The Watchtower Society teaches that Jehovah will soon destroy all non-Witnesses and that Witnesses will be the only ones left on the planet. They believe that the earth will be transformed into a paradise populated only by Jehovah's Witnesses. This theology is the basis for their belief that it is not a good use of time to pursue a college education or pursue a career. Since their start in 1884, Jehovah's Witnesses have believed that God's destruction of the world in a fiery Armageddon was just a few short years off. Therefore, throughout their history, very few have sought an advanced education.

The printed policy of the Watchtower until 1992 is shocking. The 1969 Watchtower said this: "Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them brainwash you with the Devils propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. This world has very little time left . . . make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal." (March 15, 1969, p. 171)

The Kingdom Ministry (06/69, p. 3) said this: "In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous . . . Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."

In 1993, researchers published the result of a massive survey of trends within major religious groups. Barry A. Kosmin and Seymour P. Lachman conducted a National Survey of Religious Identification. The survey had a sample size of 113,000 people. Of the thirty religious groups included in the survey, Jehovah's Witnesses had the lowest percentage of their members graduate from college. (Kosmin BA, Lachman SP. "One Nation Under God," p. 258)

Educational Rank - Religion - Percentage of members that are college grads:

1. Unitarian Universalist: 49.5%

2. Hindu: 47%

3. Jewish: 46.7%

7. Agnostic: 36.3%

18. Catholic: 20%

20. Lutheran: 18%

21. Seventh Day Adventist: 17.9%

27. Baptist: 10.4%

28. Pentecostal: 6.9%

30. Jehovah's Witnesses: 4.7%

In the last few years, the Watchtower Society has started to relax their rules and now some Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to go to college. However the underlying attitudes persist, and very few Witnesses seek a college education. Why do so few Witnesses still not go to college, despite the softening of the Society's official position on college education?

The Society continues to warn of the dangers of college and remind followers that college education will not be necessary in the paradise, which they predict will come soon. Note these recent quotes from the Watchtower: "In the present system of things under Satan's control, there are many things that may seem to promise fine benefits but can actually be damaging to our relationship with God. Such things as climbing the corporate ladder, pursuing higher education to advance one's position, courting unbelievers, or engaging in questionable business schemes can easily lead to a loss of faith and an eventual fall from Jehovah's favor. We must carefully count the cost when confronted with such temptations. A few years ago, a young Christian man in a large city in the Far East had the opportunity to go abroad to further his study. Though he already had a good secular education and a well-paying job, he felt that this was not enough; he wanted to better his lot in life. Fellow Christians tried to reason with him in line with the Scriptural points we have just considered, but he was adamant and went ahead with the plan. Though he tried to hold on to his faith at first, gradually he lost his appreciation for Bible truth, and doubt began to set in. In just a year or so, he lost his faith completely and claimed to be an agnostic." (Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1992, p. 28-29)

Instead of encouraging young people to plan for the future, the Watchtower Society encourages people to seek part-time menial labor so that they are more free to spend time pioneering. Typical of the advice that the Watchtower gives is this: "Many pioneers support themselves financially by means of part-time jobs. To sustain himself in the ministry at Corinth, Paul worked as a tentmaker along with his fellow believers Aquila and Priscilla. Today, spiritual brothers are often happy to offer pioneers part-time secular work. Other pioneers obtain such work through employment agencies that offer temporary jobs. Faith in God is essential, and so is earnest prayer for his guidance in making employment decisions." (Watchtower, Sep. 15, 1993, p. 29)

Young Jehovah's Witnesses are given this model to follow: "Whenever I read about pioneer experiences in the Society's publications, I found that my desire to become a full-time servant of Jehovah was aroused. . . . I was working full-time, and this provided the extra income needed to maintain us. I realized, however, that unless I also obtained a part-time job, full-time service would not be possible . . . Success in pioneering is mainly a matter of faith that Jehovah will care and provide for us. So he suggested that I resign from my full-time job." (1993 Yearbook, p. 235) The anecdote goes on to say that she did get a part-time job, and that she is now very happy pioneering.

