LOOKING AROUND IN THE CONGREGATION, THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE
LACK ANY REAL PARENTAL DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO SUPPORTING ONESELF AS AN ADULT. MOST OF THEM TURN OUT TO BE A BUNCH OF MESSED-UP LOSERS. A THINKING, CARING PARENT WANTS THEIR CHILD TO
SUCCEED IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE...MAKING WISE DECISIONS AND MINIMIZING
Jehovah's Witnesses in a nut shell: 1) they love do demonize anyone or everything that goes against their tactics or anything that challenges their existence 2) They want to keep you as retarded as possible so that you can't think for yourself (easy to brain wash) 3) Obsessed with the end of the world, everyday is doomsday... oooh the end oooh the end is near...
From what I understand, they never say exactly that member of JW are not allowed to go to college or universities, but he said advisable. They talk about that, but no one I know in JW organization is disfellowship because they chose to go to college and university. My relatives are JW and they are all professionals! Those can do must do, but those who can't have choices, I know this because I have JW friends and they are lovely people. They don't steal, drunk and don't do drugs! Is that bad?
Parents in the audience should have beaten this rotten piece of shit to death. These evil "Jehovah's Witnesses" first predicted the world would end in 1918. They've predicted the world would end several times since. The leaders live an upper class lifestyle from the donations of the poor brainwashed schmucks that give them part of their minimum wage paycheck. He's here to recruit more schmucks to help pay off his new boat.
Truth is, it's easier for any religion or politics to control, manipulate or whatever you call it. But being intelligent and having knowledge helps you understand more things connected to bible studies.
Its not the watchtowers worst fear. Watchtower don't fear anything! They have the true God with them! People who decide to go to college will go to college it doesn't mean it "will" ruin their faith, but it "could" ruin their faith. The watchtower does not control people. They are just sharing The Word to people. Going to college would be worthless as this system is passing away soon. People have a mind of their own it is their choice.They just don't want you to fall from the truth.
We are not able, or willing, to tell you what to do ... but going to college and remaining as Witness can be compared to surviving a rifle blast to the brain! Give ... me ... a ... break!
@TheWriterWalker If you go to college, you'll get a compulsive disorder that will force you to commit suicide. That's the stupidest and funniest thing I've ever heard! He talks like going to college is hell. "Oh, don't get a higher education! Then you will be accomplished, unlike me!" Frigging idiots.
The more I listen to this talk, the more appalled I become. I cannot believe any organization would discourage higher education. I remember going to college 10 years after high school and, after a few years of it, realized how much it made me grow and mature and appreciate so much of what life has to offer. How dare any organization try to suppress such growth in its members! It's tragic how many financial futures were derailed by persons' being frightened into complying with this whim.
Sadly, to survive in this world, you need collage because jobs do not hire you anymore without a degree. Sad that this cult is told NOT to get a job so that they can become homeless.
Is this idiot really comparing a college education with a suicide attempt??? This is one of the most disgusting things I have ever heard. I used to be involved with the JW's but haven't believed their garbage for a long time. Even I never heard anything as disgusting as this in all my years of going to their Kingdom Hall. First the guy says that it's up to you to decide about college, then he compares it to suicide! Talk about brainwashing and propaganda!
@Jmswlks, I completely agree with you. I was also appalled by the suicide comparison but wasn't sure how to articulate my feelings about it. Thank you for helping me do so.
Even the scriptures say " you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" ignorance is no excuse for bigotry and hate. If it were my kids, I would be very angry that these fools wanted to harm them in this way. Everyone needs to study, theocratic study is just one part of that which makes a mature individual.
@vincedeporter, they discouraged college in the 80s, too, when I graduated. I was always so academically smart, and not very street smart, that it was criminal to tell someone like me NOT to excel in the academe. Twenty years later, I'm still paying for that decision.
1 John 2:16-we don't want to gain riches and money. Jesus said keep your eye simple-Luke 11:34. We should be simple, and satisfied with sustenance and covering-1 Timothy 6:8-10. Why waste TIME, slaving away for riches, where moth and rust consume-Matthew 6:19-21. Slave for God, inherit everlasting life! Matthew 5:5. Romans 6:16-with righteousness in view. Matthew 19:21. Matthew 6:24-you cannot slave for God and for riches. Jesus wants disciples-Matthew 4:17,24:14, 28:19,20. Acts 20:20.
Yea, All you doctors and nurses drop out of collage and flip burgers at Burger King and feed me when I come to get a Hamber ! i like people where I can tell them what to do ! All you people that need Medical care. Just pray more and we will let Joseph Smith heal you ! You can speak in the prayer if you like put Jesus in it too. Educated people are just hard to tell what to do ! Help us out here !
Even Jesus was a Carpenter by Trade....... every needs a means of supporting themsleves. Before I was babtized, i was in college and in the military, I left both to get babtized, after babtism I took a part time job so i could go out in service in the mornings during the work week, when my bills piled up and my lights got turned off and i had no money for my son...... I was told to lean on Jehovah, leave it in Jehovahs hands.... how come I can give, give and give to the org. But the org doesnt..
UGH!!! PEOPLE GET THE FACTS BEFORE U SPEAK!!! Jehovah's Witnesses DO NOT have ANYTHING against ANYONE getting a higher education. What they do advise, though, is to not make it the center of your life. They preach keeping God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and not letting ANYTHING such as attending college get in the way of your relationship with God. There are plenty of JWs who are doctors and lawyers so how much of a hypocrisy would that be if they told others not to go to school??? COME ON!!!
DUUUUUUUUUDe... did you not just hear what this scam artist said?????????? hellloooooo????? you obviously didn't even READ what he was saying..... in ITalian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he SAID... Education was like shooting yourself in the head with a gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In a nutshell what he is saying is that just stay ignorant so you can get a creepy mind whacking brainwash, C-R-E-E-P-Y! when ppl repeat evil history! remember the times prior to the lutheran movement!
This is what they do to their members. They plant fear into them, telling them the end is near, just so that the sheep will mindlessly follow. A higher education means discovering much more than what is told by authority. Of course they would tell their sheep not to pursue higher education. That way their members won't be able to think for themselves. They love their sheep uneducated. Jehovah's Witnesses, what say you?
If you had a week to live, you wouldn't want to waste those 7 days watching tv. you would want to your loved ones how much they mean to you.
Likewise, Preaching is encouraged in this short amount of time to help people learn the bible. It's about using the time for the best. It's completely down to you, it just depends how much you want to dedicate to God. My JW my bro&sis went to Uni as did their friends. And next year I hope to go! But I wont leave behind my God and his word in the bible.
How many people could have passed out of college while the Witnesses have been predicting the end of the world! The first prediction was 1914!
How's the Last Days and the generation of 1914 going? Oh yeah, the Witnesses have scraped that doctrine! Old Jehovah he does like to play his games with his 'organisation'. Funny because in the Old Testament the jealous rotten bastard doesn't appear to have much of a sense of humour :)
Shame on you Joho's and other religions for condiotioning people's minds!! 25 years of my life spent listening to you!! Limiting others will get you nowhere!! I have to make up for the opportunites I lost! I have to pay my bills while you (speaker)have yours paid, your food is prepared and your bed sheets changed...by others!
I had refused to go to college for the reasons cited above; if this world's gonna be gone before I reach middle-age, what's the point?
I'm now middle-aged, on disability with no career skills/experience beyond manual labor/janitorial, dealing with total disillusionment. That advice sure worked great for me!
I too had the experience of the elders telling me not to go to college - the end will come before I finish. I graduated from college over 20 years ago. I saw the gardeners and cabinet refinishers in my congragation and KNEW I wanted better than that. They are struggling to make ends meet and I have a new house, a beautiful wife with, yup - grown and happy kids! And to think the elders told me I would not even finish college! I left the Truth after realizing it's a LIE!
@socasack Yeah, the elders told me not to think about getting a girlfriend but to wait until the new system to get married. They saw how much work I was capable of doing and so they relentlesssly pressured me to go to bethel. I didn't want to and when i didn't go , the fit really hit the shan. Things went downhill from there until I got sick of it all and ended up leaving the religion.
@socasack you lucky so-and-so, I was one of the 'faithful' ones (read: naive sheep) who pioneered and went to MTS, so only now 20 years late am I able to finally consider university, but I am almost certain I'm going to do it now, for the very reasons you said. I realised I didn't want to be cleaning windows in my 40s 50s and 60s. A lot of JWs are going to be in a very tricky position when they hit retirement, if they aren't already. Really glad to hear things worked out well for you anyway! =)
if a person has belief or the "holy spirit inside of them" , for some phenomenological reason, after taking psychology or philosophy 101, the word belief transforms into logic and the holy spirit flees into darkness. why? simple, college opens the mind and gives u the self courage to ask bold questions, and not to be intimidated by society or any religious belief system.
u see, the CULT leaders are well aware of this, and in order to control the feeble mind, they discourage college...sad...
@PaperKuut - "This is only Elder's suggestion, if you choose to go to Uni/College...no one is stopping you." - Do you really believe that horseshit you just spouted? This is NOT just one Elders opinion. It is the stance of the Watchtower Society, and is EASILY confirmed on their Watchtower CD as I just did.
This is a perfect example about why people leave the cult: normal education is forbidden. And why? Well, because then we would learn how things are and would no longer be stupid sheeps.
This is effing bs!!! so what now? are we just not going to have professionals i.e. doctors,lawyers,engineers,etc. Then j.w don't go to doctors when you're sick since you don't want your kids to go to college! ugh dumba**es!!! trying to paralyze our world!!!
I had this experience. Elders within my congregation told me 'there is no point in going to university, as the end will come before you finish - spend instead your time in the full time ministry'. I consider the above to be a stark example of the danger associated with this constricted and controlling teaching. It's example of the attempt to control thought and to restrict free thinking. Go to university and learn the fantastic marvels of this world. Beware this. Think. Be free. Think freely...
