Thanks to 'Gayle' for bringing our attention to the fact that the December 15th Watchtower has now been uploaded to jw.org. It doesn't take long to reach the first juicy bit on pages 8 and 9, this time regarding higher education:
It would be good to ask, ‘Am I taking to heart Solomon’s example of treasuring divine wisdom?’ Economic uncertainties have moved many to concentrate on their job and finances or have influenced decisions about the type and amount of education to seek. What about you and your family? Do your choices indicate that you are treasuring and seeking divine wisdom?
It strikes me as more than a little odd that somebody like Solomon, arguably one of the wealthiest rulers of ancient times, should be held aloft as a shining example of financial frugality, or a scriptural role-model for dissuading young ones from the perils of seeking a good job or higher education.
The article, entitled "Is He A Good Example For You Or A Warning?", goes on to take another swipe at young ones who get involved in the evil that is 'extra-curricular sports'. Parallels are drawn between Solomon's bad decision to marry an Egyptian, and nefarious things in which young ones might get embroiled.
Will we let Solomon’s course be a warning example for us? A sister might attempt to rationalize forming a romantic link that ignores God’s directive to marry “only in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 7:39) With similar rationalizing, one might share in extracurricular sports or clubs at school, underreport taxable income, or tell untruths when asked to reveal actions that could be embarrassing.
I may have missed something here, but since when was playing for the school basketball team akin to breaking the command to "marry only in the lord" or, even tax evasion? This for me is yet another chapter in the Watch Tower Society's bizarre war on sports (see my earlier post), something that rattles me personally as it is without any scriptural foundation.
Thoughts please?