Wow, 47 years ago. No wonder so many JWs have spent their lives in dead end jobs. Teenagers reading that then would have faced pressure from their families, congregations, etc. to not pursue a career, but to find something to get by until Armageddon. So very sad. Those people are now retirement age. Some have little in the way of financial security for their old age. So very sad.
The guys in Brooklyn should be held responsible for selling such BS. Too many people fell for it. It didn't just impact the ones who bought the Kool-aid hook line and sinker, but also their families. So many family relationships lost. So many lives dedicated to a man-made organization that hasn't a clue as to the actual truth; instead, they've fabricated their own Truth™.
When I was a young person, I had a secret dream: All through high school I dreamed of going to college. I got out on my own at 18, as terrifying as that was. And it really was terrifying. But, it was the best thing I ever did. I went to a great university and supported myself all the way through. Then on to grad school. I haven't taken my education or profession for granted. I wanted my education so very badly. Growing up, this just wasn't on offer. There was, in fact, some pressure to quit high school at 16, get my GED and pioneer. I held those pressures at bay by aux pioneering in summers, during holidays, etc. But once I turned 18, I was able to make my escape.
I may have been forced to be in the bOrg for 18 years, but they didn't get one extra day out of me once I could escape. So very glad for that. But reading the OP above is a reminder of what I escaped. I remember this was the mantra pretty much at most if not all meetings, chats during field service, assemblies, etc. We heard it over and over and over again. I can picture how my life would be now if I hadn't made it out. What a sad and depressing thought.