It is not higher education itself that is of concern, but the environment. For example, one student rating his professor claimed online that the professor constnantly stressed being gay was the best way. Also you will be around drugs and the wild lifestyle which you may give in to if being constantly exposed to it. College is where you learn the "greed is good" Bernie Madoff business beliefs. It is like a Christian with Caananites or Sodomites. This, I belive was the concern not education.
@000266617 Sounds like you swallowed down their propaganda good and proper. College/university is a place of learning, bottom line. If you don't want to engage in certain behaviours, then don't - it's not on the syllabus. Are JWs really that weak that as soon as sex/drugs is presented, they accept it? The WTS emphasis the moral 'dangers' to prevent people from going, but the real reason is that they know it will make you do the one thing they are afraid of - QUESTION. Not blindly accept.
I wonder if this moron understands that the sound devices, microphone, amplifier and speakers he is using has been designed by engineers who went to college or university. What a hypocrite.
The problem is this: Everyone thinks their home congregation is representative of the whole organisation. So if you grow up in a congregation that is moderate on the subject of education, then you tend to think the whole organisation is moderate. This is not the case. The official position is "get a college education if you must, be we don't recommend it." Different congregations apply this patently bad advice with varying degrees of misguided dedication.
Ya, sure, drop out of school and piss your life away, annoying people at their doorstep and wherever else you can find them. Working at a menial, low paying, soul sucking part-time job makes you better than others. You will save yourself and others when you've become skilled at being a vexatious salesperson of religion. It builds character to get criticized, yelled at, spit upon, physically assaulted, etc.
this is totally stupid coming from a human standpiont God doesn't say in the whole bible don't go to school but provide for your own household. I was brainwashed into this pathetic reasoning for almost 20 years thank God no more.
Try asking the JW leaders for help when you can't pay the rent or put food on the table because you were told to put the JW's first instead of an education and good paying job.See what they tell you.But if your happy frying burgers and fries and working for 5 an hour,then stay with the JW's.The JW leaders live good.How about you?
I was born and raised a JW. I was a believer for 20+ years. I dropped out of college, let alone get a full education. That was an empty life.
Now that I've read up I realize that there's no need to believe there's a god - I'm an atheist. I'll be going back to school to study microbiology in summer.
The life I'm living now is so much better than when I was a JW. You can be happy either way, but true freedom comes only with accurate knowledge of the world around you.
from some of the responses by JW's it appears that many JW's do not succumbe to the pressure of the WTBTS not to go into higher education. I know many JJW's and am encouraged by the enginuity through which they retain their humanity by controverting Watchtower rules. I feel sorrow however that they have to go though such contortions !
I too am a Jehovah Witness and educated. I am a nurse and do know Dr's who are JW's. It is a balance that is needed. We want to protect our children from what goes on at Universities. Sex (could cause STD's) Drugs (addiction) Drinking (health Problems. Plus only 1 out of 3 grads get the job they went to school for. 2/3 do not. I am all for protecting my children. And I feel most parents hopefully are too.
@shihtzufizzers So, I imagine that you contracted a STD after setting foot at an university...that is if you actually even been to one. It's funny that you should mention about MDs being JWs, in all my years working in medicine/science I have never met a colleague that is closely affiliated to any creationist religion, let alone a cult such as the JWs.
I'm a JW and so is my family. They all went to college and I was always encouraged to go too. Not going has never really been an option for me.There are a lot of people with college degrees in my congregation too. One of the elders is a math teacher, he was my teacher in HS @_@ . No one is banned from going.
BTW, college its costing me $28,000 a year. I'm on financial aid and I still need loans. : (
Good luck to all of you who are going back, I hope you guys choose a degree that is worthwhile
Wow! God does not want us to become smart and use our minds huh? I wonder why he even gave us brains then? Maybe I should listen to the Watchtower organization and stay stupid and blind. I already obtained a college education, so maybe I should blow my brains out like this guy says! Then if I survive, the smart part of my brain will be gone and then I can start worshipping these idiots in New York! I would never tell my child to not attend college! This is truly the work of the devil!!!!
Reminds me of Steven Hassan's story in Releasing The Bonds. "I became convinced that God wanted me to drop out of school, quit my job... and follow the "Messiah"... Sun Myung Moon... I came to believe that Armageddon was at hand, that World War III would start in 1977, and that we alone were personally responsible for defeating Satan and erecting the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. I worked 18 to 20 hours a day, seven days a week fundraising, recruiting and indoctrinating new members"
Do not pursue higher education. There is very little time left! Make pioneer service, the full time ministry with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service, your goal.
This makes me sick. I was brought up as an JW, and you see so many of them wasting their lives by a) marrying young so they can get to actually have sexual intercourse and b) not getting an education. My family are still JW's, my nieces and nephews are at the bottom of the economic heap because they were disuaded from getting an education. Now they claim benefits and drain my hard-earned taxpayers money
In Sweden the situation is not quite as bad for them. I should say they are an aging religion. Only one out of four kids in JW families become JWs. I haven't been to meetings for years, but the signs are evident:
They are slowly on the decrease, the oldtimers are the ones left. And then, as THEY leave the scene ... !
I agree with you. If one has "the truth", one should not be afraid to question it. In fact, if one would question it, I believe that would make their faith stronger. ~Namaste
"The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the "time of the end" began in 1799; that the Lord's second presence began in 1874." (The Watchtower, March 1, 1922)
The indisputable facts are that the Watchtower Society is a FRAUD!
The governing body are gonna ROT IN HELL FIRE (greek: pur asbestos) for all eternity. Matt 25v41 & Rev 14v10,11
Also the GREAT CROWD are in HEAVEN.
Rev 7 v9,15, Rev 19 v1 and the LAST DAYS started in 33CE Acts 2 v17.
it is not OK - they're hypocrites because there are many JWs who've become Lawyers etc. FOR the WTS ! they have nothing but double standards to the detriment of the rest of the Rank an file.
i see nobody watched the video as i have... it just said that college is not such a good idea and a waste of time and money. i tend to agree soo much although i AM in college all around the world the college idea is accepted and sought after. that`s pretty good. i question myself. what will i do with that degree. wipe my *** with it. if you say college was liberating and gave you a better life, free of worries. i say: liar liar pants on fire:P
OMG!!! No kidding I agree!!!! When I started college it was like a big ol' smack in the face that said..."You were SOOOO brainwashed and here is all the sh!t they don't want you to know!" Oh yeah doesn't take much to knock the nonsense out of the societies bullsh!t when you have an ounce of common sense and fraction of a decent non-bias education. God I was SOOO brainwashed!!!! HOW SICK!
Something extraordinary happens when you get to college, you begin to think independently. Of course, you've still got annoying, fundie professors trying to force their own annoying beliefs (*coughevilutioncough*) on you, so you really don't win. But at least you realize that having a free mind feels awesome.
This is one of the WT's worst fears.
They want to keep you as ignorant as possible. And they keep you busy so you don't even have the time to think about asking questions.
Evolution is not a belief, it is something you either accept or you don't, no belief necessary. And any serious study into it and the facts surrounding it would reveal it to be true to the best of our knowledge.
@OuttaEgypt Evolution is true. After I realized JW's were a cult I didn't stop there, i kept researching and questioning. I came to realize that religion all religions are false. Centuries of religion will not leave human culture so quickly. I think rationally research and question everything. I only believe in things I know are true, logical and have facts to back them up. Science is the search for truth, it requires testing and facts to back it up. Blind faith is not truth.
@OuttaEgypt, as one who should have leapt into college after high school but didn't because of the type of advice given in the video, I can wholeheartedly agree with you.
@OuttaEgypt Its not the watchtowers worst fear. Watchtower don't fear anything! They have the true God with them! People who decide to go to college will go to college it doesn't mean it "will" ruin their faith, but it "could" ruin their faith. The watchtower does not control people. They are just sharing The Word to people. Going to college would be worthless as this system is passing away soon. People have a mind of their own it is their choice.They just don't want you to fall from the truth.
Every lawyer in their legal department got their "higher education" in order to become lawyers. They are also JW's. It seems the rules do not apply to everyone...
Not necessarily, The lawyers that are hired by the JWs dont have to be witnesses, just have the willingness to back up there beliefs in a court of law. but you see, thats the thing about it all. read what this man is saying in the text of the movie. Not once does he say DONT GO TO COLLEGE but he makes points why its not worth their time and how dangerous it is, and the ones that do go have a horrible experience and barely make it out alive. using the power of persuasion to keep them all scared.
true that, my brotha, true that. also, any group or organization that insists that you not study the bible on your own and only through there help is not a religion, it is classified as a cult. they say you are to unknowledgeable to study it with out the help of the faithful and discrete slave. there basically saying we are to stupid to understand God. God is simple. I feel pretty sad for the wittnesses that watch this and think its awsome to be toldto not better yourself live for the end. sad
@GraemeTerrafolk Yes many things do happen at college. STD, rape, drugs ect. And I do have feel thinking. I went to college and i am educated. I tell my kids who are JW's yes become educated, do it responsibly and remember just because you go to college does not mean a great job with life long happiness. Ask anyone A job can even lead to a great deal of stress and unhappiness. Internal happiness comes from knowing Jehovah. Not your career
Whatever this religion was at one time - true or not - it has not evolved into the apex of what it describes as "Christendom"; the fatih still teaches some valid and unadulterated lessons from the Bible, but more and more it is defiled with opinionated filth from persons such as this "governing body" member;
I was born a witness and I never got any support to get a higher education. I wish I had thought for myself just once in those years and made the decision to realize that God wants us to learn and make better people of ourselves. The JW's don't want you to learn and expand your knowledge because that raises questions and let me tell you. there are thousands of questions I wanted to ask but was always discouraged because it was a lack of faith if I questioned things. it is a sad but true reality.
