Report: Boy Scouts consider dropping ban on gay members
If adopted by the organization’s board of directors, it would represent a profound change on an issue that has been highly controversial — one that even went to the US Supreme Court. The new policy, now under discussion, would eliminate the ban from the national organization’s rules, leaving local sponsoring organizations free to decide for themselves whether to admit gay scouts.
“The chartered organizations that oversee and deliver scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization’s mission, principles or religious beliefs,” according to Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts’ national organization.
Individual sponsors and parents “would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families,” Smith said.
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Hey, let’s all just give up and drop our principles.
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Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Fixed.
HondaV65 on January 28, 2013 at 1:44 PM
The local chapters would be to weak to fight off the gay activists, so in effect it will be allowed in almost all of them. Then what will happen is those that don’t approve of the militant gay agenda and the subversion of our freedom of association will stop being members of Scouts. Unfortunately for Scouts, those are precisely the people that primarily comprise the troops now. Not many gay troops will join, or we’ll even see a few all-gay units, and the number of members will dropped so substantially that Boy Scouts will be dead.
Flange on January 28, 2013 at 1:48 PM
It’s not bigotry. The Boy Scouts are an organization founded on Christian principles and Christianity does not agree with homosexuality.
Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 1:51 PM
Agreed. The Scouts are already dying and this’ll be the nail in the coffin.
IR-MN on January 28, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Not fixed.
The Meaning of the Boy Scout Oath
Excerpted from page 45-46, Boy Scout Handbook, 11th ed,
(#33105), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3105-2
and from page 420-421, Webelos Scout Book, 1998 edition,
(#33108), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3108-7
Before you pledge yourself to any oath or promise, you must know what it means. The paragraphs that follow will help you understand the meaning of the Scout Oath.
On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
. . . I will do my best . . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own high standards and don’t be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
. . . To do my duty to God . . .
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.
. . . and my country . . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your country. Natural resources are another important part of America’s heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use wisely. What you do can make a real difference.
. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
. . . To help other people at all times; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your health.
. . . mentally awake, . . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your role in it.
. . . and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
Note that the Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises. Those three promises are delineated by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:
Duty to God and country,
Duty to other people, and
Duty to self
DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your FAMILY and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God.
Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country’s good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points.
DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you’re needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.
DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.
HotAirian on January 28, 2013 at 1:53 PM
never did get my rainbow merit badge during my brief stint as a Cub Scout…
Jeddite on January 28, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Merit Badges for Interior Design in 3…2…1….
portlandon on January 28, 2013 at 2:02 PM
You need to earn you fashion design badge, make-up badge, interior decorating badge and hairdressing badge to qualify for that.
The Rogue Tomato on January 28, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Gives new meaning to the word “Jamboree”.
Mitoch55 on January 28, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Outdated bigotry huh?
The country you now live in considers it an “outdated bigotry” if you oppose most anything the federal government wants to do to or for you. You’re an outdated bigot if you oppose the federal government making you and private institutions buy someone else’s birth control.
You’re an outdated bigot if you think private institutions should be free to manage their own affairs (e.g., Catholic adoption services).
You laugh and mock social conservatives and gladly point out that times-are-a-changin and traditional values have no place in society. Then you also wonder why our culture no longer values fiscal responsibility or parental responsibility towards each other and their offspring.
gwelf on January 28, 2013 at 2:05 PM
Tickle fighting and ballroom dancing to be added to Scout Obstacle Courses in 3….2….1…
portlandon on January 28, 2013 at 2:06 PM
There’s a libertarian option here:
Someone can create a youth organization similar to the Boy Scouts, with similar activities, badges, structure, etc. Leave it open to all kids and adults, whether male, female, straight, gay, whatever.
You don’t like what the scouts are offering? Fine. Start your own group. Just leave the original Boy Scouts alone. If American culture really is as “open and tolerant” as you think it is, then your new organization will grow and eventually eclipse the old scouts. But leave the old one alone.
To channel Bender from Futurama:
“Oh, yeah? I don’t need your stupid scouting organization! I’ll start my own scouting organization! With blackjack! And hookers!”
JimLennon on January 28, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Amen to that!!
Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 2:09 PM
NAMBLA is very happy with this decision, if true. Open season for them.
Clink on January 28, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Well I see no problem other than the make-up badge. Men’s taste for the most part is in their mouths and they could use some training in fashion. The same goes for decorating a house or apartment. A couple of boards on top of cement blocks does not a table make. Nothing wrong about learning how to cut hair either. In the old days being a barber feed many a child and kept them in shoes. It was also one of the few small businesses that just about anyone could start and be a success at.
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 28, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Wowser. Perhaps BSA could network with the Catholic Church on this whole man/boy sexual predation thang – because we all know how well that’s worked out.
locomotivebreath1901 on January 28, 2013 at 2:12 PM
I just started watching that show on Netflix. I’m about halfway through season 4 but I don’t recall a scouting episode so it must be later on. Funny show. One of my favorite Bender lines, “Oh your god!”
Dr. Frank Enstine on January 28, 2013 at 2:14 PM
I see Red Berets becoming part of the Scout Uniform very soon.
portlandon on January 28, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Does it strike anyone else as odd that the boy scout memorial in dc is a statue of a young scout being followed by a naked man?
rw on January 28, 2013 at 2:16 PM
There is nothing stopping the gay activists from starting their own scouting program. Call it Gay Scouts if you wish. Let them compete in the marketplace. Those who are gay, or who want to support the concept of gay membership, are free to join.
This issue isn’t about denying homosexuals the “right” to join Boy Scouts. This issue is about denying Boy Scouts the right to remain who they have always been. As HotAirian commented, a Boy Scout promises to do their duty to God and to be morally straight. Those words have meaning. Homosexuals will never be able to reconcile their behavior with what the Bible says about homosexuality. The two are incompatible.
Any organization that takes a Biblical worldview is now under attack from homosexual activists… activists who believe that they are right and the Holy Bible is wrong. “Acceptance” or “tolerance” is not enough for them. They must actively attack any Biblically-based organization in this country.
ITguy on January 28, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Only for the reprobate
tommyboy on January 28, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Amen.
I won’t stop you from starting your own organization. I’m just politely asking you to not destroy mine.
JimLennon on January 28, 2013 at 2:20 PM
I thought the ban was on gay scout leaders? Or is it on gay scouts too?
changer1701 on January 28, 2013 at 2:28 PM
The source for this article is anonymous “scouting officials and outsiders familiar with internal discussions.” Take it with a major grain of salt.
tommyboy on January 28, 2013 at 2:28 PM
New merit badges!
how to tie a sex sling
fisting
the ends & outs of a**l s*x.
Blake on January 28, 2013 at 2:29 PM
Interesting – the two most important influences on my youth: the Episcopal Church and the BSA have both become trophies for the left. Problem for the left: when you make something a trophy you kill it.
PhillyUnion on January 28, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Should make for some interesting campouts. Kinda makes the days of sneaking a cigarette or two in the woods kinda lame.
Red Creek on January 28, 2013 at 2:30 PM
But adulterous, whore-mongers are just fine.
Your reply represents the most overt anti-gay bigotry. Many Christians who are compelled to forgive sinners, since EVERY PERSON IS ONE, single out homosexuals as morally abject enough to contest regularly. Yet, there are no counterpart crusades against child-abuse (Catholic or otherwise), adultery, neglect, etc.
Basically you dislike gays more than other sinners. The reason is you are anti-gay, a bigot.
Capitalist Hog on January 28, 2013 at 2:42 PM
I find it strange that after rather intense fights to protect their freedom of association that both Augusta and Boy Scouts, in a short span, have now both reversed course.
Flange on January 28, 2013 at 2:42 PM
You seem to know a lot about this. Ex-Boy Scout?
cam2 on January 28, 2013 at 2:43 PM
1) So you acknowledge that homosexual behavior is a sin.
2) I sincerely doubt that any man who was an open adulter or open whore-monger would be allowed to be a scout leader. Contrary to your assertion, they would NOT be “just fine” in Boy Scouts.
ITguy on January 28, 2013 at 2:52 PM
You should GET fixed, pervert.
