Benson Boone Breaks Free: From Confusion to Secular Spirituality
In a candid exploration of his upbringing, Benson Boone, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Monroe, Washington, dives into the complexities of growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Boone revealed a profound sense of confusion and frustration stemming from his experiences within the church. While his peers recounted mystical personal revelations and spiritual encounters, Boone felt a disconnect, missing the emotional resonance that seemed to envelop others. He describes this internal struggle, stating, “I was always scared to bring that up to people because I just didn’t want to accept that, like, I wasn’t feeling what everyone else was feeling.”
Fortunately, he found solace in a fellow Mormon friend who shared similar feelings, thus alleviating some of his anxiety about his faith. This connection marked a turning point for Boone, who now embraces a more individualized spiritual perspective. He expresses a desire to break free from the constraints of organized religion, stating, “I don’t want to be a part of one religion. I have my own opinions. Some are from this religion, some are from this religion, some are from no religion.” This sentiment resonates with the experiences of many young people today who are seeking spiritual fulfillment outside traditional frameworks, a trend noted by outlets like The Atlantic, which highlights a growing number of individuals identifying as “spiritual but not religious.”
While Boone’s parents remain devout in their faith, they allow him the liberty to navigate his own spiritual path without pressure, a refreshing approach that aligns with a broader shift in parenting styles among religious families. Despite his departure from strict adherence to LDS teachings, Boone humorously acknowledges the remnants of his upbringing, such as his limited encounters with coffee—a beverage frowned upon in the church—remarking that it “tastes like burnt wood.”
Interestingly, he refrains from drugs and alcohol, attributing his avoidance to an awareness of his “addictive” personality. Boone’s candidness about his struggles with compulsive indulgence—he jokingly cites candy as a weakness—paints a vivid picture of a young artist grappling with identity, faith, and the pressures of fame in an industry often rife with excess.
As Boone continues to carve out his niche in the music world, his journey reflects a broader narrative of young artists seeking authenticity in their lives and careers, much like others in the industry, including Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, who are also navigating the complexities of fame and personal identity.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Rolling Stone, The Atlantic
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