Closely associated with the Watchtower's disdain for education and the institutional discouragement of establishing a career is their view of money. The Watchtower states: "Many people want a substantial bank account, feeling that this will give them security. Yet, recent history shows this not to be so. In the Great Depression thousands of banks closed all over the world, with severe loss to depositors. And an economist recently stated: "The banking system . . . has shown a continued deterioration since the end of World War II." Also, the value of money has been eaten away by inflation, just as a block of ice melts away in the sun. Truly, the history of money is summed up in one word: insecurity. For no matter what actions authorities may take to patch up today's economic systems, the fact is that soon they will all totally collapse, and this time forever. The day is fast approaching when, as has happened before, "into the streets they will throw their very silver, and an abhorrent thing their own gold will become." (Watchtower, Apr 1, 1977, p. 204-205)

It should not be surprising that The National Survey of Religious Identification found that the annual income of Jehovah's Witnesses ranks 24th out of 30 religious groups surveyed. (Kosmin BA, Lachman SP. "One Nation Under God," p. 260) According to the same survey, Jehovah's Witnesses ranked last in aggregate social status. (Kosmin BA, Lachman SP. "One Nation Under God," p. 262) Aggregate social status was based on four sets of data: home ownership, annual household income, college graduation, and percent working full-time.

Aggregate Social Status (Rank)

1. Unitarian Universalist

2. Disciples of Christ

3. Agnostic

4. Congregationalist

5. Episcopalian

13. Catholic

26. Baptist

27. Pentecostal

28. Seventh Day Adventist

30. Jehovah's Witnesses

The negative attitude of the Watchtower toward education extends to High School education as well. Among Jehovah's Witnesses it is socially acceptable to drop out of high school. The Watchtower culture places more value on pioneering than on finishing high school. The National Survey of Religious Identification found that only 67.6% of white Jehovah's Witnesses graduate from high school, compared to 80.9% for non-Witnesses. (Kosmin BA, Lachman SP. "One Nation Under God," p. 272)

The Watchtower has admitted that it was common for Jehovah's Witnesses to drop out of High School. In the same article that they softened their rules related to seeking a college education, they said: "It has been reported that in some countries many well-intentioned youngsters have left school after completing the minimum required schooling in order to become pioneers. They had no trade or secular qualifications. If they were not helped by their parents, they had to find part-time work. Some have had to accept jobs that required them to work very long hours to make ends meet." (Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1992, p. 18)

Even those students who do stay in high school, do not get the same well-rounded education as those not controlled by the Watchtower Society. The Watchtower Society prepared a booklet for Witnesses to give teachers to explain what they could and could not do in school. The list of prohibited and cautioned activities is quite lengthy, and in aggregate serves to severely restrict the quality of education. The booklet says: "You may have noticed that most Witness youths do not participate in extracurricular activities sponsored by the schools . . . 'Bad associations spoil useful habits.' And, as noted before, we try to comply with Christ's statement to his followers: 'You are no part of the world.' These principles shape the view of Witness families toward the school's extracurricular activities, including the following." (WTB&TS, School and Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 22) Then the booklet goes on to list all the activities that Witness children may not be allowed to participate in: Sports, cheerleading, homecoming, school dances, dating, school clubs, school plays, blood donations, raffles, patriotic music, religious art, combat instruction, birthday parties, Christmas activities, and national holidays.

In summary then, the anti-education policies of the Watchtower Society have produced the largest religious group in the United States populated by poverty-stricken, under-educated people. The education level of Jehovah's Witnesses is exceptionally low, and the high school drop-out rate is very high. This leads to poor career prospects, low social status, and poor self-esteem. This is just one of the many ways that the Watchtower Society causes injury.

Lord Brougham said: "Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave."

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written by brother , June 06, 2009

I know this is terrible, there are seven million Witnesses and counting that are so poor and uneducated. You cant buy a degree in integrity and that is what makes Jehovah's heart rejoice. John 15:19 " If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you". Over seven million love Jehovah's organization and enjoy wonderful association daily. There isn't one of these uneducated Witnesses that can't provide for their family physically, spiritually, morally and mentally. Matthew 5:3 says " Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need". Happy we are.

