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

[Sheep]

2 hours ago, Julsey said:

When can we start the 2026 convention spoiler thread? 😉

 

It's already here:

 

https://jwtalk.net/topic/60842-2026-convention-spoilers/

 

Or did you want to start another one besides this? Or maybe one for 2027?

[Sete]

On 8/22/2025 at 9:23 AM, Dages said:

Are the frenchs a corrupting influence?  

always the French... 👁️👁️

[Sete]

On 22/08/2025 at 19:20, addiedg said:

Estou muito feliz com esta atualização. Sou ancião e atualmente sirvo como pioneiro regular, auxiliando a Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias (LDC) , além de cursar um mestrado online. 

A little off-topic but funny enough that somehow the Google Translate translated LDC to Latter latter day saints. Really unexpected read 
"I'm very happy with this update. I'm an elder and currently serving as a regular pioneer, assisting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDC), and pursuing an online master's degree."

 

Haha, just sharing.

[Dolce vita]

1 hour ago, Sete said:

always the French... 👁️👁️

It depends on who...😇

[Ross92]

On 8/23/2025 at 4:37 PM, Jwanon said:

 

Do you understand the difference between a warning and a proscription?

 

We also have warnings against the dangers of the internet, so did the organization say surfing the internet means you are not a good Christian?

 

The shepherd's book doesn't say you will be deleted as an elder if a member of the family goes to college. It says that the body will examine if the motives for going to college will interfere with their relationship with Jehovah 

 

The misapplication you seem to be suggesting is exactly the issue I am highlighting

Brother, I think you’re in the minority here unfortunately with your view and your dogmatic approach isn’t particularly kind to our fellow brothers and sisters who have been instructed and directed to sacrifice education, myself included. The publications and talks over the year have been very clear. Just because it’s not outrightly banned (like blood for example) doesn’t mean it was only a warning. Please have some sympathy and understand that many have made massive educational sacrifices and have genuinely struggled for many years because of the stance. It has differed from area to area, but in the UK further education was certainly more than just a warning. 

[addiedg]

43 minutes ago, Sete said:

A little off-topic but funny enough that somehow the Google Translate translated LDC to Latter latter day saints. Really unexpected read 
"I'm very happy with this update. I'm an elder and currently serving as a regular pioneer, assisting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDC), and pursuing an online master's degree."

 

Haha, just sharing.

Haha I'm definitely not a Mormon! 

[blanchard]

Don't says nothing concerning french .... I am french

[Dustparticle]

26 minutes ago, blanchard said:

Don't says nothing concerning french .... I am french

 

I have some French and Canadian French in me too. Might add on some chocolate in me too.

[Bob]

15 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 

Yeah I see what you mean.

 

However, that’s where it gets murky and where folks get judgmental. We’ve all been JWs long enough to understand that brothers many time are automatically judged as being “materialistic” and “spiritually weak” just for the mere act of going to university without knowing their intentions. 
 

i think that’s why Splane mentioned “including the elders” shouldn’t judge. The GB seems to want to change the negative perception some have of Witnesses who simply choose college etc for personal reasons.

Edited 3 hours ago by Bob

[Landon1285]

4 hours ago, Sete said:

A little off-topic but funny enough that somehow the Google Translate translated LDC to Latter latter day saints. Really unexpected read 
"I'm very happy with this update. I'm an elder and currently serving as a regular pioneer, assisting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDC), and pursuing an online master's degree."

 

Haha, just sharing.

No mergers here lol

[truce]

14 hours ago, Ludwika said:

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. 

Lol 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣,  were they really all little?

[Ludwika]

1 minute ago, truce said:

Lol 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣,  were they really all little?

Yes they were 😂 you shrink with age! 😜🤣

[truce]

16 minutes ago, Landon1285 said:

No mergers here lol

None requested, none needed! 

[truce]

14 minutes ago, Ludwika said:

Yes they were 😂 you shrink with age! 😜🤣

No truer words spoken. Hahaha.

[YayaMichelle]

15 hours ago, Ludwika said:

 

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. 

 

This!!
 

Sample in the US, if someone who did not  pursue a college degree was able to secure a job 15+ years ago, that pays reasonably well that supports pioneering and other theocratic pursuits, during a time when degrees weren’t required, that’s great!  
 

You lose that job and there’s a huge potential of facing the wrath of an over saturated job market where we have of pool of thousands of more qualified  applicants (including Indians and other nationals with H1-B visa) with more experience but with BS or MS degrees under their belts,  it would be a challenge to get back into the workforce.
 

Not to mention the globalized strategy where jobs are outsourced to foreign countries that are cheaper very few left in the US.  
 

Not to mention - AI 🤖 taking the tasks from a human.

So the minimum requirement for a resume to get noticed by an AI Human Resources scanner to get a potential interview is a BS or MS degree.  The AI tool searches for that keyword.  

 

It is sad!