We shouldnt be too surprised at what its degenerated into.
The scouting concept was huge back in the days of BSAs founding and there were a huge number of scouting type organizations with groups like the more militaristic and more patriotic American Boy Scouts (United States Boy Scouts) being a prime competitor. The BSA had the backing of popular individuals like Teddy Roosevelt who felt that there had been a general decline in manliness and felt that such an organization would be a good antidote. After BSA was given its title 36 charter by congress it immediately began attacking and or absorbing other scouting organizations.
Much of the religious, "manly", and militaristic/patriotic elements of these other organizations remained until the BSA was really the only scouting organization left standing. Slowly these things have been or are in the process of being removed by the BSA ever since. These things are bound together in western culture and to remove them is to remove the originally stated purpose of the organization.
The past culture experienced by all of us involved in various scouting type programs was one of morally guided patriotism. The structure and training, especially in groups like the mini-commandos I was apparently with, left us all capable defenders of the US both in both the spiritual and physical aspects. Todays BSA is ship seemingly adrift and without purpose being weaponized against our past culture.
There is the one major failing with all of these new groups, especially the faith based groups. These ideas cant be separated and to focus on one element of this cultural crisis is to abandon our patriotic post.
That is so sad, to read this historical descriptive summary of what happened. We’ve gone from “rugged individualism” to “nanny state dependent”. It makes me wonder in a few generations if there will be any who will remember the skills and create a revival of sorts. So sad. Thanks for the background, GM.