Posted on 11/18/2004 8:12:20 AM PST by republicanbob1
CHICAGO -- The Pentagon has agreed to warn military bases worldwide not to directly sponsor Boy Scout troops, partially resolving claims that the government has engaged in religious discrimination by supporting a group that requires members to believe in God.
The settlement announced Monday is part of a series of legal challenges in recent years over how closely the government should be aligned with the Boy Scouts of America, a venerable organization that boasts a membership of more than 3.2 million members.
Civil liberties advocates have set their sights on the organization's policies because the group bans openly gay scout leaders and compels members to swear an oath of duty to God. The ACLU believes that direct government sponsorship of such a program amounts to discrimination.
"If our Constitution's promise of religious liberty is to be a reality, the government should not be administering religious oaths or discriminating based on religious beliefs," said ACLU attorney Adam Schwartz.
STORIES LIKE THIS ALWAYS CRACK ME UP BECAUSE HOW LONG HAVE THE BOY SCOUTS HAD THE MENTION OF GOD IN THERE PLEDGE? AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. AND NOW ALL THE SUDDEN THIS A PROBLEM? ALSO I GUESS IF THE ACLU (ALL CROOKS AND LAYWERS UNION) THINKS THAT THE MENTION OF GOD IS BAD IN THIS SITUATION THEN WE SHOULD REMOVE IT FROM OUR MONEY AND OTHER PLACES. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND IT. IM NOT OFFENDED BY PEOPLE WHO DONT BELIEVE IN GOD. WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE OFFENDED BY ME BELIEVING IN GOD? JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT BELIEVE A CERTAIN WAY DOESNT MEAN YOU HAVE TO BE OFFENDED. THE SAME GOES FOR CHRISTMAS. IF SOMEONE TELLS ME "HAPPY HANNUKKAH". WHY WOULD I BE OFFENDED? IT JUST TELLS ME THERE A JEW. WHO CARES? SO WHY IN THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO BE OFFENDED BY MY "MERRY CHRISTMAS." LIBERALS ALWAYS WANT EVERYONE TO BE MORE TOLERANTE BUT THIS DOESNT SOUND VERY TOLERANTE TO ME.
I rebuke and refuse to support any organization that does not support the Boy Scouts of America!
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.