Editor, the Times,

Should we pay attention to Gerda Peachey's claim that the Taboo shows will have a detrimental impact on our community? Does anyone care? Will anyone dare to support her in this mission?

She is not the first to express concern about corrosive influences on society.

Some 3,000 years ago an Israeli philosopher-poet lamented "if the foundations are destroyed, what can good people do?"

More recently the British anthropologist, JD Unwin studied 80 civilizations spanning 3,000 years. He concluded that "in 100 per cent of the cases where these civilizations fell, it was because they abused the freedoms they had."

He found that family values deteriorated, society turned to immoral ways and crime abounded. Consequently, in his opinion, these civilizations fell.

I have not seen a Taboo show, but certainly I believe it is essential that we guard the doors to our minds.

What ever we allow to enter will shape our attitudes and actions. If we permit destructive ideas in, they will flourish and multiply like eradicable weeds in a garden. The result may be an unhappy marriage, a dysfunctional family, even criminal activity.

Successful individuals, especially in sports and business are aware of the power of thoughts, mental images and ideas. Many use positive affirmations and visualization to plant and nourish thoughts of what they hope to achieve.

For me the question is, will Taboo uphold our personal and community values, or tear them down? Gerda is scheduled to present her views concerning Taboo on Feb. 6 at City Hall.

Will Abbotsford be listening?

Art Martens Abbotsford