Do not pursue higher education. There is very little time left! Make pioneer service, the full time ministry with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service, your goal.
Had I known the truth when I was in high school, I would not have went to college. Why waste time learning the things I need to know in order to be an important part of Satan's system of things, making a little more money than I would otherwise, but not knowing nearly as much about Jehovah, and the truth he wants me to extoll. I only need enough money to eat, have shelter, and pay necessary bills. I do not need to go to college to have these things.
So why go to high school then? Higher education will enrich the mind and make you aware. It is a gift from God to make the most out of life. Why limit the mind to routine.
Those that are less less educated are easier to gain control over, their options are limited in life sorry to say, life is a continuation of bettering ones life. I thought life was about attaining balance in all aspects of life, when you breaksdown the whole JW religion it's about control, control of very lost sheep.
Jesus looked next to the man on the torture stake who simply said " I believe in you Lord", and said "... you will be with me in paradise". This is the example that Jesus left for us to learn from. Other folks Jesus used as examples for us today? How about the Roman centurion. A military man, counted faithful. Whores, sinners - faithful believers. The holy spirit is not controlled by you JW's. It is free to all. Ill show it to you in your poorly translated bible.
I think the WTS wants you spend as much time as possible in field service, gaining new converts. You can't do that when you're in the lecture hall studying Nietzsche.
who believe that a higher education and a lucrative career are the keys to true success and happiness. (Romans 12:2) Like Timothy, you will need to fight the fine fight of the faith in order to get a firm hold on the everlasting life that Jehovah holds out to you.—1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:12.
14 Giving priority to goals that honor Jehovah is the wisest course but by no means the easiest. When it comes to choosing a career, for example, you may come under a great deal of pressure from relatives, peers, and well-meaning educators
I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness from the time I was 2 years old until I was about 16 and disassociated myself from that organization. Although, I think it's awful advice people will ultimately do what they want. I was subjected to over 4000 hours of that programming along with mental, emotional,physical, and spiritual abuse at home. I spoke to one of their "elders" and was told they were no longer telling young people that.......However, we ultimately will all do what we really want.
Im so sorry to hear what you have been through. I worry very much about my niece and nephew. Their mother (my brothers wife) is a JW, and I swear they are like little robots. We are not allowed to be around them, not even my mother, their grandma. They were also told no college, no sports, no nothing. Its very very sad what is happening to children
I actually get a knot in my stomach ever time I think of how the WTS ****** my life!
I grew up during the generation when higher education was completely forbidden, yes forbidden! I now have nephews and neices that are JW's and have gone to college and make double what I make! And they are only in their twenties! This mind control sickens me! Think for yourselves! Don't let other men think for you! I say this with all sincerity to help the young ones traped in this religious web!
I had considered JWs to be a benign group until I heard that they discourage higher education. Now I realize they were understating it! The speaker is telling the assembly that if they are to be faithful, they will quit college or university. He praises those who abandon their almost attained goals to leave school and enter the ministry!
The writer below me is correct, though a bit abrasive! The faithful and discreet slave class want no worldly knowledge to influence young minds in their flock.
They discourage college because they discourage independent thinking. See that way they have more of your brain to try and control. Anyone who actually follows JW beliefs are brainwashed morons. If an elder told them to drink poison koolaid in order to catch a comet into the new world order they would do it-dumbassed invalids-no brainers-Always question authority once you don't you've become a robot..
They discourage independent thinking, they say its a demonic trait. I was a JW but i couldnt agree with certain things.... But i went to college, i would have my bachelor by now if they didnt discourage me but im 22 and it aint tooo late.
Yeah, I think we should all pray to God and ask whether it is important to receive a strong education or completely ignore the accomplishments of science in the last hundred years........
I have many friends who are Witnesses. They do not ignore the accomplishments of science. Their magazines and books regularly highlight the accomplishments of science and medicine. I also know Witnesses who are doctors, pharmacists, computer security specialists, and any other carreer/job you can think of. I know a lot of college graduates who can't find jobs or who DO have jobs that have nothing to do with the what they studied in college. Thousands of dollars wasted on "higher education".
The more I learn about these cults like JW, the scarier they seem. Check out 1:38 when he says the end is near. JW founder, Charles Taze Russell, said the world was ending in 1914 but obviously, it didn't. Wake up people! Live your lives! Go to college where you will learn to think critically. Then, if you still believe what they are telling you, fine.But if you come to another conclusion, at least you thought it out for yourself.
What's your PURPOSE for higher education? To gain wealth, better employment or to have wisdom? I've read many articles and observed also many people's lives - most wealthy people are not college graduates; mostly employment criteria is based on attitude and character and not on intelligence acquired from higher education. The best education is Bible Education, if only you'll put your heart and soul into it.
americainc.: Yes it is. They are so programmed with Watchtower & Awake catch phrases they have lost all their own reasoning abilities. The Watchtower studies where we all repeated propaganda in the form of questions & answers from the material is a well known brainwashing technique. If you repeat the propaganda in your own words you begin to think that it's your own beliefs. I never believed it even as a child so I could leave very easily when the time came.
He makes it sound like the tribulation is coming around the corner and he forgets that scripturally speaking, nobody knows when the "end" will come. I notice how he says that elders are not the "masters of faith," and that parents and children should make individual decisions. However, from experience, students have limited agency in these matters when parents quote an elder's words to control their childrens' behavior. Oh...HOW IS "SURVIVING COLLEGE" LIKE SHOOTING YOURSELF?!
i was raised as a jw and understand both sides of the argument. basically jws should read modern atheist books and non jws will never be able to empathize because they werent indoctrinated into a wacky cult. what i dont understand, however, are all of the othr christians talking about how jws specifically use fear tactics to maintain high control. of course they do, exactly like every other religion in the world. the whole idea of fearing god illustrates this.
it is advice. i am currently in university and i'm not in the slightest made to feel that i made the wrong choice by anyone in the congregation. You always have a choice in any action you take.
I will make a point to share this post with my friend that was shunned for celebrating her daughter's birthday, or another friend that was shunned for attending his grandfather's funeral service in a Catholic Church.
Your posting, and similar, are ridiculous.
Those of us that lived this life for MANY years know the truth about "The Truth".
In the way of a reminder, one of the Ten Commandments is "Not Bearing False Witness".
The claims being made by the JW's here are dubious at best.
and to answer your question, yes I am a JW. I speak 4 languages & only need to work 3 days a week, all while being educated as a JW. I don't have 2 brand new cars, but I do have 1. I don't have a big house, but I own my own property, I also have a 5 year old that speaks 3 languages, so it's safe to say that JWs allow an education.
Yes they allow it. But they discourage it directly and indirectly. "Remain Without Spot From the World", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, p. 17 par. 10. Ignorance is bliss perhaps.
I was involved with the Witnesses for some years, never got baptized and I am so glad I didn't. I am now an atheist because I have been brainwashed so much from these people and religion as a whole. People DON'T need a religion or a GOD to be a good person. These people are just lost, very lost. They are a cult! To think for yourself and have a good heart is the power that we all have without the need for any religion. Law Of Attraction!
Interesting considering the Watchtower Society Needs the Use of Laywers from time to time. There are Laywers who represent the Watchtower that are witnesses. Hmmm if not for the schooling...then how would they have been able to defend themselves? This seems very fishy to me. As a child of an elder myself. (never baptized). I can attest that Families in the JW congregations that I have been around my whole life, talk down Higher Education Consistently.
How appalling! Here is a very old man, completely insulated by the bureaucracy of a billion dollar publishing company encouraging the young members of his audience to forego college? Because the end is near?!? How many more thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses have to have their lives ruined by such ludicrous rhetoric to know that the Watchtower is a false prophet! WHAT are they so afraid that these young ones will learn in college?! The true nature of cults and the perils of mind control?!
this video makes me sick to my stomach. i love how they are supposedly "making implications" or "only suggesting" what to do. A college education teaches logic, and the society does not use logic whatsoever in their interpretation of scripture. A logical person can easily see that the WTS is completely out of their mind and is simply a high control group...or cult, if you prefer to use that word. this org. is based on FEAR. knowledge, logic, and wisdom have the ability to dominate this fear
stlredhead.....what were you able to learn in college? And in what ways are JWs ruined? They don't have the big house & white picket fence, 2.3 children, a dog, a cat, 2 brand new cars, a 70 hour work week, the mortgage to go with that house, the debt of having 2 brand new cars, the stress related illnesses related to having to work 70 hrs, just to have those things. Are those the things JWs are being kept from because they are banned from stepping foot inside a college?
It seems apparent that freethinker's objective in presenting this video was to under score the IMPLICATION of avoiding a college career for a young Witness. I see, and appreciate the comments of those Witnesses that have gone to school (BRAVO!) But, in any way to suggest that the prevailing spirit within the congragation is TO go to college is false, and an insult to the many thousands of bright witness teens over the years that acquiesced to the pressure of their parents and elders to NOT go.
If my understanding of your motive in your posting was misunderstood, I stand corrected. For the thousands of young witnesses that have watched this, the insidious nature of this speaker's words will resonant with the spirit of individual restraint. At a Circuit Assembly in 1981, I heard a speaker ask this: "Why paint the ship while it is sinking?" The next year I was the one that acquiesced and passed on a college scholarship. I hope the JW youths today hear the hypocrisy louder than I did...
I know each and every JW that has posted a comment here and you should know, I am reporting ALL of you to your elders and requesting an immediate Judicial Hearing for you to be disfellowshipped. If you followed the Watchtower you should know that you are Forbidden to watch or read these apostate videos and comments. You will not be resurected from the dead, you will not collect everlasting life.
these guys might be on to something. the current uni system is not about learning or education. At least, the current uni system only makes sense to people who have "primed" for it.
