Comments on: Scottish church lady finds her voice (updated) http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice "The press . . . just doesn't get religion." -- William Schneider Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:04:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Helen http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145191 Helen Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:20:42 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145191 Ms Boyle, Forgive me for judging you. You are the true meaning of beauty. Forget the facelifts, the diets, the expensive clothes. You are you. and you are beautifull! Thanks for showing us what real beauty s. Ms Boyle, Forgive me for judging you. You are the true meaning of beauty. Forget the facelifts, the diets, the expensive clothes. You are you. and you are beautifull! Thanks for showing us what real beauty s.

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]]> By: David (in Edinburgh) http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145174 David (in Edinburgh) Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:53:46 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145174 I found myself crying through Britain's Got Talent clips this time last year (try <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE" title="" rel="nofollow">here</a> or especially <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K2EA8SWhh8" title="" rel="nofollow">here</a> for starters), and have been working through what it is that seems to cut through me ever since. Susan Boyle turning up has just added to it. One thing to mention - from this side of the Atlantic - is that as a nation Britain is not in the habit of affirmation. We are not brought up being told that we are great, and do not tend to believe in ourselves a whole bundle (I have really enjoyed learning from North Americans in this area). For many of us, who are expecting to be told that we aren't good enough or pretty enough or whatever, merely having the guts to stand up and go for it is a huge battle. I don't know what it looks like from where you are, but for us I feel like there has been a huge, shared cathartic experience: when (for example) Paul Potts was not only told that he was good - by Simon Cowell no less - but then went on to win and sell millions of records. We as a country have really benefitted from seeing these redemptive performances. Humans do look at the outward appearance, and God does look at the heart, and Susan Boyle has reflected that back to us. I found myself crying through Britain’s Got Talent clips this time last year (try here or especially here for starters), and have been working through what it is that seems to cut through me ever since. Susan Boyle turning up has just added to it.

One thing to mention - from this side of the Atlantic - is that as a nation Britain is not in the habit of affirmation. We are not brought up being told that we are great, and do not tend to believe in ourselves a whole bundle (I have really enjoyed learning from North Americans in this area). For many of us, who are expecting to be told that we aren’t good enough or pretty enough or whatever, merely having the guts to stand up and go for it is a huge battle.

I don’t know what it looks like from where you are, but for us I feel like there has been a huge, shared cathartic experience: when (for example) Paul Potts was not only told that he was good - by Simon Cowell no less - but then went on to win and sell millions of records. We as a country have really benefitted from seeing these redemptive performances. Humans do look at the outward appearance, and God does look at the heart, and Susan Boyle has reflected that back to us.

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]]> By: Earl http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145166 Earl Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:12:43 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145166 She did not find her voice. She sang past stereotype, a skeptical audience listened and even Simon was convinced that Susan Boyle has more than just talent, she has class and character. She did not find her voice. She sang past stereotype, a skeptical audience listened and even Simon was convinced that Susan Boyle has more than just talent, she has class and character.

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]]> By: S.Herndon http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145101 S.Herndon Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:27:49 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145101 This touched my heart to the point of tears. What a neat lady. A bit sassy, I'd say, wouldn't you? I loved the swaggering of her hips when she told Simon her age. I'm a strange person, I see beauty in most things. Her face is precious, even before she sung. The thing I think I can say I admire is she seemed to have kept her humor, she seemed to be a person who sees life & accepts it & goes with it. She's a total inspiration & I will never forget her or Paul Potts. I wish we has "American Has Talent" & we could quit showcasing just the elite & beautiful but also unassuming, down to earth people who have a talent & no one really knows. Loved it, loved it so much. This touched my heart to the point of tears. What a neat lady. A bit sassy, I’d say, wouldn’t you? I loved the swaggering of her hips when she told Simon her age. I’m a strange person, I see beauty in most things. Her face is precious, even before she sung. The thing I think I can say I admire is she seemed to have kept her humor, she seemed to be a person who sees life & accepts it & goes with it. She’s a total inspiration & I will never forget her or Paul Potts. I wish we has “American Has Talent” & we could quit showcasing just the elite & beautiful but also unassuming, down to earth people who have a talent & no one really knows. Loved it, loved it so much.

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]]> By: Seeing with God’s eyes « Kataggello…to proclaim publicly http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145099 Seeing with God’s eyes « Kataggello…to proclaim publicly Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:15:18 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145099 [...] is a great in-depth blog post highlighting how so many people are moved to tears by her [...] […] is a great in-depth blog post highlighting how so many people are moved to tears by her […]

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]]> By: Jay http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145088 Jay Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:06:44 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145088 Tmatt, Since this blog is supposed to be about religion coverage, what do you think about the WPost coverage? It says "priest" and "Rev." but doesn't say what brand of Christianity Boyle subscribes to. The state church is Reformed (and doesn’t call its ministers "priest.") The national church is Anglican and does use "priest." However, only in other sources does it say "Catholic". If her church activities are part of the story, it seems as though the name (or at least brand) of the church is worth mentioning. J Tmatt,

Since this blog is supposed to be about religion coverage, what do you think about the WPost coverage? It says “priest” and “Rev.” but doesn’t say what brand of Christianity Boyle subscribes to. The state church is Reformed (and doesn’t call its ministers “priest.”) The national church is Anglican and does use “priest.” However, only in other sources does it say “Catholic”.

