National Coalition Announces Boy Scouts Alternative Founded on Christian Values

A national coalition, which includes people formerly associated with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) as well as several other partners, announced Tuesday the formation of a new youth organization for boys that is founded on Christian values and principles.

"Our vision is to be the premier national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers, and citizens," said Rob Green, the organization's interim executive director, during a press conference call Tuesday.

He added, "The new program will be an exciting and motivating outdoor-based program focused on leadership and character development for boys, and founded on principles and values that reflect a Christian worldview."

Green said during a press conference call that a group of nearly 50 leaders met on June 29 in Louisville, Ky., and agreed to start the new organization, which currently has no name. Among those who participated in the meeting were experienced scout leaders, as well as representatives from major church denominations and organizations who are concerned with families and youth.

The new organization is being modeled after the American Heritage Girls, an 18-year-old organization that is "Christ-centered" and is "seen as an alternative to Girl Scouts," according to the group's website.

"Our mission is simple and clear: to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure," said Green.

Boys will not be excluded from the organization based on race, religion, national origin or ethnicity, he said, though adult leaders will be required to adhere to a statement of Christian faith and values.

"In addition, the organization's membership policy will focus on sexual purity rather than sexual orientation," said Green. "The policy will read, in part: 'the proper context for sexual relations is only between a man and a woman in the covenant of marriage.'"

Young men who have same-sex attractions will be permitted into the organization, though they will not be allowed to push a gay agenda or flaunt their sexual orientation.

"I think that there's a real difference between someone who has a same-sex attraction and someone who identifies with the gay political movement," said John Stemberger, founder of OnMyHonor.net. "That's a very different thing, and so we wouldn't tolerate any kind of open sex or politics in the program, or gay activism."

Several groups are working together to form the new organization, including OnMyHonor.net, Faith Based Boys, TrailHead USA and Frontier Service Corps. Stemberger says tens of thousands of people contacted OnMyHonor.net after the BSA announced its decision to allow openly gay members in May.

The new organization's first national convention, where its name and logo will be revealed, is scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7. The organization will announce its process of registering new unit charters in late November. At that time it will also announce a plan detailing how whole scouting units can transfer to the new organization, though Green says the organization is not actively trying to recruit scouts or scout leaders to join.

Meh......I guess it’s because I keep exposing your pet mormons for their treachery in all of this that got your panties twisted into a knot.

However, it’s really quite simple, so I’ll explain it in a way that even you should be able to understand.

BSA, by their decision, has told me and the thousands like me, they don’t want us around unless we compromise (with evil) and keep the dough rolling in.

That you sit on the sidelines and cheerlead for them, encouraging others to “fight” tells me that you support the pro-sodomites at National.

What have you done in the past 20+ years to prevent this from happening 10? How about the last 10, 5?

No, I suspect your intentions here are to dissuade folks from creating a truly conservative Scouting movement.

Interesting side note out of all this, after the mormons gave their consent to the change, they are now closing off membership to their units by outside, non-members.

Hmmm, it’s okay to force conventional Scouting units to be forced to take the homos in, but the mormons are going to again pervert and undermine the program, as they’ve been doing since they started filling National’s coffers with registrations for ghost Scouts.

Sorry, you and the rest of the pro-sodomite compromisers can count me out on the deceit and treachery, it’s not in my marrow.

The first major problem is that from what I understand, polls showed that the local BSA organizations opposed this change, and that it was strictly brought about by the national board. If any significant number of troops who opposed the policy change leave, then those who voted for the change will be in an even larger majority. And there will be many who leave and you won’t be able to do anything about it.

And you will never be allowed to use any BSA functions to accomplish your goals numbered 1 and 2. The activists and the ACLU would have you in court the first time any kid claimed unwanted attention due to his being gay. It’d be like the “freedom from religion” arguments and the BSA would not allow any anti-gay sentiments during scout functions, or any singling out of the gay scouts.

The old membership guidelines have six more months to run. Early next year, it will be possible to more accurately assess whether there is any reason to stick around and fight from within.

BSA, by their decision, has told me and the thousands like me, they don’t want us around unless we compromise (with evil) and keep the dough rolling in.

What if the message BSA national is sending is something different? They're threading a needle here. The societal shift that is occuring is a reality the BSA must face. From where they stand and seeing all the risks, they've compromised, but in a way that minimizes harm. A way that can be undone or an unrealized blessing. God works in mysterious ways. The BSA is simply reflecting reality and if we want to change that culture it is we who must be on the offensive, without being offensive. We don't have to lose.

Looking at your FR homepage it is obvious that you are the ideal Scout leader - dedicated, informed and committed to fundamental Christian values - likely you've mentored many boys laboring under the mistaken belief that they're 'gay'. You are exactly the type of leader Scouts need and want.

I don't know if you're familiar with the A&M Partnership run by Scott Phelps or not. They teach not only abstinence, but marriage in government schools using an outstanding program based simply on the merits of waiting for sex in marriage and the massive benefits of married life. It works. Consistently kids tell Scott that they cannot believe there is an alternative to what they're being taught. Like people emerging from a desert, they're thirsty for this newfound information and the science is on our side. Man/Woman marriage works and benefits not just the marrieds, but their children and society as a whole.

I can understand your strong feelings on this and I share them. I know how you feel, because I felt the same. My personal approach to setbacks like this is to take the longview, redouble my efforts and fight smarter. Scouting needs you. By observation we can see that if conservatives abandon organizations that vacuum is filled by those in the opposition. Conservatives cannot be catastrophists, but realists recognizing not just how things are, but how they should be. Losing your example, along with thousands like you, makes a bad situation worse. The enemy is coming, they're in the wire. Now is not the time to surrender, but to fight harder. Take care, FRiend.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.