Singer quits Mormon Tabernacle Choir rather than sing for Trump

[portlander23]

Singer quits Mormon Tabernacle Choir rather than sing for Trump: ‘I could never throw roses to Hitler’
Travis Gettys
Raw Story

A member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has resigned rather than perform at the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump — which she worries would be “endorsing tyranny and (fascism) by singing for this man.”

“I’ve tried to tell myself that by not going to the inauguration, that I would be able to stay in Choir for all the other good reasons,” Chamberlin wrote in her resignation letter, which she later shared on Facebook.

“I have highly valued the mission of the Choir to be good-will ambassadors for Christ, to share beautiful music and to give hope, inspiration, and comfort to others,” she continued. “I’ve tried to tell myself that it will be alright and that I can continue in good conscience before God and man. But it’s no use. I simply cannot continue with the recent turn of events. I could never look myself in the mirror again with self respect.”

“I only know I could never ‘throw roses to Hitler,'” Chamberlin wrote. “And I certainly could never sing for him.”

[titaniumsalute]

1. Wow powerful story

[brutus smith]

2. Principles

Good for her for standing up for what she believes.

[calimary]

114. Welcome to DU, brutus smith!

Indeed! It sounds like a decision she wrestled with. I think she made the right choice. Sad to see she's gotten nasty feedback, but then again, that kinda validates her decision.

[brutus smith]

120. Thank you!

I have actually been following DU since 2004, that is when my wife joined. I decided that with all the crap that was being spread about Obama, before the 2012 election, I needed to join too.

[Botany]

3. I only know I could never throw roses to Hitler. And I certainly could never sing for him.

A meme is born. #Rosestohitler

Anybody know how to start a roses to hitler twitter account?

[ewagner]

10. Excellent...

from here and ever after...

Cooperation with Trump is like throwing roses to Hitler...

Normalizing Trump is like throwing roses to Hitler...

all variations...all iterations .... are legit!!!

[Botany]

29. I am not a member of twitter

So what do I have to do?

[bigtree]

35. here

https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&q=%23Rosestohitler&src=typd

[RKP5637]

4. Excellent! Someone who speaks their conscience and takes action than to fall

in line for authoritarianism.

[smirkymonkey]

5. What a brave lady.

It is nice to see that there are people in the world that hold true to their principles.

[cwydro]

6. k and r. nt

[HughBeaumont]

7. It only takes a spark.

Never normalize this embarrassment.

Never think we'll be OK with this BLIGHT.

[Gothmog]

8. It will be interesting to see what happens

I bet that more people will refuse to perform for trump

[7962]

12. He wont care. He'll just shorten the whole event. It doesnt matter to him.

Inside I'm sure he doesnt like it, but outwardly he's going to act like it never happened.
he'll just go on and on about how great anyone who DOES show up is.

[ailsagirl]

52. Yes, outwardly

But I'm sure he's making note of the hordes of people who have refused to celebrate his ignoruration-- he's petty and spiteful and he'll never forget.

I'm glad people are standing up for their beliefs.

[pangaia]

77. He already says he doesn't want "A-LIST" people performing.

he wants the normal people.

[Charles Bukowski]

113. Which you'd expect someone trying to save face to say.

Deep down you know he's fuming.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

9. So she's been representing a sexist, bigoted organization

her whole time with the choir, and NOW she suddenly decides to stand up for "principles"?

You'll excuse me for not patting her on the back. She's still a supporter of the same things she says she's standing up against.

[bigtree]

11. she's been singing in the church choir

Last edited Fri Dec 30, 2016, 12:31 PM - Edit history (1)

...can you tell me what the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has done that's sexist or bigoted BEFORE the decision to participate in the inaugural?

[Loric Vilesilencer]

14. Singing wouldn't be sexist or bigoted in and of itself

She claims that participating in the inauguration would be supporting the sexism and bigotry of who she's singing FOR.

But being in the choir, she represents and supports the Mormon church, which IS sexist and bigoted. But strangely, she seems to have had no problem with that, ever.

This has nothing to do with her "principles". It has to do with her fear of criticism if she performs. Hypocrisy at its finest.

[bigtree]

20. I think that's a slippery slope

..singing in a church choir is not an endorsement of bigoted or sexist views. I think you're presuming too much about her participation in the choir, outside of their decision to participate in the inaugural.

