I stand by everything I've said on this subject. I may be the only one who was involved in this project that has left the organization, so it may be difficult to have independent verification of my accounts. The YouTube clip above is neither Song 7, nor was it sung by George Benson or Sheila Hutchinson. Celine Dion had nothing to do with this project. With all the misinformation that has been circulated over the years, I am the last person you would want to doubt.
DNCall
JoinedPosts by DNCall
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Singing Kingdom Songs - Volume 2 (2005) : truth or legend?
by neat blue dog inok, pretty much all of us have heard some of the 10 track cancelled album featuring george benson and others, the most popular track of which is probably "we must be holy" with the celine dion soundalike.
not much is known about it, but i always assumed it was just a george benson nonprofit hobby project.
tonight, however, i read a post from user dncall who says he regularly contributed to wt music projects, including co-composing the soundtrack to jehovah's witnesses stand firm against nazi assault.
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"Standing Firm" But For Whom?
by DNCall ina musician friend of mine had listened to the score i wrote for one of the organizations videos.
i actually split the assignment with another composer who is now in residence in patterson.
i had mentioned to my friend that i was really conflicted while working on this project and she asked me to provide the back-story for my work on jehovahs witnesses stand firm against nazi assault.
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DNCall
A musician friend of mine had listened to the score I wrote for one of the organization’s videos. I actually split the assignment with another composer who is now in residence in Patterson. I had mentioned to my friend that I was really conflicted while working on this project and she asked me to provide the back-story for my work on “Jehovah’s Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault.” Here is my response in the event this is of interest to any here.
This video was designed as an answer to claims that the Witnesses were trying to win the favor of the Nazi party in the early to mid 1930s. The video did not answer these claims directly, but rather presented accounts of the suffering of the Witnesses in the concentration camps. Unlike other groups, the Witnesses could have been released by simply signing a declaration renouncing their faith. Some did, but most did not.
The director asked to me to use string quartet only, which I thought was a good idea. Instinctively, I composed a Hebraic main theme that would convey the Holocaust setting. I always believed that the word “Holocaust” should only be used regarding the persecution of the Jews during the Second World War. For anything that had to do with the Witnesses, I wrote more German-sounding music. Though I couldn’t quite identify why I felt uncomfortable working on this project then, I now understand why the whole thing did not sit well with me.
The Witness experience during the Second World War was far different from the Jewish experience. In many instances, the Witnesses were assigned to the households of German officers as domestic workers. Even the loss of life suffered by them cannot be compared to that suffered by the Jews. To me, it felt as though this video and its promotion was attempting to elicit the same degree of sympathy as that extended to the Jews.
After I left the cult, I researched the charges against the Witnesses and now believe that the charges are valid. The then President of the group, J.F. Rutherford, had made overtures to Hitler by using anti Semitic language and taking the position that the Witnesses upheld the same lofty principles as the Nazi Party. The Nazis had seized the Witnesses’ property in Magdeburg and Rutherford wanted it back. When Hitler did not comply, Rutherford (who had a mercurial temperament not unlike Hitler’s) launched a campaign against Hitler and the Nazis. He assigned the German Witnesses to distribute his rants throughout the country, knowing the consequences that would befall them. But Rutherford knew well the value of persecution in galvanizing his followers and winning support from outsiders. He had also enjoyed recognition and publicity from inciting opposition to the Witness religion in the past. The Witnesses could have physically signed the declarations while mentally and spiritually holding to their beliefs. Such a deception would have been no different than the smuggling of their literature into the camps or lying regarding the whereabouts of fellow Witnesses. They took pride in having done these things. More importantly, they would be free to continue their “vital” preaching, albeit underground. However, this would not have generated the degree of publicity that formally resisting the Nazis would. To that end, Rutherford tested the German Witnesses' obedience to his directives, under the pretense of obedience and exclusive devotion to God. In reality, he was sacrificing them to gain recognition and publicity for the Witness organization as a whole. -
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How Many JWs actually Watch JW.TV?
by Oubliette ini'm curious.
what do you know from your own experience and talking to other active jws?
i know from my own informal, non-scientific survey that most jws do not watch jw.tv.
