Thank you for such an informative and accurate depiction of the "org's" view of higher education. I am a single mom. When my son graduated high school, the elders came to me to ask if I was encouraging my him to become a pioneer after graduation. Without hesitation, I said, "NO!", he will be going to college. They tried to argue. I firmly stated he needs an education so he doesn't have to live hand to mouth. They warned me of the "worldly" pitfalls of higher education. I responded I trust my son and his judgement. i was already being soft shunned for other questionable activities, this just made it worse. By that point, I was done with them all. I committed spiritual suicide a few month later by getting disfellowshipped. Years later once my son left, he confided the elders would visit him while I was at work to encourage him to move out to get away from my worldly influence. He told them he wouldn't because he loved me and knew I had his best interest at heart. I gave my son the support and unconditional love to pursue a better life. This was something my own PIMI mom never afforded me.
I am very proud of your proper decision regarding your son's future by going to college. College training will help you with critical thinking, leading to a better life. I pursued college and became a Chemist. Now I am 83 years old . Happily retired with a catholic wife, and we have 3 children, happily married and we have 7 wonderful grandkids. We taught our Children and grandchildren to respect all kinds of religion. Our two sons married Catholics, and our daughter married Jewish, and we all co-existed well.
I am so proud for your positive decision for your son. As for your positive decisions in favor of of your son’s good future, I am so happy . As far as your being disallowed for your son’s good decisions, ❤God must be applauding you. Give my high regards to your son.
This makes a lot of sense now. As a 16yo JW I won a Commonwealth Scholarship for free Uni. Not allowed to take it. I look back now as a Professor with a PhD and a solid academic career but it was only until I heard your comment about them not wanting critical thinking, that it all clicked. Thanks.
I quit my college education in the late 1970s because I was convinced "the end" was near. But I never lost my desire to learn and improve myself. Eventually I returned to school and earned my diploma. That diploma opened opportunities I never would have had otherwise. When congregation elders tried to dissuade me from getting my degree, I told them they didn't know what they were talking about and rejected their suggestions out of hand. That was more than 25 years ago. I have never regretted that decision. I urge any and all who hear similar talk from the organization's spokesmen to do likewise. Live the life you want and love, not the one they would choose for you.
I left the religion about a year ago. When I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression an elder told me to stop seeing my therapist because true Christians have no reasons to be depressed. Fun times… so glad to be free!
So that is why there is a passage in the bible advising to speak consolingly to the depressed one(?notwithstanding that he was unaware that these conditions can be of chemical imbalance and or trauma.
I was DF after 10 years in, so I went to community college & got an education in medicine. How did I run back in 10 yrs later??? Now, 20+ yrs later, I faded out. Only recently have I even seen JWs anywhere & twice at my door out in service, trying to lure me back, but I'm completely open-minded now, so, no thanks. Before the internet, it was easy to shrug off the accusations as "rumors from apostates." I'm sure they realize what a double-edged sword the internet has been. They needed it, then covid hit & they will never recover.
1972 my wish was to become an RN. My dream shattered as the end was coming. I never pursued higher education and have regretted listening to my upbringing as a JW. Today I’m free…! You speak truth, Beth.💞
Great Video. Like so many former JWs , I was not encouraged or allowed to attend college. Of course, at the time - though I desperately wanted to go to college, I felt extreme guilt for those thoughts & feelings. After I moved out of my mom’s house. I did attend community college & received my EMT certification. I wish I’d done more.
You nailed it! I pursued education after I left in 2004. I had already started online learning discreetly before I left. I do remember using a public talk outline with a watchtower reference to an article about how higher education was a decision best made in the family, but I suspect that any reference to that article has since been redacted to reflect current thinking. That was always a real kicker though when WT cited their own reference materials in a talk outline, then using it, and receiving council later based upon another elder's interpretation.
I was told there was no sense in going to college or getting a higher education because we are living in the last days. . Jehovah isn’t going to care how smart or educated you are because it won’t matter in the new system of things. That was over 40 years ago and we are still here.🤷🏼♀️🤦♀️🙄
@@jays7761 It just wasn’t college being told work was to time consuming, spending time with family or friend who weren’t in the truth, extra curricular activities, all these things were not important to Jehovah’s loving organization and it was time we I taking away from him. I left because I got sick of being told we are never doing enough for Jehovah. You go for some spiritual guidance and some moral support not telling people how to live their lives every second of every minute of the day and certainly not making their life choices for them.
@@marwatson7408 What does any of that have to do with what I said? I said "XYZ is a lie".... and you told me "But ABC." I'm not a JW, so you don't have to try to convince me of anything. My issue is that generalizing an organization with a lie, is a very bad way to try to convince people of your opinion.
@@jays7761 I was a JW I was just agreeing with her you are not JW O.K. then I was not generalizing an organization with a lie because it’s the truth apparently you don’t know much about this organization. Let me fill you in it’s a very high controlled group and these videos are coming out to warn people how destructive and manipulating this group can be that all.
@@jays7761 I’m just agreeing with her I was a witness so I can relate to what she was saying, you are not a Witness then O.K. I was not generalizing an organization with a lie when she was stating facts. Let me fill you in on this organization it’s a very high controlled group and these videos are coming out to warn people about how destructive and distrusting this organization really is that’s all have a nice day.😀
I love listening and watching you ! ( even looking like a glow worm lol) You are a very articulate speaker and very informative. Greetings from the UK .
That is a more recent dynamic. I'm told they just go to the Kingdom Halls and nod their heads in agreement, then do what they want anyways. They aren't obeying like they used to.
May you heal and find peace and happiness in life. Congratulations on escaping and the work you're doing towards warning others about this destructive and manipulative cult.