Plenty of folks have moved past their church when their actions betray their values. I'm not prepared to say that all Mormons are bigoted because of their religious affiliation, and I don't think it's credible for you to label her decision as 'fear of criticism,' rather than a principled decision.

Your beef seems to be with religion, in general, because you can't find many religions which have not, at one time or the other, sought to impose or impart beliefs not necessarily shared by every congregant.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

24. Belonging to a sexist, bigoted organization

and willingly representing and promoting that organization in the wider world are absolutely endorsements of that organization's bigotry. It would be if this were the KKK, and it is for the LDS church.

A person doesn't necessarily have to be on board with every single thing endorsed by an organization they willingly belong to and support, but certain things should be deal-breakers for any decent human being. Don't you agree?

[bigtree]

31. you don't appear to understand or appreciate religion, in general

...what you've written is mostly projecting your own beliefs about this woman. Singing in a choir isn't 'representing and promoting' 'bigotry' in the 'wider world.'

What's most objectionable about the views you've expressed here is your willingness to substitute your own beliefs for hers, in a cynical attempt to mar her with all of the sins of the church. That's not how religion or religious belief works.

The Mormon church isn't the kkk.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

36. Apologists for religion and its bigotry don't WANT it to work that way.

But sorry, it does.

Singing in the choir is representing and promoting a bigoted organization in the wider world. An organization that she KNOWS is bigoted. She may have closed her mind off to that and told herself that it's just about the singing, but the fact remains.

Let's get you on record. Do you agree that the Mormon church, as characterized by its own fundamental doctrines, is sexist and bigoted? Yes or no?

[bigtree]

37. understanding religious belief is not endorsing

...nice try, projecting all of your own nonsense onto me.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

78. Nice try at dodging every point I made

And nice job of ducking an easy question:

Do you agree that the Mormon church, as characterized by its own fundamental doctrines, is sexist and bigoted? Yes or no?

Are you afraid to answer that question? I suspect you are. You know if you answer yes it will make my case, and if you answer no it will be demonstrably and laughably untrue. Examine your little quandary there and you may gain some insight.

[bigtree]

85. why don't you give it a rest?

I'm just going to block you from this point (put you on ignore)...

Most of my views can be found (by star members) searching DU: bigtree ____

[Loric Vilesilencer]

89. In other words

you can't answer the very simple and direct question I posed, and your inability to do so is something you can't cope with, so you're going to stick your fingers in your ears.

Got it.

[Hekate]

104. In other words, Loric Vilesilencer, you are prejudiced (prejudging another), hostile (as seen by....

....post after post after post in this thread), and you like to ask trick questions so you can treat any answer you get with contempt (witness your activities in this thread).

So you reflexively hate all Mormons without getting to know any of them, hate the Mormon church as an institution, and greet any attempt at mitigation with hostility. Did I get that right?

Gee, while we're at it, how about elucidating us on your opinions re other religions, so we can know what to expect next time the Pope says or does something charitable?

[StevieM]

110. It's not fair to compare the LDS Church to the Trump campaign.

I have a friend who is an ex-mormon so I know a little about the church, including why people leave it.

I don't remember Thomas Monson ever coming down an escalator and denouncing Mexican immigrants the way that Trump did. I can't remember him ever degrading women and minorities the way that Trump did.

That is not to say that the church is above criticism or that there aren't things about them which I find upsetting. But it isn't fair to lay Trump's hatefulness at their doorstep.

[LeftyMom]

116. Have you read their scriptures? They're shockingly racist and there are almost no named women.

Literally the story is that a tribe leaves Israel, comes to the Americas, and that half of them turn evil and god makes them black so everybody will know how evil they are, and if they stop being evil god will make them white again.

Anybody who literally believes that dark skin is a sign of evil is a terrible person, and if you don't literally believe that you're not a mormon because it's a central tenet of their faith. (And yes there are Mormon POC and I have no fucking idea what they're thinking.)

[Raster]

25. First of all, as a recovered Mormon, sing in the Choir and singing for tRump are apples to oranges..

...I applaud this brave soul who has chosen to respect her principles over church-sanctioned action. This is a major, personal schism from Mormon normality.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

28. The only difference is that the sexism and bigotry of the Mormon church

has been wrongly granted legitimacy and shielded from criticism by the cloak of religion and "faith", and by the church's carefully crafted PR image of large, well-scrubbed, handsome families.

But bigotry is bigotry, no matter how you dress it up or excuse it.

