Atheist Scout fights decision to boot him

Seattle Times ^ | 10-29-2002 | Marsha King

[Cagey]

In 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Boy Scouts' right as a private organization to ban certain members. The Scouts exclude atheists and gays.

Yet, the attacks on Scouting never end.

[freeeee]

This atheist thinks the Scouts have every right to kick this kid out.

[ffrancone]

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[KC Burke]

The article:

Every Boy Scout and adult leader must attest to that belief on an application in order to join. It can be part of subscribing to a structured religion — such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam or Hinduism — or a more amorphous faith in some presence greater than ourselves, Farmer explained.

This isn't true for a Boy Scout. For leaders, its an issue if the sponsoring organization of the troop wants to make it one.

This is a youth, probably past 18 and therefore an adult Scouter rather than a Scout, being told that he isn't satisfactory for adult leadership by the District. Why doesn't the article say that?

In addition, what troop has local District leaders weight in on any appointment except Scoutmaster?

This article mentions his mom as Scoutmaster. It was the only role reserved for males the last I heard.

This whole article and its incident sounds fishy to me.

[NewsFlash]

It always amazes me that people want to force themselves and their beliefs into a group they do not fundementally believe in. If you cannot support the groups foundations or philosophies, find a group that does, or form one of your own.

I really believe this type of thing is more about a narcissistic personality asserting their own "I'm a superior being and You can't tell me what to do" attitude. It's a totally selfish act and tramples all over the rights of the group, the people who support it, and the framework on which the group was founded on.

Having said all that, I'll get off my soapbox now. I shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee!

[reasonseeker]

Yes they have the right to kick anyone out if they are indeed a "private" organization, but if they are, then they shouldn't be taking government handouts or getting special governmental privileges or having any other ties with the government either:

http://www.purespeed.com/mg/index.bsa_government.html

[NewsFlash]

The article does say he's 19 and finished High School. He also wants to "teach" merit badges. So you're probably right. He's looking for an adult leadership role.

[freeeee]

Agreed. They can kick out whoever they want, whenever they want, but Congress needs to revoke their charter so they are truly a private organization with full freedom of association rights.

[KC Burke]

In Seattle, when a young adult is turned down for reappointment for a leadership role in a private organization because he makes his aversion to one of the Scout Laws an issue, it is portrayed as a "Boy Scout" being "kicked out." That tells us the motives of the writer and publisher.

[thinktwice]

Does this business over the existence of "God" mean that Islamic terrorists and Child molesting Catholic priests can serve within Boy Scout organizations while this fine young man can't?

[ClearCase_guy]

"It's his choice. We certainly respect his opinion and his right to choose to believe as he believes," Farmer said. "We only ask those who disagree with the Boy Scouts to show us the same respect."

Ain't gonna happen! Diversity means you should abandon your principals and embrace the nihilistic philosophy of the Left.

[FormerRep]

As a young man, and a boy scout, I questioned the existence of God. I couldn't see it. My world view, my experience was limited to my 5 senses. I could not sense God, therefore God did not exist to me. Experience of years makes us wise. I finally began to understand that it was not God that was imperceptable, it was I who was incapable (insensible) of percieving. This was my awakening. Thirty years later, I don't need convincing. God exists in a most palpable way. All that this scout will have to do is learn to cast of his arrogent notion that God must prove himself - and instead prove himself to God.

(Steps off soap box)

[freeeee]

it is portrayed as a "Boy Scout" being "kicked out."

I don't see "kicked out" as having negative connotations. What would you call it?

[KC Burke]

...but Congress needs to revoke their charter so they are truly a private organization with full freedom of association rights.

That is the agenda, to in effect ban all religious organizations or those that respect and adhere to religious principles, from the Public Forum. Then the Constitutional settled issue of "free exercise" is cast away for the Annointed to tell us all what to believe. Its all relative, doncha' know.

In truth, read Dewey and many of the left. The Secular Humanism was invented as a Religion and meant to be a replacement for Judism/Christianity.

Any national recognition, through Charter etc, merely keeps the BSA program from being hijacked.

Wanting very limited government is a valid thing we can all agree on. Letting that desire work for the leftists advantage is short sighted.

[KC Burke]

As I said in post #9, I would call it:
...a young adult is turned down for reappointment for a leadership role in a private organization because he makes his aversion to one of the Scout Laws an issue,...

[Cagey]

Does this business over the existence of "God" mean that Islamic terrorists and Child molesting Catholic priests can serve within Boy Scout organizations while this fine young man can't?

Your baited question is not relevent considering members of the Scouts take the following oath. It's a private organazation. Don't you get that?

The Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

[azhenfud]

"Ain't gonna happen! Diversity means you should abandon your principals and embrace the nihilistic philosophy of the Left."

The Left's philosophy: Diversify and conquer...

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[mhking]

Does this business over the existence of "God" mean that Islamic terrorists and Child molesting Catholic priests can serve within Boy Scout organizations while this fine young man can't?

Ah...and when did you stop beating your wife?

[spald]

"The Scouts exclude atheists and gays.

I believe the Scout oath requires a belief in God and the exclusion of gays is limited to adult leaders. Once again, the two separate items are bunched together.