Nicolas King: JW celebrity and example of hypocrisy

[Jack Ryan 658]

Nicolas King frequently sings with the Watchtower Chorus and had a supporting role in the DVD released at the 2014 convention. (He's on the bottom row, second from the right.)

But he also is a jazz singer, traveling constantly performing at concerts, casinos, charity events, even a brief appearance on The Tonight Show. (Not much time left for service and meetings, now is there?) Besides that, he's hobnobbing with loads of worldly people, showing off on his Facebook page.

 

 

So why is Sergei from the convention video not allowed to play his violin, but Nicolas can pursue his worldly career and get rewarded for it by the organization?

[Jack Ryan 658]

He's wearing a necklace. According to the Beth-hell booklet I read once it says necklaces including ID type do not fit the Bethel standard. Something about homosexuals wear necklaces.

[Jack Ryan 658]

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Wow!

[Antonio Tony 0]

Queria preguntar si esta tal JAY Testigo, es testigo de verdad o que es, porque sus comentarios aveces van dirigidos no ha comentar algo, sino a hacer daño a la Organización, tal como hace en este post, sin saber evidentemente si el hermano del que cita, tiene la autorización para hacer esto o no, sino simplemente lo critica. (solo hay que ver el titulo de su post)

[JW Insider 3,785]

On 10/5/2016 at 0:29 AM, Jay Witness said:

Beth-hell

Really, Jay? Personally, I enjoyed Bethel.

Also, I don't really know who is who in any of these pictures, but there will always be individuals whose lifestyles, professions and employment choices are questioned and judged.

[Anna 1,610]

On 10/5/2016 at 0:28 AM, Jay Witness said:

Nicolas King frequently sings with the Watchtower Chorus and had a supporting role in the DVD released at the 2014 convention. (He's on the bottom row, second from the right.)

But he also is a jazz singer, traveling constantly performing at concerts, casinos, charity events, even a brief appearance on The Tonight Show. (Not much time left for service and meetings, now is there?) Besides that, he's hobnobbing with loads of worldly people, showing off on his Facebook page.

So why is Sergei from the convention video not allowed to play his violin, but Nicolas can pursue his worldly career and get rewarded for it by the organization?

There is a awful lot of assumptions you are making here. The fact is he is a regular pioneer, Ministerial Servant and a Bethel commuter. As long as he is putting Kingdom interests first, living a moral life style, and keeping himself spiritually strong there is nothing wrong with making a living the way he does.

He does not travel constantly either. If he was to put his singing first in his life he would be a lot more famous by now...

You guys just don't get it. Sergei was going to go to the conservatory, which is a full time, dedicated, all consuming study of music. Those who go there, are expected to live it during their study and for the rest of their lives. Sergei's father knew his son would not be able to put Kingdom interests first, or stay loyal to Jehovah, AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. He explained that clearly I thought.

Nicolas King was born into a musical family who already had ties with famous musicians and actors. He didn't and doesn't have to do much to making a living. It does not consume his whole life. Pioneering and Christian responsibilities take up the bigger portion.

In any case, you might want to explain what you mean by " get rewarded for it by the organization" I have no idea what you mean by that....

[Outta Here 2,035]

On 10/5/2016 at 05:28, Jay Witness said:

But he also is a jazz singer, traveling constantly performing at concerts, casinos, charity events, even a brief appearance on The Tonight Show. (Not much time left for service and meetings, now is there?) Besides that, he's hobnobbing with loads of worldly people, showing off on his Facebook page.

Jealousy wants what the other person has. Envy wants to deprive the other person of what they have. None of that here is there?

Most people hobnobb in connection with their secular work don't they?

I suppose this is what you call Chit-Chat is it?

 

[Antonio Tony 0]

Jay Witness todavia no me has respondido, eres testigo o eres alguien que se hace pasar por testigo?

[Ann O'Maly 440]

So Nicholas King has the best of both worlds. He has been lucky enough to have been born in a musically well-connected family and he can balance a musical career with theocratic interests.

On the other hand, poor Sergei was presented with an either-or scenario. The conservatoire was blocked off to him, but no other option was offered whereby he could pursue his musical talents and interests to a more professional level other than merely having it as a hobby at home. The boy was visibly crushed (he was a good little actor). As time went on, he lost interest in the violin (remember the video of the old Sergei in hospital and what he said when he saw the old photo of himself as a child with the violin?). That is utterly heartbreaking. No matter what one envisions about living one's dreams in the next world, it's still tragic that his God-given gift is left to wither away in this world.

It is particularly annoying to think that the videos will be used to crush other young ones' aspirations by compelling similar either-or decisions ('theocratic goals' versus 'reaching your potential with your talents'), when JWs like Nicholas King demonstrate that it is possible to have both. 