[Raster]

63. I agree, however, bigotry is part and parcel of most American religion...

...I do NOT excuse it, nor accept it. I am a Gay man... the Church would sooner see me die alone, celibate and wallowing in self-hate than see me fulfilling my human potential and enjoying a meaningful relationship with another man. I am fully aware of the Mormon church and its foibles and failures, and its emphasis on picture-perfect families seemingly living their picture-perfect Mormon existences...Been there, done that, and waked away.

I applaud this person for taking THEIR PRINCIPLED STAND. You have no idea the courage and conviction it takes to challenge the Church and stand your ground. Unless you've been there, YOU DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND.

AND FINALLY, YES, bigotry is bigotry, no matter how you dress it up or excuse it. The Church is stacked to its golden plates with bigotry and passive/aggressive religious bigotry and hatred masquerading as "God's Will."

[smirkymonkey]

118. I think we should give her a break. She had taken a very principled position.

Perhaps the Mormon church is capable of change as well. I think she was doing this in good faith.

[Tatiana]

54. Wow. That is stunningly beautiful and a sincere interpretation of the teachings of Christ.

And, apparently, this person knows real Bible scripture.

I admire her courage and conviction.

[niyad]

73. because LDS is a cult full of misogyny, racism, hatred and mass murder

(see the mormon mountain meadow massacre for the last)

[bigtree]

87. the choir did this?

...mass murder? The choir represents mass murder?

I'm going to give your posts a rest, as well.

[niyad]

90. the choir represents the cult, as you well understand. but, we do see what you are trying

to do here. do give it a rest. your posts have become tedious and ludicrous in their mind-bending attempt to absolve the cult.

[bigtree]

94. nowhere on this thread or anywhere else have I attempted to 'absolve' the church

...go pester someone else.

[Hekate]

91. That is an incredibly powerful, ethical, & humane statement to be met with such DU bigotry in return

There are DUers who seem to bear a special hatred for all Mormons, as Mormons.

As a child I was always taught to meet each person as an individual, and judge them on their individual behavior. Jewish, Christian, atheist, black, white, or brown -- it was my mother's firm belief that "all men are created equal," and that, "At the heart of every great religion is the Golden Rule." To prejudge others based on their race, ethnicity, or religion would be to make oneself a bigot.

DUers who are quick to recite snippets of Mormon history would do well to reflect on the Crusades and other, more recent, unlovely examples of human behavior in the name of one god or another, one political belief or another. There is no patch of soil on this sorrowing Earth that is not soaked with the blood of innocents.

I would be proud to call Jan Chamberlin a friend and neighbor.

[7962]

106. Not just Mormons, but religion in general.

yet many of the same will bend over backwards to give Islam a pass

And its always odd how quickly people will bring up some incident that happened centuries ago & equate it to people today

[treestar]

13. Such a wrong attitude

So if people are starting towards our side, we should judge them and say no thanks, you've committed unforgivable sin? That's no way to grow the party or win elections.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

18. What makes you think she's "starting towards our side"?

She's covering her ass because she knows that anyone performing at the inauguration is going to be savaged. She's a Mormon, which automatically puts her in support of bigotry and sexism, and against many of the principles that progressives are supposed to hold dear. I see absolutely no indication from this that she has changed any of those attitudes and is ready to start voting the right way. If that were the case, she would leave the choir and the church.

[treestar]

19. just overly harsh

not every Mormon is necessarily a jerk and they were raised that way. I was raised Catholic, so do you want me to vote Republicans instead?

This one (only one) saw the Orange Furor as unacceptable. Why do you assume she is covering her ass? She's the only one doing it. Every other member of that choir is not going to suffer in their career while she doesn't.

So judgmental, especially about something people were raised in. That is not supposed to be a liberal trait.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

22. I don't blame 8 year olds

for what they were raised in. Adults are another matter.

And if you're giving her credit for not wanting to support Trump, why does she not deserve equal blame for supporting and continuing to support the sexist, bigoted, Mormon church? Is she an aware adult, capable of making her own choices, or not?

[treestar]

41. So they have until age 18 to just quit?

Leave their family and all they knew because of something they have been taught differently on? All churches have patriarchy to them so that condemns all adults who aren't atheists, and a majority at that. Members of minorities can also be very religious, if they are adults, you reject them? In fact, there are black Mormons and certainly a lot of black Christians.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

46. Your failure to answer my question is duly noted

So I'll repeat it:

if you're giving her credit for not wanting to support Trump, why does she not deserve equal blame for supporting and continuing to support the sexist, bigoted, Mormon church? Is she an aware adult, capable of making her own choices, or not?

