Normally I try to keep my more opinionated posts on topics such as 'people who don't understand basic grammar,' so I apologize in advance for offending nearly everyone that I know as I break my own rule by stepping into actual controversy. Boy Scouts of America.
"Mission Statement: The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to
prepare young people to make ethical and moral
choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the
values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law."
(Sounds good so far.)
"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."
("Did we say morally straight? We meant sexually straight. Our bad.")
"Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."
("And also heterosexual. Gosh, did we forget to mention that one again? How silly.")
"Vision Statement: The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every
eligible youth in America to become a responsible,
participating citizen and leader who is guided by
the Scout Oath and Scout Law."
("Unless, of course, you want to be an actual Scout Leader, which will be largely dictated by your sexual orientation. But have fun being a responsible citizen.")
For those of you who aren't yet aware, the BSA finally took a stance regarding homosexuality within its program. I'm certain that you ARE aware of the recent controversy on whether or not homosexual leaders should be permitted. In all of the discussions I have had with people, the main issue is the concern that inappropriate relationships will be formed between the leaders and the scouts, to which I say: there is a HUGE difference between being attracted to a man and being attracted to CHILDREN. No matter your gender preference, being gay is not in any way related to being a child molester. You could say that a younger Scout Leader may develop feelings for an older Scout, but aren't you taking the same chances when your teenage daughter is taught by a male gym teacher, or french tutor, or religious leader, which, as loathsome as we all find it, is far more common than boy scout leaders?
One issue that has never come up in any of these discussions is whether or not homosexual boy scouts should be allowed to participate (and let's be honest, if anyone is going to be fooling around, it's teenage boys). Obviously, it would be unfair to outlaw young homosexual boys from participating, especially since they're probably simply confused, and with righteous examples and influences, they'll eventually grow out of it, right? (
And now for BSA's decision. The new rule states that homosexual scouts (be they in the closet or out) will not be excluded from the program, but no openly gay men will be allowed to become a Scout Leader. The wording they used is:
"While the BSA does not proactively inquire about sexual
orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we
do not grant membership to individuals who are open
or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that
would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA."
Does this ring a bell for anyone? Ever heard of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'? Remember how that policy was so dumb that it has now been repealed?
So essentially, the message that the BSA is now teaching it's young, homosexual scouts is, "You are welcome and safe here. We don't judge you by your sexual orientation and we do not discriminate. Until you turn eighteen, and then you better stay the heck away from our program." With the exception of those who are willing to stay in the closet for the rest of their days.
Now, I'm no boy scout (or boy), and I know the Scout Law and the Scout Oath don't specifically use the word 'Honesty,' but isn't it somewhat implied in all of the traits that it does mention? And wouldn't pretending to be something that you aren't so that you can be a part of, participate in, and contribute to a beloved program that you grew up in, that helped you learn to be a good person and a strong man... wouldn't that be, I don't know, NOT honest?
So I guess what I'm really trying to say is that overall, I really am glad that this decision was made. It's a tiny, rather contradictory and ineffectual step in the right direction, but it's a step nonetheless.
I also want to clarify that I AM STILL VERY MUCH MORMON. This particular statement and opinion will have many of my good friends and loved ones wondering if I am perhaps beginning to "stray" from the gospel, but I want to assure you that I have spent many an hour discussing topics such as this one with my wonderful bishop, and it turns out that believing that our homosexual brethren should have equal treatment and opportunities in no way disqualifies me from holding a calling, going to the temple or getting into the celestial kingdom (though there is still plenty of time for me to disqualify myself in other ways, haha).
For those of you who want to see the official BSA Resolution, please follow the following link:
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/MembershipStandards/310-561_WB.pdf
And for those of you who want additional information on the effects of this decision please go to:
https://www.google.com/search?q=italicize+in+facebook+status&aq=1&oq=italicize+in+fac&aqs=chrome.2.57j0l3.8964j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sclient=psy-ab&q=bsa+gay+policy&oq=BSA&gs_l=serp.3.3.0l4.5400.5883.0.9132.3.3.0.0.0.0.179.418.0j3.3.0...0.0...1c.1.14.psy-ab.DbEgljuEWoM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47008514,d.cGE&fp=5f2a042325b2882d&biw=1280&bih=728
and read any article that strikes your fancy.
Because I don't want this post to turn into a "Who Can Disagree the Loudest" contest, I will be deleting ALL comments, positive or negative. This is not meant to be a debate, and I will not allow it to become one. However, if you have a thought on this that you want me exclusively to know, you can comment, and I will read it before deleting it, or you can send me a message. Or egg my car, or whatever.
Many thanks to those of you who actually read this whole thing (if there are any).
God bless everyone, no exceptions.