I'm a Witness & a pioneer. I have a degree in computer programming & I speak 4 languages. All while being a Witness & pioneer. The whole argument of Witnesses not being able to enjoy a higher education is untrue. It's when education is before anything else, is when it becomes discouraged. As long as you can have balance in the other parts of your life then there shouldn't be a problem.
Which prominent member? There's no such thing as a prominent member of the GB....Now if he thinks he's prominent then he has a few issues on self importance to work on before he should be saying anything....I get what you're trying to say though, you heard a comment about education somewhere, but by the time it got to you it comes out as JWs no like edukashun.....I'm glad you corrected me on that, I'm going to give back my degree right now.
Ummm I wish I would have been in your congregation then...sounds to be more liberal than the ones I have been in my life. I am the son of an elder (never Baptized), I was never allowed to set foot in college, my sisters were banned, cousins, friends etc. (that were also witnesses). I HAD to leave my house to go to college bro. One speaker like the one in the video above affects hundreds upon thousands of families that make decisions for their children on this. And I was one of many.
it makes me so sick to think about that. A simple talk like the one above causes so much destruction and chaos among the many innocent families in the organization. its a very sad thing when one comes to this realization.
This is the trouble with the "matters of conscience". One set of parents may be totally casual about the whole thing, and another, completely extreme. My own JW mother was, and is, totally extreme, more than any other JW I know of. College wasn't an option, and I hated the ministry so much so I couldn't fulfil my mothers dream and pioneer, so I got a full time poorly paid job. I was a straight A student in secondary school, and that was wasted , I ended up delivering tea to old ladies...
@mollydec I take it that one of the four languages that you "speak" is not Italian, otherwise you would see that they guy on the podium is trying to persuade the listeners not to go to college.
BTW: A "degree" in computer programming from a trade college is not actually considered a college education, that's just a trade school.
I'm a JW from Chile. I attended this convention, but in January 2006.
For us, JW, is not forbidden to go to college. I'm actually a year away from getting my degree to be an English Teacher.
But the thing is that UNFORTUNATELY, the preassures are so strng at college for some of the young christians that attend it is very hard to stay away from them.
So, spiritual things go first, and then the rest(studies), if you want to.
I was raised a JW. Education beyond high school was discouraged. Having a secular career was discouraged. Getting married and building a family was discouraged. Going to Bethel was encouraged. Missionary work was encouraged. Hey Mom. Hey Dad. Thanks for getting me started on my way to a happy, satisfying, and productive life. (NOT!)
I agree with you. I am actually one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I am finishing school right now. But I actually made spiritual advancement during the time while I was in school( 2 hrs away from my parents). I did pretty well last semester too.
I too am a Jehovah's Witness and were they get the idea that we can't get a higher education is beyond me. My parents encourged me on going to college so I would'nt have to work at a gas plant where my dad spent 40 years he wanted me to work smarter not harder.
"I too am a Jehovah's Witness and were they get the idea that we can't get a higher education is beyond me." -- Just look at some older publications....you know, the ones written around 1975. You will see it was (and still is) discoraged because the end is/was/going to be/so close.
An educated slave is not a slave. Jehovah's Witnesses want your mind to be as large as they see fit. I was a Jehovah's Witness. I was kicked out of the religion and out of my own home when I was thirteen. Is this a loving orgranization???? Bullshit
What's hilarious about this is that the exact same talk, were talking WORD for WORD was given at a circuit assembly here in nothern California, I am currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses "Born in the Truth" on my way out to persue higher education. This talk is not doctored or fake in any way. These people will brainwash YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. My father was removed as an elder and my mother was reproved because they defended and supported my right to a higher education. This video makes me sick.
Growing up as JW's, we were always strongly discouraged from pursuing higher education. We would learn about evolution and start to doubt our faith. Also, our interest in getting degrees showed that we were not fully dedicated to God.
I can't imagine having stayed in the religion. It was never for me.
The teachings of the JW's are so simple and repetitive. Now, I don't necessarily think the answers to life's questions are complicated. But sometimes it's nice to wonder about things.
I agree! When I was younger I was a special pioneer and I was encouraged to become a secretary after high school. A freakin secretary! lol. Now I'm out of the cult and pursuing my bachelor's in health and nutrition, a minor in creative writing with a focus on french. take that, wtbts!
but did they get their degrees before or after they became JW's?
Wether they do this out of trying to keep people stupid and easier to brainwash or if they do it out of genuine concern for a person's spiritual well-being would be the debatable part - but to try and argue the JW organization fully supports people in going to college is simply not a true statement my friend and you may as well admit it.
LOOKING AROUND IN THE CONGREGATION, THE MAJORITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE
LACK ANY REAL PARENTAL DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO SUPPORTING ONESELF AS AN ADULT. MOST OF THEM TURN OUT TO BE A BUNCH OF MESSED-UP LOSERS. A THINKING, CARING PARENT WANTS THEIR CHILD TO
SUCCEED IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE...MAKING WISE DECISIONS AND MINIMIZING
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TIED TO POOR CHOICES. .
glasseye87 5 months ago
what a freakin nutter.. brainwashing 101... control by association... effing effed
chansonvoicestudios 5 months ago
Jehovah's Witnesses in a nut shell: 1) they love do demonize anyone or everything that goes against their tactics or anything that challenges their existence 2) They want to keep you as retarded as possible so that you can't think for yourself (easy to brain wash) 3) Obsessed with the end of the world, everyday is doomsday... oooh the end oooh the end is near...
BioChemicalMachine 5 months ago
From what I understand, they never say exactly that member of JW are not allowed to go to college or universities, but he said advisable. They talk about that, but no one I know in JW organization is disfellowship because they chose to go to college and university. My relatives are JW and they are all professionals! Those can do must do, but those who can't have choices, I know this because I have JW friends and they are lovely people. They don't steal, drunk and don't do drugs! Is that bad?
sam888ization 5 months ago
Parents in the audience should have beaten this rotten piece of shit to death. These evil "Jehovah's Witnesses" first predicted the world would end in 1918. They've predicted the world would end several times since. The leaders live an upper class lifestyle from the donations of the poor brainwashed schmucks that give them part of their minimum wage paycheck. He's here to recruit more schmucks to help pay off his new boat.
JCGMich29 6 months ago 3
Truth is, it's easier for any religion or politics to control, manipulate or whatever you call it. But being intelligent and having knowledge helps you understand more things connected to bible studies.
Mitsuomi86 6 months ago
Its not the watchtowers worst fear. Watchtower don't fear anything! They have the true God with them! People who decide to go to college will go to college it doesn't mean it "will" ruin their faith, but it "could" ruin their faith. The watchtower does not control people. They are just sharing The Word to people. Going to college would be worthless as this system is passing away soon. People have a mind of their own it is their choice.They just don't want you to fall from the truth.
logan500 6 months ago
We are not able, or willing, to tell you what to do ... but going to college and remaining as Witness can be compared to surviving a rifle blast to the brain! Give ... me ... a ... break!
TheWriterWalker 6 months ago
@TheWriterWalker If you go to college, you'll get a compulsive disorder that will force you to commit suicide. That's the stupidest and funniest thing I've ever heard! He talks like going to college is hell. "Oh, don't get a higher education! Then you will be accomplished, unlike me!" Frigging idiots.
Thorntrike 5 months ago
The more I listen to this talk, the more appalled I become. I cannot believe any organization would discourage higher education. I remember going to college 10 years after high school and, after a few years of it, realized how much it made me grow and mature and appreciate so much of what life has to offer. How dare any organization try to suppress such growth in its members! It's tragic how many financial futures were derailed by persons' being frightened into complying with this whim.
TheWriterWalker 6 months ago
Sadly, to survive in this world, you need collage because jobs do not hire you anymore without a degree. Sad that this cult is told NOT to get a job so that they can become homeless.
janequorzar 7 months ago
Is this idiot really comparing a college education with a suicide attempt??? This is one of the most disgusting things I have ever heard. I used to be involved with the JW's but haven't believed their garbage for a long time. Even I never heard anything as disgusting as this in all my years of going to their Kingdom Hall. First the guy says that it's up to you to decide about college, then he compares it to suicide! Talk about brainwashing and propaganda!
Jmswlks 7 months ago
@Jmswlks, I completely agree with you. I was also appalled by the suicide comparison but wasn't sure how to articulate my feelings about it. Thank you for helping me do so.
TheWriterWalker 6 months ago
Even the scriptures say " you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" ignorance is no excuse for bigotry and hate. If it were my kids, I would be very angry that these fools wanted to harm them in this way. Everyone needs to study, theocratic study is just one part of that which makes a mature individual.
InverJaze 7 months ago
This is a fucking crime!!! They discouraged college in THE 60'S!!!! Delusional child abusers!
vincedeporter 8 months ago
@vincedeporter, they discouraged college in the 80s, too, when I graduated. I was always so academically smart, and not very street smart, that it was criminal to tell someone like me NOT to excel in the academe. Twenty years later, I'm still paying for that decision.
TheWriterWalker 6 months ago
@TheWriterWalker
If you haven't already, consider taking night classes. I did, and graduated with a BS at 39. It's the best decision I ever made. It's never too late.
JCGMich29 6 months ago
"we dont want to force you to do anything, but here's a speech ment to make you feel really really really bad for going to college..."
