[15391] in APO-L
The BSA does not discriminate based on God, girls, or gays.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Loren J Chassels)
Fri Nov 8 17:35:11 1996
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 16:09:47 PST
Reply-To: Loren J Chassels <asven@JUNO.COM>
From: Loren J Chassels <asven@JUNO.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
> I hold a deep, personal
>objection to the Boy Scouts requirement of Reverence. Many people now
>interpret this as being synonamous with Respect, which I would
>support.
>However, it seems apparent to me that the BSA do not hold to that
>particular definition, and instead require a belif in a diety.
As an Eagle Scout (with Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms), a Current
Assistant Scoutmaster, a former Explorer Post Advisor, a Merit Badge
Councelor, A camp Commissioner, an Order of the Arrow Brotherhood
Member, recipient of the Youth Leadership of America Award........
and someone who does not believe in a supreme being......
I can speak from experience that the Boy Scouts of America, Inc. and the
Boy Scouts of America (volunteers, parents, and scouts) are not
necessarily of the same opinion on every issue. Much like APO argues
over our bylaws, purpose, etc, so do the Boy Scouts.
The BSA has never even HINTED at disapproval of me or my moral beliefs.
I feel my spirituality is satisfied and that I am sufficiently Reverent with my beliefs.
I would also point out that I have met at least 10 fellow Eagle Scouts that have the same views on God.
The origional intention of the Reverent requirement of the Scout Law was
to encourage Scouts to develop a sence of inner peace. This is the way
that it was explained to me and the way that our troop viewed Reverent.
My troop had members that were Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Zeraustrian,
Budist, Muslim, and Agnostic. Most of us (including the Agnostic members) found that sence of peace through our connection with nature. We were
reverent toward the land, water, and sky. We were reverent in our
practices of promoting peace and understanding of each other's
religions.
I'll have everyone know that the ONLY people who had any effect on our
troop were the PARENTS in that troop. Our troop has been around for 40
years and has fostered the development of over 80 Eagle Scouts. Our
scouts have gone to the corners of the Earth and have been active as
advisors and scoutmasters in troops around the country.
How do I know what the Boy Scouts believes? I have EXPERIENCED it. The
only people that the Boy Scouts of America throw out of the organization
are those that demonstrate a desire to corrupt the youth of their
organization through immoral actions.
What does the BSA consider to be immoral? Well, if you asked the
National office, you will get a different answer than if you ask the
parents of scouts. Depending upon the troop, you will have different
views. After all, communities are different across the country. In the
predominatly Mormon areas of Utah, parents may not want a homosexual as a
scoutmaster. Parents in an inner city of New York City may not wish to
have a Scoutmaster that totes a shotgun over his shoulder in his pickup truck. A troop that only has members from its own church may not wish to
have an athiest as its Scoutmaster.
According to court records (obtained by the United Way), the only
homosexual adult volunteers that are asked to leave are initially asked
to leave by the PARENTS of the scouts. Usually these parents are
genuinely concerned about the influences that affect their son or
daughter. As for the girl issue, you will find that both youth and adult women are ENCOURAGED to participate in the BSA.
Those people who like to persecute large organizations because of
interpretated Political Incorrectness may want to look closer before
throwing stones.
The most important things I've learned in life: Believe no one except
yourself. If you hear a rumor, go to the source. Never trust the
media, they are professional gossipers. People who are pointing out the
faults of others are generally trying to hide their own faults.