If you find yourself unable to answer, ask yourself why.

[treestar]

48. I don't think those things are quite equal

At least she recognizes that Trump is unacceptable, and that's something. Makes it more likely you can convince her on the other issues. You're taking a tactic where we could never convince anybody, judging them for believing things they were raised to believe. That's not going to convince them at all. It's like you don't want to increase the number of people who are against sexism and bigotry, but rather enjoy some sort of superior status as nonsexist nonbigot even if there is still a voting majority that is sexist and bigoted.

I was raised Catholic and didn't turn pro-choice until several years after 18, so would you rather I just became a Republican? LOL you would decimate the ranks of liberals.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

59. Nice try

But I'm not judging her for believing anything, as you'd know if you had actually read and understood my posts. I'm judging her for her deliberately and willing actions, in particular, supporting the bigoted and sexist Mormon church, despite knowing full well how bigoted and sexist they are.

Since you continue to dodge the question, I'll ask again: Do you think she is a capable adult who can choose to act any way she decides is best, or not?

[treestar]

68. Sure but your are in essence

condemning every member of that church, which will not be constructive. As if we are not progressing but the progress should be considered already made.

Here there are some people who could be persuadable.

http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/12/30/mormons-just-petitioned-boycott-singing-trumps-inauguration/

Some of those people sound persuadable. Maybe one day the Mormon Church will have women clergy or gay. But it's not going to happen by completely judging them. The Catholic Church now has altar girls but women can't be priests. Yet if we just gave up entirely, it would still not have altar girls or women who do readings and such. People belong to these churches in large numbers, so just writing them off would cause decline of liberalism.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

75. Any change will not happen

by pretending that what those people believe and put into practice is OK. It will not happen by conceding that there is some validity to it. Sometimes harsh judgment, and voicing of that judgement is required. Which of your principles are you willing to abandon to get more votes? Let's hear a few.

Are people being dissuaded from performing at the inauguration by gentle persuasion? No. By fear and threat of public vilification and shaming. Sometimes it works and sometimes it's necessary.

[LiberalLovinLug]

83. You are comparing an apple to a field of pineapples

both have "apple" in it but that's as far as it goes.

I was brought up in a Christian fundy household so I know all about the kind of insidious indoctrination that takes place in the human mind. To require this person to go all the way or no way at all is asking a lot. What do you want her to do that would be good enough? Publically denounce the religion of her family and friends? When you are ensconced in a dominant religion you are conditioned to think of yourself as following principles that define you as a good person. Its not a simple break. For her to stand up to this one clear principle in her mind, is a lot in and of itself. Baby steps. It was a brave move, who knows who else in that 'faith' will be encouraged by her move and back her up. Also in the bigger picture, what she did would perhaps help a young Mormon to question that 'faith'. So what she has done may have deeper outcomes no matter what.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

88. She has sent the message

that as long as the Mormon church stays away from the inauguration, it's perfectly fine for them to go back to their pretty temple and continue with their regular, everyday practice of bigotry and sexism. Apparently she has some principles that she thinks define her as a good person, but opposing sexism and bigotry are not among them. How do you suppose she came around to opposing fascism, but not those?

BTW, I'm not asking her to do anything. But as long as she willingly and cheerfully supports a deeply sexist and bigoted organization, with her membership, her talent and her money, she deserves to be criticized for it.

[LiberalLovinLug]

98. You are not asking her to do anything but its implied

That she should not do anything if she is not going to go all the way and self-ostracize herself from her family and friends and community, because it would be hypocritical to do less. And I say its not that easy. And we should commend her for the step she did take.

A cult (as all religions are) has many ways of digging into you and latching on. Like a tumor. And it grows larger in the brain the longer it is allowed to grow. When you are a child you have no choice but to endure a lot of years of that tumor growth. Its a bit easier to disengage as a young person when the tumor is not as big (Like I did). That kind of operation is much more complicated the older you get.

Just like the students of Liberty University stood up to their president Jerry Falwell Jr.'s endorsement of Trump...without quitting or denouncing their Christian faith. That was still a powerful statement and I'm sure resonated within the community. So one could 'criticize' them for still supporting that university with their tuition fees etc. or appreciate the act they did do for what it was.