I was not encouraged to pursue any higher education. They wanted me to pioneer. My parents have four children and I was the only one to graduate highschool traditionally. The others eventually got their GED's. It wasn't until my upper 30's that I really started focusing on a career. This cult actually ruins lives. I constantly tell people to stay away from the JW's, and I will continue to do so to my dying breath.
Who cares if they encouraged you to go to college? That isn't their job, and she didn't make a video saying that they weren't encouraging. The accusation was that they "discouraged" people. If you don't understand the difference between "discourage" and "not encourage," then you are wasting your time. I am not one of those sheeple who will just blindly fall victim to your word games.
"Higher education encourages critical thinking" - That was in the past like that. Today it encourages not to think it all only lots of mental acrobatics.
@jays7761 , one of the most ignorant post I ever seen. Thanks for your darkness and lack of comprehension, compassion and your ignorance on the subject.
I wanted to be a professional anything regarding sports. Basketball, boxing or just wanted to compete. Yeah….NO. They put all my flames out. I’m now 60
The JW family I lived next door to were totally against sending any of their 3 kids to college. As far as sex, drugs and rock and roll goes, If a student doesn’t want to get involved in that it is easy to avoid. Commute from home or get off campus housing. Show up for class and leave. People are not going to approach and try to persuade people to join a cult just like the JWs do. It will be tempting to make friends on campus but it doesn’t have to happen. This is just from my neutral point of view. I lived on campus and enjoyed the time there but in any of my classes there were students that didn’t live on campus and older students that waited later in life to pursue an education. The Watchtower excuses are bogus. Not all degrees make a lot of money, like education. My wife wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a young girl. It takes a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be a teacher and masters is encouraged. What would the world be without teachers?
So? The family that lives next door to me doesn't recycle, and they happen to be Jewish. So now I should just make a video that says Jewish people discourage their members against recycling.
" If a student doesn’t want to get involved in that it is easy to avoid." In theory yes, but try to not go with the flow at college and see what happens.
@@metapolitikgedanken612 Is that your college experience? Did you go to college? I've attended 3 public colleges. 4 if you include my local CC where I've taken a few courses. I've never been forced to "go with the flow" and I lived on campus. Chances are if you are a nerd like most JWs probably are, no one is going to approach them. Show up for class and leave. Don't join clubs. Don't hang out after classes are over unless necessary. Don't go to social functions. Don't go to sports events. Go to the library between classes. Have a little fortitude and act like an adult. If someone tries to entice you to "go with the flow", say NO. If you are a JW you've probably never stepped foot on a college campus.
@@wfqsfg College and University. My experience is that it can help with training and some structure. But when you want to have some true solid knowledge, you are on your own. Lots of hard work in your spare time, lots of thinking for yourself etc. And yes, I think higher education standards have declined internationally already for a longer period now.
Most people around me talked about the typical stuff like trade schools, but I chose to go to college (twice). I became pre-woke and then completely woken up. True to form, I am doing better than those who "make themselves useful to the organization". I wasn't going to learn a trade for others to use, but I am going to use my mind.
I toured a smaller college after HS and loved the program, it was hunting/guiding on horseback, taxidermy, outdoor survival etc... And I was guilted into not going because I'd be up in the middle of nowhere for like 3 - 4 months for part of the program (was a 2 yr deal if I remember correctly) because I'd miss too many meetings .. 😓 I wish I was stronger and didn't allow that brainwashing to take hold of me. My life would have been so very very different!! But ya H.E was never encouraged ... The end is coming why waste your time .. should be spent warning others of the impending dooooooom!!!
This is one subjects where what comes out of the WT’s mouth, and the cultural norms in many congregations differ. I always remember being told through official channels to pursue short-term, vocationally focused, post secondary education. The folks who actually did that often did pretty well for themselves even though they might have preferred to do something else if they felt like it was an option. It seems like a lot of folks actually heard “barely scrape by in high school and throw yourselves into the labor market with no further skills or preparation.” That was usually a disaster. The weird, controlling way the official doctrine doesn’t allow for individual interests and goals is problematic, but how the people in some places apply it (ignoring the part that would actually allow you to make a decent living) is even worse!
I wanted to drop out of high school but my JW mother said no way. So glad she did not let me drop out!! I did go to college and got a MA degree later in life. But JW elders and GB not college educated & never use references from experts. The Ex JW shot into KH in Germany last year had went to college got his MA and wrote a book. The elders told him if he publishes he will get DF. He told them if they do DF him for this is a bad idea. This guy s parent and sibling were active JW. So he is DF for writing a book!!! He shot in KH during meeting killed and wound 7 people. Good info you presented. But let active JW people make own decision to college.
For those who were bold enough to defy religious advice not to go to college, I tip my hat to you. An opportunity has opened for you. Congratulations.For those who remained, too bad !!!
Just remembered something I swear i feel i can tolerate physical pain, cuz listening over and over again the death of Jesus and that he gave his life for us, i swear when i was littke i used to think to myself, I'd rather go through that, than freaking 3 meetings x week plus family Bible study, plus going out to the field, aww catholics, fun memories, again good old times,
I was a JW all my life , baptized at the age of 18 by regular pioneered served where the need was great did a lot of things with the organization but higher education was out of the question, and now I'm 60 and financially I am struggling Hard so yes I get 😡 Angry. But I'm okay The Universe cares for me ❤ Knowing the truth of it all is so amazing and I am grateful for the Awareness of who and what I really am. I am a Soul in a body having a human experience and I create my own reality. Religion manipulates the mind and Soul from experiencing life all together. I wasted half of my life in that Dam organization. Now I feel for my family who are still in...😢 But I am no longer a PIMO ❤
Can you comment in a future video the amount of $$ each JW donates to the KH or to the orginazation? If someone is broke, is it frowned on to not donate?
