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I was checking out the Freedom From Religion Foundation website and came across this:
Quote:
We do have a policy that avowed gays and atheists are not allowed to be a registered leader or member of Boy Scouts of America. It’s a longstanding policy.
Pat Currie, BSA Circle Ten Council, explaining why a gay Texas man was forced out as a Scout leader
CNN, 10-20-10
So I started delving into what the Boy Scouts of America is all about--and it's not all knot tying and fire-making. One thing that stuck out to me is the U.S. government's involvement with the BSA. I still want to learn more, but so far I see that if a teen earns his Eagle Scout certificate, then he can skip the Army's E1 pay and go to E2, which amounts to an extra $2,128/year. Which is sweet, if you're prepared to be all religious and stuff like this:
Quote:
The Boy Scout Handbook (11th ed.) explains a Scouts’ “duty to God” as “Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.” The Handbook explains “reverent” as “A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.”
All levels of advancement in the Scouting program have requirements recognizing “duty to God”
I can see the pay raise for the stuff an eagle scout has learned, but I question whether or not our government should recognize a faith-based organization like that, especially when they reject gays and atheists. My husband says I'm kooky for thinking anything's amiss with this. What say you?
When I enlisted I skipped E-1 and E-2. I went directly to E-3 due to the 6-year contract that I signed.
Also anyone who plays with Sea Cadets, Devil Dogs, Civil Air Patrol, JROTC or NJROTC may also receive the same benefit.
When I first enlisted I had been a Sea Cadet, so I was offered E-3 due to my previous involvement them. However I went instead for this other contract which also gave me E-3, plus my contract gave me E-4 as soon as I graduated my A-school.
I enjoyed the heck out of my time in Boy Scouts. Wasn't an Eagle but I did get to Life. If the army gives an Eagle a boost to E2, it's OK by me. Eagles have a lot of skills and knowledge that the average recruit lacks. I'd bet that the army didn't just capriciously slap that policy into place. They did it based on experience, more than likely.
I'd like to think it's because of the obvious advantages gained by a person with prior experience in a structured organization with various positions of "command" and discipline. Plus, of course, the practical things, like them knots, understanding survival and comfort while in the woods and weather, etc. But I also agree; the religious link and benefits thing is troubling.
I also understand that the BSA is a private organization with a strong Christian ethical base, and as such it does, in my mind, have the absolute right, legally and ethically, to limit membership to those who agree with it's basic tenets, and to deny it to those who would perhaps foment an internal argument.
It's odd; I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout in Canada, and I cannot remember any religious stuff at all. We may have had to say the Lord's Prayer, but I don't recall it. Hardly any Christian influence. Mayhaps it's a different perspective in Canada? Any other Canadians with scouting experiences?
BTW, I went on to Air Cadets, and then the Canadian Army SeaForth Highlanders (72nd Rgmnt.) Reserve unit. No difference in compensation because of past organization involvement.
I was checking out the Freedom From Religion Foundation website and came across this:
So I started delving into what the Boy Scouts of America is all about--and it's not all knot tying and fire-making. One thing that stuck out to me is the U.S. government's involvement with the BSA. I still want to learn more, but so far I see that if a teen earns his Eagle Scout certificate, then he can skip the Army's E1 pay and go to E2, which amounts to an extra $2,128/year. Which is sweet, if you're prepared to be all religious and stuff like this:
I can see the pay raise for the stuff an eagle scout has learned, but I question whether or not our government should recognize a faith-based organization like that, especially when they reject gays and atheists. My husband says I'm kooky for thinking anything's amiss with this. What say you?
I think the God vibe can be overlooked in this case. The incentive is not b/c the Eagle Scout is a Bible thumper. It's the fact that they have learned valuable skills and have demonstrated a level of dedication that goes beyond the average Joe.
I watched an episode of Penn and Teller's show about this very thing. Apparently, the whole religion thing varied from troop to troop. They sent out letters to different troops saying that they were atheists and that their son was atheist but wanted to join the boy scouts. The replies were varied. Some troops had no problem with it whatsoever.
I enjoyed the heck out of my time in Boy Scouts. Wasn't an Eagle but I did get to Life. If the army gives an Eagle a boost to E2, it's OK by me. Eagles have a lot of skills and knowledge that the average recruit lacks. I'd bet that the army didn't just capriciously slap that policy into place. They did it based on experience, more than likely.
I see nothing wrong with the military giving a higher pay rate to those enlistees who have demonstrated the advanced skills and knowledge required for this line of work. I do see a problem with the government, however backhandly, supporting an institution that is bigoted against groups of people.
I'd like to think it's because of the obvious advantages gained by a person with prior experience in a structured organization with various positions of "command" and discipline. Plus, of course, the practical things, like them knots, understanding survival and comfort while in the woods and weather, etc. But I also agree; the religious link and benefits thing is troubling.
I also understand that the BSA is a private organization with a strong Christian ethical base, and as such it does, in my mind, have the absolute right, legally and ethically, to limit membership to those who agree with it's basic tenets, and to deny it to those who would perhaps foment an internal argument.
On one hand, maybe I'm just being nitpicky about this. It sounds like scouts learn a lot of things that are applicable to a military career. I don't want to discredit that, not at all. But I still get an antsy feeling in my gut about it. I'd feel better if the government chose to only recognize training programs that didn't deny groups of people from being members/leaders just because of their sexual orientation or their lack of belief in God.
I think the God vibe can be overlooked in this case. The incentive is not b/c the Eagle Scout is a Bible thumper. It's the fact that they have learned valuable skills and have demonstrated a level of dedication that goes beyond the average Joe.
I see your point. But I still see an injustice.
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One thing that stuck out to me is the U.S. government's involvement with the BSA. I still want to learn more, but so far I see that if a teen earns his 
