Boston Boy Scouts Unveil Pro Homosexuality Diversity Badge, Atheist Boys Scout Fundraiser

Culture and Family Institute ^ | 2002 | Peter J. LaBarbera

[restornu]

The Boston branch of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has reportedly chosen to celebrate homosexuality as an element of “diversity,” while pro-family advocates wait to see what actions, if any, the national BSA leadership will take to discipline the council.

On Monday, the Boston Minuteman Council, which serves 18,000 boys, picked David Brudnoy — a homosexual radio talk-show host — to emcee its annual fundraising dinner. The Minuteman Council announced the creation of a “diversity awareness awards badge” that contains a homosexuality component. This fall, the Boson council will give the diversity awards to individuals and groups that “complete a curriculum of activities that promote diversity — including race, religion and sexual orientation,” according to the Associated Press.

Gregg Shields, spokesman for the national BSA headquarters, said the Minuteman Council’s action does nothing to alter the longstanding Boy Scouts’ policy — affirmed in February by the BSA’s executive board — that homosexuals, atheists and agnostics are not eligible for membership or leadership in the Boy Scouts.

Asked if the BSA would take immediate action against the Boston council, Shields said there first would have to be a “discussion” between the Boston leadership and that of the national BSA.

Shields told Culture & Family Report that the first step in the discussions will be “to understand what took place.” He said the national BSA will expect the Boston council leaders to “reaffirm their commitment to the policy” on homosexuality.

He added that local councils have the right to create awards and badges, but that they “require prior approval” of the BSA. “Other voices can be heard, but there can only be one policy.”

BIGSBY DEFENDS ‘GAY’ DIVERSITY

Brock Bigsby, scout executive for the Boston Minuteman Council, told The Boston Globe that the homosexuality-affirming “diversity” awards were created to “meet the needs of our kids — that’s where our focus is.” “Scouting traditionally has been a very diverse activity,” Bigsby said, who asserted there is a “great deal of local autonomy” for councils. (He did not return a call from C&F Report for this article.)

In rejecting dissident efforts to overturn the Scouts morality code on homosexuality, the BSA executive board stated that “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the traditional values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law,” and warned that “the BSA’s values cannot be subject to local option choices, but must be the same in every unit,” the Globe reported.

BRUDNOY ESPECIALLY CHOSEN The Boston Globe reported that Bigsby and the Boston council intentionally chose Brudnoy, who has contracted AIDS, to emcee their “Salute to Scouting” dinner to signal their homosexuality-inclusive course: “They didn’t say, ‘David, we want you because you’re gay.’ They said, ‘We want you because you’ll be signaling to people our policy, and we hope you’ll make reference to this in your remarks,’” said Brudnoy, who hosts a nightly radio program on WBZ (1030 AM) and teaches journalism at Boston University.

“It will be in passing, it may be no more than a sentence,” Brudnoy said. “But the point will be clearly made.”

Brudnoy himself also champions the cause of atheist boys gaining entry into the Scouts. Since its inception, the Boy Scouts of America has affirmed a belief in God. In February, the BSA board declared that “duty to God is not a mere ideal for those choosing to associate with the Boy Scouts of America; it is an obligation, which has defined good character throughout the BSA’s 92-year history.”

But in an interview with AP, Brudnoy pledged to call on the Boston Scouts affiliate to allow atheists as members: “Currently an atheist or agnostic kid cannot be a scout,” [Brudnoy] said, adding that he planned to call for change,“ wrote the AP’s Ken Maguire.

Brudnoy also praised the Minuteman Council’s existing “nondiscrimination policy” that officials have said applies to “sexual orientation.”

In an op-ed appearing in the June 8 Boston Herald, Brudnoy made the connection — denounced by pro-family advocates — between racism and opposing homosexuality. He wrote:

Monday we’re celebrating the 26th annual Salute to Scouting Dinner, and I’m privileged to serve as master of ceremonies, something I, a former Scout, would not do if our local Scout council mimicked the national BSA policy. Like all Americans, Scouts and Scout leaders and adult supporters deserve a society ensuring equitable rights for all. Banishing gays from scouting is as sensible as banning people who aren’t white gentiles. It would be and is senseless. Americans of goodwill should recoil from it categorically, as has the Boston Minuteman Council.

BOSTON: PEDOPHILIA CAPITAL?

Robert H. Knight , Director of the Culture & Family Institute, and an Eagle Scout, said the Boston Minuteman Council’s action is a tragic irony, since it emanates from the city that is at the center of a growing homosexual pedophilia scandal. The Boston Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church has been under fire since it was learned that church authorities transferred known sex offenders to other parishes and areas of the country rather than expel them from the priesthood.

Boston is also the birthplace of NAMBLA, the North American Man/Boy Love Association, a homosexual organization that advocates legalizing sex between men and young boys. One of the Boston priests implicated in the Catholic homosexual pedophile scandal was reportedly active in the founding of NAMBLA.

“To see the Boston Scout Council expanding its crusade to celebrate homosexuality, even as the Catholic Church is embroiled in a crisis caused by homosexual predators who were ‘tolerated’ at the highest levels, is shocking to say the least,” Knight said. “This is especially true since the Boy Scouts themselves have been forced to take drastic measures to keep homosexual predators away from young boys.