Im 63. Born in it ..4 generations elders etc blah blah blah so many blurred lines when my mom was hotdoggin my boyfriend when he was 17 she 33 i was 15 they did nothing but punish me as a girl for my moms sins thats how rached up it is grandpa hotdoggin my daughter .she was 3 ok. I was hot dogged to no protection just lots of sit on my lap little girl ..no learning anything pioneer ..get married have kids shut up ..then sorry want a divorce hot dogged your besty everything is bad everything is gonna end tomorrow ..so my first work of art at age 5 was a huge picture of Armageddon people dying screaming n tears horror i won a first place blue ribbon in kindergarten 😢 i wanted to be creative like the creator they said NO. They are devil in sheep clothing i said it run from Babylon the great false religion is against LOVE they dont know LOVE is god he loves me so much hes my best friend yhwh i sing n dance to the creator n i keep my eyes on him the maker of heavens n earth …these men are lost in the ego of power over others. Not wisdom from yhwh. Keep talking
It was a little different for JWs growing up in 3rd world countries. At least when I was growing up thru the ‘90s, people (especially brothers) went overseas to either Europe or North America (from the Caribbean) to pursue degrees & usually came back and continued to be PIMI. When my family moved to the US I was a little taken aback by the general anti-intellectual feeling around college, but it definitely is/was the dominant view in the US (& in the publications).
Good info didnt know this fact, however I grew up with JW classmates who went to College and some even became school teachers with their College degree ... one person even continued studying and earned a Masters degree. I guess these folks were not 100% JW (good for them) even though they always brought in their believes at the first opportunity.
When I joined in 2007, I told them I had a university degree in Sociology. They asked me what that means. I said we look into human behaviours of all races and cultures. We see how we all have so much in common and what sets us apart such as language and cultural values. I was told to keep my degree to myself and not tell anyone. Every time a woman came to me about how her husband treated her, I told her it wouldn't get any better unless she got some form of counselling and or left him. She grasped her pearls and said that was out of the question. So after a few years, like 2019, I was the one to leave them. Ahhhhhh freedom. Patriarchy and misogyny are not for me.
I was blackmailed into baptism to be able to go to college. They didn't let me finish 1 semester. They sent me in a village far away with pioneer "sisters "... they didn't have average comprehension...they couldn't go to college. That's where I wrote the shortest D/A letter. It was in 1985. I was 17 years old. I had doubts since I was very young. Maybe because of CSA from birth, and being beaten by my parents almost to death several times a week. I still hesitate about why that young...it was before Armageddon, remember, in 1975 ?!
I was made to believe Jehovah would miraculously give me more intelligence when needed as the Apostles were "unlettered and ordinary" and therefore so should we frown on any idea pf academia or scholastic performance. Ambition was evil. I was told "the end" would likely come before i graduated 5th grade so my life goal should be to strive to be a pioneer and strengthen my faith so when the troops come to execute me in front of my classmates i will die "faithful". I feel looking back that what mattered most about this religion to my parents was that they would be TOTALLY off the hook for being actually responsible for us in any productive and caring capacity other than barely feeding and clothing us while they worked long hours and spent as little time at home or with us as possible. Contrary to the rest of the kids at school not making sure we did well in school, that they did not save and guided us for college, had zero involvement in social activities or sports (competition is evil), or never purchased birthday gifts or holiday gifts were somethings they were actually better parents for doing. Males sense riight...? After a lifetime of being told military or college were both evil, once reaching 18 we were told they were now options but we were fully responsible for our choice and 100% of the funding in order to get our ass the hell out of the house with as little inconvenience to them as possible. Also if we went to college then we showed somehow that we lacked faith and would always have a stain on our record towards being the upstanding witness we were supposedly somehow to be as adults. This religion creates and invites destruction of self esteem or any hope of a fulfilling future. Every problem is addressed by "wait for the New System". I do not think you ahould live a selfish life but your life is never lived for yourself. Infuriating it is when they say they NEVER said you couldnt go to college. Or you see the elders kids going to college. FML I do not know how more JW are not homeless.
As I was watching this video I was prepared to ask you what advice a Jehovah's Witness elder would give to a JW teenager who wanted to become a surgeon--but then at the end you answered my question. --
I don't if this is the right place, and I know you make videos on serious issues that can help people, but... Your face is like what the ancient master-sculptors modelled their statues from. It's just perfect.
Bible trained conscious is code for do and believe what we tell you to do. On a side note I was tod Armageddon would be here before I graduated High School...that was 30 plus years ago. 😂
Yep. The older JW literature was pointing to Armageddon happening before the end of the 20th century. Try to explain this to your average JW & they will say that it's "old light." Many JW's suffer from Cognitive Dissonance.
I like how the LDS Church allows people to go to college which means that you make money and can pay more tithing just like the Marriot family has over the years
Beth, you're an intelligent critical thinker, much like Susan Gaskin. She also posted great videos. What if you two teamed up on a video... Oh, the humanity!
5:00 I agree too. I have a B.S. and can't find a good paying job. I am currently a truck driver wishing I could use my biology degree to support myself. it was a lot of time, energy and money that did not help me although, if a J-dub wanted to challenge me on evolutionary teachings I would rip them a new asshole.
Speaking on “them” saying, they learn about other cultures., Among others in my family one of my sisters was stating her daughter was going to Amish Country on a certain day. I said, “Wouldn’t that be supporting another religion?” She of course was confused and then said, “I never thought of that.”