NKPG90210 8 months ago
1 John 2:16-we don't want to gain riches and money. Jesus said keep your eye simple-Luke 11:34. We should be simple, and satisfied with sustenance and covering-1 Timothy 6:8-10. Why waste TIME, slaving away for riches, where moth and rust consume-Matthew 6:19-21. Slave for God, inherit everlasting life! Matthew 5:5. Romans 6:16-with righteousness in view. Matthew 19:21. Matthew 6:24-you cannot slave for God and for riches. Jesus wants disciples-Matthew 4:17,24:14, 28:19,20. Acts 20:20.
eternityandforever 8 months ago
Yea, All you doctors and nurses drop out of collage and flip burgers at Burger King and feed me when I come to get a Hamber ! i like people where I can tell them what to do ! All you people that need Medical care. Just pray more and we will let Joseph Smith heal you ! You can speak in the prayer if you like put Jesus in it too. Educated people are just hard to tell what to do ! Help us out here !
turtle4aire 8 months ago
fatti curare il cervello
Polymar1 10 months ago
Even Jesus was a Carpenter by Trade....... every needs a means of supporting themsleves. Before I was babtized, i was in college and in the military, I left both to get babtized, after babtism I took a part time job so i could go out in service in the mornings during the work week, when my bills piled up and my lights got turned off and i had no money for my son...... I was told to lean on Jehovah, leave it in Jehovahs hands.... how come I can give, give and give to the org. But the org doesnt..
luzfuller28 10 months ago
UGH!!! PEOPLE GET THE FACTS BEFORE U SPEAK!!! Jehovah's Witnesses DO NOT have ANYTHING against ANYONE getting a higher education. What they do advise, though, is to not make it the center of your life. They preach keeping God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and not letting ANYTHING such as attending college get in the way of your relationship with God. There are plenty of JWs who are doctors and lawyers so how much of a hypocrisy would that be if they told others not to go to school??? COME ON!!!
dorapierres 11 months ago
DUUUUUUUUUDe... did you not just hear what this scam artist said?????????? hellloooooo????? you obviously didn't even READ what he was saying..... in ITalian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he SAID... Education was like shooting yourself in the head with a gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chansonvoicestudios 5 months ago
Jehovah's Witnesses do not shun higher education. The highest of which is accurate knowledge of the Bible.
Examine a trees 'own' leaves. Examine the pages of 'our' publications. Regards.
megthepearl 11 months ago
Cognitive Dissonance at it's finest.
Flarf333 11 months ago
THE IDIOT IN THIS VIDEO HAS FORGOTTEN TO TELL YOU HOW MANY CIVIL ENGINEERS IT TOOK TO BUILD AND DESIGN THE BETHEL.
THIS IDIOT HAS FORGOTTEN TO TELL YOU THAT HE SEES A DOCTOR LIKE ALL THE BETHELISTS WHEN THEY DO NOT FEEL GOOD.
THIS IDIOT HAS FORGOTTEN TO MENTION HOW MANY LAWYERS THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYS TO DEAL WITH ALL THE LEGAL AFFAIRS.
DONTBELAZYCHECKALL 1 year ago 9
C-R-E-E-P-Y
darkblackgoddess 1 year ago
In a nutshell what he is saying is that just stay ignorant so you can get a creepy mind whacking brainwash, C-R-E-E-P-Y! when ppl repeat evil history! remember the times prior to the lutheran movement!
darkblackgoddess 1 year ago
This is what they do to their members. They plant fear into them, telling them the end is near, just so that the sheep will mindlessly follow. A higher education means discovering much more than what is told by authority. Of course they would tell their sheep not to pursue higher education. That way their members won't be able to think for themselves. They love their sheep uneducated. Jehovah's Witnesses, what say you?
ThePowerpuffGirIs 1 year ago 3
If you had a week to live, you wouldn't want to waste those 7 days watching tv. you would want to your loved ones how much they mean to you.
Likewise, Preaching is encouraged in this short amount of time to help people learn the bible. It's about using the time for the best. It's completely down to you, it just depends how much you want to dedicate to God. My JW my bro&sis went to Uni as did their friends. And next year I hope to go! But I wont leave behind my God and his word in the bible.
latinpapi1 1 year ago
@latinpapi1
How many people could have passed out of college while the Witnesses have been predicting the end of the world! The first prediction was 1914!
How's the Last Days and the generation of 1914 going? Oh yeah, the Witnesses have scraped that doctrine! Old Jehovah he does like to play his games with his 'organisation'. Funny because in the Old Testament the jealous rotten bastard doesn't appear to have much of a sense of humour :)
And these is no God. Get on with your life!
mousegeek 1 year ago
Okay, ima be as simple as possible, it doesn't matter your in college or not, as long as you contining serving Jehovah.
SonicFam24 1 year ago
Shame on you Joho's and other religions for condiotioning people's minds!! 25 years of my life spent listening to you!! Limiting others will get you nowhere!! I have to make up for the opportunites I lost! I have to pay my bills while you (speaker)have yours paid, your food is prepared and your bed sheets changed...by others!
duncan902 1 year ago
you have a right to make up your own mind in the end
eoshorse 1 year ago
wow....drop outta college...thats what they tell their members...I understand why my mother acts and does the the things that she does..
dbaile2 1 year ago
I had refused to go to college for the reasons cited above; if this world's gonna be gone before I reach middle-age, what's the point?
I'm now middle-aged, on disability with no career skills/experience beyond manual labor/janitorial, dealing with total disillusionment. That advice sure worked great for me!
727Phoenix 1 year ago 3
I too had the experience of the elders telling me not to go to college - the end will come before I finish. I graduated from college over 20 years ago. I saw the gardeners and cabinet refinishers in my congragation and KNEW I wanted better than that. They are struggling to make ends meet and I have a new house, a beautiful wife with, yup - grown and happy kids! And to think the elders told me I would not even finish college! I left the Truth after realizing it's a LIE!
socasack 1 year ago 2
@socasack Yeah, the elders told me not to think about getting a girlfriend but to wait until the new system to get married. They saw how much work I was capable of doing and so they relentlesssly pressured me to go to bethel. I didn't want to and when i didn't go , the fit really hit the shan. Things went downhill from there until I got sick of it all and ended up leaving the religion.
CatskillMountainView 1 year ago 2
@socasack you lucky so-and-so, I was one of the 'faithful' ones (read: naive sheep) who pioneered and went to MTS, so only now 20 years late am I able to finally consider university, but I am almost certain I'm going to do it now, for the very reasons you said. I realised I didn't want to be cleaning windows in my 40s 50s and 60s. A lot of JWs are going to be in a very tricky position when they hit retirement, if they aren't already. Really glad to hear things worked out well for you anyway! =)
gorgobar 11 months ago
if a person has belief or the "holy spirit inside of them" , for some phenomenological reason, after taking psychology or philosophy 101, the word belief transforms into logic and the holy spirit flees into darkness. why? simple, college opens the mind and gives u the self courage to ask bold questions, and not to be intimidated by society or any religious belief system.
u see, the CULT leaders are well aware of this, and in order to control the feeble mind, they discourage college...sad...
afterray 1 year ago
This is only Elder's suggestion, if you choose to go to Uni/College...no one is stopping you.
PaperKuut 1 year ago
@PaperKuut You are right, no one is stopping you. But you will get the cold shoulder and be gossipped about by others in the congregation.
CatskillMountainView 1 year ago
@PaperKuut - "This is only Elder's suggestion, if you choose to go to Uni/College...no one is stopping you." - Do you really believe that horseshit you just spouted? This is NOT just one Elders opinion. It is the stance of the Watchtower Society, and is EASILY confirmed on their Watchtower CD as I just did.
GungHo1032 1 year ago
This is a perfect example about why people leave the cult: normal education is forbidden. And why? Well, because then we would learn how things are and would no longer be stupid sheeps.
WillyDillyWillyDilly 1 year ago
This is effing bs!!! so what now? are we just not going to have professionals i.e. doctors,lawyers,engineers,etc. Then j.w don't go to doctors when you're sick since you don't want your kids to go to college! ugh dumba**es!!! trying to paralyze our world!!!
elenafab5 1 year ago
I had this experience. Elders within my congregation told me 'there is no point in going to university, as the end will come before you finish - spend instead your time in the full time ministry'. I consider the above to be a stark example of the danger associated with this constricted and controlling teaching. It's example of the attempt to control thought and to restrict free thinking. Go to university and learn the fantastic marvels of this world. Beware this. Think. Be free. Think freely...
chuggermaster 1 year ago
It is not higher education itself that is of concern, but the environment. For example, one student rating his professor claimed online that the professor constnantly stressed being gay was the best way. Also you will be around drugs and the wild lifestyle which you may give in to if being constantly exposed to it. College is where you learn the "greed is good" Bernie Madoff business beliefs. It is like a Christian with Caananites or Sodomites. This, I belive was the concern not education.
000266617 1 year ago
@000266617 The concern was that your mind would be open to see the cult for the lies it is. There is no light, no truth in it.
socasack 1 year ago 4
@000266617 Sounds like you swallowed down their propaganda good and proper. College/university is a place of learning, bottom line. If you don't want to engage in certain behaviours, then don't - it's not on the syllabus. Are JWs really that weak that as soon as sex/drugs is presented, they accept it? The WTS emphasis the moral 'dangers' to prevent people from going, but the real reason is that they know it will make you do the one thing they are afraid of - QUESTION. Not blindly accept.
gorgobar 11 months ago
I wonder if this moron understands that the sound devices, microphone, amplifier and speakers he is using has been designed by engineers who went to college or university. What a hypocrite.
betwixtX 1 year ago
The problem is this: Everyone thinks their home congregation is representative of the whole organisation. So if you grow up in a congregation that is moderate on the subject of education, then you tend to think the whole organisation is moderate. This is not the case. The official position is "get a college education if you must, be we don't recommend it." Different congregations apply this patently bad advice with varying degrees of misguided dedication.
hrc1967 1 year ago
@hrc1967 This is a member of the governing body - and by the looks of it, it's at a district assembly. This is not a small congregation.
socasack 1 year ago
Ya, sure, drop out of school and piss your life away, annoying people at their doorstep and wherever else you can find them. Working at a menial, low paying, soul sucking part-time job makes you better than others. You will save yourself and others when you've become skilled at being a vexatious salesperson of religion. It builds character to get criticized, yelled at, spit upon, physically assaulted, etc.
It's a better life!
