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Boy Scouts at the Brink
On My Honor.Net ^ | 5/22/2013 | Albert Mohler

Posted on 05/22/2013 9:53:21 AM PDT by MacNaughton

Meeting Thursday in Grapevine, Texas, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America will decide whether it will retain or revise its historic membership policy on the issue of homosexuality. The 1,400 voting members of the B.S.A. National Council hold the future of one of America’s most iconic organizations in their hands. In reality, they are not only deciding a matter of membership policy. They are actually deciding the future of the entire organization.

The culture wars came to the Boy Scouts many years ago. For the last few decades, the Boy Scouts have had to fight battles with both secularists and homosexual activists. The secular challenge came first, with demands that the Scouts drop their historic requirement that boys affirm belief in God as a criterion for membership. Soon thereafter, the demand for the full inclusion of homosexual members and leaders followed. The Scouts have had to fight legal battles both locally and nationally, costing the venerable organization millions of dollars in legal fees. In 2000, the B.S.A. prevailed at the U.S. Supreme Court when the nation’s highest court ruled that the Boy Scouts had a constitutional right to exclude openly gay boys and leaders from the organization, so long as that exclusion is based in one of the organization’s core convictions — an “expressive message.” The B.S.A. won the case because that is exactly what they claimed. They argued that excluding openly homosexual boys and leaders from Scouting was necessary and required by the Scout Oath.

Last year, the B.S.A.’s board affirmed the policy in no uncertain terms. Bob Mazzuca, then the organization’s chief executive, said: “The vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their right to address the issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisors and at the appropriate time and in the right setting.” In other words, the B.S.A.’s chief executive said that the board recognized that “the vast majority of parents” did not want the policy changed. Deron Smith, the B.S.A.’s national spokesman said that a special committee asked to advise the national board “came to the conclusion that this policy is absolutely the best policy for the Boy Scouts.”

That was less than a year ago. Then, just a few months later, everything changed. Earlier this year, the B.S.A. announced a proposed change that would remove the restriction as a matter of national policy, leaving the decision about the inclusion of openly homosexual scouts and leaders to local units. This proposal, rushed after a leak within the organization let the word out to the public, was greeted with a firestorm of protest. As many predicted, that policy proposal went nowhere. A local option on an issue of this importance would satisfy no one and would lead to geographical problems that would be insurmountable. Furthermore, parents would be in the position of having to interview local Scout units in order to determine which did and did not accept openly homosexual scouts.

Shortly after that proposal was released, it was withdrawn. Then the B.S.A. announced that it would ask people from all levels of scouting, including parents, to participate in a survey on the issue. That survey, filled with strangely awkward and candid questions, was received by the B.S.A. a few weeks ago. Then, last month, the B.S.A. announced its new proposal, and the National Council will decide its fate on Thursday.

The new proposal calls for the inclusion of openly homosexual boys within the Boy Scouts, but retains the exclusion of openly-gay adults. For a second time, the B.S.A. attempted to find a compromise solution that would, at least, buy the organization some time. But, for a second time, the organization actually created an impossible and unworkable proposal that, once again, will please no one.

The problems with the new policy are legion. In the first place, it fundamentally surrenders the very “expressive message” that had been recognized by the Supreme Court back in 2000. Surrendering that core conviction is, in itself, both a moral and a legal disaster. There is no reason to believe that the federal courts will now allow the B.S.A. to exclude gay adult leaders if the organization abandons its “expressive message” that homosexuality is incompatible with the values of Scouting. Some external observers have suggested that the B.S.A., fully aware of their legal surrender, just expects a court to require them to allow openly-homosexual adults as leaders, freeing the B.S.A. board from responsibility for making that decision. That will not wash. In reality, they are making that decision now.

The other problems are complex and awkward. How, exactly, are openly-gay boys to be included in the activities of Scouting? We are talking about boys who will now be expected to participate in everything from camping trips to travel with boys who are openly gay. Boys of these ages just might be the least equipped of all God’s creatures to deal with the complexities of the situation. Most parents are likely to decide that, all things considered, this is just not something they want imposed on their sons.

The B.S.A., to its credit, has made clear that all forms of sexual activity are incompatible with the values of Scouting. But, while this is clearly meant to preclude any form of sexual contact, sexual activity is a far broader category, including how an individual presents himself to others. Given the inclusion of openly gay Scouts, any advocacy of belief that homosexuality is sinful will not be tolerated.

What about transgender and “gender questioning” scouts? Public high schools across the country are now dealing with the fact that a student born one gender can demand to play on a sports team of the opposite gender, if a transgender identity is claimed. How will the B.S.A. deal with that issue? It is hard to imagine that their inclusion of openly gay Scouts can avoid the necessary inclusion of transgender and gender questioning youth. Legal authorities increasingly tell organizations and schools that if a young person claims to be a boy (or a girl) the youth must be recognized as whatever gender the youth claims. How is that going to work at your local Boy Scout troop?

Add to this the lack of credibility in a policy that will allow a boy to join the Scouts and progress through ranks, but then require his exit the day he turns 18. Neither side in this controversy can respect that inherent aspect of the proposed policy.

The religious liberty issues are already urgent. About 70% of all B.S.A. units are chartered by churches and religious organizations, the majority of which believe that homosexuality is a sin. Some units chartered by Christian churches require boys to affirm a specific faith commitment and a set of moral guidelines. Will those now be forbidden by national B.S.A. policy?

This policy proposal is a disaster. The B.S.A.’s national leadership has brought their organization to the brink of catastrophe. At the same time, we can recognize that the B.S.A. has been the target of unrelenting pressure for decades now. Press reports indicate that some of the members of the national board have been threatened with shareholder action if they, as corporate leaders, do not deliver on the demand for change.

