Jehovah’s Witnesses and Higher Education

[NoEffingWay]

I have looked this up but the information is a tad confusing. Does anyone know whether, when enforced education is completed, JW’s are allowed to go to University? I know someone whose children have all turned 18 and have, according to her, chosen to not to go to university and are taking up apprenticeships whilst staying at home.

They are both bright individuals who got great A level results, and are watching a lot of their friends leave home and get some independence. Is it a choice, which is what is being portrayed, or is it just not permitted?

Not trying to whip up an angry mob, but genuinely interested. I have only ever known education to be positive, both in an educational way but also in a personal development and career opportunities way, so it feels limiting to me (but what do I know?!)

It’s common for JW children to leave school at 16, to avoid any further contact with nonJW people. They are a close knit community and will also follow areas of work which allow them to avoid non-JW contact. Not all, but often the case.

Are there industries which are more attuned to or have more JW staff?

The governing body of the Jehovah's Witnesses actively discourages higher education as they don't want them developing critical thinking skills. Exposure to rational beliefs based on science and fact is a death knell for all religious cults.

Lots of JWs prefer to live more simple lives in terms of house and objects and in theory choose jobs which allow them more time for witnessing.

It sits uneasily with me because of my own feelings about education and how having a degree has opened up doors for me at work. I’m not in a high flying position at all, but it’s a positive part of my life. I had the choice to do so, or not.

Their focus isn’t careers though. It’s on faith, family and JW community. Apparently there are a high proportion of window cleaners that are JW! Read it somewhere once. Flexible, little contact with ‘worldly’ people.

@mnahmnahdefinitely not my window cleaners based on their language choices 😂

I’m definitely too ‘wordly’ for the person I know, divorced, child out of wedlock, voice like a sailor and I have been to university….little wonder she rarely comes out of the house unless her husband accompanies her. Ironically enough he is very well paid and well educated 🤔

Yes, and it's one of the reasons why they are accused of being an extremist group and banned in countries such as Russia.
At face value it may come across as heavy-handed of the Russian govt to ban them.

But on careful examination, the accusation is valid.

Perhaps this is why they've recently tried to soften their stance as they've come under pressure and the Watchtower Society is facing financial pressures, so are needing to end dogmatic positions that are clearly turning people off.

So on August 22 they released an update clarifying that university education is allowed, but with caution.
Prior to now you get deleted from positions of responsibility in the congregation just for going to university or allowing your child to do same.
You also get stigmatised and viewed as spiritually weak within the congregation.

Appalling, as someone who personally experienced this.
It would be interesting to see how the new update is implemented in local congregations. Let us see whether all the elders and ministerial servants deleted for attending uni are reinstated immediately or not.

As far as I know, higher education is generally not permitted. Perhaps this is because students might be exposed to ideas that are against the JW theology, or being exposed to worldly people and their customs. It might also be seen as being too time-consuming. Also, I suppose that it might be tricky if, say a JW wanted to be a doctor, and was expected to give blood transfusions, despite their religious beliefs.

However, they are encouraged to start their own businesses, e.g. working as window cleaners (as previously said), in trades or owning independent shops and businesses. That way, they can fit in witnessing time and work around religious services and things, as well as limiting exposure to bad influences and ideas.