It's reasonable yet it limits your ability to go to a Good Job or intelligence to grow. It's all about control, power and control, of money, education, and property.
Not defending all the bad stuff the Catholic Church has done but at least they aren't anti education. I went to Catholic school. The nuns asked me if I thought I might want to be a nun when I grew up. I said I didn't feel I had the calling. They looked a little disappointed BUT when I told them I thought I might want to be a doctor they perked right back up and were very happy.
I got a scholarship at 19 was told not purse higher education but pioneer instead purse spryitual things not materlism and worldly possessions but put jehovah first in everything i do
The Urban monoculture is not a good alternative to religion, I consider myself secular religious, religious in the sense of aiming to be a successful organism, be it have kids, create intergenerationally stable culture, aim towards a more prosperous future for my offspring and ethnicity.
I like this, i have met JW's with the most sincere faith, which i admire and respect when someone has that genuine faith, for whatever reason i can easily tell, with that b3ing said, i find it funny that most ppl complain about years they wasted, like duh, i was born in it, did the whole thing up to maybe 10 years old, by 13 was living on my own, literally got beaten for not attending, i got in so much trouble without never starting trouble, I mean, a higher education was the least of my worries, and its sad that i figured all this out before and without listening to others ppls experiences, it sucks yeah but if someone committed suicide cuz being shunned, again, I find it funny,
Higher education promotes critical thinking? Really, I don't think so. I know some evangelicals who went to college and they are completely ignorants. Mormons have a very high percentage of college graduates, but , I know many professional Mormones who just don't know how to think critically, o question their theology. Hindus in US are the most educated people, but, you really think they think question their religion? Note: college education not necessarily open "people's eyes".
I have a question for you?. I assume like me you are an ex Witness, so my question is why,do you care so much about what they do and don't do? If its not for you, then it's not for you, but why so much negatively in your heart that you feel the need to talk about them all the time on YT?
@antonioherrera1324 Well that game can go on forever can't it. Like, why do you care that I care that she cares....blah de blah. I asked the genuine question because people's motivations fascinate me. I was simply wondering what this woman's motivation is.. Some people do these channels for clicks and views, some do them becuase they have an axe to grind, some because they just can't get over it and live their life well. But she ain't answered so I guess I will never know.
Isn’t that what Jesus preached, to be uneducated! So what if you didn’t graduate 8th grade, the WT/GB will educate you now & in paradise. Now who can say that! 😂
I was a Jehovah's Witness until I left the organization at 18, over a decade ago. I was never discouraged from going to college, and most of the stuff I hear in these videos is just false propaganda and exaggerations. Yes, the Jehovah's Witnesses are isolationists, incorrect in their biblical interpretations, and just plain wrong in a lot of what they teach. However, all of this nonsense about cult-like practices of "blind obedience" and risk of disfellowship if you go to college, is just made up. They are just a religion like all the others. Don't believe everything you read online, or see on RUclips.
Just because you had a different experience in the organization doesn’t mean the points brought out in this video are untrue. I was born in the jw religion in 1965. I remember how college was actively discouraged in the 70’s and 80’s. I highly doubt after I left in the mid 80’s the organization lossened up that much where attending college isn’t a stumbling factor or something that denotes a lack of devotion to the org/gb/jehovah.
I can assure you that your experience and perspective is completely atypical of Jehovah's Witnesses. I got baptized in 1976 and I know for a fact that higher education was actively discouraged. As for following the directions given from the Governing Body and it's appointed representatives, no leeway was given there either.
@@jays7761 It’s nice that you can deny it but what I stated it was true. The organization did not encourage anyone going to college when I was a young person in the 70s and 80s and from what I understand it still hasn’t changed it stance on that. they may have softened the guidelines a little bit, but people are still looked down upon if they allow their children to go to college. From what I understood even ministerial servants and elders were affected if they allowed their children to go to college, their roles in the congregation could be in jeopardy. Now that didn’t happen in every congregation because I do know of JWs my age that went to college and they were the children of elders, but there are more liberal congregations and you have congregations that toll the line.every congregation is different. so you may not think it ever happened but I was there and you could deny it all you want but I know it’s true.
Thank you for such an informative and accurate depiction of the "org's" view of higher education. I am a single mom. When my son graduated high school, the elders came to me to ask if I was encouraging my him to become a pioneer after graduation. Without hesitation, I said, "NO!", he will be going to college. They tried to argue. I firmly stated he needs an education so he doesn't have to live hand to mouth. They warned me of the "worldly" pitfalls of higher education. I responded I trust my son and his judgement. i was already being soft shunned for other questionable activities, this just made it worse. By that point, I was done with them all. I committed spiritual suicide a few month later by getting disfellowshipped. Years later once my son left, he confided the elders would visit him while I was at work to encourage him to move out to get away from my worldly influence. He told them he wouldn't because he loved me and knew I had his best interest at heart. I gave my son the support and unconditional love to pursue a better life. This was something my own PIMI mom never afforded me.
I am very proud of your proper decision regarding your son's future by going to college. College training will help you with critical thinking, leading to a better life. I pursued college and became a Chemist. Now I am 83 years old . Happily retired with a catholic wife, and we have 3 children, happily married and we have 7 wonderful grandkids. We taught our Children and grandchildren to respect all kinds of religion. Our two sons married Catholics, and our daughter married Jewish, and we all co-existed well.
So proud of you to love your child enough ❤️
I am so proud for your positive decision for your son. As for your positive decisions in favor of of your son’s good future, I am so happy . As far as your being disallowed for your son’s good decisions, ❤God must be applauding you. Give my high regards to your son.