Furthermore, we must sympathize with the organization’s rightful hope to include as many boys as possible within its honored and respected program. At this point, we should remember that homosexual scouts and scouts with any number of sexual confusions have always been involved in Scouting. But this new policy relates to openly homosexual youth. Bringing that advocacy within an organization for boys is both unwise and calamitous.

A recent Washington Post/ABC News poll indicated that 63% of Americans believe that the B.S.A. should welcome gay scouts and 56% would lift the ban on gay adult leaders. But the survey undertaken by the B.S.A. revealed that of the 200,000 parents, Scouting leaders, and Scouts surveyed, 61% supported maintaining the current policy of excluding gays. Will the members of the B.S.A. National Council listen to their own constituency? If so, the policy will not change.

I am a former Boy Scout who gained much from my experience as a boy in Scouting. I greatly respect the work of countless volunteers and the involvement of legions of boys in the program. I understand the pressures the Boy Scouts of America now faces, and I can sympathize with the board’s attempt to find an escape from such a public controversy. But this proposed policy spells disaster for the Scouts, and, if adopted, that disaster will not be long in coming. The policy proposal the B.S.A. National Council will face on Thursday would surrender principle and forfeit the future of one of the nation’s most honored organizations. The B.S.A. now stands on the brink of disaster. The future of the movement now rests in the hands of the only people who can turn the Boy Scouts back from the brink.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boyscouts; bsa; culturewars; homosexuality; mohler
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To: Tired of Taxes

It is over.

The BSA needs to be allowed to wither on the vine.


41 posted on 05/23/2013 4:37:41 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: MacNaughton

Any legal defense the BSA has had when a kid buggers a kid because it was against policy is now going to be over.


42 posted on 05/23/2013 4:39:08 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: PGR88

This about a bunch of boys being targeted for recruitment into the gay lifestyle


43 posted on 05/23/2013 4:39:56 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: MacNaughton
The Boy Scouts have just destroyed themselves.
I will no longer support or donate money to the Boy Scouts Of America.
When they repent from their EVIL SUPPORT of HOMOSEXUALS, I might think about reconsidering my support.
Several of my friends are removing their boys from the Boy Scouts, today.
44 posted on 05/23/2013 4:43:34 PM PDT by Yosemitest (It's Simple ! Fight, ... or Die !)
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To: GeronL

No the BSA needs competition.

They were the real deal. As of today, that is no longer the case.

Time for a new replacement to the Boy Scouts. Competition.

For real.


45 posted on 05/23/2013 4:44:02 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

bump


46 posted on 05/23/2013 4:48:22 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: PGR88
Rather, their actions are about destruction - take down the key organizations of tradition - church, boy scouts, military, marriage - so that the rest of society can not find stability there.

I'm hoping that the BSA will use a sort of Jiu Jitsu approach and use the actions of the homosexuals to defeat them.

47 posted on 05/23/2013 4:50:54 PM PDT by oldbrowser (We have a rogue government in Washington)
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To: Squantos

I’m really struggling with my future action. I’m a Scout Leader of a troop sponsored by a School PTA. I live in the Bay Area (obviously the most liberal part of the country.) My biggest gripe is about the inconsistency of it all!

The scout oath and it’s meaning have been immutable to me. Now I find out it doesn’t mean what it says, but whatever the current fad interpretation of the day is!?! Of what value is that as a moral compass?

It also felt like - we’ve done a internal study and we aren’t changing our policy. Uhm - that isn’t the answer we want - go back and try again. Okay - we’re changing our policy.... BS!

Finally - my son, an Eagle as of two years ago told me last evening that the work I’m doing down in the trenches as it were is worth while and that I’m making a difference. I had a long Scout Masters conference just before hearing that comment with a very inspiring young man who is an Eagle Candidate (who waited till 3 days before his 18th bday ;-) that gives me hope for our nations future.

So I’m confused as to what my course should be.


48 posted on 05/24/2013 1:51:52 PM PDT by fremont_steve
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To: fremont_steve

Hate to walk away from the BSA as many fond memories and skills were forged with men who cared to pass down such be they fathers, brothers, friends or neighbors......

I don’t see how anything but a massive outcry of all parents, scoutmasters and sponsors can fix this. No good answer. Like wrestling with a muddy pig...no one comes home clean and the pig loves it.... Has to be grass roots anger in handwritten snail mail, email, phone calls all directed to districts and council headquarters.

What actually forced this decision ? Was a lawsuit lost ?

Hope yer well, grateful for the work you do for scouting. Keep me posted if ya have time !

Stay safe !


49 posted on 05/24/2013 7:08:32 PM PDT by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
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To: MacNaughton

Bookmarked for future reference.


50 posted on 05/25/2013 1:24:51 AM PDT by darrellmaurina
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To: oldbrowser
47 I'm hoping that the BSA will use a sort of Jiu Jitsu approach and use the actions of the homosexuals to defeat them.

Reality check time - not going to happen. The homosexualists have penetrated BSA. The lead example is Randall Stephenson. He sits on the elite of the elite BSA National Executive Committee as an officer, 1 of several volunteer vice presidents. He is expected to be elected to the top volunteer postion, National President, at the 2014 annual National Council business meeeting. He is currently CEO of AT&T. AT&T has made HUGE donations to the BSA over the last several years. AT&T's HQ is in Dallas, not far from BSA's HQ in Irving, TX. AT&T has scored 100% on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for the last 6 consecutive years. BSA is terminally infected with diversity now.

51 posted on 05/25/2013 10:57:54 AM PDT by MacNaughton
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