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written by Another Brother , June 23, 2009

"Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man. Rejoice in that day and leap, for, look! Your reward is great in heaven, for those are the same things their forefathers used to do to the prophets."

Not found in any Watchtower publication, but in YOUR very own Bible. Luke 6:22,23

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written by cal , August 18, 2009

I have been one of Jehovah's Witnesses my whole life and in no way is it encouraged to drop out of high school. If anything, it would definitely be discouraged. We are not banned from going to any type of school. We are not "banned" from doing anything. We don't sign a contract giving up our rights to be mindless drones following whatever we are told to do. We choose to follow Biblical principles. In fact, it is encouraged to follow the example of early Christians, who were "carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." Yes, information is provided through the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, but it is based on the Bible. Each and every Witness is to decide whether or not the information they read is in agreement with God's word.

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written by wasblindnowisee , September 16, 2009

to all the faithfulful little sheep who responded to this site you will be called to the back for a severe reprimand

shocked

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written by Russell , October 10, 2009

Jehovah's Witnesses are slick operators who use subtle deceptions to manipulate people into believing their nonsense. The ones posting on this site are fine examples of this. I spent about three months studying with members of this cult, and my college education was clearly looked upon with disdain. While it is not explicitly forbidden to attend college, peer pressure is heavily set against it. This is how they deceive people; they claim that they do not forbid something, but there will be no shortage of disparaging comments leveled at a person who violates the "unofficial" rules. Make no mistake about it: The Watchtower Bible Bible and Tract Society is a cult that uses every trick known to psychology to lure new recruits and to keep its members tightly within its grip.

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written by Michael , November 02, 2009

No where in the Bible does it say not to get a college education or even a PHD. In fact Job was the richest man among all the peoples of the East. The Watchtower is there to organize and shed light on God's word the Bible. That is all. Jehovah's Witnesses is not a based in New York, They are people following God's word. Thanks to the Watchtower, many truths have been revealed to mankind about God. And I believe is the only Christian organization today. A simple observation would be that JW's don't join the military, don't run for office and don't celebrate pagan holidays. JWs try to follow the Bible in the best way possible. The teachings of God's name, No hell, No trinity, Paradise on earth are all correct.

But as a Jehovah's Witness, we must keep on the watch that nobody misleads us, within or without the organization.

The year 1975 was an error made by the Watchtower, when they wrongly said that year might be the last year before the new sistem of things. There have also been many errors made by the Watchtower. But it is interesting to point out that 1st century christians were also some times confused or made errors.

The bottom line is that Jehovah's Witnesses are the true christians today, but we are men, we make mistakes, and we try to live as close as possible to God's standards. College is not a bad thing. I can see that the Watchtower is just trying to protect us from this world. Its a sick world really. Entertaiment, movies, society have fallen and continue to get worst. So the Watchtower tries to protect us. But keep on the watch. Keep praying to Jehovah and make sure of all things...wether they come from the Watchtower or outside. Satan tries to make us leave Jehovah. and there will be more attacks from the inside and more accusations from the outside. Hard times are coming. Its time for Jehovahs Witnesses to keep alert and make sure of all things.

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written by alex hamilton , November 04, 2009

Um, Job wasn't a Jehovah's Witness!
I am a survivor of this cult and each day I am amazed at the abuse I suffered as a child due teachings to my parents. To this day my sister has remained a witness. However I am the real witness - to her opinion that human beings can be treated with total cruelty if they are not a JW. As we "non believers" must be Satan's tools. The cult should be legally banished from this earth, it seems they want no part of it anyway, so it would be doing them a favor.

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written by jeff , November 13, 2009

i am a 17 year old studying with the jehovahs witnesses for 5 months and it has changed my life. The witnesses have never told me not to go to college,but have encouraged me to keep god first. they have answered every single question i have ever asked and supported their answer with scriptures from the bible. They take religion seriously and try thier hardest not to get wrapped up with the temptations of the world that will cause them to stray from what they know is true. From every corner of the earth they work incredibly hard to share their beliefs with others. If you whole-heartedely believed in your religion, wouldnt you do the same?

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written by Mx1 , November 22, 2009

Former JW becomes Rhodes scholar, discusses how JWs systematically discourage education and free thought.

