any Jehovah's Witnesses help me with something?

[harpsichordcarrier]

I would appreciate your help on this one.
I am writing (well, have written actually) some songs for a girl's choir. Anyway, the musical director is worried that there is too much "God" in the lyrics and that one of the singers (who is a Jehovah's Witness) or possibly her parents, will object and refuse to sing.
btw it is not a religious subject as such, but the work is set in the 17th century and about a time of crisis so the references to God are in context IYSWIM.
I have really no idea about this but am struggling with some rewrites...
what would be offensive/unacceptable for a JW to sing in a secular setting?
e.g. - we must pray that God won't forget the brave.
God has called so many of our friends to be with him.
Enemies of our true God.
what about references to hell?

TIA

[dweebusdad]

Not a JW but can advise on facts. JW sect set up in early 20th century as a splinter group from a late 19th century sect. They use a corrupted version of Christian bible, although they are certainly NOT biblical Christians. References as you quoted should not be offensive, from a watchtower point of view, and they are denied any personal biblical freewill. Hell certainly not a problem, consider age of kids of course. Historically, your play set in the 17th century, pre - dates the JW anyway, as their earlist text is 19th century.
Would welcome theological JW opinion

[harpsichordcarrier]

thanks dweebusdad
the children are all teenagers (13+)
anyone else?

[Ladymuck]

Again not a JW, but I had understood that references to God per se whouldn't be a problem. Where they tend to deviate from mainstream christianity is over the person of Jesus. They do not belive in the trinity, and view that Jesus is not God.

But if I were you I would show your lyrics to the girl in question. She'll be best placed to tell you if there is anything highly objectionable.

[Inthecloset]

harpsichordcarrier you are welcome to CAT me, I will leave my nickname set as "inthecloset" until the evening.

I normally wouldn't be here on a Sunday morning but my uncle died this morning. On my way out now but if you CAT me I will try to get back this evening. Although the main advice I would give is to speak to the girl's parents and find out whether they would feel the lyrics to be appropriate or not in view of the setting.

[dweebusdad]

This may get complicated but bear in mind current issues regarding religious hatred and equality.
If you are seen to require the permission of a person of one 'faith', then to maintain equality you must also include those of any other faith. This must then also include permission of 'non faith' people, as they too could be offended by the implications of your lirics.
If God was real to the people of your song, then no amount of human rights in our generation will change it.

[harpsichordcarrier]

in the closet - I missed you! been out all day.. would really like to get your perspective though
thanks

[Inthecloset]

Harpsichordcarrier, I have only momentarily come back as this name, want to swap back to my usual name, would you be able to switch on the CAT feature on your MN account so I could CAT you?

I don't know that anything I have to say will be much help but I would prefer to talk to you off board for reasons I will explain.

[harpsichordcarrier]

thanks inthecloset, I did that this morning, sorry for not having done it before....
look forweard to hearing from you...
(struggling with rewrites this morning still...)