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DNCall
The same amount that watched the video releases more than once. Same creative team . . . same audience. -
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TERRY EXPLAINS JAZZ (to those who hate jazz)
by TerryWalstrom interry explains jazz (to those who hate jazz)_______________________________.
there are too many reasons to cite.
suffice to say, we all know annoying people.. we don't become a hermit because of a few annoying people.
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DNCall
Absolutely brilliant post, Terry! -
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To JW Leaks and Anyone Else Who May Know
by DNCall inon may 7, 2015, the zalkin office filed a request for modification of opinion with the 1st district court of appeal in the conti case.
the request was denied, but do you have access to that document?
does anyone else on the board have any intel on its contents?.
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DNCall
On May 7, 2015, the Zalkin office filed a Request for Modification of Opinion with the 1st District Court of Appeal in the Conti case. The request was denied, but do you have access to that document? Does anyone else on the board have any intel on its contents?
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Today my son told me that he can't stand this religion
by hardtobeme ini have talked to him ttat.
and he understands.
he doesn't wanna be a jw.
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DNCall
Regarding his preparation for later life, how do you feel about his going to college? Has your wife ever voiced a personal opinion about this? In some cases this issue can be bone of contention. In others, when husband and wife agree, it can be a foundation on which to build. -
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LATEST NEWS: CANDANCE CONTI VERIDICT READY - WT LOST!!!!!!!
by Viva la Vida ini'm not an expert but that is my understanding of this: .
opinion filed.. (signed published) the judgment against defendants on the negligence count is affirmed.
the judgment against watchtower on the cause of action for punitive damages is reversed with directions to enter judgment for watchtower on punitive damages.
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DNCall
Watchtower's defenses with regard to the pending lawsuits of this type are greatly weakened by this decision. The decision will be published and a legal precedent set. Watchtower will continue to have exemplary damages assessed against them in the pending cases until they change their policy, which is what Candace has wanted since day one.
Having punitive damages reversed in this case is a short-term win for Watchtower. As far as the long term, this is a very important outcome.
Watchtower may petition the California Supreme Court grants for review of the appellate court's decision, however only about 5 percent of these petitions are accepted for review by the Court.
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Religion On The Line...
by titch ingrowing up, and residing in the southern california area, i would---and still do---listen to a local talk-radio am station, that being kabc.
if you're familiar with that station, you might remember that in the 1970s and 1980s, kabc would have a show on sunday evening, called "religion on the line.
" over the years, there were several hosts who would be a host for the program.
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DNCall
I remember the show. My father used to call in occasionally. Sometimes, a friend of our family's would be called on to represent Jehovah's Witnesses on the show. He was very knowledgeable and could hold his own with the other clergymen on the panel. You could tell that the host (I think her first name was Carol) was impressed with him. He was a radiologist, professed to be anointed and served as the Presiding Overseer when it was called that. Your bringing up that show made me think of how today you couldn't find anyone to discuss religion on behalf of the Witnesses that effectively. Today's Witness can't converse on the level of that show's discussions. Thanks for the memory. BTW, the brother's name was Steve Leograndis. -
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Watchtower choir
by wannaexit ini think i've seen it all now.
nothing surprises me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpfzs7l_3sq.
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DNCall
I am guessing this is was prepared by either the Canadian branch or the UK. I don't recognize any of the singers or the conductor as being from HQ.
What interests me is that you can't suppress this type of musical expression, even though the org tried to for so many years. What is especially ironic is that the current GB (reportedly all Ted Jaracz appointees) are promoting choirs. Teddy would be furious if he knew!
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Anybody near Los Angeles California?
by hardtobeme inis there anyone here currently living near la?
if so, can you send me a message?.
i wish i can meet others like me, that have woken up.. thanks!.
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DNCall
I just pm'd you.