The Dog,
I think there are some good points here, and i appreciate that your particular congregation has reached out to those in need. Without any kind of formal system for helping others, its nice to see people step up on an individual basis and do what they can. Some take advantage of this as you know, and there are a percentage that believe because of their "greater service" (pioneering, bethel, etc...), that they are entitled.
However, my problem here is that the playing field isn't even. You can't tell people there is basically no need to go beyond a high school education, think twice before having kids in this world, and constantly indoctrinate them with those thoughts......and not expect loyal followers to end up old, pennyless, and childless in a disproportianate number.
I have 4-5 youngish couples that I know, all in their late 20's to mid thirties. ALL of them have not been to college but they work hard and do ok. (I didn't go to college either). NONE of them want children. How are they going to take care of their parents when they are old? How are they going to be taken care of when THEY are old? Sure there may be a social system, but maybe if a CO didn't sit little Billy down and CONVINCE HIM that university education was inherently evil, this would have been avoided.
I didn't go to college, and I do ok. It doesn't mean I haven't passed up opportunities because of lack of a degree, not does it mean a degree is neccesary for success. But you should be allowed to decide what is good for you and your family without the special kind of interference that comes with tying a particular action to loyalty to God.
My heart goes out to all those who gave prime years at bethel, only to have literally nothing to show for it.
