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Posted on 01/08/2012 9:01:43 AM PST by hiho hiho
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Portland man is urging people to boycott the Boy Scout Christmas tree recycling program to challenge the organization's position on gay rights.
Richard Kuhns posted flyers throughout the Laurelhurst neighborhood where he lives, complaining of the Boy Scouts’ national stance against gays.
Local Boy Scout leaders said the tree recycling program has traditionally been one of their biggest yearly fund-raisers.
Boy Scouts of America issued a statement Thursday that said in part, "The BSA recognizes that some do not agree with its position on this single issue, but values the freedom of everyone to express their opinion and teaches its members to use courtesy and respect at all times. To disagree does not mean to disrespect... The BSA believes that its youth program is not the appropriate forum in which to discuss issues of sexuality."
More: Read entire BSA statement
Kuhns disagreed and, in addition to circulating 200 flyers, he also started an online petition against the Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst, which sponsored the local Boy Scouts.
“Too many organizations like the church in Laurelhurst continue to enable the discrimination of the Scouts,” Kuhns said. “I think it's a basic civil rights issue.”
“We understand the protest,” countered pastor Greg Ikehara-Martin. “We are opposed to homophobia. We don't believe local Scout 22 is a homophobic group and we don't believe boycotting the Christmas tree recycling fund-raiser of this group is the best way to change the national policy on homosexuality."
Meantime, the Boy Scouts plan to start collecting trees for recycling in the Laurelhurst neighborhood starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The BSA recognizes that some do not agree with its position on this single issue, but values the freedom of everyone to express their opinion and teaches its members to use courtesy and respect at all times. To disagree does not mean to disrespect.
One of our greatest strengths as a nation is that we can disagree on a variety of issues while agreeing to support a common good.
The BSA believes that its youth program is not the appropriate forum in which to discuss issues of sexuality.
The BSA will continue to strengthen common interests, while respecting differences, and will focus on its mission and on reaching as many youth as possible in order to help them grow into good, strong citizens.
We change lives by mobilizing resources to build character, leadership, and life skills in youth.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
I wish I had 10,000 trees to recycle!!
Well of course this liberal idiot wants to boycott the Boy Scout tree recycling program. Of course he wants to make his political statement about homosexual rights.
Why doesn’t this dude organize a gay tree recycling, so as to provide a good service to people? Why is his only action to call for a boycott of an organization which is providing a good service, and which provides so much good to society in general?
Why do liberals want to boycott and destroy good organizations? Why do liberals seldom if ever create good works in society, or create programs which represent their values? Why do they so often want to tear down established organizations and institutions, rather than make their political statements in useful ways?????
Because gay and lesbian people are confused angry and selfish butt
holes
How does the BSA make money recycling Christmas trees?
I think someone should make this homosexual’s day and use a tree, that is slated for recycling, as a strap-on and let him have it.
No matter how many times you say it, it just doesn't sound right.
“Look at me! Look at me daddy! I’m a homosexual! Look at me daddy!”
Me too. The freedom of association.
Can i put my stumpy in your knot hole?
Boy Scout ping!
“Look at me daddy!”
Eggs Ackley!
Letting gays in as scout leaders is serving children up to pedophiles on a silver platter.
*************No Way!!!No How!!!Not Ever!!!****************** Siempre Listo.
“Look at me daddy!”
“Stumpy” better be a chode!
I wish I lived near the area. And had a real tree.
And this is the same group that demands tolerance. Boycotting someone for their beliefs doesn’t sound too tolerant.
“Why doesn’t this dude organize a gay tree recycling, so as to provide a good service to people?”
He’s not interested in doing anything positive or constructive for the benefit of others. He’s just concerned about himself and his diseased butt buddies.
“Why is his only action to call for a boycott of an organization which is providing a good service, and which provides so much good to society in general?”
Militant, Leftist homosexuals aren’t interested what is good, right, and upstanding. They are for the exact opposite.
“Why do liberals want to boycott and destroy good organizations?” By definition Leftists, like the Muzzies, worship darkness, death and destruction.
“Why do liberals seldom if ever create good works in society, or create programs which represent their values?”
If the Leftists were to create works that represented their values what do you think they would look like? Do you think it would be good?
“Why do they so often want to tear down established organizations and institutions, rather than make their political statements in useful ways?????” Since the Leftists are committed to death and destruction what else is there to do in life?
In the end the Left wants humanity completely exterminated because it sees humanity as a pox, cancer, plague, and virus on the Earth.
You have the right to be a disgusting pervert.
We have the right to recognize you as such...
I also don't think these people really want tolerance; they want acceptance -- they want us to "celebrate" their lifestyle. Mere tolerance is not enough.
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