Bobcat665 1 year ago
this is totally stupid coming from a human standpiont God doesn't say in the whole bible don't go to school but provide for your own household. I was brainwashed into this pathetic reasoning for almost 20 years thank God no more.
robsonidasouza 1 year ago
brain washing
skyym10 1 year ago
Try asking the JW leaders for help when you can't pay the rent or put food on the table because you were told to put the JW's first instead of an education and good paying job.See what they tell you.But if your happy frying burgers and fries and working for 5 an hour,then stay with the JW's.The JW leaders live good.How about you?
Bronxloyalist 1 year ago
I was born and raised a JW. I was a believer for 20+ years. I dropped out of college, let alone get a full education. That was an empty life.
Now that I've read up I realize that there's no need to believe there's a god - I'm an atheist. I'll be going back to school to study microbiology in summer.
The life I'm living now is so much better than when I was a JW. You can be happy either way, but true freedom comes only with accurate knowledge of the world around you.
laflugantabastardo 1 year ago 4
from some of the responses by JW's it appears that many JW's do not succumbe to the pressure of the WTBTS not to go into higher education. I know many JJW's and am encouraged by the enginuity through which they retain their humanity by controverting Watchtower rules. I feel sorrow however that they have to go though such contortions !
ironjohnlad 1 year ago
I too am a Jehovah Witness and educated. I am a nurse and do know Dr's who are JW's. It is a balance that is needed. We want to protect our children from what goes on at Universities. Sex (could cause STD's) Drugs (addiction) Drinking (health Problems. Plus only 1 out of 3 grads get the job they went to school for. 2/3 do not. I am all for protecting my children. And I feel most parents hopefully are too.
shihtzufizzers 1 year ago
@shihtzufizzers So, I imagine that you contracted a STD after setting foot at an university...that is if you actually even been to one. It's funny that you should mention about MDs being JWs, in all my years working in medicine/science I have never met a colleague that is closely affiliated to any creationist religion, let alone a cult such as the JWs.
chipotlex 1 year ago
I'm a JW and so is my family. They all went to college and I was always encouraged to go too. Not going has never really been an option for me.There are a lot of people with college degrees in my congregation too. One of the elders is a math teacher, he was my teacher in HS @_@ . No one is banned from going.
BTW, college its costing me $28,000 a year. I'm on financial aid and I still need loans. : (
Good luck to all of you who are going back, I hope you guys choose a degree that is worthwhile
LaurelleStars 1 year ago
Wow! God does not want us to become smart and use our minds huh? I wonder why he even gave us brains then? Maybe I should listen to the Watchtower organization and stay stupid and blind. I already obtained a college education, so maybe I should blow my brains out like this guy says! Then if I survive, the smart part of my brain will be gone and then I can start worshipping these idiots in New York! I would never tell my child to not attend college! This is truly the work of the devil!!!!
zhyde1980 1 year ago
Pros and Cons here. Con is that many innocent indoctrinated kids are being persuaded to not lead the best life they can possibly lead.
Pro is that when any religion consistantly discourages higher education it drastically decreases its chances of surviving long term as a religion.
So short term some people are malevolently affected, but long term JW's die off and the world is better off because of it.
robman419 1 year ago
Reminds me of Steven Hassan's story in Releasing The Bonds. "I became convinced that God wanted me to drop out of school, quit my job... and follow the "Messiah"... Sun Myung Moon... I came to believe that Armageddon was at hand, that World War III would start in 1977, and that we alone were personally responsible for defeating Satan and erecting the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. I worked 18 to 20 hours a day, seven days a week fundraising, recruiting and indoctrinating new members"
JerkhovahsWitless 1 year ago
Do not pursue higher education. There is very little time left! Make pioneer service, the full time ministry with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service, your goal.
WT 3/15/1969, p. 171
THEBEREANZ 1 year ago
This makes me sick. I was brought up as an JW, and you see so many of them wasting their lives by a) marrying young so they can get to actually have sexual intercourse and b) not getting an education. My family are still JW's, my nieces and nephews are at the bottom of the economic heap because they were disuaded from getting an education. Now they claim benefits and drain my hard-earned taxpayers money
konspiracykid 1 year ago 3
konspiracykid
In Sweden the situation is not quite as bad for them. I should say they are an aging religion. Only one out of four kids in JW families become JWs. I haven't been to meetings for years, but the signs are evident:
They are slowly on the decrease, the oldtimers are the ones left. And then, as THEY leave the scene ... !
tommotian 1 year ago
I agree with you. If one has "the truth", one should not be afraid to question it. In fact, if one would question it, I believe that would make their faith stronger. ~Namaste
inspirediam 2 years ago
"The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the "time of the end" began in 1799; that the Lord's second presence began in 1874." (The Watchtower, March 1, 1922)
The indisputable facts are that the Watchtower Society is a FRAUD!
The governing body are gonna ROT IN HELL FIRE (greek: pur asbestos) for all eternity. Matt 25v41 & Rev 14v10,11
Also the GREAT CROWD are in HEAVEN.
Rev 7 v9,15, Rev 19 v1 and the LAST DAYS started in 33CE Acts 2 v17.
Watchtower Society FALSE TEACHERS.
watchtowerisevil 2 years ago 6
Incredibile!
joeblokes 2 years ago
Yes, lets not educate the population. Much easier to control those whom to not THINK.
inspirediam 2 years ago 7
No JW Doctors or Lawyers or Leaders of Business or Teachers or Engineers or Scientists ... sounds ok to me.
hammerogod 2 years ago
it is not OK - they're hypocrites because there are many JWs who've become Lawyers etc. FOR the WTS ! they have nothing but double standards to the detriment of the rest of the Rank an file.
anni742 2 years ago
i see nobody watched the video as i have... it just said that college is not such a good idea and a waste of time and money. i tend to agree soo much although i AM in college all around the world the college idea is accepted and sought after. that`s pretty good. i question myself. what will i do with that degree. wipe my *** with it. if you say college was liberating and gave you a better life, free of worries. i say: liar liar pants on fire:P
PS if you reply i won`t respond back
unalex1 2 years ago
the watchtower should be made to pay support for all people that they persuaded to leave further education...
JustUsIce 2 years ago 5
OMG!!! No kidding I agree!!!! When I started college it was like a big ol' smack in the face that said..."You were SOOOO brainwashed and here is all the sh!t they don't want you to know!" Oh yeah doesn't take much to knock the nonsense out of the societies bullsh!t when you have an ounce of common sense and fraction of a decent non-bias education. God I was SOOO brainwashed!!!! HOW SICK!
seharinga 2 years ago 5
Something extraordinary happens when you get to college, you begin to think independently. Of course, you've still got annoying, fundie professors trying to force their own annoying beliefs (*coughevilutioncough*) on you, so you really don't win. But at least you realize that having a free mind feels awesome.
This is one of the WT's worst fears.
They want to keep you as ignorant as possible. And they keep you busy so you don't even have the time to think about asking questions.
OuttaEgypt 2 years ago 26
Evolution is not a belief, it is something you either accept or you don't, no belief necessary. And any serious study into it and the facts surrounding it would reveal it to be true to the best of our knowledge.
Mattrix0 2 years ago
@OuttaEgypt Evolution is true. After I realized JW's were a cult I didn't stop there, i kept researching and questioning. I came to realize that religion all religions are false. Centuries of religion will not leave human culture so quickly. I think rationally research and question everything. I only believe in things I know are true, logical and have facts to back them up. Science is the search for truth, it requires testing and facts to back it up. Blind faith is not truth.
MsAgnosticatheist 10 months ago 2
@MsAgnosticatheist I couldn't agree more with you.
Jmswlks 7 months ago
@OuttaEgypt, as one who should have leapt into college after high school but didn't because of the type of advice given in the video, I can wholeheartedly agree with you.
TheWriterWalker 6 months ago
@OuttaEgypt Its not the watchtowers worst fear. Watchtower don't fear anything! They have the true God with them! People who decide to go to college will go to college it doesn't mean it "will" ruin their faith, but it "could" ruin their faith. The watchtower does not control people. They are just sharing The Word to people. Going to college would be worthless as this system is passing away soon. People have a mind of their own it is their choice.They just don't want you to fall from the truth.
logan500 6 months ago
I did a participant-observation study on Jehovah's Witnesses. I lack words for the foolishness of their beliefs.
Telling people to drop out of college for religion is terrible. If we all listened to them there would be no doctors, lawyers, etc...
JacobHooper 2 years ago 7
religon thrives in an ingnorant population
83zeus 2 years ago 6
Every lawyer in their legal department got their "higher education" in order to become lawyers. They are also JW's. It seems the rules do not apply to everyone...
jeffinct 2 years ago 3
Not necessarily, The lawyers that are hired by the JWs dont have to be witnesses, just have the willingness to back up there beliefs in a court of law. but you see, thats the thing about it all. read what this man is saying in the text of the movie. Not once does he say DONT GO TO COLLEGE but he makes points why its not worth their time and how dangerous it is, and the ones that do go have a horrible experience and barely make it out alive. using the power of persuasion to keep them all scared.
Jakemanfrini 2 years ago
He also said you will be held accountable to Jehova if you do go to college....he is ultimately saying dont go to college.
rentz46 2 years ago
"Self Censorship" Gotta love it!
seharinga 2 years ago
true that, my brotha, true that. also, any group or organization that insists that you not study the bible on your own and only through there help is not a religion, it is classified as a cult. they say you are to unknowledgeable to study it with out the help of the faithful and discrete slave. there basically saying we are to stupid to understand God. God is simple. I feel pretty sad for the wittnesses that watch this and think its awsome to be toldto not better yourself live for the end. sad
Jakemanfrini 2 years ago
Keep the sheep ignorant and it is easier for them to follow.
