Why in the world is the Church deciding who can be a leader in the Scouts. From what I remember on the way to Eagle, the Church you meet at is a sponsor of the troop as well as a host. It has no involvement in operations of the troop or pack. I think the church is really over stepping its bounds here.
Also, the Scouts dont require any specific belief in God, just that you believe God exists. You can be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Universalist, Deist or anything you want. You just have to believe in a higher power.
Boy Scouts is not about pushing through an “Ultimate God,” so it really doesnt matter if we want it or not. The only religious references are in the law - a scout is reverent, and the oath - I will do my best... to keep myself morally straight.
I agree with you here and if the BSA accepts all other faiths, Mormons should not be excluded.
Still, I wonder how LDS sponsored groups deal with other denominations.
The church chartered the Troop/Pack. They have every right to decide who their leaders are. The Chartered Org. Rep is usually a member or leader of the organization chartering the Troop/Pack.
Same as a VFW, American Legion, Moose Club, etc.
What you think, albeit unpalatable to many not familiar with BSA rules and guidelines, is within BSA guidelines, as the article points out.
So you think that if a person applying for a leadership position puts down that he is a member of a Metropolitan Community Church and believes in the god of that church, that he'd be eligible as a Boy Scout leader?
Nope. The MCC is a church catering to homosexuals. Boy Scouts of America tends to frown on that.
Now that's a national standard. Since churches are legally responsible for what goes on inside their doors and on campouts, the 'Scouts leave it up to churches to filter its leadership.
Ripliancum has already said on this thread that the LDS church treats the BS as an adjunct part of the church; and that it's integral to what the church does (substitute youth program). So if they treat it as a "ministry," on what grounds are you objecting that the Presbyterians do as well?
Hence, Mormons in effect treat it as part of their "calling" and an extension of their priesthood roles. And this church likewise treats it as ministry. Don't forget that all ministry is not simply formal ministry...and that a lot of informal interaction goes on between leaders and scouts/cubs, especially on outings.
Also, just even who a church sanctions as a leader sends a message to kids. If a Christian church is telling the world that a polytheist, necro-baptizing, protective underwear-weearing, cemetery-record obsessive is "the" key to a "faith life" then what kind of a message are our kids getting?
Perhaps you are thinking of the MASONs.
THEY had a BIG influence on MORMONism.