Forum Index
»
Off-Topic
Do Boy Scouts and Liberals Mix?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
WOW. I MEAN WOW! um Unitarians are way too conservative for me - i know, i tried. way too NY Times-loving, yuppie liberal. btw NRA fan here |
Anonymous
| Can you please provide a reference for the boy scouts HQ stated position on religion and lesbian/gay families? Thank you. |
Anonymous
? |
Anonymous
| Anyone actually have their kids/boys enrolled in an alternative scouting group they can recommend? |
Anonymous
|
"Scouting does not accept atheists and agnostics as members or adult volunteer leaders.": http://www.bsalegal.org/duty-to-god-cases-224.asp
On gay people: http://www.bsalegal.org/morally-straight-cases-225.asp From the Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America_membership_controversies |
Anonymous
| PP with the references here. Our son won't be joining the scouts, either. I've been (frankly) very surprised at the willingness of families we know to overlook the official position and legal history of the group in order to give their sons a social experience. In one instance, the child enrolled is actually an atheist (he and his father have had several conversations about this, he knows what it means). In another, the child has a lesbian aunt. I give these examples to say that these aren't abstract principles the families would be acting on, it's much closer to home. |
Anonymous
|
how can a "child" possibly be an athiest or agnostic? he doesn't know enough to make his own decisions - that is just brainwashing by the parents.
scouting is a wonderful opportunity to grow, to learn the outdoors, to bond with other boys and really grow confidence and learn useful like skills. My fondest memories from childhood were my hiking, camping and canoeing trips away from the big city. |
Anonymous
|
I may not get my son involved in the boy scouts and that makes me sad, really. It has been a wonderful organization for my brother and nephew, and i think on paper it does have great values and ideals.
Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Scout Law A Scout is: Trustworthy – A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him. Loyal – A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. Helpful – A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward. Friendly – A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own. Courteous – A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together. Kind – A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Obedient – A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them. Cheerful – A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy. Thrifty – A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. Brave – A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him. Clean – A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean. Reverent – A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. |
Anonymous
| There's Camp Fire programs: http://www.campfireusa.org/ |
Anonymous
| My 11 year old nephew absolutely loves Boy Scouts. His mom is Unitarian and his dad is an agnostic. He has two gay uncles. It has become a big time commitment for my nephew and his parents and my sister and BIL would not mind if my nephew quit. But he loves it. And they love and support him. My nephew is outspokanely gay friendly, so I don't know when his views will clash with the Boy Scouts biases. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| My trouble is being an active participant, financial contributor etc to an organization that is outspokenly intolerant of such groups. I would not let my child participate. |
Anonymous
Scouting goes up to 18. Kids in their tweens/teens are certainly old enough to have opinions about religion. I have to wonder if you consider sending kids to Sunday school to be brainwashing? There are a few groups that have started to give kids the same outdoor opportunities without the homophobia, such as Earth Scouts. |
Anonymous
I'm willing to say that if a child can "believe" in God, he can also not. You can't have it both ways. |
Anonymous
There are plenty of other opportunities to grow, learn the outdoors, learn life skills, etc. without simultaneously teaching your children to support organizations that espouse exclusion and intolerance. Just think of how your son would feel if you put him in Boy Scouts and he was one of those kids with a secret voice inside of him telling him he might be gay at a very young age. (And if you don't believe that happens, then the Boy Scouts is the perfect place for you.) |