hey all.
a friend of mine hunted down some info for me and like an idiot, i thought i saved it and i didnt:(
can anyone here find elder letters, info, anything on education and 4 year schooling being shot to hell?
thanks.
research help
by iamthewolf5562 2 Replies latest jw friends
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Tired of the Hypocrisy
Awake magazine May 22, 1969 page 15
Almost forty years ago they said this:
"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you
will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not ?
Because all the evidence is fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates
that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the
generation that observed the beginning of the 'last days' in 1914,
Jesus foretold: 'This generation will by no means pass away until
these things occur.'
"Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career
that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking
about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even
six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career.
But where will this system of things be by that time ? It will
be well on the way towards its finish, if not actually gone!
"This is why parents who base their lives on God's prophetic Word
find it much more practical to direct their young ones into trades
that do not require such long periods of additional schooling....
"True, those who do not understand where we are in the stream of time
from God's viewpoint will call this impractical. But which is really
practical: preparing yourself for a position in this world that soon
will pass away ? or working towards surviving this systems end and
enjoying eternal life in God's righteous new order ?" from AWAKE!
magazine, May 22, 1969, page 15.Source: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/apl/jw/awaken-005.txt
[ Even though this was written in
1969, this policy is still endorsed - as can be seen in the following
references. ]Under the subheading "ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY" in the article
entitled "YOUNG PEOPLE ASK ... HOW DO I CHOOSE A CAREER?" (from
AWAKE! magazine, March 22, 1985, page 17 to 18) they say:
"After consulting their parents, many young people have decided
against long-term education because of the uncertainty of the
future. 'The time left is reduced,' say the Bible.... [Vocational
training in High School is then recommended.]
"A Christian's view of the future should also affect his choice of
career. With 'the world passing away,' a career based upon worldly
ambitions is most unrealistic. Bible prophecy indicates how short-
lived such a career would be.
"For this reason, many young people among Jehovah's Witnesses are
choosing a career in full time Bible education - a volunteer work
of helping people to understand the Bible. 'But,' you may ask,
'how can somebody make a living that way?' In order to support
themselves financially, many have first received practical training
in a trade."
The Witness youth handbook, 'QUESTIONS YOUNG PEOPLE ASK - ANSWERS
THAT WORK' spends four pages discouraging a university education.
(pages 175 to 179) It concludes:
"In view of these facts, many Christian youths have decided against
a university education. many have found that the training offered in
congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses - the weekly Thoecratic Ministry
School in particular - has given them a real edge in finding
employment."
At the end of this chapter are five questions that reveal the tone
of the argumentation found in this book: "Why do secular careers
often fail to bring personal happiness? Why should all God-fearing
youths consider a career in full-time ministry ? What are the
claimed benefits of high education, and do such claims always hold
true ? What dangers might univeristy education pose ? What alternatives
to university education can a youth consider?" (page 179)
The WATCHTOWER magazine of April 15, 1986, (pages 28 to 30) spoke
to young Witnesses:
"As you think about your future, no doubt questions run through your
mind. Should I go to university and seek a career as a doctor, a
lawyer, or a scientist? Does the dream of climbing the corporate
ladder to financial success and recognition intrigue me? Would I
become a famous name in the arts through acting or painting? Or,
as a youth devoted to Jehovah God, should I choose the full-time
ministry as my career...?"
After giving two testimonies - one a young man who quit his university
studies after joining the Witnesses so that he could pioneer (full-time
mission work), and the other of a young man who began pioneering in
his last year of high school - the article concludes:
"Youths, how will you use your future? For yourself of fully for
Jehovah? Prayerfully consider the goal of full-time sevice now in
your youth. Imitate Jesus by living the rest of your life 'for God's
will.' It will prove to be a protection from harmful worldly ambitions,
careers, and associations. Analyze your circumstances and set a
specific date as your goal for entering full-time service. Work toward
it. Pray for Jehovah's help to attain it." [ Pursuing a "worldly
career" is viewed as selfish, as opposed to the goal of full-time
service now "for Jehovah." The idea that God might call one to a
secular career that can be dedicated to His glory is foreign to the
Watch Tower Society.]
START PREPARING FOR A MINISTRY CAREER BEFORE GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL:
"Keeping in mind the limited value of physical exercise and the
superlative benefits of godly devotion will help you to make
balanced decisions when it comes to after-school activities....
"How about using your time to help others spiritually? Interestingly,
some young ones among Jehovah's Witnesses in Japan start to make the
ministry their career while they are still in school. They buy out
their time before and after school to help others to know the
Creator." [ From the article "Young People Ask...What About After-
School Activities?" AWAKE!, December 08, 1986, page 18.
Extracurricular activities are discouraged. Door-to-door "service"
is recommended in it's place "before and after school."] -
blondie
Recent BOE letter in Spanish...I think a translation is further down.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/161775/2983285/post.ashx#2983285