Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Boy Scouts to Keep Gay Ban

The Boy Scouts of America have decided to keep their ban on gay scouts and leaders in place.

I have to seriously question the conclusion announced by the scout committee that "The committee’s work and conclusion is that this policy reflects the beliefs and perspectives of the BSA’s members, thereby allowing Scouting to remain focused on its mission and the work it is doing to serve more youth" when no corroboration is provided other than the assertion.

How does one "serve more youth" by rejecting a segment of that youth? I assume they're afraid that more parents would pull their children out if gays were allowed than there would be gay scouts joining? Do they really think that this is the way to teach tolerance and respect for all people?

To my mind this is a cowardly decision that runs directly counter to the whole concept of scouting. Isn't "To help other people at all times" still part of the oath? Do they think this is helping gays or are they changing the oath to say "To help other people (except gays) at all times?"

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