Good thread...
Like many, college was out of the question. The end was right around the corner and secular knowledge was NOT important. I applied for Bethel after high school and was rejected while a guy in my circuit was accepted even though he had gone to college and got his degree in computer science. Yeah, double standard...I know. So much for "we can teach a spiritual person to work computers but we can't teach a computer person to be spiritual" which is exactly what our CO said in the needs of the circuit that same year (yeah, kinda burnt in my mind and psyche).
Years went by, I took courses and went to classes clandestinely. Pioneered for years making hilariously little money (funny I could even afford gas money). In time, though, my education paid off and I landed a good paying job with upward potential.
In time, I returned to school. Not necessarily for me, but really to show THEM. I like knowledge. I like to understand. I don't like intolerance or stupidity, two of the most blatant things I have seen from many witnesses. Prejudice and ignorance. Both bred from a lack of understanding and what is worse...no desire to change.
Example:
I recall a sister saying, "Those buddhists worship those big idols of their god."
I said, "That's not their god. It's the Buddha."
"Well, he's their god!"
"No, he's not their god. He is their exemplar, kind of like Jesus to a christian. He is or was the enlightened one. So, they follow his teachings."
"But, he's still a god. They bow down to him."
"No, they are merely paying him homage. Like the bible says the apostles and believers did to Jesus."
"So, you are saying that Buddha is Jesus."
"No, I am saying that he was considered and IS considered to be a holy man with an idea of how people can find answers to many of life's perplexing questions. Millions of people follow his teachings."
"The DEVIL"S teachings!"
"That's not what we are talking about. I am simply trying to correct the misperception."
"So are you sticking up for them now?"
"I am sticking up for correct understanding...nothing more. But, in the spirit of Buddha's teachings, why don't we just change the subject?"
SOP
You can imagine the rest of the conversation....