MelonCollie on January 28, 2013 at 2:56 PM
There sure is. I don’t know where you get your info but that statement is pure BS.
tommyboy on January 28, 2013 at 2:57 PM
The Boy Scouts are closely tied to traditional values in America; no surprise that they’re dying. What they used to stand for is ‘bigotry’.
MelonCollie on January 28, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Good.
This does not mean the kids are going to start getting reamed or become c*ck smokers.
Newsflash: Most pedos are hetero. Sandusky being the latest monster.
CorporatePiggy on January 28, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Red Berets?
Be advised. These guys wear red berets and when you call them fags it gets thick, quick.
CorporatePiggy on January 28, 2013 at 3:09 PM
Then why did Sandusky only go after young boys?
A disproportionate number of child molesters are homosexual.
INC on January 28, 2013 at 3:09 PM
I have yet to see adulterers band together for Adultery Pride Week.
Or child abusers (discounting NAMBLA) want rights for those who abuse children.
INC on January 28, 2013 at 3:11 PM
The “crusade” you speak of has been the one that the Gay Left has been on to insist being allowed to be part of the BSA. It has been those attacks from the Gay Left that BSA has been responding to all these years and responding to those attacks has led the BSA to be called bigoted. Call me a bigot all you like if it makes you feel better.
Bitter Clinger on January 28, 2013 at 3:11 PM
Like churches who feel the need to change their charters, thinking that it will improve their PR and membership, the Boy Scouts will only find the opposite results.
besser tot als rot on January 28, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Sandusky was not a homosexual. Homosexuals are rarely child rapists.
Sandusky is a true psychopath and the pleasure he got out of raping kids was about control, not about him trying to explore his sexuality or indulge in gay behavior.
Rape really is rape – its the most well known form of sexual sadism.
CorporatePiggy on January 28, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Homosexuality is not singled out. Christians regularly “crusade” against all the things you mention (for example the pastor who was rejected for the president’s re-coronation focuses on human trafficking).
There isn’t a powerful adultery or child-abuse lobby actively working to use the power of the state to silence or shut-down private institutions which don’t conform to liberal ideology.
gwelf on January 28, 2013 at 3:14 PM
Did you seriously just play that card? You’re on of the most right wing fundamentalists this blog, to the point where you refused to vote for Romney and may have actively voted for Obama to prove a point, and you’re calling others bigots for sticking to their own principles? Do you not realize how self defeating that kind of crap is?
You are a racist and sexist for opposing Obama. Those are your real motivations, right? Right?
Daemonocracy on January 28, 2013 at 3:20 PM
The Chickenhawk badge requirements should be interesting.
profitsbeard on January 28, 2013 at 3:20 PM
This is, generally, a lazy, libelous lie. But it is easier to use fallacy and demagoguery than rational argument. Which is why leftists do it all the time.
Put simply, all sins are forgiven when they are repented and renounced. Being openly gay does not qualify. Just as being an open and continual child abuser, adulterer, neglector, etc. would/should not be forgiven. So, tell me, how is being gay being held to a different standard than other sins? It is not.
What you are arguing for is that being gay not be considered a sin. Which is your right. But don’t lie about your intentions. Or do. Whatever. I don’t care.
besser tot als rot on January 28, 2013 at 3:22 PM
This is a threat to not only the Boy Scouts of America but also the United States of America.
ITguy on January 28, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Right. Gay acts don’t make him gay. But his heterosexual acts mean he is heterosexual. Because. Telepathy, or something.
besser tot als rot on January 28, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Pederasts nationwide are lining up to join now.
San Francisco Troop #69 will be the nation’s largest.
OxyCon on January 28, 2013 at 3:26 PM
Oh shove it up your a$$. Not everyone needs to accept the same values, people can coexist better when they are allowed to go their own way. If liberals want to send their little girls to the Girl Scouts who have increasing ties to Planned Parenthood then let them, and if conservatives and Christians want to send their boys to the Boy Scouts where Biblical values are promoted, then let them. Do what you want with your kids, start your own rainbow scouts for your own kids and quit being such a megalomaniac.
Daemonocracy on January 28, 2013 at 3:29 PM
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