There is a TV programme on at the moment on ITV and it just got to me. I was surprised but perhaps I shouldn't be.
It was about kids here getting their 16 yr qualifications...they're GCSE's for those who are not in the UK. Anyway, it showed a girl getting the same results as me, pretty much A's for all exams, and her family listening to her results and celebrating them. They listened as she read them out and then they all hugged her.
It just got to me because in my household it didn't mean much (if anything) and I was encouraged to not take it further and do "practical" exams. The reason was that I had to get myself a job because worldly careers were not what we should pursue.
I did further study since leaving the JWs but it has been a hard struggle to find the time and money. I've done some degree level education but its looking like a few years until I can say I have a degree. That is really frustrating considering that I'm intelligent and I know I could do it.....except circumstances don't allow right now.
It just got to me.
So whats all this about them saying its OK to go to college? It puts me in mind of all the other doctrines they changed and then never gave an apology to those whom it affected.
There is a difference in age at which education ends in US and UK (in the UK, standard schooling finishes at age 16) So when the Watchtower discourages "college", the meaning can have a different outcome for us here in the UK to those in the US. Perhaps someone from the US can confirm.
It just got to me because in my household it didn't mean much (if anything) and I was encouraged to not take it further and do "practical" exams. The reason was that I had to get myself a job because worldly careers were not what we should pursue.
It was the same way in my family. Through my first 2 years of high school I carried a G.P.A. of 3.85, including several honors classes. But in my last two years I was encouraged to go to trade schools and get a job, so I gave up. Kind of leaves you feeling like you squandered some of the best years of your life, doesn't it?
No, they're discouraging college again... this year's drama focussed on young Timothy who also when weaned had to go to be a fine elder and there he did grow... sorry just had a little 'youth song' flashback there.
Okay, in this drama Timothy was young and had a cool friend who was moving to the big smoke for an education and encouraging Timothy to also. Timothy however has bigger plans which include being the unpaid page boy for some travelling older men until he becomes a man himself which isn't until he's 30. These guys like to impose themselves upon the hospitality of their new poverty-stricken congregations and if they're not given the good wine and having their feet oiled with tears and dried with human hair they walk out of the city and shake the dust off their sandals. Ha! Take that, you god-forsaken city! See how you like watching a smelly old man who eats stolen grain shake the dust off his warty unwashed feet! That will teach you a thing or two about hospitality.
Sorry, sidetracked again. Timothy tours a lot and hooks up with his hip buddy sometimes who is doing very nicely thanks to a local guy who has good contacts. Hip guy also gets a nice new bride who looks like she'll be a bit high-maintenance in the future, but at least she knows her place, which is in the kitchen preparing refreshments for the men *insert stupidly large food preparation gestures*. Eventually Timothy sees that his hip buddy's contact is a bit of a skim merchant and talks his buddy into living a more simple life. Ahhhh... see? That education really wasn't worth it in the end.
I can understand having your dreams suspended like that. As I was driving home from work I saw a car with a bumpersticker that read "Those who have forsaken their dreams will try their hardest to hold back yours". I hate what the upper echelons of this church have done to people. There is no forgiveness for people who hate dreamers
I just think that the Jehovahs Witness governing body have a lot to answer to as far as their advice to children. I'm working with people who have been given every opportunity whereas I haven't. Being honest I still feel on a par with them intellectually, however the qualification is what matters in careers.
It's hard isn't it. I am occassionally angered with the fact that I didn't get a lot of support with my education. Both of my parents have degrees, but really discouraged me from getting mine. And if I wanted to go to school, I was on my own for paying for it. Ten years later, what do they do? Not only do they encourage, but PAY FOR both of my brothers to get their degree. WTH??? It's hard work to not be resentful over that, but the joy I get out of it is that my brothers both graduated from college. Hopefully it makes their future brighter. (If they could only get their damn heads out of the WTS clouds!!! A fine education wasted on two boys that are working part-time and peddling magazines full time. Grrr!!!)
I have discovered a few gifts I've been given. I may not have formal education, but formal education doesn't take the place of passion. I have a passion for my gift, so I hope it balances out in the grand scheme of things somehow.