This makes a lot of sense now. As a 16yo JW I won a Commonwealth Scholarship for free Uni. Not allowed to take it. I look back now as a Professor with a PhD and a solid academic career but it was only until I heard your comment about them not wanting critical thinking, that it all clicked. Thanks.
I quit my college education in the late 1970s because I was convinced "the end" was near. But I never lost my desire to learn and improve myself. Eventually I returned to school and earned my diploma. That diploma opened opportunities I never would have had otherwise. When congregation elders tried to dissuade me from getting my degree, I told them they didn't know what they were talking about and rejected their suggestions out of hand. That was more than 25 years ago. I have never regretted that decision. I urge any and all who hear similar talk from the organization's spokesmen to do likewise. Live the life you want and love, not the one they would choose for you.
Also, love whoever you want to love. NOBODY can choose that for you!
@@dewardroy6531 As a gay man let me say, "Amen and amen!"
I left the religion about a year ago. When I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression an elder told me to stop seeing my therapist because true Christians have no reasons to be depressed. Fun times… so glad to be free!
So that is why there is a passage in the bible advising to speak consolingly to the depressed one(?notwithstanding that he was unaware that these conditions can be of chemical imbalance and or trauma.
I am sorry and glad 😊 for you... keep seeking help... sometimes, they hold us when we are low and you stood up.
You’re the cutest glow worm I’ve ever seen! 😍
Love listening to your input
After I left the organization I went back to college to enhance my skills and knowledge.
I was DF after 10 years in, so I went to community college & got an education in medicine. How did I run back in 10 yrs later??? Now, 20+ yrs later, I faded out. Only recently have I even seen JWs anywhere & twice at my door out in service, trying to lure me back, but I'm completely open-minded now, so, no thanks. Before the internet, it was easy to shrug off the accusations as "rumors from apostates." I'm sure they realize what a double-edged sword the internet has been. They needed it, then covid hit & they will never recover.
1972 my wish was to become an RN. My dream shattered as the end was coming. I never pursued higher education and have regretted listening to my upbringing as a JW. Today I’m free…! You speak truth, Beth.💞
Great Video. Like so many former JWs , I was not encouraged or allowed to attend college. Of course, at the time - though I desperately wanted to go to college, I felt extreme guilt for those thoughts & feelings. After I moved out of my mom’s house. I did attend community college & received my EMT certification. I wish I’d done more.
You nailed it! I pursued education after I left in 2004. I had already started online learning discreetly before I left. I do remember using a public talk outline with a watchtower reference to an article about how higher education was a decision best made in the family, but I suspect that any reference to that article has since been redacted to reflect current thinking. That was always a real kicker though when WT cited their own reference materials in a talk outline, then using it, and receiving council later based upon another elder's interpretation.
I was told there was no sense in going to college or getting a higher education because we are living in the last days. . Jehovah isn’t going to care how smart or educated you are because it won’t matter in the new system of things. That was over 40 years ago and we are still here.🤷🏼♀️🤦♀️🙄
Being told "there's no sense" isn't preventing.
@@jays7761 It just wasn’t college being told work was to time consuming, spending time with family or friend who weren’t in the truth, extra curricular activities, all these things were not important to Jehovah’s loving organization and it was time we I taking away from him. I left because I got sick of being told we are never doing enough for Jehovah. You go for some spiritual guidance and some moral support not telling people how to live their lives every second of every minute of the day and certainly not making their life choices for them.
@@marwatson7408 What does any of that have to do with what I said? I said "XYZ is a lie".... and you told me "But ABC." I'm not a JW, so you don't have to try to convince me of anything. My issue is that generalizing an organization with a lie, is a very bad way to try to convince people of your opinion.
@@jays7761 I was a JW I was just agreeing with her you are not JW O.K. then I was not generalizing an organization with a lie because it’s the truth apparently you don’t know much about this organization. Let me fill you in it’s a very high controlled group and these videos are coming out to warn people how destructive and manipulating this group can be that all.
@@jays7761 I’m just agreeing with her I was a witness so I can relate to what she was saying, you are not a Witness then O.K. I was not generalizing an organization with a lie when she was stating facts. Let me fill you in on this organization it’s a very high controlled group and these videos are coming out to warn people about how destructive and distrusting this organization really is that’s all have a nice day.😀
Extremely Accurate! I enjoy you speaking the real "TRUTH"!
I love listening and watching you ! ( even looking like a glow worm lol) You are a very articulate speaker and very informative. Greetings from the UK .
I work for a JW family. I have higher degree in education and work to tutor jw homeschool kids. It's fascinating
I have a few liberal Jehovah Witnesses and most of them are pursuing college degree. Good for them!!!
That is a more recent dynamic. I'm told they just go to the Kingdom Halls and nod their heads in agreement, then do what they want anyways. They aren't obeying like they used to.
@@SuperDirtyHarry0798, there's still hope for them that one day they will totally wake up.
May you heal and find peace and happiness in life. Congratulations on escaping and the work you're doing towards warning others about this destructive and manipulative cult.
I was not encouraged to pursue any higher education. They wanted me to pioneer. My parents have four children and I was the only one to graduate highschool traditionally. The others eventually got their GED's. It wasn't until my upper 30's that I really started focusing on a career. This cult actually ruins lives. I constantly tell people to stay away from the JW's, and I will continue to do so to my dying breath.
Who cares if they encouraged you to go to college? That isn't their job, and she didn't make a video saying that they weren't encouraging. The accusation was that they "discouraged" people. If you don't understand the difference between "discourage" and "not encourage," then you are wasting your time. I am not one of those sheeple who will just blindly fall victim to your word games.
@@jays7761
The creator of this video and many xjws care.