 

[Outta Here 2,035]

On 12/31/2016 at 4:20 PM, Ann O'Maly said:

It is particularly annoying to think that the videos will be used to crush other young ones' aspirations by compelling similar either-or decisions ('theocratic goals' versus 'reaching your potential with your talents'),

Let's hope that no one is stupid enough to do this (crushing aspirations), but endeavours to aid young ones to 'maximise their talent potential in achieving theocratic goals'

[Ann O'Maly 440]

On 1/28/2017 at 1:27 AM, Eoin Joyce said:

Let's hope that no one is stupid enough to do this (crushing aspirations), but endeavours to aid young ones to 'maximise their talent potential in achieving theocratic goals'

Talents in many of the arts or in, say, natural sciences are not much in demand with regard to the Organization's 'theocratic goals.' So one would hope, from a JW point-of-view, that young ones would be encouraged to 'maximize their talent potential alongside achieving theocratic goals.'

[Outta Here 2,035]

1 hour ago, Ann O'Maly said:

maximize their talent potential alongside achieving theocratic goals

Agree entirely

[Itza Schutzbach 2]

It's good to know that our Judge is above all.

[Melanie Washington 5]

Let's not argue friends....and let's not judge.  Whatever any of us are doing,  if it's not the right thing, Jehovah will take care of it.

I pray the brother King stays protected from Satan while he is pursuing his career, as it I pray for all of Jehovah's people to be protected from Satan. He (Satan) tries to get to us no matter what we're doing. 

[JW Insider 3,785]

And here he is again singing with Franz, Woodworth, Knorr, etc, at WBBR: (second from right, next to Knorr)

 

[Anna 1,610]

On 4/15/2017 at 10:01 PM, Melanie Washington said:

Let's not argue friends.

But we love to argue here!......Hehehe. By the way, last time I spoke with him, which was a few months ago, singing is not a career for him, and he is not pursuing it. It's something he does on the side.

[Melanie Washington 5]

8 hours ago, Anna said:

But we love to argue here!....

I hope that's not the case.  It doesn't seem like that to me anyway, but I honestly seldom read all of the comments. I did for this story, because I was suprised that someone seemed to be criticizing this young men and I was trying to understand why.

 Also, what he does for employment is of no concern to me. I'm sure the brothers would handle it if he wasn't representing  Jehovah well.

[Anna 1,610]

41 minutes ago, Melanie Washington said:

I hope that's not the case.  It doesn't seem like that to me anyway, but I honestly seldom read all of the comments. I did for this story, because I was suprised that someone seemed to be criticizing this young men and I was trying to understand why.

 Also, what he does for employment is of no concern to me. I'm sure the brothers would handle it if he wasn't representing  Jehovah well.

I was just teasing. We dont think we are arguing, but having a discussion. But many people view it as arguing.

I think the criticism came mainly because of the pictures, where he is seen being very buddy buddy with some who look like very worldly people. And I think some were making the point that the Brothers tolerate, what otherwise would be frowned upon, if the person is "famous", in other words there are double standards.

[Melanie Washington 5]

Yes. That's what I summized after reading the comments.  I think people forget that Jehovah gave us free will and we are not zombies. We have to live our lives and we are responsible fto Jehovah for the choices we make.  As long as we are not bringing reproach on Jehovah, the brothers are not going to dictate what we can or can't do. Some people are very critical of others,  whatever they are doing if it doesn't for what they feel is okay. Jehovah is more loving than that.  He gives all of the freedom to grow spiritually at our own pace, and lovingly guides us along the way. I, personally,  am very grateful for that.

[Noble Berean 162]

It's kind of odd to make a post calling out a specific Bethelite brother. Do you know him personally? Because if not, you really don't know if his career affects his Bethel service. Aren't we encouraged not to judge others? What if he Googles his name and your negative post shows up? As far as his FB posts, I don't think a few photos with D-list celebrities means he's clamoring for fame.

However, I do agree with you that there are double standards in the organization. The WT always seems to portray extreme depictions of a Christian lifestyle--to the point that it doesn't feel grounded in reality. For instance, in the recent convention video Remember the Wife of Lot, almost any post-high school education is seen as a pathway to danger. But I know the organization uses (and even pays) college-educated brothers and sisters to create their literature, videos, and music. They also use many JW lawyers. So, the anti-college warnings feel disingenuous and weird. And the reality is not everyone can be a full-time pioneer or live on the brink of poverty, but we all make little sacrifices to be in this faith. I wish we could see a JW video like that. I don't believe JWs should sacrifice their musical interests, but we shouldn't use that talent to pursue an illustrious career or a career that takes our focus away from Jehovah.