I’ve absolutely seen the value of Scouting 10..., but at the same time I cannot and will not serve under “leadership” who I have absolutely no respect for. My “fire” for Scouting has been extinguished by the actions of secretive, deceptive and manipulative people at National and in my case, Council. I’m not a “self-righteous quitter”...Scouting told me and people like me that we are not needed nor wanted unless we conform to their current set of “values”.
They are the ones who demonstrated a lack of moral guidance, they failed to follow the very things we represent when we put on that uniform. When we recite the Scout Law, Scout Oath we are affirming that we will live by a certain code. A code they themselves do not follow.
The policies they implement, the ambivalence towards fixing the REAL problems in Scouting, the inaction of so-called “leaders” as it relates to addressing the very real concerns parents and leaders have, the ignoring of the survey results and many other reasons are why I view Scouting “unfavorably”.
The Program itself, implemented correctly, is sound, it is favorable...it is the people in charge of the Program at the National level who are undermining it, they (Scouting) are unfavorable.
I am extremely upset at National for blatantly disregarding and undermining the wishes of its membership and torn by my love of Scouting but at the same time, the prospect of serving under people who don’t deserve a bucket of warm spit if they were dying of dehydration.
But there is also the dark cloud of Robert Gates looming large...an avowed advocate of homosexuality who is, or soon will be, the BSA National President. He has indicated that is time for the BSA to go all the way and admit adult homosexual leaders.
The BSA gives no quarter to those who openly flaunt or violate their policies...any unit who refuses to register an avowed homosexual risks losing their Charter (based on the current policy for youth). If hindsight were foresight, it might have been prudent to accept National’s first offer of allowing individual units the “authority” to determine who joined or not.
The split has happened 10, Trail Life USA is beginning to fill the moral, spiritual and values void left by the BSA. More will join and although it may not grow in size to that of the BSA, it will be where the pastors and preachers can turn for such a program that AFFIRMS what they profess. Not just give it lip service.
I repeat, I am torn by this...pi$$ed is more like it...But I will not and do not endorse or engage in any action or activity beyond that of the Troop...I keep my level of activity strictly at the Unit level. I have resigned from my District and Council level positions.
I will serve the remainder of my “term” and gracefully hand over the reigns to another adult who can serve under these terms that BSA has put in place.
Then I will get to trying to empty the 55 gallon drum sized “honey do” jar that has been filling up over the past 23 or so years.
Again, my fight is with those suits on the board and any who would personally attack those who are in disagreement with National.
I've never had to deal with National ever. Council and District fairly rarely, but every week Scouting happens and makes a difference at the troop and Scout level. Why not join an urban troop and bring all that enthusiasm and skill to work there?
You won't find any openly homosexual boys in a black Scout troop in the city. They could really use you and you'd be taking life changing leadership challenges every week. The long term effects would be more conservative black dads married and taking care of their families. That's a legacy that you can be proud of on Judgment Day when you stand before your Lord and Savior.