Dear E-Watchman,
Assuming you have already read the Oct 15 WT on Higher Education and the dangers of going to college, why do you think the WTS is so viciously opposed to it? Is it because they are thinning on the ranks of pioneers and MS's; or is it that young JW's are being taught critical thinking and are leaving the WT? If possible, it would be nice if you could do a commentary/essay on this topic, as many in my circle are aghast at this revised stand against university education.
Actually, I haven’t read the October 15th Watchtower yet, but it doesn’t exactly sound as if they are putting forth “new light.” But it does seem as though there is a back and forth struggle between the hardliners and the moderates.
Really, though, why should the Watchtower even have an opinion on the subject of higher education? They should warn of the spiritual dangers and leave it at that. After all, it is a personal matter and an issue for families to decide. It is no one else’s business if another Christian chooses to go to school.
Did Jesus have anything to say on the topic? Paul? Peter? John? James? If the Bible is silent on the issue of higher education, why should the Watchtower weigh in with such a heavy opinion on the matter?
Actually, the Bible indicates that Moses was raised in all the knowledge of Egypt--which means that he received a higher education from the first world power of history. Daniel and the three Hebrews were also schooled in all the knowledge of the Chaldeans. By all accounts they turned out okay.
If Jehovah’s Witnesses are well grounded in their faith then they too should be able to stand up to the challenges and temptations a so called higher education might present.
But keep in mind though---a college degree ain’t what it used to be.
1 comment:
Thursday, April 06, 2006
The Watchtower’s leadership encourages young adult Jehovah's Witnesses to learn a trade and to take up pioneering service as full-time or part-time ministers. To that end, it appears that Witnesses are discouraged from going far away to a college or university. Often, the problems of immorality encountered on university grounds are cited as potential pitfalls to our spiritual well-being. So the focus is on staying on course in terms of safeguarding our spiritual health. By all accounts, we do not want our faith and that of our children to suffer shipwreck. (1Timothy 1:19) Therefore, Bethel’s reasoning in this respect seems very sound and wise, mainly because there are many among us that aren’t spiritually strong to withstand the tides of immorality. Young people can succumb quickly to bad influences. This does not mean however that our young ones should not obtain a university degree. They can do so while wisely and regularly sticking to their spiritual feeding program by not isolating themselves from families, friends and the congregation. Therefore, going to a local university is ideal for the Christian that sees the importance of remaining close to their parents and the protection afforded them through the congregation. –Proverbs 22:3.
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