GraemeTerrafolk 2 years ago 33
@GraemeTerrafolk Yes many things do happen at college. STD, rape, drugs ect. And I do have feel thinking. I went to college and i am educated. I tell my kids who are JW's yes become educated, do it responsibly and remember just because you go to college does not mean a great job with life long happiness. Ask anyone A job can even lead to a great deal of stress and unhappiness. Internal happiness comes from knowing Jehovah. Not your career
shihtzufizzers 1 year ago
Whatever this religion was at one time - true or not - it has not evolved into the apex of what it describes as "Christendom"; the fatih still teaches some valid and unadulterated lessons from the Bible, but more and more it is defiled with opinionated filth from persons such as this "governing body" member;
RF0011 5 months ago
I was born a witness and I never got any support to get a higher education. I wish I had thought for myself just once in those years and made the decision to realize that God wants us to learn and make better people of ourselves. The JW's don't want you to learn and expand your knowledge because that raises questions and let me tell you. there are thousands of questions I wanted to ask but was always discouraged because it was a lack of faith if I questioned things. it is a sad but true reality.
Jakemanfrini 2 years ago 5
Hi, this is really good to see. thanks for interpreting,,
your brother from Philippines
MrMrWillow 2 years ago
Go ahead, Gerrit Lösch. Spread the ignorance!
tommotian 2 years ago 6
Do not pursue higher education. There is very little time left! Make pioneer service, the full time ministry with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service, your goal.
WT 3/15/1969, p.171
THEBEREANZ 2 years ago 5
Had I known the truth when I was in high school, I would not have went to college. Why waste time learning the things I need to know in order to be an important part of Satan's system of things, making a little more money than I would otherwise, but not knowing nearly as much about Jehovah, and the truth he wants me to extoll. I only need enough money to eat, have shelter, and pay necessary bills. I do not need to go to college to have these things.
youbintubinallday 2 years ago
So why go to high school then? Higher education will enrich the mind and make you aware. It is a gift from God to make the most out of life. Why limit the mind to routine.
rentz46 2 years ago 4
Any body has the right to a higher education. Aint no J-dub gonna tell me any different.
Abbysmom303 2 years ago
Those that are less less educated are easier to gain control over, their options are limited in life sorry to say, life is a continuation of bettering ones life. I thought life was about attaining balance in all aspects of life, when you breaksdown the whole JW religion it's about control, control of very lost sheep.
recycler12 2 years ago 3
What wasted lives. Lets remain ignorant.
limpnail 2 years ago 5
no wonder j-dubs are so dumb
BrokenBassBin 2 years ago 3
Jesus looked next to the man on the torture stake who simply said " I believe in you Lord", and said "... you will be with me in paradise". This is the example that Jesus left for us to learn from. Other folks Jesus used as examples for us today? How about the Roman centurion. A military man, counted faithful. Whores, sinners - faithful believers. The holy spirit is not controlled by you JW's. It is free to all. Ill show it to you in your poorly translated bible.
originalcountrysongs 2 years ago
I think the WTS wants you spend as much time as possible in field service, gaining new converts. You can't do that when you're in the lecture hall studying Nietzsche.
AlaskanSky 2 years ago
a JW friend of mine once said, "Comparative religion classes poison people's minds."
I was stunned speechless because he got it so backwards.
AlaskanSky 2 years ago
who believe that a higher education and a lucrative career are the keys to true success and happiness. (Romans 12:2) Like Timothy, you will need to fight the fine fight of the faith in order to get a firm hold on the everlasting life that Jehovah holds out to you.—1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:12.
fudgeandcherry 2 years ago
So the William asisters should be disfellowshipped? Poverty and ignorance do not guarantee salvation.
WOO277 2 years ago
yes.because they are looking for stardom in this evil world., but the wITCHtower want do this,because they donate a lot of bucks.
Ni1234ck 2 years ago
14 Giving priority to goals that honor Jehovah is the wisest course but by no means the easiest. When it comes to choosing a career, for example, you may come under a great deal of pressure from relatives, peers, and well-meaning educators
fudgeandcherry 2 years ago
They still discourage higher education, but "trade school" is OK.
EMTecBOB 2 years ago
I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness from the time I was 2 years old until I was about 16 and disassociated myself from that organization. Although, I think it's awful advice people will ultimately do what they want. I was subjected to over 4000 hours of that programming along with mental, emotional,physical, and spiritual abuse at home. I spoke to one of their "elders" and was told they were no longer telling young people that.......However, we ultimately will all do what we really want.
TheChristyFurr 2 years ago
Im so sorry to hear what you have been through. I worry very much about my niece and nephew. Their mother (my brothers wife) is a JW, and I swear they are like little robots. We are not allowed to be around them, not even my mother, their grandma. They were also told no college, no sports, no nothing. Its very very sad what is happening to children
upliftedworrior 2 years ago 2
ya but had that not happpen you would be a different person today- the question is for better or worse?
yodaofhalo 2 years ago
Thank heavens we're not all easily led and gullable like these sheep...
fjbutch 2 years ago
I actually get a knot in my stomach ever time I think of how the WTS ****** my life!
I grew up during the generation when higher education was completely forbidden, yes forbidden! I now have nephews and neices that are JW's and have gone to college and make double what I make! And they are only in their twenties! This mind control sickens me! Think for yourselves! Don't let other men think for you! I say this with all sincerity to help the young ones traped in this religious web!
TheRealTruth1914 2 years ago 5
I had considered JWs to be a benign group until I heard that they discourage higher education. Now I realize they were understating it! The speaker is telling the assembly that if they are to be faithful, they will quit college or university. He praises those who abandon their almost attained goals to leave school and enter the ministry!
The writer below me is correct, though a bit abrasive! The faithful and discreet slave class want no worldly knowledge to influence young minds in their flock.
gtaivpcvids 2 years ago
They discourage college because they discourage independent thinking. See that way they have more of your brain to try and control. Anyone who actually follows JW beliefs are brainwashed morons. If an elder told them to drink poison koolaid in order to catch a comet into the new world order they would do it-dumbassed invalids-no brainers-Always question authority once you don't you've become a robot..
1conniejean 2 years ago 2
They discourage independent thinking, they say its a demonic trait. I was a JW but i couldnt agree with certain things.... But i went to college, i would have my bachelor by now if they didnt discourage me but im 22 and it aint tooo late.
D1ZaST4R 2 years ago 2
Yeah, I think we should all pray to God and ask whether it is important to receive a strong education or completely ignore the accomplishments of science in the last hundred years........
AutumnCanvas 2 years ago 2
I have many friends who are Witnesses. They do not ignore the accomplishments of science. Their magazines and books regularly highlight the accomplishments of science and medicine. I also know Witnesses who are doctors, pharmacists, computer security specialists, and any other carreer/job you can think of. I know a lot of college graduates who can't find jobs or who DO have jobs that have nothing to do with the what they studied in college. Thousands of dollars wasted on "higher education".
chuggachuggawoowoo 2 years ago 2
If I want a better education just to better myself then it aint the JW's problem.
Abbysmom303 2 years ago
The more I learn about these cults like JW, the scarier they seem. Check out 1:38 when he says the end is near. JW founder, Charles Taze Russell, said the world was ending in 1914 but obviously, it didn't. Wake up people! Live your lives! Go to college where you will learn to think critically. Then, if you still believe what they are telling you, fine.But if you come to another conclusion, at least you thought it out for yourself.
circe888 2 years ago
im not being rude or 'attacking' your comment,but,are you a Jehovah's Witness?
UsernameError69 2 years ago
What's your PURPOSE for higher education? To gain wealth, better employment or to have wisdom? I've read many articles and observed also many people's lives - most wealthy people are not college graduates; mostly employment criteria is based on attitude and character and not on intelligence acquired from higher education. The best education is Bible Education, if only you'll put your heart and soul into it.
vdemotcorporation 2 years ago
My mom is a JW, its pointless arguing with them.
americaincorporated 2 years ago 2
americainc.: Yes it is. They are so programmed with Watchtower & Awake catch phrases they have lost all their own reasoning abilities. The Watchtower studies where we all repeated propaganda in the form of questions & answers from the material is a well known brainwashing technique. If you repeat the propaganda in your own words you begin to think that it's your own beliefs. I never believed it even as a child so I could leave very easily when the time came.
999Atwood 2 years ago
He makes it sound like the tribulation is coming around the corner and he forgets that scripturally speaking, nobody knows when the "end" will come. I notice how he says that elders are not the "masters of faith," and that parents and children should make individual decisions. However, from experience, students have limited agency in these matters when parents quote an elder's words to control their childrens' behavior. Oh...HOW IS "SURVIVING COLLEGE" LIKE SHOOTING YOURSELF?!
vasquez87 2 years ago
i was raised as a jw and understand both sides of the argument. basically jws should read modern atheist books and non jws will never be able to empathize because they werent indoctrinated into a wacky cult. what i dont understand, however, are all of the othr christians talking about how jws specifically use fear tactics to maintain high control. of course they do, exactly like every other religion in the world. the whole idea of fearing god illustrates this.
quantumdoom 2 years ago 2
"stlredhead.....what were you able to learn in college?"
(I have the distinct feeling I am answering a question of a Jehovah's Witness that will be "out" within a year)...
What I learned in college:
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
You are NEVER allowed to answer a question (in a truely academic arena) without a strict employment of critical analysis and EVIDENCE!
It is this process that disallows disinformation and the formation of harmful nonsense.
For the young kids of the Watchtower: RUN!
mrbarthoss 2 years ago
it is advice. i am currently in university and i'm not in the slightest made to feel that i made the wrong choice by anyone in the congregation. You always have a choice in any action you take.
aquajohnson 2 years ago
I will make a point to share this post with my friend that was shunned for celebrating her daughter's birthday, or another friend that was shunned for attending his grandfather's funeral service in a Catholic Church.
Your posting, and similar, are ridiculous.
Those of us that lived this life for MANY years know the truth about "The Truth".
