As the Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 103rd birthday Friday, Feb. 8, a heated dispute is likely putting a damper on any celebrations.
The national organization was expected to take up the issue of removing a ban on gay participants recently. It, however, delayed taking action until May “due to the complexity of this issue,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Even if the national council votes in favor of lifting the ban, local chapters would retain their right to keep it in place.
Some members and supporters of the private organization designed to teach boys life, citizenship and leadership skills say it’s time to end the ban on gay participants. Others are staunchly opposed to the notion.
Should the organization lift its national ban on gay participants and end a fight that’s been going on for well over a decade?
President Barack Obama and the group Scouts for Equality think so. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has publicly supported the ban. A Quinnipiac University poll released this week found that a majority of registered voters, 55 percent to 33 percent, want the ban to end, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The Scouts, however, have the law on their side. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the private organization’s rights to ban gay participants during a case in 2000.
What do you think, Tampa Bay? Is it time for the Boy Scouts to open the doors to all participants, regardless of sexual orientation. Or, should Scouting hold to its traditions? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
It isn't a conspiracy to "destroy" America. It's a movement to free America from the likes of your oppressive pushing of your morals on everyone else. Who is behind it? It must be that Socialist Rat Bastard Barack Hussain Dahmer Hitler Obama. That Kenyan F#ck .
Then were faced with the battle between this misguided homosexual and the heterosexual leader that sees nothing wrong with the boy, and in many ways sees himself in him just as much as the homosexual believes he does. The homosexual agenda will continue to push for laws like what has been passed in california, claiming it is "unhealthy and dangerous" to attempt to counsel this young man in his heterosexuality, and that the heterosexual is being bigoted and a "homophobe", and must be prevented from seeking counseling for their sons. I can imagine the laws they would push for next! Im sorry, it is the homosexual who is demanding to not just be "included", but to have influence over our young impressionable children that are going to be on "the wrong side of history".
. In addition to my concerns noted above dealing with impressionable (and some relatively insecure) boys, and although it’s “politically incorrect”, it has to be said: In the homosexual subculture, sexual attraction toward young teen boys is far more prevalent and prized than gay activists would like you to know. Predators are known to go where the children are. And that means the Boy Scouts are arguably at even higher risk of sexual-abuse on a broad scale than the Catholic Church was and is. That is why BSA has instituted one of the best Youth Protection Training programs in the world, as a direct response to predators in their midst. . How ironic and unfortunate, then, that the Boy Scouts are now being so pressured that they are contemplating opening themselves up to sexual molestation lawsuits, to disgrace, and to huge jury awards and out-of-court settlements. After all, by changing their policy on homosexual leaders, the BSA would be adopting a more overt and inviting stance toward homosexual leaders than the Catholic Church ever did – essentially advertising for homosexual adult “scouters.”
. If you do not think lawsuits, test cases, de facto recruitment and affirmative action will not follow adoption of this policy, then you do not understand the political and moral left. If you think the vast gay rights lobby will finally leave the Scouts alone if the policy of making the determination of admitting gays goes to the local level, you do not understand the political and moral left.
"As a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout and a GAY men [sic], everything i learned about Homosexuality, I learned in the SCOUTS." . "...EVERYTHING i learned about Homosexuality, I learned in the SCOUTS." . There you have it folks, Stephen 'became' a homosexual in the scouts from exposure to closeted homosexuals within the organization. Can you imagine if we admitted open homosexuals into the scouts, how the flood gates of homosexuality would permeate this 100 year old institution, seducing our sons just like what happened to Stephen? . Thank you for that honest confession Mr Mccracken! Well of course you LEARNED EVERYTHING about homosexuality in the Scouts, thats because homosexuality 'IS' a learned condition and you were not 'born gay' as the adamant homosexual community would insist you believe. And you learned this behavior in the Scouts because why? There was a closeted gay troop leader that taught you, or maybe an assertive gay scout that slept in your tent? Exactly, this is precisely what the majority of this nation wants to prevent by disallowing the admittance of openly homosexuals into the Boy Scouts of America! . There is no back-tracking on this Stephen, whether youre under the illusion that you were "born gay" or not, your learned everything about this aberrant behavior in the scouts. We're all thankful to Stephen McCracken that we now have that truth out in the open!
Roy K. McGinnis said it well; “One also has to look at the larger picture in all this, who has the greater proclivity to abuse someone of the same sex, straight or homosexual?” If a man has a desire to be sexual with another man, regardless of age, he at least has what is known as same-gender sexual attraction, or “same-sex attraction”, even if he has chosen to marry a woman. For many, it is this same-gender attraction that lead many to conclude that they are homosexual, and they go on to live “gay” lives. A man can choose to act upon this desire or not with another man, but if a man fears approaching another man and instead chooses a young boy to act out his fantasies, he has selfishly allowed is temptations to steal the innocence of another man, who currently happens to be living through is childhood years. As everyone knows, this abuse can have a profoundly negative impact on this boy’s life as he matures into manhood. There is definitely a direct correlation between same-gender sexual attraction and the sexual abuse of young boys – and this is what all Fathers want to control and hopefully eliminate within the BSA. Allowing gay troop leaders is most definitely a step in the wrong direction.
