Elder says: Young People don't want to flip burgers to pioneer

by truthseeker 26 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Buster

  It seems that the position on college, though generally unfavorable, still varies widely from cong. to cong.

  Back when I was applying to colleges in 1976, I asked the PO for a letter of recommendation. I asked on a Sunday, he agreed, and gave me the letter the following Thursday. I'll bet some of you don't believe that one.

  I blazed a bit of a trail for the other kids. At least three others went to college - two of them graduated.

  We never got any grief for it.

  I agree that a college education will pull you away from the borg. I was out by the time I graduated. The one that went, but dropped out after a year, was appointed elder in his late twenties. I don't know about the others.
• 

  willyloman

  If I had time and the stomach for it (I have neither), I could go to the WT Library CD and quote you chapter and verse on what the WTS has said on the subject of education. They're both FOR it and AGAINST it (depending on which magazine article you cite).

  In the early 90's there was a WT study article which basically said it might take more than a high school education to support a family in "some" western countries these days, and that "no one should criticize" a dub's decision to get a higher education -- although (they just can't help themselves) it must be with the proper motive, i.e., to support one's ability to serve Jehovah.

  This change, and it was a monumental paradigm shift, did not sit well with the hardliners, who've been trying to put the Genie back in the bottle ever since. But the "liberal ordnung" folks pounced on it and ever since, sons (and even some daughters) of dubs of means have been blazing a trail to college campuses all over the country.

  Now the hardliners are trying to reverse that trend and the convention drama is their latest shot across the bow.

  All of this has created a new class of dub "youth," the Highly Conflicted College Student.
• 

  Panda

  The highly conflicted college student ... LOL ... I actually ran into a few of these kids back in the 90s at UTSA ... and they were indeed in conflict. Having previously been known only as an "elders wife" one young 'un ran and hid from me ... if I'd had more energy I'd have chased her and told her I'd left too. I remember at a special Holocaust day speech that during the after questions of a survivor a student brought up JWs. The speeker said while she didn't know any personally she'd heard some jws were in the prison camps too. The young dub went on about religion and I had to spout off... "the Jews had no choice because they were Jews whether religious or not. Dubs had a choice, because it wasn't genetics but religious fervor which got them executed. They had a choice."
• 

  95stormfront

  "Elder I know has both his kids in college WITH his support."

  Probably because he doesn't want to clothe and feed them for the rest of his life!

  Why shouldn't he.

  think of all the brownie points he'd get if they all pioneered together as a family?
• 

  potleg

  More hardships in life have been caused by a lack of money rather than an abundance...The WT is condeming their followers to life long hardships, but really it's a control issue, they don't want anyone to get worldly wisdom, rather the WT wants to be the sole source of direction, education and learning. plus they want more proclaimers regardless of the high personal cost. Too bad they don't do anything to help those in the cong. who are strggling through life because of listening to the borg.
• 

  Buster

  And also during the 70's, our congregation had a couple students from New York attending because they were giong to the local college. There was also at least one other at my college, perhaps some more.

  I'm guessing that this sort of varied acceptance has been going on for most of the history of the org.
• 

  William Penwell

  I would still be flipping burgers if I listened to the WT.

  Will
• 

  jeanniebeanz

  The society is saying no, but some of the older witnesses are looking at a future without some of the basic necessities and don't want their kids to end up the same way. Just in case...

  J
• 

  GentlyFeral

  minimus said:

  So, a college education will result in immorality....OK......

  Hey, I've never been to college and...oh never mind.

  gently feral
• 

  Mary

  Name one activity that will NOT EVER lead to the possibilities of immorality if more than one person is involved.

  Reading Babylon the Great Has Fallen in the Bookstudy.

  There! Top that if you can!