In the way of a reminder, one of the Ten Commandments is "Not Bearing False Witness".
The claims being made by the JW's here are dubious at best.
mrbarthoss 2 years ago 4
and to answer your question, yes I am a JW. I speak 4 languages & only need to work 3 days a week, all while being educated as a JW. I don't have 2 brand new cars, but I do have 1. I don't have a big house, but I own my own property, I also have a 5 year old that speaks 3 languages, so it's safe to say that JWs allow an education.
38728570 2 years ago
Yes they allow it. But they discourage it directly and indirectly. "Remain Without Spot From the World", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, p. 17 par. 10. Ignorance is bliss perhaps.
pedorrocachorro 2 years ago 3
I was involved with the Witnesses for some years, never got baptized and I am so glad I didn't. I am now an atheist because I have been brainwashed so much from these people and religion as a whole. People DON'T need a religion or a GOD to be a good person. These people are just lost, very lost. They are a cult! To think for yourself and have a good heart is the power that we all have without the need for any religion. Law Of Attraction!
zerohax369 2 years ago 3
Stop complaining just because we don't let you do what you want all the time.
zombie900 2 years ago
Interesting considering the Watchtower Society Needs the Use of Laywers from time to time. There are Laywers who represent the Watchtower that are witnesses. Hmmm if not for the schooling...then how would they have been able to defend themselves? This seems very fishy to me. As a child of an elder myself. (never baptized). I can attest that Families in the JW congregations that I have been around my whole life, talk down Higher Education Consistently.
WisdomThroughLogic 2 years ago 4
How appalling! Here is a very old man, completely insulated by the bureaucracy of a billion dollar publishing company encouraging the young members of his audience to forego college? Because the end is near?!? How many more thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses have to have their lives ruined by such ludicrous rhetoric to know that the Watchtower is a false prophet! WHAT are they so afraid that these young ones will learn in college?! The true nature of cults and the perils of mind control?!
stlredhead 2 years ago 8
this video makes me sick to my stomach. i love how they are supposedly "making implications" or "only suggesting" what to do. A college education teaches logic, and the society does not use logic whatsoever in their interpretation of scripture. A logical person can easily see that the WTS is completely out of their mind and is simply a high control group...or cult, if you prefer to use that word. this org. is based on FEAR. knowledge, logic, and wisdom have the ability to dominate this fear
1Mic89 2 years ago 2
stlredhead.....what were you able to learn in college? And in what ways are JWs ruined? They don't have the big house & white picket fence, 2.3 children, a dog, a cat, 2 brand new cars, a 70 hour work week, the mortgage to go with that house, the debt of having 2 brand new cars, the stress related illnesses related to having to work 70 hrs, just to have those things. Are those the things JWs are being kept from because they are banned from stepping foot inside a college?
38728570 2 years ago
It seems apparent that freethinker's objective in presenting this video was to under score the IMPLICATION of avoiding a college career for a young Witness. I see, and appreciate the comments of those Witnesses that have gone to school (BRAVO!) But, in any way to suggest that the prevailing spirit within the congragation is TO go to college is false, and an insult to the many thousands of bright witness teens over the years that acquiesced to the pressure of their parents and elders to NOT go.
mrbarthoss 2 years ago 4
Quite the contrary, my friend.
xxfreethinkerxx 2 years ago
If my understanding of your motive in your posting was misunderstood, I stand corrected. For the thousands of young witnesses that have watched this, the insidious nature of this speaker's words will resonant with the spirit of individual restraint. At a Circuit Assembly in 1981, I heard a speaker ask this: "Why paint the ship while it is sinking?" The next year I was the one that acquiesced and passed on a college scholarship. I hope the JW youths today hear the hypocrisy louder than I did...
mrbarthoss 2 years ago 5
I know each and every JW that has posted a comment here and you should know, I am reporting ALL of you to your elders and requesting an immediate Judicial Hearing for you to be disfellowshipped. If you followed the Watchtower you should know that you are Forbidden to watch or read these apostate videos and comments. You will not be resurected from the dead, you will not collect everlasting life.
Imaspatchula 2 years ago 5
@Imaspatchula So what exactly are you doing here?
fiestychica 8 months ago
these guys might be on to something. the current uni system is not about learning or education. At least, the current uni system only makes sense to people who have "primed" for it.
richardmullins44 2 years ago
I'm a Witness & a pioneer. I have a degree in computer programming & I speak 4 languages. All while being a Witness & pioneer. The whole argument of Witnesses not being able to enjoy a higher education is untrue. It's when education is before anything else, is when it becomes discouraged. As long as you can have balance in the other parts of your life then there shouldn't be a problem.
mollydec 2 years ago
Too bad a prominent member of your GB is saying otherwise, mollydec
xxfreethinkerxx 2 years ago 3
Which prominent member? There's no such thing as a prominent member of the GB....Now if he thinks he's prominent then he has a few issues on self importance to work on before he should be saying anything....I get what you're trying to say though, you heard a comment about education somewhere, but by the time it got to you it comes out as JWs no like edukashun.....I'm glad you corrected me on that, I'm going to give back my degree right now.
mollydec 2 years ago
Ummm I wish I would have been in your congregation then...sounds to be more liberal than the ones I have been in my life. I am the son of an elder (never Baptized), I was never allowed to set foot in college, my sisters were banned, cousins, friends etc. (that were also witnesses). I HAD to leave my house to go to college bro. One speaker like the one in the video above affects hundreds upon thousands of families that make decisions for their children on this. And I was one of many.
WisdomThroughLogic 2 years ago 6
it makes me so sick to think about that. A simple talk like the one above causes so much destruction and chaos among the many innocent families in the organization. its a very sad thing when one comes to this realization.
1Mic89 2 years ago
This is the trouble with the "matters of conscience". One set of parents may be totally casual about the whole thing, and another, completely extreme. My own JW mother was, and is, totally extreme, more than any other JW I know of. College wasn't an option, and I hated the ministry so much so I couldn't fulfil my mothers dream and pioneer, so I got a full time poorly paid job. I was a straight A student in secondary school, and that was wasted , I ended up delivering tea to old ladies...
zeldagoblin 2 years ago
@mollydec I take it that one of the four languages that you "speak" is not Italian, otherwise you would see that they guy on the podium is trying to persuade the listeners not to go to college.
BTW: A "degree" in computer programming from a trade college is not actually considered a college education, that's just a trade school.
chipotlex 1 year ago
I'm a JW from Chile. I attended this convention, but in January 2006.
For us, JW, is not forbidden to go to college. I'm actually a year away from getting my degree to be an English Teacher.
But the thing is that UNFORTUNATELY, the preassures are so strng at college for some of the young christians that attend it is very hard to stay away from them.
So, spiritual things go first, and then the rest(studies), if you want to.
naturalenglish88 2 years ago
I was raised a JW. Education beyond high school was discouraged. Having a secular career was discouraged. Getting married and building a family was discouraged. Going to Bethel was encouraged. Missionary work was encouraged. Hey Mom. Hey Dad. Thanks for getting me started on my way to a happy, satisfying, and productive life. (NOT!)
boatbumd4 2 years ago 3
get an education and if u luv the bible study bible history, and the JW will easily be exposed to you! love and peace and ball and chain free!
mamagoodman 2 years ago
I agree with you. I am actually one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I am finishing school right now. But I actually made spiritual advancement during the time while I was in school( 2 hrs away from my parents). I did pretty well last semester too.
ghanboy 2 years ago
I too am a Jehovah's Witness and were they get the idea that we can't get a higher education is beyond me. My parents encourged me on going to college so I would'nt have to work at a gas plant where my dad spent 40 years he wanted me to work smarter not harder.
lewis121701 2 years ago
"I too am a Jehovah's Witness and were they get the idea that we can't get a higher education is beyond me." -- Just look at some older publications....you know, the ones written around 1975. You will see it was (and still is) discoraged because the end is/was/going to be/so close.
00TrueLies00 2 years ago 2
That was wonderful
bernardw2008 2 years ago
An educated slave is not a slave. Jehovah's Witnesses want your mind to be as large as they see fit. I was a Jehovah's Witness. I was kicked out of the religion and out of my own home when I was thirteen. Is this a loving orgranization???? Bullshit
Joleeen1045 2 years ago 5
What were you "kicked out" for?
ghanboy 2 years ago 3
What's hilarious about this is that the exact same talk, were talking WORD for WORD was given at a circuit assembly here in nothern California, I am currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses "Born in the Truth" on my way out to persue higher education. This talk is not doctored or fake in any way. These people will brainwash YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. My father was removed as an elder and my mother was reproved because they defended and supported my right to a higher education. This video makes me sick.
machinesword 2 years ago 2
Growing up as JW's, we were always strongly discouraged from pursuing higher education. We would learn about evolution and start to doubt our faith. Also, our interest in getting degrees showed that we were not fully dedicated to God.
I can't imagine having stayed in the religion. It was never for me.
The teachings of the JW's are so simple and repetitive. Now, I don't necessarily think the answers to life's questions are complicated. But sometimes it's nice to wonder about things.
wordsinred 2 years ago 2
I agree! When I was younger I was a special pioneer and I was encouraged to become a secretary after high school. A freakin secretary! lol. Now I'm out of the cult and pursuing my bachelor's in health and nutrition, a minor in creative writing with a focus on french. take that, wtbts!
TRESBELA 2 years ago
Ha? Half of the witnesses I know have degrees!
stuart1116 2 years ago
but did they get their degrees before or after they became JW's?
Wether they do this out of trying to keep people stupid and easier to brainwash or if they do it out of genuine concern for a person's spiritual well-being would be the debatable part - but to try and argue the JW organization fully supports people in going to college is simply not a true statement my friend and you may as well admit it.
meanstreak1977 2 years ago
"Ha? Half of the witnesses I know have degrees! " --