The Boy Scouts began in 1908 in Britain, where Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a hero of the Boer Wars, founded the international organization. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, as a copy of the British model. Baden-Powell wrote in a pamphlet "Scouting & Christianity" (1917): "Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity." (Religion and the Boy Scout and Girl Guides Movement--an address, 1926). "....We aim for the practice of Christianity in their everyday life and dealings, and not merely the profession of theology on Sundays.... There is a vast reserve of loyal patriotism and Christian spirit lying dormant in our nation today, mainly because it sees no direct opportunity for expressing itself. Here in this joyous brotherhood there is a vast opportunity open to all in a happy work that shows the results under your hands and a work that is worth while because it gives every man his chance of service for his fellow-men and for God." - (Scouting For Boys, 1908) Of course Christians are not going to exclude non-believers, that’s what Christianity is all about, loving others and living as an example. To ignore the Christian founding of this organization and to say that scouting has nothing to do with Christ is simply ignoring the facts of history.
"Of course Christians are not going to exclude non-believers, that’s what Christianity is all about, loving others and living as an example. To ignore the Christian founding of this organization and to say that scouting has nothing to do with Christ is simply ignoring the facts of history." Doesn't this controdict you earlier agrument about this having a reason to exclude the people who are homosexual. If you believe it is a choice, then why not provide the example of what you believe is correct? It is also ignoring the facts of history of all the atrocities that were due to Christianity. If you do not believe us we will kill you? Inquisition, Crusades, etc... So those beliefs are not always a part of the history of Christianity. As you say History is a Stubborn thing. As I have stated earlier, the BSA are a private organization so they can include who they want and exclude who they want. Just like they do not allow females. But lets not make fake reasons behind it. It's an uncomfortable conversation for some, which was in their research, and they don't want to loose corporate sponsorship. Let us stop pretending it is it is anything more than a business decision. Because their was no reason to change their previous course of action.
The new proposal is to allow the decisions to be made by the host organizations. Presumably many churches would be *against* and many schools would be *for*. This stance would preserve the corporate sponsorship of scouting, at least for the time being. As a compromise for the moment, it has its appeal. On further thought though, this is a Fabian/Hegelian Dialectic approach. It is the camel's nose under the tent. And let's assume for a moment that a majority of troops are not inclusive. What we have then is pressure on the the traditionalists, and perhaps a schism resulting in the birth of "Obama Youth" and a migration of corporate sponsors over to it and away from scouting. Quite possibly the new organization fails and the old is mortally wounded. Where are we then?
I’m having difficulty seeing the logic of your argument; and I see no contradiction in what I have stated. Being attracted to the same sex is not a choice, I understand that. Deciding to live a gay lifestyle however is indeed a choice. I have a couple friends and a cousin that deal with these same-sex attractions, one has chosen to live a gay lifestyle and has divorced his wife to live with another man, the other two have chosen to remain married to their wives and to honor their commitments to remain faithful to them. All three are long stories that I can’t get into here; point is, I’m not living a life totally detached from these real life situations. Your 1st paragraph - The BSA is not excluding gay people now; they’re just expected to keep their sexuality to themselves, as they should. Gays have stated that they want to be involved in all the activities that Scouts typically pursue, and they can; as long as they keep their mouth shut about being gay, just like we did with the DADT. Therefore the Scouts are ALREADY being the example to men and boys with SSA of what is means to live a heterosexual life as God intended. 2nd paragraph – the subject is not the history of Christianity, but rather what the Bible says about life, so I will skip this.
3rd paragraph – I agree with you here, but BSA board members like Randall Stephenson, president of AT&T seem to think otherwise. He makes the leap that since his company has a non-discrimination policy, which I agree with, that the BSA likewise should not discriminate and allow “gay boys” (a term I disagree with) to sleep in my son’s tent. Sorry, there is simply no comparison. AT&T says you can’t be fired for being gay, and I agree, but that’s not the same thing as requiring a heterosexual employee to share a hotel room while traveling with a gay man. Mr. Stephenson seems unable to make that distinction, therefore I have chosen to do what the gay community has a hard time doing, and that is take my business elsewhere. I’m cancelling my family plan with AT&T this week and going to Sprint
The first paragraph which contridicts the agrument is where you reference that Christians are not going to exclude non-believers. What we are discussing that the new policy is about exclusion. I understand the fears, but it is a contridiction. The history is in regards to your comments about Chritianity being about loving and living as an example. Which goes against it's history. The Bible the document is different fron Christianity. Christianity is a religion that has been used by powerful men in our history to kill other people. Just like Muslims as a whole are naturally peaceful, but the teaches have been used to kill people as well. So if you statement is that the new Testiment is about peace, etc.. I agree. The third paragraph is all about business, and I believe we agree. It comes down to a business decision.
Regarding your understanding of the principle of inclusion; that would not mean allowing practicing homosexuals to worship in church on a regular basis. Could they visit? Of course they could; can they attend on a regular basis? Not without first recognizing their sinfulness and turning from it. I choose to accept the Bible as the word of the one true God; and His Word clearly states; “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, … will inherit the kingdom of God. >>And such were some of you.<< But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 We are ALL sinners in need of a Savior. If we deny our sin then the truth is not in us. If we continue in our sin and refuse to repent, then the church would be justified in refusing such participation in worship until we did so. Likewise, as a private organization founded on Christian principles, it’s no different with the Scouts. They can refuse those who reject their standards without being justly accused of practicing “exclusion”.
Keep in mind the old saying " those that protest the loudest often have the most to hide"
Let the Boy Scouts continue to adhere to their principles, including being "physically strong and morally straight", as well as "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, clean, brave, and reverent." AMEN! Others can, and SHOULD, form their own group.