If her church activities are part of the story, it seems as though the name (or at least brand) of the church is worth mentioning.

J

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]]> By: Emerald http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145075 Emerald Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:51:03 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145075 Susan,BRAVO! You go girl! I have been a professional musician all my life-you sent chills up and down my spine with your beautiful voice that is so heartfelt too. You are a true musician. May your star rise. Susan,BRAVO! You go girl! I have been a professional musician all my life-you sent chills up and down my spine with your beautiful voice that is so heartfelt too. You are a true musician. May your star rise.

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]]> By: Richard Sabel http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145072 Richard Sabel Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:07:34 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145072 Listen to a different recording from her to get an idea of the true scope of her talent: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/ Listen to a different recording from her to get an idea of the true scope of her talent:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/

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]]> By: Linda Sue http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145034 Linda Sue Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:02:34 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145034 Thank you for the religious "backstory" - just saw Susan Boyle interviewed on CBS morning show, in her living room with no musical accompaniment - she'll still bring you to tears. Harry Smith asked her what she'll sing at the next competition for BGT and she saucily replied "you'll just have to watch won't you?" - so grateful for moments such as these to remind us of the gifts God bestows without regard to the package. Thank you for the religious “backstory” - just saw Susan Boyle interviewed on CBS morning show, in her living room with no musical accompaniment - she’ll still bring you to tears. Harry Smith asked her what she’ll sing at the next competition for BGT and she saucily replied “you’ll just have to watch won’t you?” - so grateful for moments such as these to remind us of the gifts God bestows without regard to the package.

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]]> By: Dan Berger http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145028 Dan Berger Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:43:20 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145028 And remember, at 48 her voice is certainly past its prime. Imagine what she'd have done earlier, given the opportunity. Showbiz is like that. You need talent, but you also need luck, to be in the right place at the right time. Ms. Boyle has had her luck; now we'll see how far her talent can take her. And remember, at 48 her voice is certainly past its prime. Imagine what she’d have done earlier, given the opportunity.

Showbiz is like that. You need talent, but you also need luck, to be in the right place at the right time. Ms. Boyle has had her luck; now we’ll see how far her talent can take her.

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]]> By: Bern http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145026 Bern Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:08:37 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145026 It's over 11 million views now . . . nobody's counting the tissues! God bless all choir ladies, everywhere! It’s over 11 million views now … nobody’s counting the tissues! God bless all choir ladies, everywhere!

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]]> By: nickb http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145019 nickb Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:11:42 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145019 Here's why we love Susan. http://digg.com/d1opbc Here’s why we love Susan.

http://digg.com/d1opbc

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]]> By: Norman http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145018 Norman Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:06:51 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145018 Expanding here, because I really loved this and needed a full box of tissues myself. What this challenges, I think, is the too-common contemporary mindset that worth is something conferred on people by dint of their looks or achievements, and not something innate. Susan Boyle had value and dignity before she ever opened her mouth, and the proud will always be confounded by the appearance of true beauty and nobility in ordinary people. The cynicism and crassness of our age is neither as stable nor as sustainable as we might think in our more pessimistic moments. Expanding here, because I really loved this and needed a full box of tissues myself. What this challenges, I think, is the too-common contemporary mindset that worth is something conferred on people by dint of their looks or achievements, and not something innate. Susan Boyle had value and dignity before she ever opened her mouth, and the proud will always be confounded by the appearance of true beauty and nobility in ordinary people. The cynicism and crassness of our age is neither as stable nor as sustainable as we might think in our more pessimistic moments.

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]]> By: John Brandkamp http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145016 John Brandkamp Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:58:59 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145016 The youtube hits are now over 5 mil. Not at all a surprise. Stunning, just stunning. I've watched half a dozen times already myself and am moved to tears each time. As already mentioned, this is a wonderful antidote to cynicism. May God continue to bless her, since it's obvious He's already blessed her! The youtube hits are now over 5 mil. Not at all a surprise. Stunning, just stunning. I’ve watched half a dozen times already myself and am moved to tears each time. As already mentioned, this is a wonderful antidote to cynicism. May God continue to bless her, since it’s obvious He’s already blessed her!

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]]> By: Norman http://www.getreligion.org/2009/04/scottish-church-lady-finds-her-voice/comment-page-1/#comment-145015 Norman Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:35:37 +0000 http://www.getreligion.org/?p=10737#comment-145015 I might well be naive, but I've had the feeling for a while that this is just the sort of performer that Simon really loves. His shows have found a few of these people with wonderful voices & great life stories who are, say, less than model-perfect. Paul Potts was mentioned earlier; maybe it isn't a mistake that this keeps happening. Anyways, what a beautiful voice Boyle has, and what a beautiful moment this was. I might well be naive, but I’ve had the feeling for a while that this is just the sort of performer that Simon really loves. His shows have found a few of these people with wonderful voices & great life stories who are, say, less than model-perfect. Paul Potts was mentioned earlier; maybe it isn’t a mistake that this keeps happening.

Anyways, what a beautiful voice Boyle has, and what a beautiful moment this was.

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