It is small acts like this that expose the hypocrisy of religions in general. She herself may never leave her faith, but her actions, like these students, may make a few others question their inherited religion. Its a long game.

[Ms. Toad]

79. Covering her ass? you're living in a fantasy world.

She is one member of a 360 member choir. Aside from her choice to draw attention to her participation, it is highly unlikely that anyone beyond people she knows personally would even notice she was a member in order to savage her. There is a significant difference between savaging a choir that performs and savaging individual performers. There is absolutely no need to "cover her ass" to avoid being savaged.

And remember - you are suggesting that people on our side are going to hunt her down and savage her. Do you really think that little of people who oppose Trump that they/we would hunt down every single one of those 360 people and savage then?

In contrast, by publicly and clearly stating her objection, she IS- by her own actions - no longer an invisible voice in the choir. She is one person, standing alone, making herself a target of harassment, death threats, or worse, from Trump supporters - as has happened with virtually everyone who has taken a public stance against him. Unlike the big name entertainers who have taken similar (and far less publicly stated) positions, I doubt this woman comes equipped with body guards or the money to protect herself from what is likely to follow from her action.

[LAS14]

67. Amen!

[Kolesar]

15. It's the family that she was born into that led her to that choir

That is how she got to this circumstance.
Welcome to the Democratic Underground!

[Loric Vilesilencer]

17. She could leave any time, if she really had the "principles" she claims to

Lots of people do it.

What's that you say? It's hard to leave the LDS church? No one ever said that doing the right thing was always easy. And part of the reason it's so hard is because the supposedly loving and welcoming Mormons are so hateful and rejecting towards people who leave, just as in all cults.

[kickitup]

33. I left an oppressive fundamentalist church at the age of 25.

It was not an easy thing to do and my family still thinks I'm going to hell 25 years later. If not for the spiritual leadership of my BIL, who was at the time a minister in a very liberal denomination (he now teaches at a seminary), I don't know that I could have gotten out and still felt safe. He literally talked me down from thinking I would go to hell if I didn't go to that one specific church. Those fears still come back from time to time.

I applaud this woman. If she is anywhere in the place I once was, she just did a remarkably brave thing.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

43. She did a small right thing

but will continue to do the big wrong thing and see no problem with it.

As I said, excuse me for not giving her a standing ovation.

[Hekate]

53. So tell us how it is that you know this particular human being so intimately that you feel....

....confident in bashing her repeatedly so vehemently and personally.

Must be quite a tale.

Welcome to DU. Enjoy your stay.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

56. Ummm...the same way that people all over this board

feel confident in bashing all manner of Republicans so vehemently and personally, on a daily basis, despite having never met them.

Would you like me to post a list of threads going right now where the same thing you're trying to bash me for is happening?

[KittyWampus]

64. For only 25 posts most of which are in this thread, you seem really familiar with DU.

Welcome.

People change slowly.

Not everyone is at the pinnacle of righteousness. It takes lots of baby steps.

And even though other DU'ers have responded to you and you seem unable to process what you've been told:

People join churches and their choirs for various reasons. Often it's community. And often people take the parts of the dogma
that work for them and reject others.

Sort of like how Democrats are a coalition and have to accept some elected Democrats, like Sanders, will be softer on gun control.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

71. Is it so hard to grasp

that I've read here for quite a while before I joined and started posting?

And do you seriously think that expecting someone not to support sexism and bigotry is the same as demanding that they be "at the pinnacle of righteousness"? I hope not, because that's just silly. People join the KKK for "community" too, but that doesn't excuse anything. I'm sure the Westboro Baptist church gives money to poor people, but does that excuse people who support them just for that, in spite of their raving bigotry?

If you want to discuss things, feel free, but don't put words in my mouth and don't waste my time with straw men.

[Crunchy Frog]

70. Ah. That explains it. Hurt feelings over other posts here.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

72. Not at all

you clearly missed the point.

[Crunchy Frog]

80. I think I've got you loud and clear.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

84. If you think that I have hurt feelings

and that they explain my answer, then no, you really don't.

[Hekate]

107. +1

[Maru Kitteh]

96. "people all over this board feel confident in bashing all manner of Republicans"

Why do you want to be a part of DU? You do know this is DEMOCRATIC Underground right?

You've been here for less than 24 hours, seem to know a WHOLE LOT about DU, and show up just now to pitch us a bitch about how we are so mean by "bashing Republicans?"

