Boy Scouts Shouldn’t Become ‘Gay Scouts’
- Post 29 January 2013
- By Raynard Jackson, NNPA Columnist
- Hits: 1515
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. This statement is the best way to express my thoughts and feelings about what the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is constantly going through.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the U.S., with more than 2.7 million youth members and more than 1 million adult volunteers. It is estimated that more than 110 million Americans have been members of the BSA since in founding in 1910, including me.
The BSA’s stated goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to inculcate typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.
I am fed up with the relentless attacks launched against the BSA by the homosexual community. The reason for the attacks? Because the Boy Scouts of America prohibits avowed gay and lesbian children and adults from participation, citing its principle to be “morally straight.” They also do not allow atheist and agnostics to participate citing its “duty to God principle.”
In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale that Boy Scouts, and all private organizations, have the constitutionally protected right under the First Amendment of freedom of association to set membership standards. In 2004, the BSA adopted a new policy statement, including the following as a “Youth Leadership” policy:
“Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scouting’s values and beliefs. Most boys join Scouting when they are 10 or 11 years old. As they continue in the program, all Scouts are expected to take leadership positions. In the unlikely event that an older boy were to hold himself out as homosexual, he would not be able to continue in a youth leadership position.”
Wow, what a terrible group, a group that actually instills values and morals into developing kids based on the principles of Christianity. These are the values that makes remote that a child reared with the values of the Boy Scouts of America will become a non-productive member of society. They teach children that there is a right and a wrong; there are things that are legal, but yet not moral; that the Bible is a great guiding, moral book to base one’s behavior on.
As opposed to constantly trying to destroy the BSA because they have moral objections to homosexuality; why do they not start their own group to indoctrinate the youth into their desired sexual preferences?
They can call their group HIM and HERS. Homosexual Indoctrination of Males (HIM) and Homosexual Enlightenment Regarding She-males (HERS). They are free, as a private organization, to create any rules of membership they choose. And yes, they can discriminate against heterosexuals who stand for Christian values.
I am sick and tired of Christians apologizing for their beliefs. The BSA is not anti-homosexual, but is pro-Christian. I, nor should the BSA, will not apologize for my beliefs and values. I, nor should the BSA, change their values in order to make others feel good.
I find it amazing that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) never opens their mouth when homosexuals discriminate against heterosexuals. Tonya Parker, a Black, homosexual elected judge in Dallas County, Texas, refuses to marry heterosexual couples until she can legally marry. “I do not perform them because it is not an equal application of the law. Period,” she said. I guess the HRC has laryngitis when it comes to discrimination from within their community.
The homosexual agenda has little to do with the BSA, they are just a convenient target; and more to do about them forcing society to accept their personal lifestyle choices. They are free to set up any type of private club they want and indoctrinate anyone who chooses to join.
It was reported Monday that the national BSA board will meet next week and is expected to announce that it will allow gay Scouts and troop leaders. According the the Associated Press, the board is expected to announce that local sponsors of Scouting will be able to decide for themselves whether to bar gays or welcome them into scouting.
We, who believe in Christian values, have an obligation to take a principled stand in support of the BSA's current position of banning homsexuals and not leave them to fight this battle alone.
I will be making a personal contribution to the BSA and strongly encourage you to do the same. If not us, who? If not now, when?
Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.-based public relations/government affairs firm. He can be reached through his Web site, www.raynardjackson.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at raynard1223.
The views and opinions of NNPA columnists do not necessarily reflect those of the Atlanta Daily World.
Comments
Race decrimation isn't the same as not approving a sexual behavior. They already had 1000 lawsuits from scout leaders molesting boys, just like the Cathlics. Same sex attention will ''run buck wild'' if pediphiles are let in. All homosexual men arent pediphiles. But they like men. Boys in puberty is little men, arent they? They sure ain't roosters. Ask at what age is a boy is potentally in danger from being mollested by a gay scout leader since they like male bodies - not women?,..at age 14, 15, etc? 'Strong sex feelings' may get in the way of a gay man remembering these are 'little boys' and they don't need to have to worry about rape. This just seem to be common sense to me.
I will check our archives. You make a very interesting point about the history of African Americans in the Boy Scouts. Thanks for your comment. We published this editorial because we like to provide a variety of opinion from Black voices. Mr. Jackson, while controversial, usually provides solid writing and clear backing for his thoughts and words.
And to add insult to injury, one of the requirements to earn 1st Class was a swimming test, which was a bar to most black boys, as they were denied access to public and private pools. It was only 1936 when the BSA allowed 2nd Class scouts to wear the uniform and the following year, they finally removed all restrictions for black boys. Well, accept a little thing called segregated scouting.
Here you have a group that is committed to certain actions, which conflict with Christian values and beliefs. Completely different than racism or minority treatment, as they are judged simply by the color of their skin.
There are issues on both sides, and as with any argument, people exploiting rhetoric and public opinion in a way that makes it impossible to have a discussion.
Poor, Sad Raynard, a bigot and a lobbyist and on the wrong side of history...
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