2025 GB Update #5 - Putting to rest issues on “Higher” Education

[Bob]

I am somewhat uncomfortable with many brothers saying this update is nothing and nothing has changed from before. Personally, I think it’s a huge u-turn and that’s not a bad thing in my eyes.

 

In the late 60s, the organization taught that college education was useless because Armageddon would come before young people would finish.

 

Since then, while it wasn’t banned, it was strongly discouraged. Brothers could be removed as elders if they sent their children to college.

 

As of last week, it’s a “personal decision” and elders can’t judge. 
 

So a LOT has changed, and I think for the better. 

[trottigy]

5 hours ago, Bob said:

I am somewhat uncomfortable with many brothers saying this update is nothing and nothing has changed from before. Personally, I think it’s a huge u-turn and that’s not a bad thing in my eyes.

 

In the late 60s, the organization taught that college education was useless because Armageddon would come before young people would finish.

 

Since then, while it wasn’t banned, it was strongly discouraged. Brothers could be removed as elders if they sent their children to college.

 

As of last week, it’s a “personal decision” and elders can’t judge. 
 

So a LOT has changed, and I think for the better. 

 

An elder still could be removed if he is encouraging his family and others to focus on making more money and becoming successful in this system - even at the cost of their spirituality.

 

That did not change 

[YayaMichelle]

1 hour ago, trottigy said:

 

An elder still could be removed if he is encouraging his family and others to focus on making more money and becoming successful in this system - even at the cost of their spirituality.

 

That did not change 

 

But  wouldn’t this be harder to prove now after the update? What would now be a good evidence that an elder  beyond reasonable doubt is “encouraging his family and others to focus on making more money at the cost of his spirituality”.  An eyewitness? Or  Someone reporting him that he gave that advice to someone? He could easily refute/deny that.
 

Before the update last Friday, an elder father sending his child to college is already a sufficient factual evidence across many congregations globally (NOT ALL) to make him step down as an elder. 
 

AFTER the update last Friday, it appears like sending the kid to university per se is no longer acceptable as an evidence as it has gained immunity from “judging”.

not sure if i made sense. Maybe not.  sorry.

Edited 2 hours ago by YayaMichelle
toned it down

[Andrey]

2 hours ago, trottigy said:

 

An elder still could be removed if he is encouraging his family and others to focus on making more money and becoming successful in this system - even at the cost of their spirituality.

 

That did not change 

 

I imagine if the brothers had made this statement change in May or April. Usually in June or July there are entrance tests (exams) to universities. How many parents and children would have declared that their goal is to put career and wealth first? Today, the role of brothers is to discuss the pros and cons, but not to interfere with making a choice.

Edited 1 hour ago by Andrey

[TheKid23]

8 hours ago, Michał said:

Lets waits for update #6 about hair colors 

 

I don’t know why but some years ago here it was popular for a bit older woman like 50/60/70 (in and out of congregation) to have purple hair. This fashion (literally) faded away. 

We have an older sister who has purple hair 😅

[Ludwika]

8 hours ago, Michał said:

Lets waits for update #6 about hair colors 

 

I don’t know why but some years ago here it was popular for a bit older woman like 50/60/70 (in and out of congregation) to have purple hair. This fashion (literally) faded away. 

While I was still at school I had a part time job as shampoo girl at a local hairdressers, and all the little old ladies came in for a pink or blue rinse. 

[Eejay]

2 hours ago, trottigy said:

An elder still could be removed if he is encouraging his family and others to focus on making more money and becoming successful in this system - even at the cost of their spirituality.

This wouldn't necessarily be connected with engaging in "additional education". It could be anything that was causing a deliberate neglect of spiritual matters.

 

This change of emphasis to making "additional education" choices a matter for a personal decision is part of the growing up process we are being encouraged to follow in recent times. As Br. Lett illustrated in his update #4, we do not expect capable adults to be still holding their mothers hand to cross the road do we?

 

It reminds me of:

1. Hebrews 5:14. As individuals, we have been trained to recognise danger and in the case of "additional education". The practical principles and reasoning Br. Splane discussed were "Keep a good spiritual routine, protect your thinking, manage your time carefully, and choose your associates wisely".

2: 2Cor.1:24. Good advice for elders, particularly the study note. It is interesting that the update emphasised the need to rely on Jehovah through prayer, and also for parents to be the principle guides for minors in this matter. Elders may provide advice in weighing pros and cons, for adults or for parents of minors, in making decisions about "additional education", but as Br. Splane pointed out clearly "no Christian —including the elders— should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter."

 

This is a welcome development in our Christian course. It assigns dignity and respect to those who need to makes personal choices in these matters, providing the right kind of support. It frees elders up to be concentrating their energies and example on strengthening the "sheep" to continue developing their trust in Jehovah to provide while they focuss on the ingathering of "rightly disp[osed ones at this time.  And also, it really demonstrates how Jesus, as the Head of the congregation, is actively shepherding his people in these last days. He is fulfilling his promise: "Come to me all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you" Matt.11:28.

[Tsheppar]

I waited a few pages before I said anything.

 

I dont have a horse in this race.

 

I am  a life long witness who as soon as I got away from a florescent lit highschool classroom, you couldn't PAY me for extra education!  Aint NO WAY  I was going to college. No interest. No desire. Nada. 

Now dont get me wrong...I love learning. I went to work for a witness carpenter and learned boo- koos of knowledge. I got  paid ( minimum wage)  for learning how to build a home, and that  has served me well through the years. I got paid for learning. 

 

 

My brother ( who was raised as  a witness,  but never took to it,  and certainly never baptized) , this premise of no  college education was a real hangup with him. He wanted to be a millionaire. And in the 1980s that was a real big idea to him. 

  Years later , he eventually went to a community college out of spite I think.   

 I , on the other,   hand took a different route . Unlike my brother , I really don't care much about money, my  faithful witness sister  is the same. 

 I went  to bethel and that was a grand education !

 Amazingly , as I was what was considered "broke" ...I somehow traveled the world.  Go figure.

 

 My brother , chasing riches. Never really left our hometown.

 

   I know brothers who graduated  valedictorian, refused college and  struggled financially. 

 

 I know brothers who went to college and  are weathy.

 

 I know brothers who went to college and are  flat broke. 

 

  I know brothers who barely have any education , mow lawns  ,and  are very  wealthy.

 

  Not going to college is not the answer to lifes problems. 

 Yes it was looked down upon ,lets not deny it.  

 The pendulum swings both ways. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. 

 Ive personally seen it go both ways. 

 Any stigma has thus been removed. Yay! 

 

People can do as they choose before Jehovah. Broke or rich. Jehovah can bless. 

College is not the answer to life's problems. 

Your relationship with Jehovah is the answer. 

Ok. Im going pay some bills now. With money I dont have. Gosh! Maybe a university education would have fixed this! 🤣

[Ludwika]

9 hours ago, Lance said:

I have found rest for my soul in this old system.. a choice

Yes, this. Me too. If I hadn't come into the truth all those years ago, where would I be now? The world is a cruel and terrible place, filled with agitated and anxious people. Instead, I've found safety and protection and peace.

I regret nothing when it's come to following directions from Jehovah's organization over the years, it was advice for it's time.

Those who look back regretfully are sadly looking back through rose tinted glasses, as they say. Universities were hot beds for political activism in many countries over those decades. They promoted, and still do, God dishonoring theories and behavior, it was shark infested waters. 

You could get good jobs that paid well without putting yourself into that environment. 

Now almost every entry level position requires a degree of some sort. It's a different world. But there's options to get further education in many ways these days, and lots of brothers and sisters have taken advantage of such opportunities.