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=11554602

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written by DelMar , November 23, 2009

Great article Mx1, thanks for sharing! And good for her - what an accomplishment!

I am an inactive JW and I went to college, but I did not enjoy the experience at all, mostly because I was always made to feel guilty for it and felt that I had to work extra hard to prove myself to other JWs that I was "good enough". So yeah, it is the subtle put-downs and other JWs telling you how "spiritual" some other young person is for deciding not to pursue college and instead join the full-time pioneer service. What I learned though is that most of these folks were clueless and lazy, 20 something living at home with their parents and not working, and probably miserable because they have no sense of themselves or what they want to do with their lives.

I really wish I'd have known then what I know now. I would have enjoyed college a LOT more!

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written by a.g. , November 23, 2009

not celebrating the day you born into this world is sad to me... I question any religion that doesn't rejoice in the birth of a child.

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written by Nigel , December 20, 2009

More articles concerning Ms. Monica Marks, an intellectual dynamo who has been brave enough to speak openly about her JW background with reporters. A Fulbright Scholar in Istanbul, and now a Rhodes Scholar on top of that, Marks had a typical JW background in eastern Kentucky: her father was a janitor and an elder in the local congregation, and her mother was a housewife. Neither graduated high school. Marks escaped this with the help of her father, who often hid her extracurricular activities from others in the church (participating in sports and extracurricular activities is off-limits for JW children).

Marks speaks about the "antagonistic" stance JWs take to higher education, saying "it was so rebellious to even consider that" and pointing out that JWs tend to "denigrate women" and women's educational futures especially.

For those of us raised as JWs, the fact that Marks chose Philosophy, Women's Studies (feminism!), and-- gasp!!-- Political Science as her three majors should come as no surprise. These are major taboos in the JW religion (voting gets you disfellowshipped from the cult and 'philosophy' and 'feminism' are absolute taboo words). Reading these articles you can definitely see how the experience of escaping the JW cult has impacted Marks. She is interested in Islamic law, and seems to see similarities many different fundamentalisms. This is a woman who lived through the cult upbringing and is taking motivation from that escape. Congratulations to her for being brave enough to speak out.

"Rebellious Scholar:" http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/1034111.html

Louisville Courier Journal Sunday edition front page article: http://www.courier-journal.com...es-scholar

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written by michael williams , January 02, 2010

The Watchtower is a cult!I know this first hand!They do look down upon those who pursue higer education.I was studying when I was in highschool!I had to miss meetings to work on my reasearch paper and I was also working full-time to support my self.I was criticized
for meeting meetings and when I told them that I was working on school assignments,these members of the congreagation that were critical of me acted as if they did not care!This is one of the major reasons why I left the congregation among other things!

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written by kimmygn , March 09, 2010

pI was born and raised a jehovahs witness and was always raised to "not want" an education after high school. That I should WANT to devote my life to door to door. If I even made a comment in my house about a career then i was heading in the wrong direction and usually got at least an hour on a lecture from my father reminding me that the end was coming so what was wrong with me to want a career. My father was an Elder in the Hall so I was I guess the example child. I was taken out of school and home schooled even though I did not want to. I "graduated" at 16 and my future was bleak and I was very panicked and depressed not knowing how I would ba able to get out of the house and on my own with no good job. Dad told me that they would continue to support me if I pioneered (meaning, I put in 90 hours a month)of door to door. I felt I had no choice as I was 16 and had nowhere to go so I did till I became of age to be able to move across the country to become a nanny. I remember anyone that even decided to take community college classes was looked apon as heading in the wrong direction and we were therefore warned against spending time with them. Thankfully I was strong enough to have been able to work three jobs and put myself through college and I now have a very well paying job. No thanks to my parents who are now seriously struggeling with how get by since they were not encouraged to invest in any future they done have much retirement and dad even retired 5 years early to be able to pioneer full time. Mom says she has a hard time even sleeping at night wondering how they will get by and I have a hard time even feeling sorry for them as it was all self inflicted and even tried to set me up with that amazing future. I am very resentful with the upbringing I had. Anytime I tried to have a mind of my own I was considered rebellious.

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