Comments on: Smoking, Drugs, Education and Violence

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:04:17 +0000

I am an ex witness. I was brought up in the truth. There are reasons behind what your saying but your not explaining them. Most of the time when kids go to higher colleges with dorms and such things are there that could cause you to lose faith. Drugs, Sex, partying, lets not be naive here. So their advice is that you chose a local college where you are near your family and you have the support of the congregation should any temptations arise. The only reason there would be any reproof if you went to a higher college if you let temptation get the better of you. Please if your going to talk against the Witnesses then speak right. Had I listened to the counsel of the bible i would still be in the truth and you two might still be.

By: Bernard

Bernard — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:38:55 +0000

Religion, opium of the ignorant masses.

By: Ida

Ida — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:15:02 +0000

Growing up I was always seen as the “smart” one, but this was always said and in a negative way. I had a thirst for knowledge and it made me so happy but as my A* report cards were dismissed as nothing special, parents evenings and award cerimonies were skipped I was made to feel as if my intelligence were a sin.
Over the years I got baptised, pioneered and managed to convince myself that I never wanted to go to university anyway, my goal was bethel.

I’m finally going to uni now, I’m not able to study what I originally wanted because I wasted a lot of time and was unable to take A-levels. But I’m happy and excited about the world of learning ahead of me. I went through hell to get here, no family (shunned), but I’m creating a new life for myself.

By: John

John — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:51:22 +0000

I once read that the only thing education is a threat to is ignorance. But evidently education is also a threat to the Watchtower Cult. I think the leaders of the Cult realized a long time ago that it’s much easier to control the ignorant.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:54:12 +0000

Well, actually education wastes a lot of people’s time. For example, I’m almost 35 and my pursuit of education a long with my desire to “see the world” (in other words, my inability to settle down and have a family) have cost me dearly. At my age, I could have already had kids graduating from high school.

I guess the question is “What is real happiness?”. Why does Satan delude us into chasing idols of money, fame or some kind of adventurous life?

As for me, I get government income and make a small amount (but it’s growing from internet sites). However, had I done work as say a carpenter or farmer (or even a dishwasher) I could have already had a lot of money AND a family.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:11:40 +0000

I have never known of anyone who suffered reproof or discipline of any sort for attending college. Like the video demonstrates above, the governing body does discourage it and even feels a responsibility to do so, but even the speaker says that it is a decision between the parents and their children. The question of being an elder while having kids who attend college is only an issue if it appears more overriding to putting their spirituality first(ie, attendance to meetings, preaching, etc). I personally went to college, I explained why, and I was never criticized by the body of elders. I did have a ministerial servant try to dissuade me, but I explained that I had a specific work related purpose and I wasn’t doing it for some kind of notoriety. Most witnesses who leave the organization often don’t go to college and have regular secular jobs.

By: GiggaSA

GiggaSA — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:49:22 +0000

I grew up as a JW, when i was 17 a received a bursary to study at a University, but had to turn it down to “serve where the need is great”. Was the biggest mistake of my life, now i have been on Public reprove for almost 6 years, everyone i ever known doesnt talk to me. Luckily i married a wonderfull woman, she is studing the Bible at the moment with JW and i would never stop her. I had my experience and one day the Faithfull and discreet slave will be exposed.

By: Watchtowers Witnesses

Watchtowers Witnesses — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:22:35 +0000

Hi George, you might not get that many responses on this website. There are a couple of great internet forums I can recommend where you can get advice or just vent about your situation.

Go to exjehovahswitnessforum.com
It’s a forum were you will find many friendly and supportive people.

You can also go to jehovahswitness.net

By: George

George — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:08:51 +0000

Hi John/Anybody,

I’m JW and i stay with my parents. Today is tough day for me. Today i have to tell them that i dont want to continue being a JW. I shit scared. Anyhelp on how to tackle this situation; what to tell my parents would be appreciated.

By: maz

maz — Fri, 28 May 2010 03:34:15 +0000

When I was deciding whether or not to enter higher education while I was a JW, I was more influenced by the publications, DC drama and the DVD. Using the bible, they would bring up scriptures like “we can’t serve two masters” and “put the kingdom first”. For a serious, devoted JW, those words and visual input was someone enough to make you avoid higher ed because you are encouraged to think that you will benefit spiritually if you don’t go. By 17, I thought that was the right way to go, and others will tell you that Jehovah will support you during the hard times (like when you can’t have a job!) And that I should take up pioneering as my “real” career. Under such given reasoning, I was pretty much pushed to think tertiary education is meaningless and something that will lead us away from Jehovah.

Luckily, my father was a little “worldly” with his thoughts and he didn’t like the fact that I decided not to go to university when I’ve been to one of the best schools in the area and I can easily get into top unis. And since he’s one of the bosses of a company, everyone expects his children to be in good unis. So I am attending uni and I can’t believe I didn’t even consider it as an option a few years back. But I did pursue a degree that would be more practical than what I would’ve wanted to study (my dreams). Growing up as a JW, you’re just too protected from the outside world that nobody tells you how tough life is in reality. How difficult it is to get a job without a degree etc…

I have seen so many of my ex-JW give up their whole youth and dreams (including myself) and end up in low paid jobs. I just wonder how much potential they would’ve had, instead of filling their mind only with bible scriptures. But at the same time, I did leave the org after entering uni. I don’t think being in uni made me involved in the things I did, I blame the JW lifestyle. Too protected and not ME. When you’re too protected, you grow curiosity and rebellious attitude. When I come to think of it now, the things I did that made me disfellowshiped is just PART OF LIFE. Nothing to do with uni or the people there. I did it because that’s who I am, I’m not the type who would sit back with a long skirt thinking drinking and dating is SIN.