Sooooooooooooooooooo very curious.

Most new members who go on to become valued voices in the community are less acrimonious and preachy than you have shown yourself on this thread. Almost none of them come in with their lower lip stuck out complaining of how we "bash Republicans."

So odd.

[bigtree]

97. oops!

Loric Vilesilencer:

"people all over this board feel confident in bashing all manner of Republicans so vehemently and personally"

[Hekate]

108. Perhaps someone took a wrong turn

...on his way to somewhere else.

[Maru Kitteh]

109. Or they got a new IP address for Christmas

Which would be kind of ironic, no?

Religion is only about misogyny and bigotry!
Oooh look! I got a new computer!

(For the record, I myself am not religious, but I am sittin' here looking at a Christmas tree. )

[awoke_in_2003]

100. Not everyone is as perfect as you

and suddenly wake up on their 18th birthday fully enlightened. For most it is a process, and one that can be hampered by living in a closed community.

[LanternWaste]

38. her deep depression at your lack of compassion and back-patting will affect her greatly

No doubt, her deep depression at your lack of compassion and back-patting will affect her greatly, and may possibly be her undoing, regardless of the excuses you politely request.

First steps are one of the easiest things for others to dismiss and trivialize.

[Phoenix61]

39. It is clear she doesn't like Trump

and there are any number of reasons why she may feel that way. Maybe it's his stance on ACA and Medicaid or the environment, who knows. I'll take resistance anywhere I find it. When you are in a leaking, sinking boat, griping about who has the pail seems a little silly.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

44. Oh please...this woman is not bailing out the boat

She is much more a part of the problem than she is part of the solution.

I'll reserve my praise for people who have stood against bigotry and sexism everywhere, not just in one selected instance, while supporting it everywhere else.

[nbsmom]

82. You're fairly new, right?

Wish I could understand what you're trying to accomplish when you attack other posters to this thread and the intent/bigotry/sexism of the MT Choir singer. If your point is that organized religions are inherently flawed, I see your point: after all, each act of faith is an individual one, no group can make your choices for you. (You could make essentially the same point about political parties.)

But with an organized religion, we are given a chance to be a part of something bigger than we are, to be a part of a community dedicated to doing good.

Instead of focusing on the big act of bravery, you're focusing on the acts of the Mormon Church as a whole. Under this thinking, Sister Simone Campbell and the Nuns on the Bus are not accomplishing great things for social justice because they are part of the flawed, misogynistic Catholic Church.

So perhaps the best way to approach this would be to respect the Singer's intent and sacrifice and appreciate her courage.

[Loric Vilesilencer]

92. You talk as if

people cannot do one without the other. As if they cannot do good unless it is mingled with bigotry and hate. As if running a soup kitchen balances out trying to deprive an entire segment of the human population of their full and equal rights.

Sorry...not buying. Lots of people do one without the other. I'll reserve my praise for them.

[Phoenix61]

95. So if someone isn't all in we don't support them at all?

Seriously? People change one step at a time. She has made a personal sacrifice and opened herself to condemnation from people who are a large part of her life. It seems you don't like the Mormon church and I'm not saying I do, but personally, I think her action took a lot of courage. Maybe it will encourage other church going people who support Trump to rethink their choice. The more people who speak out against Trump, the better.

[Hekate]

50. Well aren't you the special ambassador for outreach demonstrating goodwill and tolerance

[Loric Vilesilencer]

58. The Mormon church is sexist and bigoted

I don't have good will or tolerance towards that, no matter how nicely they sing.

Do you?

[el_bryanto]

57. Are Mormons a special case or are you generally opposed to organized religion?

Full disclosure I am a practicing Mormon (although I have no talent for singing).

Bryant

[Loric Vilesilencer]

62. The Mormon church is what's involved in the OP

So that's what I'm commenting on here.

Not all organized religion is as fundamentally sexist and bigoted as the CoJCoLDS.

[KittyWampus]

65. No, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is what's involved in the OP.

[HassleCat]

61. Most organized religion is sexist and bigoted

[GoneOffShore]

16. Most of the comments are very positive on her Facebook page.

Though the trolls have started.

[Tanuki]

69. The trolls have started here, too!

But like most here, I applaud her courage and willingness to sacrifice her career to make a public stand for her principles and to resist bigotry and oppression.

