Bigotry in the Scouts (defence, society, against, family)

[hammertime33]

Originally Posted by Budke

I started in Cub Scouts and made it all the way to Eagle when I was 17. We had openly gay kids in our troop. Nobody cared. We had a couple of goth kids. Nobody cared. I was a vocal atheist. Nobody cared. We all came together every week because we were all friends and were excited about camping and the outdoors. Despite our meetings taking place in a church, religion was never brought up because we had Christians, Jews, Muslims and Atheists all in the troop.

We were always told to never discriminate and and treat each other with respect. Most kids can do it, but adults seem to be unable to grasp that concept.

Very, very weird. Here's the policy of the BSA:

"We believe that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the requirements in the Scout Oath that a Scout be morally straight and in the Scout Law that a Scout be clean in word and deed, and that homosexuals do not provide a desirable role model for Scouts. Because of these beliefs, the Boy Scouts of America does not accept homosexuals as members or as leaders"

also

"Declaration of Religious Principle: The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognising an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, ‘On my honour I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.’ The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of his favours and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."


The Boy Scouts of American have strict policies against gay and atheist members and have a long, rich history of expelling gays and atheists.

[SHABAZZ310]

I would defiantly not allow my sons to go camping with male homosexuals. Would you let your daughters go camping with men?

Originally Posted by Zimbochick

Wait a minute, you are contradicting yourself. Are the bolded important or not?

[Budke]

Originally Posted by hammertime33

Very, very weird. Here's the policy of the BSA:

"We believe that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the requirements in the Scout Oath that a Scout be morally straight and in the Scout Law that a Scout be clean in word and deed, and that homosexuals do not provide a desirable role model for Scouts. Because of these beliefs, the Boy Scouts of America does not accept homosexuals as members or as leaders"

also

"Declaration of Religious Principle: The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognising an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, ‘On my honour I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.’ The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of his favours and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."


The Boy Scouts of American have strict policies against gay and atheist members and have a long, rich history of expelling gays and atheists.

I'm very aware of BSA's antiquated policies. The upper management may have a problem with this but when it comes down to individual troops it can differ greatly. As with our troop.

The only time religion was ever brought up was when I went up for Eagle and I was asked if I believe in God(or accept him as my savior. Something like that) and I just said "yea" and tried not to laugh.

But thanks, BSA. My resume looks a lot better now.

[Zimbochick]

Originally Posted by psr13

Not approving of homosexuality does not mean one hates it. I want to raise my kids to know that it's OK to think that something that is widely accepted is morally wrong.

Sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with scouting, and neither should the sexual activities of any of the leaders or scouts. What people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms is nobody's business but the parties involved. If the scouts and leaders focus on scouting, I cannot understand why it matters.

[theflipflop]

Originally Posted by psr13

Not approving of homosexuality does not mean one hates it. I want to raise my kids to know that it's OK to think that something that is widely accepted is morally wrong.

Briliiantly said!

Sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with scouting, and neither should the sexual activities of any of the leaders or scouts. What people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms is nobody's business but the parties involved

Also well said.

So why the dichotomy of thought? To me, sexual orientation is a private matter. It's also too complex a subject for all you religious amateurs to even have an opinion whether it's right or wrong. So it's best leaving it as a subject unsaid, while at the same time, doing your best NOT to discriminate against gay people.

[Cav Scout wife]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

I am having an interesting week. My boy and I love scouting. It has helped us to make new friends, set goals and achievement, and learn about character.

After the big blow up back east about the gay Den Leader who was expelled, half my den wants to quit (I am a Den Leader myself-straight guy).

I love scouting, but I may step down if the organization cannot move forward.

This is nothing new with the Scouts. DH was a Scout back in the day, but he swore if we ever had sons, he wouldn't give the Scouts a dime after he found out how intolerant they are.

So each and every year, I have to disappoint some group of boys trying to get people to overpay for crappy popcorn, by not buying any and then of course the parent in charge trys to get me to by talking about how wonderful the Scouts are, then I interrup them by stating I don't support intolerant groups, then they ask what I mean, and I reply groups that are biased, discriminatory, and intolerant. Then the always end up saying something pi*sy as I walk away.

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

Don't be an idiot, there are laws against killing children. Its always laughable when people who hate religion, try to quote from the bible. Now I wouldn't hesitate to wear out the behind of any child of mine who was disobedient or disrespecful. But liberals don't even want parents to do that.

Lev 19:27 "Do not cut the hair on the sides of your head, nor clip off the edges of your beard."

Originally Posted by Little-Acorn

Which is probably why nobody thinks they are. Except perhaps for you, who brought it up when no one else did.

But when straight men molest a child, it's almost always a girl. There are no little girls in the Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts.

When gay men molest a child, it's often a little boy. There are lots of little boys in the Boy Scouts, and especially in Cub Scouts.

I hope this helps you to understand.

So you are saying Catholic priests are gay?!

[Mulhall]

I had the same problem in the local Hitler Youth, what a bunch of bigots they turned out to be. Plus my trumpet never worked properly and all the other little fascist would laugh at me and call me names.

[Sco]

Originally Posted by Budke

I'm very aware of BSA's antiquated policies. The upper management may have a problem with this but when it comes down to individual troops it can differ greatly. As with our troop.

The only time religion was ever brought up was when I went up for Eagle and I was asked if I believe in God(or accept him as my savior. Something like that) and I just said "yea" and tried not to laugh.

But thanks, BSA. My resume looks a lot better now.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. As society changes, being associated with openly bigoted groups like the Boy Scouts may become a huge liability. I can see a time quickly coming when putting Boy Scouts on a resume might make you persona non grata in the job market. It is a bit like bragging that you were a member of the KKK.

[saltine]

Originally Posted by SHABAZZ310

I would defiantly not allow my sons to go camping with male homosexuals. Would you let your daughters go camping with men?

When I was in scouts the "leader" tried to get me to ride with him alone to a campout. It made me very uncomfortable and I made a friend drive with us. He still promised us pie in the sky..WEIRD drive.. Years later my friend said the fruitcake tried some crap on him. I would not want quirks of nature around my children or men taking my daughters camping.

[Zimbochick]

Originally Posted by SHABAZZ310

I would defiantly not allow my sons to go camping with male homosexuals. Would you let your daughters go camping with men?

My daughter does go camping with men. She has a father, a brother, uncles, friends. You do understand the difference between homosexuality and pedophilia, right? The best defence against anyone harming your children is vigilence and educating your children, and definitely not believing outdated folklore.