"Higher education encourages critical thinking" - That was in the past like that. Today it encourages not to think it all only lots of mental acrobatics.
@@msjosieb Yea, misery loves company.
@jays7761 , one of the most ignorant post I ever seen. Thanks for your darkness and lack of comprehension, compassion and your ignorance on the subject.
Great critical thinking video. Thank you Beth.
"Using one's conscience" is a double-bind. If you choose to do it, you'll be looked down on, and if you don't do it you won't gain independence.
I wanted to be a professional anything regarding sports.
Basketball, boxing or just wanted to compete.
Yeah….NO.
They put all my flames out.
I’m now 60
What did you wind up doing? Also since people are living longer. My dad is literally 101 years old. Maybe it isn't too late.
You speak with such articulation and confidence and beautiful presence. I would watch and listen to your instructions on any subject.
The JW family I lived next door to were totally against sending any of their 3 kids to college.
As far as sex, drugs and rock and roll goes, If a student doesn’t want to get involved in that it is easy to avoid. Commute from home or get off campus housing. Show up for class and leave. People are not going to approach and try to persuade people to join a cult just like the JWs do. It will be tempting to make friends on campus but it doesn’t have to happen.
This is just from my neutral point of view. I lived on campus and enjoyed the time there but in any of my classes there were students that didn’t live on campus and older students that waited later in life to pursue an education.
The Watchtower excuses are bogus.
Not all degrees make a lot of money, like education. My wife wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a young girl. It takes a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be a teacher and masters is encouraged. What would the world be without teachers?
So? The family that lives next door to me doesn't recycle, and they happen to be Jewish. So now I should just make a video that says Jewish people discourage their members against recycling.
@@jays7761 HUH?? 😯Who are you responding to? Very weird.
" If a student doesn’t want to get involved in that it is easy to avoid."
In theory yes, but try to not go with the flow at college and see what happens.
@@metapolitikgedanken612 Is that your college experience? Did you go to college? I've attended 3 public colleges. 4 if you include my local CC where I've taken a few courses. I've never been forced to "go with the flow" and I lived on campus. Chances are if you are a nerd like most JWs probably are, no one is going to approach them.
Show up for class and leave. Don't join clubs. Don't hang out after classes are over unless necessary. Don't go to social functions. Don't go to sports events. Go to the library between classes. Have a little fortitude and act like an adult. If someone tries to entice you to "go with the flow", say NO. If you are a JW you've probably never stepped foot on a college campus.
@@wfqsfg College and University. My experience is that it can help with training and some structure. But when you want to have some true solid knowledge, you are on your own. Lots of hard work in your spare time, lots of thinking for yourself etc. And yes, I think higher education standards have declined internationally already for a longer period now.
Great Job Beth Thanks
Amen Sista! 👏💪 I can't say it better.
So true. Thank you. What else would you expect from an extremist Cult.
Great and well articulated subject
Thank you
Most people around me talked about the typical stuff like trade schools, but I chose to go to college (twice). I became pre-woke and then completely woken up. True to form, I am doing better than those who "make themselves useful to the organization". I wasn't going to learn a trade for others to use, but I am going to use my mind.
I toured a smaller college after HS and loved the program, it was hunting/guiding on horseback, taxidermy, outdoor survival etc... And I was guilted into not going because I'd be up in the middle of nowhere for like 3 - 4 months for part of the program (was a 2 yr deal if I remember correctly) because I'd miss too many meetings .. 😓 I wish I was stronger and didn't allow that brainwashing to take hold of me. My life would have been so very very different!!
But ya H.E was never encouraged ... The end is coming why waste your time .. should be spent warning others of the impending dooooooom!!!
This is one subjects where what comes out of the WT’s mouth, and the cultural norms in many congregations differ. I always remember being told through official channels to pursue short-term, vocationally focused, post secondary education. The folks who actually did that often did pretty well for themselves even though they might have preferred to do something else if they felt like it was an option. It seems like a lot of folks actually heard “barely scrape by in high school and throw yourselves into the labor market with no further skills or preparation.” That was usually a disaster. The weird, controlling way the official doctrine doesn’t allow for individual interests and goals is problematic, but how the people in some places apply it (ignoring the part that would actually allow you to make a decent living) is even worse!
I wanted to drop out of high school but my JW mother said no way. So glad she did not let me drop out!! I did go to college and got a MA degree later in life. But JW elders and GB not college educated & never use references from experts. The Ex JW shot into KH in Germany last year had went to college got his MA and wrote a book. The elders told him if he publishes he will get DF. He told them if they do DF him for this is a bad idea. This guy s parent and sibling were active JW. So he is DF for writing a book!!! He shot in KH during meeting killed and wound 7 people. Good info you presented. But let active JW people make own decision to college.
For those who were bold enough to defy religious advice not to go to college, I tip my hat to you. An opportunity has opened for you. Congratulations.For those who remained, too bad !!!
Just remembered something
I swear i feel i can tolerate physical pain, cuz listening over and over again the death of Jesus and that he gave his life for us, i swear when i was littke i used to think to myself, I'd rather go through that, than freaking 3 meetings x week plus family Bible study, plus going out to the field, aww catholics, fun memories, again good old times,
Thank you Beth!!
Hallo. You are so right.😎👍
In the LDS church, you must be a JD, MD, business owner, etc dentist to have ANY power in the leadership.
What's a JD
Weird. I know a lot of LDS leaders that aren’t any of those things.
@@MichelleRodgers-fo7zz That’s a law degree in the US.