[MineralMan]

21. Good for that person.

Sadly, though, there are people clamoring to join that choir, and there is no doubt a waiting list of people who have already auditioned for it and who are eager to be part of it. It's a very prestigious group with many people in line to be part of it.

I doubt if this gesture will have much impact.

[Ford_Prefect]

23. It will for her and the people around her.

Most of us don't participate in events that impact the rest of the world on any scale beyond the personal. For her as a member of the church to resist the activities of any LDS organization is actually quite brave indeed. The LDS church can be and has been quite ruthless in dealing with resistance on any level. Whether you grasp the degree of personal commitment required or not this was a brave thing to do.

She may not affect the rest of the choir's choice in this case but the fact that anyone in that choir did so publicly has meaning to the rest of the LDS community.

[bigtree]

32. ffs

...this isn't about some broad political movement. It's an individual gesture which has the potential to inspire and spark other individuals to action.

Not every 'impact' has to be monumental in scale or scope to be appreciated or make a difference.

[MineralMan]

102. Which is why I said "Good for that person."

She felt strongly enough to make that statement. Then, I expressed sadness that it wouldn't affect the choir going to the inauguration, which had nothing to do with the person who resigned.

[LAS14]

103. Maybe it will. They're a little over 900 short of a 25,000 person petition.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028414780

[LAS14]

66. It will have an impact of inspiration if we all share it and tweet it...

... and do what we can. Tweet something to #RosesToHitler.

[classykaren]

26. I read on Huffington that Mormons have a petition against letting their choir preform.

[tavernier]

30. I think the country should send her roses.

There is a little voice inside of us all, and when we listen, it leads us to the right choices.

[Phoenix61]

34. Way to go!

I know that must have been a difficult decision for her. I wonder if others in the choir will follow her lead?

[Aristus]

40. Wow, Trump.

When the Mormons are calling you racist and sexist, it's time to call it a day...

[LAS14]

42. I hope this hits the MSM.

[LAS14]

74. Well, not quite MSM, but getting there!

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/mormon-tabernacle-singer-quits-choir-over-trump-inauguration-w458429

I found this on Google News.

[LAS14]

81. OK, still a Rolling Stone article, but moved up to "Top Stories" in Google News.

Go to the link, then look for Change.org. Click and sign the petition for the choir to back out of singing at the inauguration.

[LAS14]

45. How do I make a TinyURL of the rawstory url that I can tweet to #rosestohitler?

[IronLionZion]

47. Many Mormons have been against Trump from the beginning

that's why so many in Utah voted for Evan McMullen instead of that deeply immoral POS.

[SunSeeker]

93. And Trump toying with Romney over the SoS job didn't help. nt

[lpbk2713]

49. I hope the rest of them can deal with the consequences.

In the future they will all be known as the choir that sang for Trump.

[ailsagirl]

51. Good for her

I do hope that, once the ignoruration is over with, she'll again join their ranks.

[Eyeball_Kid]

55. Here's to a woman of true conviction:

Tomorrow evening, raise your glass to toast this true act of courage.

[Blue Owl]

60. SATB vs. SOB

n/t

[joanbarnes]

86. Does anyone else see the irony in her name? (ChamberlinChamberlain?)

[Hekate]

105. Regarding a bunch of churlish responses here: I can hardly wait till this link is tweeted...

....as an example of how tolerant and welcoming our party of the "big tent" is, especially that corner of it called DU.

[Crash2Parties]

111. Cue the phone calls & death threats from the BOD (basket of deplorables)

Seems any time someone speaks out against the Orange Anointed One, it's like a light to moths for the nasty people if their name is released.

[Hamlette]

112. Love the irony of her last name re: Hitler reference

as to the she represents a bigoted organization (Mormon Church) I'd just like to say it is heartening to see the Mormon's have a breaking point.

And yes, I know Utah went for Trump anyway but lots of Dems voted for him here. From down in "coal country" (Price, Carbon County, a big, non Mormon blueish part of the state) They believe their good paying jobs will come back.

[Zambero]

115. Might there be a protest collaboration?

For very good reasons, some of the "selected" performers are wanting to steer clear of the inauguration. I can envision the contingents of Runaway Rockettes and Missing Mormon Choir teaming up for an alternative performance somewhere inside the Beltway. The details on choreography and musical selections might warrant some serious consideration however.

[samir.g]

117. Well bless her magic panties

[Justice]

119. What a powerful letter - several important points.