I read in this morning’s paper that certain churches are severing Boy Scout sponsorship over the BSA’s decision to allow homosexual boys to join scouting. The article stated that 70% of Scout troops are chartered by
faith-based groups. The article mentioned the Southern Baptist Convention as one of the group cutting ties with the BSA. I think this is hypocritical. I can understand the reasoning if the church really believes that sexual orientation is a life style choice. I also understand that the churches are not banning gay boys from going to church-not yet. Sinners, if the boys truly are sinners, should be welcomed in church. The churches say that the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin. I seem to recall something in the bible about casting the first stone.
I was involved in the Boy Scouts for a number of years, starting with the Cub Scouts. I was a den leader and as my boys got older, I graduated into Boy Scouts. Both my sons are Eagle Scouts. I never once asked a new scout about his sexual orientation. In fact, no one ever asked me about my sexual orientation. I did not realize that the Boy Scouts banned openly gay boys from joining until
they put it to a vote recently. To join, boys must be at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. I do not recall any sexual activity going on among the boys. Most were too young to understand sexual orientation. Of course, at that age, 10 – 18, boys are at a crucial period in their development. This is what I do not understand; if a church believes that homosexuality is a sin and a choice of life styles, why would they not want the boys exposed to the values that the BSA teaches?
I reviewed the Scout Oath this morning. It talks about honor, doing your best, God, country, helping others, physically fitness, mentality awake and morally straight. I do not think that the BSA intends to remove the word “straight.” It does not refer to sexual orientation. I also reviewed the Scout Law.
Boy Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. (http://clicktotweet.com/Z9i37)
Exactly which part do the churches take exception? There is nothing there about sexual orientation. They do mention God.
The Boy Scouts of America has a good set of values. It is one of the few organizations that teach good citizenship. (http://clicktotweet.com/e5Hyg)
By allowing gay boys to join, the BSA has become more inclusive. I think that is a good thing. (http://clicktotweet.com/1VhX3)
I wrote about values in my recent e-book, Leadership for New Managers: Book Two,
http://smashwords.com/b/300090.
faith-based groups. The article mentioned the Southern Baptist Convention as one of the group cutting ties with the BSA. I think this is hypocritical. I can understand the reasoning if the church really believes that sexual orientation is a life style choice. I also understand that the churches are not banning gay boys from going to church-not yet. Sinners, if the boys truly are sinners, should be welcomed in church. The churches say that the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin. I seem to recall something in the bible about casting the first stone.
I was involved in the Boy Scouts for a number of years, starting with the Cub Scouts. I was a den leader and as my boys got older, I graduated into Boy Scouts. Both my sons are Eagle Scouts. I never once asked a new scout about his sexual orientation. In fact, no one ever asked me about my sexual orientation. I did not realize that the Boy Scouts banned openly gay boys from joining until
they put it to a vote recently. To join, boys must be at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. I do not recall any sexual activity going on among the boys. Most were too young to understand sexual orientation. Of course, at that age, 10 – 18, boys are at a crucial period in their development. This is what I do not understand; if a church believes that homosexuality is a sin and a choice of life styles, why would they not want the boys exposed to the values that the BSA teaches?
I reviewed the Scout Oath this morning. It talks about honor, doing your best, God, country, helping others, physically fitness, mentality awake and morally straight. I do not think that the BSA intends to remove the word “straight.” It does not refer to sexual orientation. I also reviewed the Scout Law.
Boy Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. (http://clicktotweet.com/Z9i37)
Exactly which part do the churches take exception? There is nothing there about sexual orientation. They do mention God.
The Boy Scouts of America has a good set of values. It is one of the few organizations that teach good citizenship. (http://clicktotweet.com/e5Hyg)
By allowing gay boys to join, the BSA has become more inclusive. I think that is a good thing. (http://clicktotweet.com/1VhX3)
I wrote about values in my recent e-book, Leadership for New Managers: Book Two,
http://smashwords.com/b/300090.
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