“Correct” principles

In response to Jeff Borders’ April 1, Faith and Values: “Protecting home and family through spirituality” and worries about going astray.

When I was in my youth in the 1970s I was taught that listening to music of singers like Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond’s “Hot August Night” album, Guns and Roses or Boston, etc. would lead me astray. I was taught that those who had the correct message were Boyd Packer; whom Jeff referenced. I was in the audience when Mr. Packer spoke on Oct. 2 1976 about someone who punched his gay roommate and then Mr. Packer said, “Someone had to do it.” The audience laughed.

Also, a book by another cleric in the same circles with Packer, whose name is Kimball, included strong language that it’s better for one, especially a woman, to lose one’s life than lose one’s virginity, and another erroneous message that masturbation leads to homosexuality.

I now realize these messages were the ones to avoid and the messages from Ozzy about “learn how to love and forget how to hate” were the inspirational messages to follow.

Even though correct principles were promoted from clerics and the man behind the curtain, I now see correct principles were coming from the lion, scarecrow and tin-man in my music world.

I think the biggest mistake I made in life was trying not to make any mistakes and not realizing I gave away much of my faith to corporate HQ and televangelists behind the curtains.

Jay Larsen

Spokane