Posted on 02/01/2013 6:45:30 AM PST by NYer
.- News that the Boy Scouts of America may soon approve of openly gay members and leaders has sparked a wave of concern and criticism throughout the country.
Eagle Scout Andrew Hill, who lives in Philadelphia, said that he is “disappointed” that the organization’s leadership appears to have “caved to external demands.”
“The Boy Scouts are now just another organization or public figure that has given in to societal pressure,” Hill told CNA on Jan. 31. “These are the times we live in, and as Catholics, we need to go forward aware of this reality.”
He added, however, that even if the policy change is made, he does not “expect this to have a significant effect on the majority of current and future scouts.”
“With so many troops being organized by and supported by churches, these troops will continue on as they were,” he explained.
Hill’s comments came in response to an announcement by the Boy Scouts of America that a ban on openly homosexual leaders and members is being reconsidered.
Deron Smith, director of public relations for the organization, announced on Jan. 28 that the group “is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation.”
He explained that the removal of a national policy would allow each local unit to set its own guidelines, permitting “the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue.”
The announcement drew criticism from both religious and secular sources concerned about the well-being of future scouts.
“Boy Scouts leaders are exactly that – leaders,” said Greg Quinlan, president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays. “Boys watch them very closely. Boys also look up to older Boy Scout members and want to imitate them and follow their examples.”
Quinlan, who identifies himself as a “former homosexual,” said that a gay man “who gently eases boys and young men into exposure of homosexuality by his own personal example promotes homosexual behavior as normal, natural and healthy.”
“This paves the way for youth to question their own sexuality and be affirmed into homosexuality,” he explained.
Quinlan – who attributes his past homosexual behavior in part to the experience of being sexually molested when he was young – also raised concerns of increased sexual abuse with a change to allow openly gay scout leaders.
He speculated that the Boy Scouts’ decision to reconsider its policy is due to financial and political pressure.
“It seems that one or more of your major corporate donors is pressuring you, and others are bullying you, to change the Boy Scout policy to admit homosexuals,” he said, adding that “(m)oney with dangerous conditions attached is not a donation - it's a bribe.”
In recent months, several significant donors – including Intel, UPS and Merck - have stopped giving funds to the Boy Scouts of America due to the ban on homosexual members. The organization had previously defended its policy, explaining that it aligns with the group’s values, respects parental rights and avoids distractions.
The Diocese of Arlington, Va., which sponsors 68 Boy Scout troops, will be watching the situation closely, alongside other parishes and dioceses around the nation.
“The clarity and courage of the Boy Scouts of America over the years in the face of considerable cultural, political and legal pressure has been a blessing,” said Michael Donohue, director of communications for the Diocese of Arlington.
Donohue told CNA that the diocese “is pleased to sponsor Boy Scout troops in its parishes, as are many Catholic dioceses across the nation.”
He explained that diocesan officials are awaiting the final results of the upcoming Boy Scouts meeting.
“Obviously, any substantive changes in the mission or policies of the Boy Scouts of America would require the diocese’s careful consideration,” he said.
The FIRST time a child is molested as a result of this ban being lifted, everyone who signed off on this should be held legally and financially responsible.
can this be stopped?
judging from the scouting website, this is a completed backroom deal as a transition to MANDATING homosexuals in the scouts.
The website makes the BS argument of not having a national policy anymore but local councils are going to be stripped of national support to keep their defense of children.
Those two should immediatly be pressured to resign.
The phone number should be reposted often and everyone please call the scouts to voice objection to this danger to children.
972-580-2330
972-580-2330
Boy Scouts of America phone number
Do scouting a favor, call.
CALL
Disappointment, hell outrage.
Ya think? Where’s Captain Obvious when he’s needed.
In my opinion, the greatest risk would be older boys preying on younger ones, if actively homosexual youth are allowed. People are thinking about adults with children, but the fact that the boys are all officially “minors” don’t make sexual abuse not abuse. (And it doesn’t when it’s heterosexual, either!!!)
The level of supervision, and of grotesquely graphic safety instruction, would have to be greatly increased.
The Boy Scouts was one of the only charities that I support, if this passes, they are off my list.
Starve the beast!
Allowing homos in BS = end of Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts are on the same trajectory...threw out mention of God awhile back and are now in bed with Planned Parenthood = no more cookies!
The FIRST time a child is molested...”
...and there will be a 1st time. Pedophiles will be lining up to “take charge” of a troop. If they don’t get one, they sue the BSA.
>>”The FIRST time a child is molested as a result of this ban being lifted, everyone who signed off on this should be held legally and financially responsible.”
By then it will be already too late.
The Boy Scouts has stood up against the liberal pressure and now is cracking under that pressure. If they do not fight, it will be the end of scouting for good.
By facing down oppression, standards must succeed. If there are no standard bearers, there will be no leaders to follow.
Doing the right thing will cost you but it is still worthwhile. America is looking to the scouts for leadership. How do you teach leadership when you cannot lead by example?
If they do this...no more popcorn. Don’t bother asking us for money, it will NOT be forthcoming.
My son will not allow his daughter in the Girl Scouts as they accept abortion .
If the Boy Scouts allow queers in, they are a dead organisation.
They will disappear inside 5 years. Too bad,
There's been pressure from gay lobbies to crack the wall of protecting young boys from homosexual indoctrination and exploitation. Apparently they received sympathetic support from these companies for some reason. Well, there are a LOT more heterosexual parents then gay men and we ought to be able to fight back. I've already told the BSA that I'll quit volunteering, pull my son, and dissuade others from participating since the BSA favors PC over safety and morality.
Other than Libtard parents (but I did state: "right mind").
This will be the death of that once-great organization.
I'm afraid you may be right. The "hotlines" are just theater to present the appearance of sensitivity to public opinion, but in the end, it may be ignored anyway.
Who would’ve thunk we’d live to see the day?
I feel OLD....
“On my honor... I promise to keep myself, physically strong, mentally awake and MORALLY STRAIGHT.
Please don’t do it.
What ever happened to “Don’t ask don’t tell”?
“With so many troops being organized by and supported by churches, these troops will continue on as they were,” he explained.
No they won't. There will be a massive withdrawal from the BSA by churches and individuals. It will be the death of the BSA as we know it.
I hope this is just a way for the board to bring attention to why they must downsize the organization, and find other means of financing the organization.
Although you and I contend over other matters, in this I am with you. As Paul points out, homosexuality is a clear statement of rebellion against God’s fashioning of our bodies. There is simply no way to be a practicing “gay” (misnomer) and properly represent life to boys, certainly not the Gospel. The nation is perhaps experiencing the “deluding influence” (IIThess. 2:11) sent by God as the curtain falls.
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