@@MichelleRodgers-fo7zz juris doctor
@@jmholiday guarantee you they ain't poor
Great breakdown
I was a JW all my life , baptized at the age of 18 by regular pioneered served where the need was great did a lot of things with the organization but higher education was out of the question, and now I'm 60 and financially I am struggling Hard so yes I get 😡 Angry. But I'm okay
The Universe cares for me ❤
Knowing the truth of it all is so amazing and I am grateful for the Awareness of who and what I really am. I am a Soul in a body having a human experience and I create my own reality.
Religion manipulates the mind and Soul from experiencing life all together.
I wasted half of my life in that Dam organization.
Now I feel for my family who are still in...😢
But I am no longer a PIMO ❤
Can you comment in a future video the amount of $$ each JW donates to the KH or to the orginazation? If someone is broke, is it frowned on to not donate?
you make a lot of great points.
Im 63. Born in it ..4 generations elders etc blah blah blah so many blurred lines when my mom was hotdoggin my boyfriend when he was 17 she 33 i was 15 they did nothing but punish me as a girl for my moms sins thats how rached up it is grandpa hotdoggin my daughter .she was 3 ok. I was hot dogged to no protection just lots of sit on my lap little girl ..no learning anything pioneer ..get married have kids shut up ..then sorry want a divorce hot dogged your besty everything is bad everything is gonna end tomorrow ..so my first work of art at age 5 was a huge picture of Armageddon people dying screaming n tears horror i won a first place blue ribbon in kindergarten 😢 i wanted to be creative like the creator they said NO. They are devil in sheep clothing i said it run from Babylon the great false religion is against LOVE they dont know LOVE is god he loves me so much hes my best friend yhwh i sing n dance to the creator n i keep my eyes on him the maker of heavens n earth …these men are lost in the ego of power over others. Not wisdom from yhwh. Keep talking
It was a little different for JWs growing up in 3rd world countries. At least when I was growing up thru the ‘90s, people (especially brothers) went overseas to either Europe or North America (from the Caribbean) to pursue degrees & usually came back and continued to be PIMI. When my family moved to the US I was a little taken aback by the general anti-intellectual feeling around college, but it definitely is/was the dominant view in the US (& in the publications).
Good info didnt know this fact, however I grew up with JW classmates who went to College and some even became school teachers with their College degree ... one person even continued studying and earned a Masters degree. I guess these folks were not 100% JW (good for them) even though they always brought in their believes at the first opportunity.
When I joined in 2007, I told them I had a university degree in Sociology. They asked me what that means. I said we look into human behaviours of all races and cultures. We see how we all have so much in common and what sets us apart such as language and cultural values. I was told to keep my degree to myself and not tell anyone. Every time a woman came to me about how her husband treated her, I told her it wouldn't get any better unless she got some form of counselling and or left him. She grasped her pearls and said that was out of the question. So after a few years, like 2019, I was the one to leave them. Ahhhhhh freedom. Patriarchy and misogyny are not for me.
Great!!! Love this.👍👍
I was blackmailed into baptism to be able to go to college. They didn't let me finish 1 semester. They sent me in a village far away with pioneer "sisters "... they didn't have average comprehension...they couldn't go to college. That's where I wrote the shortest D/A letter. It was in 1985. I was 17 years old. I had doubts since I was very young. Maybe because of CSA from birth, and being beaten by my parents almost to death several times a week. I still hesitate about why that young...it was before Armageddon, remember, in 1975 ?!
I was made to believe Jehovah would miraculously give me more intelligence when needed as the Apostles were "unlettered and ordinary" and therefore so should we frown on any idea pf academia or scholastic performance. Ambition was evil. I was told "the end" would likely come before i graduated 5th grade so my life goal should be to strive to be a pioneer and strengthen my faith so when the troops come to execute me in front of my classmates i will die "faithful".
I feel looking back that what mattered most about this religion to my parents was that they would be TOTALLY off the hook for being actually responsible for us in any productive and caring capacity other than barely feeding and clothing us while they worked long hours and spent as little time at home or with us as possible. Contrary to the rest of the kids at school not making sure we did well in school, that they did not save and guided us for college, had zero involvement in social activities or sports (competition is evil), or never purchased birthday gifts or holiday gifts were somethings they were actually better parents for doing. Males sense riight...?
After a lifetime of being told military or college were both evil, once reaching 18 we were told they were now options but we were fully responsible for our choice and 100% of the funding in order to get our ass the hell out of the house with as little inconvenience to them as possible. Also if we went to college then we showed somehow that we lacked faith and would always have a stain on our record towards being the upstanding witness we were supposedly somehow to be as adults.
This religion creates and invites destruction of self esteem or any hope of a fulfilling future. Every problem is addressed by "wait for the New System". I do not think you ahould live a selfish life but your life is never lived for yourself.
Infuriating it is when they say they NEVER said you couldnt go to college. Or you see the elders kids going to college. FML
I do not know how more JW are not homeless.
As I was watching this video I was prepared to ask you what advice a Jehovah's Witness elder would give to a JW teenager who wanted to become a surgeon--but then at the end you answered my question.
--
All true. I am definitely on my own. Jehovah is my only helper.
I pursued a higher education in getting higher and pimpology and have done quite well for myself. 😘
You are right sister
No idea why the algorithm recommended this to me but it was very interesting. The JW sound 100% like a cult to me. Subbed ..
I don't if this is the right place, and I know you make videos on serious issues that can help people, but...
Your face is like what the ancient master-sculptors modelled their statues from. It's just perfect.
Bible trained conscious is code for do and believe what we tell you to do. On a side note I was tod Armageddon would be here before I graduated High School...that was 30 plus years ago. 😂
Yep. The older JW literature was pointing to Armageddon happening before the end of the 20th century. Try to explain this to your average JW & they will say that it's "old light." Many JW's suffer from Cognitive Dissonance.
