Scouting Vs. Scouting 4 All... Your Thoughts?
@eagleheartdave (42)
United States
April 15, 2007 12:33pm CST
I'm not sure how many of you have heard the ongoing battle between the Boy Scouts of America and an organization known as "Scouting 4 All"; essentially S4A is attempting, through many, many means to get BSA to allow leaders and Scouts that are homosexual and/or atheists to belong. At this point, BSA has a don't-ask, don't tell policy, much like the military. Now the US Supreme Court has said that because BSA is a private organization, they have complete control over their membership policies. So, what do you think? Should S4A back off and leave BSA alone? Should BSA stop being "behind the times" and allow openly homosexual or atheist members?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
15 Apr 07
This is a tough question for me. ONe of the creeds of the Boy Scouts is worship God. For this, I do believe that atheists should be kept out, although I hate to see athiest children suffer just because the hold different beliefs than other kids. It isn't fair. I would love to see such creeds changed to accept all children.
As far as gay kids, I think it is totally wrong. I believe this because I do not believe that homosexuality is against God. that is merely some people's version of scripture. Others view it in an entirely different way. So to be gay does not go against Boy Scout Creeds.
@eagleheartdave (42)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I almost see it as two different issues to be confronted... there is the atheism and then there is the homosexuality. As far as the atheism, I think the most sad part of it is that it is just words. One of the parents in our pack is atheist and I've talked to her about it at length. To her, she feels that the Scout program can be extremely beneficial to her son. She doesn't "make" him be an atheist, but she feels that even if he is saying "to do my duty to God..." she feels he has no specific duty to something that doesn't exist. So it's like him being fascinated by pokeman and saying he "loves" pikachu. No difference.
On the homosexuality, I'll ask you the same question I've asked others, and will likely ask all, whether you have a son or not, if your son, 10 years old, wanted to join Scouts and there was a known homosexual scoutmaster, would you let him join? Would you, for example, allow him to go on an overnight campout with that Scoutmaster?
@eagleheartdave (42)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Thank you for making that clarification. You have at that comment agreed with one of the very issues I have with the entire situation.
@cyclonewriter (2168)
• United States
15 Apr 07
I don't know that I have an answer for you. This is a difficult set of questions. I guess I am unsure why homosexuality or aethist lifestyles would play a role in leadership for the BSA...However, I am not a parent and I need to be honest in saying that my thoughts might change...Great topic, I look forward to other people's opinions...
@eagleheartdave (42)
• United States
16 Apr 07
I think before I can say much more on your comment specifically I'd have to ask, if you DID have a child, say a young boy age 10, and the local Scout pack had a leader that was a known homosexual, would you allow your child to be a member of that pack? Why or why not?
And thank you for the comment!
