I'm not necessarily asking this in just the context of homosexuality, but in any instance where a kid wanted to join. How DO kids join your troop? Are they all just default members of the Church which sponsors it? That wasn't the case in my troop in the 70's, where we had plenty of friends of members who were outside the Church. Just interested in knowing.
;^)
Does your unit reserve the right to turn away any boy from membership who you deem does not live up to the standards of Scouting?
Yes.
If you did do this, and the word just "happened" to get to National, what do you think would happen?
We would cite the BSA policy that says, in part:
"... we do not grant membership to individuals who ...engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA."
You might ask (& it's a good question!),"Will that be their stated policy after January 1, 2014?" And I don't know.
Furthermore, the NEW policy states,
Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
This is a good standard. It does not conflict with our goal of protecting our youth.
Then you ask,"How DO kids join your troop?"
They apply. They meet with the SM. There is no religion test of any kind. They do not have to be members (or from families who are members) of our church. Many of our Scouts come from other churches. We attract such because of the standards that we maintain.
I hope I have answered your questions adequately.
Thank-you.