined to value highly the ability to command a big salary in the business world. As a result, they may set their hearts on the education that is offered by the world’s institutions of “higher learning.” Their desire is not simply to learn a trade so that they can work with their hands and not be a burden on others; no, they want to be in an upper-income bracket. (1 Thess. 4:10-12) But what is wrong with that? Jesus frankly said that it would be more difficult for a rich man to get into the Kingdom than for a camel to get through the eye of a sewing needle. (Luke 18:24, 25) Rather than being content with “sustenance and covering,” those who devote themselves to getting a “higher education” usually want to be able to enjoy “the rest of the things” that money can buy. (Mark 4:19) If they are going to succeed in the education they have set out to get, they have to work hard at it. Study of the Bible, association with the Christian congregation and participation in the Christian ministry are curtailed. Worldly associations predominate; worldly philosophy fills their minds. What happens? Perhaps not what they expected, though they would have known if they took seriously what the Bible says. (1 Cor. 15:33; Col. 2:8) It may even come as a shock to their parents. Why, just recently a man who wanted his boy to have a “good education” so that life would be easier for him found that, in just one year at college, the boy had lost his faith—something that no amount of money can buy.

  Thanks to Shaun's research.
• 

  IT Support

  A while ago, someone posted here his notes from the 'Hope and Endurance' (?) circuit assembly.

  He said they came down very hard on education. They stated that when a child goes to college the Society loses the kid to the world. So the only logical solution is to do all we can to prevent these kids from going to college and getting a career.
• 

  crazyblondeb

  It's true, they strongly suggest to avoid a college education. The last thing they want is someone who might learn to think for themself. Please someone tell me when I missed the part where the Ministry school taught poise and responsibilty that would lead to a responsible job!!! I imagine most of us had to do the janitorial thing at some time or another. I guess learning the "poise" might help while you are doing windows!!?????

  I was happy when I ran away and went and lived with my real dad in Texas. They gave me no choice--college or die.LOL I loved it. I even made college cheerleader and got involved in all the activites that I was not allowed to do in high school.

  When my JW parents heard I was going to nursing school, I got a nasty letter. They tried to FORBID me from going. I'd have to get too involved with the blood issue. That made me want to go even more. If I'd have listened to them, I would have been a single mom on welfare. That might be good enough for them, but not for my daughter!!

  ok--sorry the rambling took over---

  shelley
• 

  Panda

  Well of course the WBTS hates higher education! Gosh you might learn something, especially in those science classes oh hey and what about those liberal arts classes.

  I started college at 38 and boy do I ever wish I'd gone sooner. College wasn't the only thing that opened my eyes. I learned to use the internet and computers and met smart people to get to know.

  Any who ... the society actually pays for law school for some dubs so yeah they need lawyers... I knew a sister who went to RN school and went to Bethel as a nurse. I don't know if she's still there but many others used her as an example.
• 

  Bagira

  They push this standpoint all the time without assuming responsibility for the lives of those affected....

  Please note that Paul was a master of Romal law (Acts 22:25: "But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion on duty, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and has not been tried?") he spoke several languages and could be considered as a person with university education, in terms of today.

  Anyhow, when I worked at the Budapest Bethel in Hungary in 1991, the Bethel overseer, Karlheinz Hartkopf said that "we here at Bethel need brains". Most of the people coming from the US and W-Europe were university graudates btw.....

  In Hungary, Europe, you can see a lot of those brothers and sister belonging to the lost generations of JWS, who were told not to go to the university and who are struggling now for their everyday bread, as the education they have is next to nothing........

  Hope you can convince your sister still in good time

  Greetings

  Bagira
• 

  NeonMadman

  She doesnt want to go to university because "armageddon is coming soon so theres no point"

  Funny, that was the same reason I skipped college after I graduated from high school in 1969. As you can imagine, it's been very helpful to the success of my career.

  I finally got a 2-year degree in 2003, but too late to make an impact on my career path. I'm currently pursuing a 4-year degree in Biblical Studies, but that is more for personal satisfaction at this point than for any career prospects - I'll likely be in my late 50's before I finish the degree.

  Get her to university while she's young if you can - otherwise she will waste her energy and talents serving a cult that will discard her like a squeezed-out grapefruit when there's nothing left to get from her.
• 

  LongHairGal

  NeonMadman:
  
  I am glad you are getting an education for your personal satisfaction. I know what you mean about how it won't change career prospects at this stage of the game.
  
  People don't realize that when you don't do things in life (like getting an education) in the proper time frame when you are supposed to get them - everything is all thrown off! This is no joke! You would have to start at entry level in whatever profession you are seeking. You would face age discrimination, etc. It would be damn hard! You almost can't make any major career changes in midlife unless you start your own business. The only exception I know of is when somebody is already in a profession and wants to go into a related field - and lots of times it helps if they have connections. Not to mention, what about today's shrunken job market?
  
  The reason they (dubs) don't want people to get an education is because they fear loss of control. Someone once told me that brothers with a college education "have a problem accepting counsel". So, they (dubs) would ruin many young people's futures all so that a few insecure men there can feel better about themselves now.