My class valedictorian is so incredibly smart and talented!!!! I heard a rumor that she isn't going to college because her mom won't let her.. it's part of their religion; they are jehovah's witnesses. What does college have to do with that? She's incredibly talented.. why should she be held back from achieving more?
I just don't get it I guess...
Answers from people who actually know what they're talking about please...
2006-09-19 09:23:45 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was a Jehovah's Witnesses for several decades. For many years, we were strongly discouraged from going to college because Armageddon was supposedly coming in 1975 or at least by the end of the 20th century, so it was considered to be a waste of time. JW's didn't need it because the Watchtower promised them they would "never grow old in this system of things." (May 22, 1969 Awake, page 15)
Now many JW's have realized that the Watchtower's predictions aren't very reliable, so in recent years quite a few have taken more of an interest in getting an education, even though the WT still discourages education nearly every chance they get.
If, however, a Witness is a doctor or a lawyer, he most likely got his education before becoming a Witness.
Your classmate's parents are probably good JW's who are listening to what they've been told. College isn't forbidden, but it is strongly discouraged.
2006-09-21 15:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Clearly, a high school graduate would decide for herself whether and where she would attend college.
Jehovah's Witnesses highly value their educations. However, they also understand that the main priority in life should be one's service to God. Individually, a Jehovah's Witness may feel that it would be difficult to do that properly while attending university, perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles from home.
Opinions about university education vary widely among Jehovah's Witnesses, mostly by geography and economic status. The matter is personal, and Jehovah's Witnesses are consistently counselled against criticizing the personal and family decisions of others.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/10/15/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/7/15/article_01.htm
2006-09-19 10:48:52 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses don't view college as necessary. It is a personal choice though. This system of things does not have much longer to exist and one's time is better spent in service to Jehovah than the pursuit of wealth or career. Jehovah's Witnesses have many opportunities to pursue Godly things which can even take them to other countries as missionaries or special pioneers to help spread the word of Jehovah God that leads to everlasting life and that is the most valuable use of any ones time and resources. They can also serve at Bethel and help with the spreading of the good news of God's Kingdom, the most important work on earth.
2006-09-19 09:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Years ago Witness youths were encouraged to participate in the field ministry full time, rather than attend post secondary schooling. Nowadays, more and more Witnesses attend college for practical reasons. It is difficult to find a job that you can support a family on without sufficient education. We are told in the Bible that a person who does not materially support his(or her) family is worse than a person without faith.
2006-09-19 09:45:23 · answer #4 · answered by rachely1 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
my nephew is Jehovah Witness and he went to college to earn his teaching degree, he's taught in public high schools and now does home schooling for other Kingdom Hall members. So I really don't know why unless her mom is afraid that she could be influenced or even a target once in college
2006-09-19 09:29:18 · answer #5 · answered by roodawgs98 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They encourage one to do ministry work, but it is of their own free will to go to college and pursue a career. Most JW's want to do the will of God and that is to preach the word, but they can do both.
2006-09-19 09:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by GraycieLee 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
we have many Jehovah Witnesses that are teachers, doctors and nurses. so to answer your question yes many Jehovah Witnesses do go to college. it is up to them to decided if they want to go
2006-09-19 11:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
jsut as jews and muslims go to college, so too do jehova's witnesses. no text in any major religion prevents one from looking for schooling.
2006-09-19 09:28:12 · answer #8 · answered by poloforthemasses 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My Geography teacher's daughter is a JW and she's in college. So I'm at a loss as well.
2006-09-19 09:28:45 · answer #9 · answered by Black Like A Tar 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You certainly missunderstood.
Of course they are going to college if they want to.
Their religion doesn't prohibit going to college for Pete's sake!
2006-09-19 09:25:58 · answer #10 · answered by volksbank 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