WFJ...
I appreciate your drive for truth and "getting it right". I do see a bit of a problem with your rationale though...you have rejected the traditional teachings of Christendom as unacceptable after studying them in seminary, but you are now embracing a replacement theology in the WTS teachings without much question. If your screen name is true, you are already in a conundrum since you are not a witness of Jesus, but rather a witness of Jehovah if you are a JW. The very fact that you have chosen a military career puts you at odds with the WTS. I understand you may have a contract to complete with the Navy, but what would the WTS teach your fate might be if Armageddon came today? The fact that you are looking to higher education is in opposition to the WTS's recommendations for JW's. I applaud your plan of asking questions BEFORE you get baptized...that is very wise. I hope you can ask these questions independently and free of pro-JW bias. If you do and still choose the WTS, then you have been honest with yourself. You are fortunate that you are in a position to have that choice. Many of us were "born in" and thus never had that conscious choice available to us.
One point on 1975. I was in high school in the late 60's, and I can guarantee you that there was EXTREME pressure put on young people from the platform and the WTS literature to avoid college and pioneer since we would never be able to graduate anyway. The subject of 1975 came up at nearly every meeting and assembly in the years leading up to the date, and it is just plain dishonest for the WTS to claim otherwise. I lived it and any revisionist history by the WTS to the contrary is just plain BS.
Good luck in your questions and search for truth...just be honest with yourself and the search for truth.
TYA
