Several have made outright statements and others have suggested that the Society's negative position on higher education has changed. 'The Society does not discourage higher education where I live.' Worse, 'apostates have made it all up--the Society has never discouraged education.'
Would you like to know the straight stuff? From "Our Kingdom Ministry" for June 2001 (km-E US 6/01, Vo. 44, No. 6, p. 2)
Service Meeting Schedule for Week Starting July 2
After Song 5 and 13 minutes of local announcements about turning in field reports, and encouraging shelf-clearing of overstocked Yearbooks.
15 min: Youths--Be Wise in Choosing Your Career. This is the first of three Service Meeting parts that will review Scriptural principles related to supplemental education. **Some Christian youths are pursuing secular careers through higher education, which is having a negative impact on their spirituality.** This part is a discussion between two parents and their teenage son or daughter. The youth is at a point where a serious decision needs to be made about future goals. Although some may want to pursue financial advantages, prestige, or comforts of life, the family examine the Bible to see what it recommends. (See Young People Ask, pages 174-5; The Watchtower, August 15, 1997, page 21, and September 1, 1999, pages 19-21, paragraphs 1-3 and 5-6.) The youth agrees that it is wise to pursue a course in life that will serve him or her well in achieving theocratic goals to advance Kingdom interests."
Should be an exciting three weeks. (Don't think you will hear, "Well, Randy, your mother and I don't mind the nursing home in our old age.") Would you like to be in this demonstration?
What do you think? Has the Society changed its position? Or is this just the old wink-wink, nudge-nudge game? Or ...?
Maximus
PS Oh, yes. There is a four-pager in this km titled "Can You Make Yourself Available?" All about Bethel service. A "special call is going out to those can make themselves available. Are you ready to respond with a willing spirit, similar to that of Isaiah?"