For weeks I admonished the vast number of evangelical Christians who supported Donald Trump. Most celebrities did the right thing. Now, Jan Chamberlin, a singer with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir shows there is hope that some will make the right choice.
Chamberlin took to Facebook and posted the letter of resignation she sent to the Mormon Tabernacle choir. It was one of the most eloquent and informed writings that Christians who voted for Trump should read. She first thanked the choir for the five years she spent with them. She resigned and then detailed her turmoil.
Since “the announcement”, I have spent several sleepless nights and days in turmoil and agony. I have reflected carefully on both sides of the issue, prayed a lot, talked with family and friends, and searched my soul. 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.\
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. 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.
Chamberlin points out the danger that singing at the Donald Trump’s inauguration represents.
Looking from the outside in, it will appear that Choir is endorsing tyranny and facism by singing for this man. And Choir’s wonderful image and networking will be severely damaged and that many good people throughout this land and throughout the world already do and will continue to feel betrayed. I believe hereafter our message will not be believed by many that have loved us and adored what we have stood for.
She then articulates a reality more need to come to accept and do something about.
Tyranny is now on our doorstep; it has been sneaking its way into our lives through stealth. Now it will burst into our homes through storm. I hope that we and many others will work together with greater dilligence and awareness to calmly and bravely work together to defend our freedoms and our rights for our families, our friends, and our fellow citizens. I hope we can throw off the labels and really listen to each other with respect, love, compassion, and a true desire to bring our energies and souls together in solving the difficult problems that lie in our wake.
Her historical perspective is prescient, and it will do us well to acknowledge it.
History is repeating itself; the same tactics are being used by Hitler (identify a problem, finding a scapegoat target to blame, and stirring up people with a combination of fanaticism, false promises, and fear, and gathering the funding). I plead with everyone to go back and read the books we all know on these topics and review the films produced to help us learn from these gargantuan crimes so that we will not allow them to be repeated. Evil people prosper when good people stand by and do nothing. We must continue our love and support for the refugees and the oppressed by fighting against these great evils.
She ends with some prescient words.
I only know I could never “throw roses to Hitler.” And I certainly could never sing for him.
Anyone performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration is implicitly supporting who he is and what he stands for. Their act will be remembered forever.