“If the Boston council does not stop celebrating homosexuals as role models — in direct contravention of the national Boy Scout policy — it is time for Boston parents to pull their boys out of the Boston-area Scouts under its control.” YOUNG EAGLE SCOUT DENOUNCES BOSTON ACTION

Hans Zeiger, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Puyallup, Washington, criticized the Boston action.

“The state of Massachusetts has placed more pressure on the BSA to change its standards than any other state in America,” said Zieger, director of the Scout Oath Project, an initiative to preserve the moral tradition of Scouting in America. “Nearly every public school district in Massachusetts has denied the Scouts access to its public facilities. This is a great tragedy.” He blasted the Boston Council for “giving in” to pressure from the homosexual lobby.

“By inviting an openly gay radio talk show host, AIDS patient, and anti-family activist to emcee their fundraiser, they’ve sent a message to Scouts everywhere that the strong Scouting tradition of moral character and principled leadership development is at serious risk.

“As an Eagle Scout, I will refuse to accept the actions of the Minuteman Council. In order to consistently uphold its moral values, the BSA National Headquarters must roll some heads in Boston — those of the BSA leaders in Boston who refuse to uphold the Scout Oath must leave the organization,” Zeiger said.

He called on citizens in Massachusetts and all across America who are concerned about freedom of association and the First Amendment, and about preserving scouting for future generations, to call and write the Boy Scouts “and demand consistent enforcement of the Scouts’ morality code.”

[Yardstick]

In our town, we're not permitted on school grounds at all after hours.

Interesting, the different approaches. If the policy of your community is that the school will only be used for government business and off-limits for public use, then I can understand your position.

I wonder how common it is for communities to have the facilities of their public schools unavailable for use by the public?

[headsonpikes]

You can deny responsibility all you want, but it's you who treats the elite with respect; it's you who instructs his kids to 'respect their teachers' and 'respect authority'.

It's you who attends dinner parties and public meetings with these toads and smiles and grovels for their social approval and fancy invites.

It is your 'conspiracy of silence' which maintains these criminals in their exalted positions. You establishment-wannabees fear their disapproval.

I teach children to withhold respect, and to distrust so-called 'community leaders'. So should you.

[Clint N. Suhks]

WOW, I didn't’ I know you Liberaltarians were anarchists too. Only hypocrites protect one perversion over another, I’m guessing that’s the lesson you are giving to the children you teach. It’s the establishment of right and wrong that bothers you so much isn’t it, it must be your coping mechanism to deal with your perversion. God help those children you teach.

[bonesmccoy]

This report is nauseating and violating. The Boy Scouts need to revoke the status of the council involved!

The reason is clear! They are NOT morally straight!

Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan

Scout Oath (or Promise)

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.

Scout Law

TRUSTWORTHY

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

LOYAL

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

HELPFUL

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

FRIENDLY

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

COURTEOUS

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

OBEDIENT

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

CHEERFUL

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

THRIFTY

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

BRAVE

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

CLEAN

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

REVERENT

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily

[F16Fighter]

"Christianity is the religion of love. Bwahahahaha!"

Aren't you about due for your single-cell division yet?

[RonF]

It has already been established in law, in a case regarding a Bible study group that went to the Supreme Court, that as long as a public accomodation allows any groups to use their facility, they must allow all to do so (within the bounds of safety, facility scheduling, etc.). The BSA must be granted the same rights to meet in public schools, after school hours, as any other not-for-profit group.

Which, in one Salt Lake City school district that had a gay student support group apply to meet in it, caused said school district to deny all extra-curricular groups from meeting at it, rather than allow the gay student support group to meet there.

[Tired of Taxes]

I agree with that SLC school district.

[headsonpikes]

What's wrong? Couldn't you read what I posted or couldn't you grasp it.

More likely, you are so deep in the embrace of the enablers that you cannot conceive of an alternative.

Tough ****!

[Clint N. Suhks]

Hehehe…It’s the selfish Ayn Rand wannabes like you who are destroying this country by justifying social liberalism cloaked in the vague veil of liberty. Now go back down in your mothers basement, fire up your bong, and pontificate with your butt buddies about how society would be better off without paternal laws and blame the establishment for the pretend oppression that prevents you from doing anything you want when ever you want. Nobody cares; you’re so irrelevant it’s laughable.

Grow up!

[headsonpikes]

Back to your cubicle, 'public servant'.(read that with an implied sneer.)

[RonF]

I have e-mailed Minuteman Council, asking for the requirements for their new badge. Hopefully they'll answer me. If they do, I'll post them and we'll see what all the fuss is about.

[RonF]

Now here's something interesting. Minuteman Council does refuse registration to gays who are public about their orientation. According to this article, a gay man who discussed his orientation in a newspaper editorial was refused registration by the Minuteman Council.

[Clint N. Suhks]

(read that with an implied sneer.)

Well noted.

[Clint N. Suhks]

I have e-mailed Minuteman Council, asking for the requirements for their new badge. Hopefully they'll answer me. If they do, I'll post them and we'll see what all the fuss is about.

I e-mailed them when they began their crusade for the practice of perversion and received no response, perhaps it was due to objective terminology. Good luck, I hope you get an answer.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Hey dude, take another hit and get straight. Your link, like your life, didn’t work.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Is this where you burnouts’ work?

[Clint N. Suhks]

Marion, Butler, University of Indianapolis or ooey-pooey?