by VM44 18 Replies latest watchtower scandals
Have you had a look at JWFacts?
College is one of those subjects where they don't have strict rules that can be waved in their faces, but they do use mind control techniques to guilt the rank and file into submission.
Never state to anyone that JWs are not allowed to go to college. You will never prove it, and they always know an elder who's kid did go to college that they can use as an example.
We must remember that the Governing Body's modus operandi with unpopular policies that may give it the look of a cult. They must be careful how they handle things of this nature so as not to appear harmful to the general population and its devoted member and at the same time give them wiggle room in courts of law be it divorce court or getting legal recognition and tax exempt status in other countries.
So if they come right out and forbid college to its members this can be used against them in courts for legal battles and custody battles of its members.
So they merely give warnings in its publications that can not be used by opponents, but use other more coercive means in private CO correspondence. And so at meetings not open to the public they will make veiled threat to elders about loss of privileges and at assemblies give demonstration showing the dangers, thus avoiding legal problems for them and members in divorce court.
VW, there is no official direction on this matter. Our city overseer has a son finishing his final year of a mathematics degree and is considering a PHd. The son has been used on the circuit assembly programme in the last 6 months and his father still serves. There has been some criticism from other elders but nothing from the CO or DO.
I believe it was a CO outline......
Here is a link from last year....
Have you seen the Sept 1, 2008 WT?
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/10/its_a_gateway_drug_to_a_lifeti.php
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/161775/3/Copy-of-CO-Letter-Outline-Regarding-Education-In-Spanish has a copy of the KM outline.
It basically states that an elder can be put if they are promoting university for materialistic reasons. Two scenarios were presented.
Situation: The son of an elder is studying for a career in architecture, lives with his parents, is a ministerial servant, has organized his studies so that they do not interfere with the meetings or the ministry, occasionally auxiliary pioneers and the family does not promote the idea that others should obtain this type of education
Questions: By his lifestyle and that of his family, can it be said that this elder is teaching his family to place the Kingdom first? (Matt. 6:33). [If a brother or a member of his family is pursuing higher education in order to obtain a specific job, does not promote it, and if it is clear that both he and his family are seeking first the Kingdom, his services of privilege need not be affected. Some professions require that an individual periodically take certification courses so as not to lose a professional licence]
Situation: The daughter of an elder studies at university far from home with the goal of earning a lot of money. The elder and his wife tell other brothers that their daughter is doing this at their request, in view of the good economic situation that she will have and the prestige which the family will gain
Questions: What opinion does this family have of that which the faithful slave has said concerning higher education, as revealed by their words and conduct? (Ps. 1:2, 3; 1 Cor. 2:13-16; 3 John 9) [When an appointed servant promotes higher education for the purpose of economic gain or prestige, this places in doubt his qualifications to serve in the congregation, and may affect his freeness of expression and that of his fellow elders]
I can't remember anything concrete in a WT that was either a yes or a no. But the articles about the dangers of going to a college abound. Basically the uneducated GB think that everyone in dorm rooms are having sex with everyone around them like a bunch of hampsters
College/No College for JWs? It depends on who you are in the KH. Children of elders; absolutely. Young single sisters (especially with no family within the Watchtower walls); no, your "education" is placing mags/tracts to no end, get as many converts as possible and then marrying a brother in good standing to support you; that is, if the "JW papacy" think you are good enough or done enough for their precious Watchtower god.
