'Gravely distressed': Religion looms large over Boy Scouts decision on gays

[d_r]

Source: NBC NEWS

If prayer can't sway Boy Scouts board members as they vote whether to end the organization's ban on gays, it won't be for lack of trying.

The Boy Scouts of America announcement last week that it may eliminate the exclusion of gays from membership at the national level, leaving the decision to its local units, has drawn a harsh backlash from some of the organization's more religious conservative members, who are "gravely distressed," even as more liberal churches hailed the move.

With more than two-thirds of Scouting groups affiliated with religious bodies, faith plays a large role in the private youth organization.

"I think it’s clear that the Scouts have made a sea change in who they are and that down the road they will be a different organization than they are today,” said Roger “Sing” Oldham, spokesman for the conservative Southern Baptist Convention. Frank S. Page, head of the convention's Executive Committee, urged for a prayer to be held among congregations on Sunday that the board members would not allow gays.

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/04/16830205-gravely-distressed-religion-looms-large-over-boy-scouts-decision-on-gays?lite

---

This article is well worth reading, it gives some insight in to the issue and includes voices of insiders who favor the change.


If you would like to express your comments or concerns on this matter, you may call the National Office at 972-580-2000 or send an email to [e-mail]

[AndyA]

1. The answer is easy: what would Jesus do?

Would he exclude people, or would he welcome them?

I'm tired of religion being used in a selective manner to justify things.

[callous taoboy]

2. Religion: The biggest stumbling block facing humanity.

[CRK7376]

3. Having spent the past

42 years involved with BSA this Assistant Scoutmaster welcomes the potential for change with open arms. I became an Eagle Scout in 1973, both my sons are Eagles and we have never felt threathened by having or allowing gay scouts to join our association. None of the troops I have worked with have ever been the least bite concerned about homosexuals joining the troop or being present on outings etc...First most of the kids don't think about it at all. It's the parents and adults that surround the troop that cause the issues. Fortunately for me, in my experience, none of our Charting Organizations, mostly churches, have remained silent on the issue. In fact most of my troops, we never see the minister or chuch leaders at our meetings or outings. We invite them to attend our Courts of Honor or special celebrations, but other than a meeting place and Scout Sunday appearance duing the main worship hour. the churches I have been associated with in the BSA movement are not active one way or the other on the issue of gay sacouts/leaders being admitted to our ranks. Maybe I've just been lucky. I know others will be vehemently opposed to allowing gays into BSA. For me, I want BSA to be more inclusive and a better reflection of society as we face it today. Our young people need to see role models that are not bigots or fearful of change. We have such a great program to offer young men. I hope BSA changes its policies soon. Throw it to the local councils and Chartering Organizations, let them decide.

[d_r]

9. I hope you e-mailed that to BSA

you have an important viewpoint here

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Fix it NOW or revoke their congressional charter.

Tired of this shit. The girl scouts figured this problem out YEARS ago. Why do we keep having this conversation?

[DissidentVoice]

5. I was Scout

I was a Cub Scout, Webelos Scout and Boy Scout for the majority of my childhood. I almost made Eagle Scout.

Scouts in other countries (Canada, Australia, UK) don't restrict gay Scouts/leaders.

The Civil Air Patrol (Auxiliary of the USAF), USN Sea Cadet Corps, etc. aren't permitted to do so - and they're under direction of military services!

So what's the BFD?

[d_r]

10. be sure to e-mail your comments!

[windowpilot]

6. Been thinking about starting an online petition,

to end Faith Based Initiative? Think it'll get fly?

[Xithras]

7. The current BSA policy about gays conflicts with their other religious policies.

The BSA has long made it pointedly clear that moral decisions should be made relative to a boys personal faith. Jews may abhor something that Christians are fine with. Muslims may have huge problems with Christian religious practices. And yet, across the spectrum, the BSA has long been welcoming of all these faiths. I've personally led Jewish, LDS, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, and Muslim scouts during my stint as a scout leader.

Homosexuality is the ONLY area where the BSA leadership imposes Christian ethics on Scouts of differing faiths. I know, RIGHT NOW, of a Cub Scout Pack being run by members of a Reform synagogue who can't have any gay leaders because the BSA prohibits it, even though Reform Judaism has no problem with gay people. Christian morality is being imposed on people of a differing faith, in conflict with the BSA's own proclamations that "details" of faith and morality are personal matters to be handled between scouts and their own religious leaders.

[d_r]

8. not all Christians share that view either

Conservative Christian morality is being imposed on people of a differing faith

[d_r]

11. such great comments here

everyone please take a moment to e-mail them to [e-mail]