City says scouts' use of land is in jeopardy - The group's exclusion of gays and atheists is...

Philadelpia Inquirer ^

[jimt]

That's not exactly true. To join the Scouts, one must proclaim belief in some higher power. An atheist would have to actively lie to join the Scouts, not just remain silent.

"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country... If I remember right, that's about the extent of the "proclamation" one must make.

If you're saying that would offend those (or make them liars) who actively believe there is no God, then I agree. But for those who could take a wider view, say that of Deists who saw God in creation, they could fit in nicely.

Personally I'd consider it a "white lie".

Besides, if there is no God, then there's no duty to God, is there? What's the big hu-hu ?

[jimt]

Perhaps they should buy it today? The city sells it to them for a small fee, and is free of this controversy. The Scouts stand on their own feet, and can limit membership accordingly. Everyone wins.

Outstanding idea !!! Philadelphia Freepers, how do we help you try to put this one through?

[Myrddin]

Companies pushing its employees to donate to the UW is similar to mandatory union dues for blue collar workers. Below is an article about corrupt in the UW.

The coercion was blatant when I first hired on at Pacific Telephone. My district manager called everyone into a conference room. He ran off the standard "rah rah" speech about supporting United Way. His paycheck and raises were influenced by how much his district pledged. He literally stood at the door and demanded that every single management employee in his district would sign over a 1% of gross pay donation to United Way before leaving the room. If you didn't play ball, you would get a bad annual performance review and shitty assignments. Your career was over. When I took time off at Christmas, I directed the admin clerk to code my time to all the floating holidays that I had been forced to work all year. Upon return in January, I discovered the clerk debited my vacation days. I was told this district manager "doesn't take payroll errors". I lost 7 days of paid vacation to pump up the puke's ego.

[Spok]

There is no better lesson that the BSA can teach our boys than standing fast in the face of evil.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I knew I had heard something unfavorable about the GSA.

My husband loves their cookies, and still buys several boxes when they have their annual sale. I think he's going to have to find another way to satisfy his sweet tooth.