I like how the LDS Church allows people to go to college which means that you make money and can pay more tithing just like the Marriot family has over the years
Beth, you're an intelligent critical thinker, much like Susan Gaskin. She also posted great videos. What if you two teamed up on a video... Oh, the humanity!
5:00 I agree too. I have a B.S. and can't find a good paying job. I am currently a truck driver wishing I could use my biology degree to support myself. it was a lot of time, energy and money that did not help me although, if a J-dub wanted to challenge me on evolutionary teachings I would rip them a new asshole.
Outside your post .
Question
Why was Rutherford in prison?
Thank you
Exactly. Constantly barely making ends meet is for the muthafuckin birds.
Speaking on “them” saying, they learn about other cultures.,
Among others in my family one of my sisters was stating her daughter was going to Amish Country on a certain day.
I said, “Wouldn’t that be supporting another religion?”
She of course was confused and then said, “I never thought of that.”
It's reasonable yet it limits your ability to go to a Good Job or intelligence to grow. It's all about control, power and control, of money, education, and property.
Not defending all the bad stuff the Catholic Church has done but at least they aren't anti education. I went to Catholic school. The nuns asked me if I thought I might want to be a nun when I grew up. I said I didn't feel I had the calling. They looked a little disappointed BUT when I told them I thought I might want to be a doctor they perked right back up and were very happy.
I got a scholarship at 19 was told not purse higher education but pioneer instead purse spryitual things not materlism and worldly possessions but put jehovah first in everything i do
1 thess 5:14
what did you learn about in trade school?
The Urban monoculture is not a good alternative to religion, I consider myself secular religious, religious in the sense of aiming to be a successful organism, be it have kids, create intergenerationally stable culture, aim towards a more prosperous future for my offspring and ethnicity.
They look like a collection of Villains.
I like this, i have met JW's with the most sincere faith, which i admire and respect when someone has that genuine faith, for whatever reason i can easily tell, with that b3ing said, i find it funny that most ppl complain about years they wasted, like duh, i was born in it, did the whole thing up to maybe 10 years old, by 13 was living on my own, literally got beaten for not attending, i got in so much trouble without never starting trouble, I mean, a higher education was the least of my worries, and its sad that i figured all this out before and without listening to others ppls experiences, it sucks yeah but if someone committed suicide cuz being shunned, again, I find it funny,
Higher education promotes critical thinking? Really, I don't think so. I know some evangelicals who went to college and they are completely ignorants. Mormons have a very high percentage of college graduates, but , I know many professional Mormones who just don't know how to think critically, o question their theology. Hindus in US are the most educated people, but, you really think they think question their religion?
Note: college education not necessarily open "people's eyes".
JW conscience = do what the GB tells you to do or else.
Is even the word "education" in the Bible?
This is an overly simplistic presentation of a much more complex issue.
I have a question for you?. I assume like me you are an ex Witness, so my question is why,do you care so much about what they do and don't do?
If its not for you, then it's not for you, but why so much negatively in your heart that you feel the need to talk about them all the time on YT?
Halfman half bear and halfpig, why do u care why does she care? I mean I care enough to 😂😂 at ur question 😂😂
@antonioherrera1324 Well that game can go on forever can't it. Like, why do you care that I care that she cares....blah de blah.
I asked the genuine question because people's motivations fascinate me. I was simply wondering what this woman's motivation is..
Some people do these channels for clicks and views, some do them becuase they have an axe to grind, some because they just can't get over it and live their life well.
But she ain't answered so I guess I will never know.
Isn’t that what Jesus preached, to be uneducated! So what if you didn’t graduate 8th grade, the WT/GB will educate you now & in paradise. Now who can say that!
😂
I was a Jehovah's Witness until I left the organization at 18, over a decade ago. I was never discouraged from going to college, and most of the stuff I hear in these videos is just false propaganda and exaggerations. Yes, the Jehovah's Witnesses are isolationists, incorrect in their biblical interpretations, and just plain wrong in a lot of what they teach. However, all of this nonsense about cult-like practices of "blind obedience" and risk of disfellowship if you go to college, is just made up. They are just a religion like all the others. Don't believe everything you read online, or see on RUclips.
Just because you had a different experience in the organization doesn’t mean the points brought out in this video are untrue. I was born in the jw religion in 1965. I remember how college was actively discouraged in the 70’s and 80’s. I highly doubt after I left in the mid 80’s the organization lossened up that much where attending college isn’t a stumbling factor or something that denotes a lack of devotion to the org/gb/jehovah.
I can assure you that your experience and perspective is completely atypical of Jehovah's Witnesses. I got baptized in 1976 and I know for a fact that higher education was actively discouraged. As for following the directions given from the Governing Body and it's appointed representatives, no leeway was given there either.
@@msjosieb Nah, its false, but good try.
@@tellusorbit You can't assure me because I don't need it.. I know objective truth... not just here trying to spread lies because I'm bitter.
@@jays7761
It’s nice that you can deny it but what I stated it was true. The organization did not encourage anyone going to college when I was a young person in the 70s and 80s and from what I understand it still hasn’t changed it stance on that. they may have softened the guidelines a little bit, but people are still looked down upon if they allow their children to go to college. From what I understood even ministerial servants and elders were affected if they allowed their children to go to college, their roles in the congregation could be in jeopardy. Now that didn’t happen in every congregation because I do know of JWs my age that went to college and they were the children of elders, but there are more liberal congregations and you have congregations that toll the line.every congregation is different. so you may not think it ever happened but I was there and you could deny it all you want but I know it’s true.